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If Johnny Manziel slips to 18, should the Jets pick him? Let’s take a closer look at “Johnny Football” and the Jets in today’s Website Whispers . . .
The New York Post had a banner back page headline this week stating the Jets should get Manziel at all costs.
For those unfamiliar with the New York Post layout, the back page is the front page of the sports section. So a banner back page headline, is essentially a front page headline.
Veteran writer Steve Serby wrote a column supporting this angle earlier this week.
Serby wrote the Jets should do this at all costs.
Now, if the Jets’ scouting department gives this guy a super high grade, and he’s there at 18, where they are currently picking in the first round, and they feel he constitutes a major steal where they are selecting, perhaps the Jets should consider this player from a value standpoint.
Sticking to the value of your draft board is always the best way to go. That is why should spend millions on scouting, and spend so much time stacking the board.
But to give up draft picks to move up for a 6-0 riverboat gambler college quarterback doesn’t seem like a good idea.
I respectfully disagree with my long-time friend Steve that the Jets have to jump through hoops to get this guy.
The best thing for the Jets to probably do at quarterback is to have Geno Smith compete with a seasoned-veteran for the starting job, somebody that has been around the proverbial NFL block, perhaps Mark Sanchez, or a guy like Matt Schaub.
They need veteran insurance for Smith, not a raw rookie as the backup plan in 2014.
The Jets have missed the playoffs three years in a row.
They need to have a quarterback in tow, if Smith isn’t the answer, who is a pro’s pro, a somewhat proven commodity, who can take the baton, if necessary.
That is the insurance they need in a season they absolutely, positively must make the playoffs. Four years out of the second season is wholly unacceptable.
The Jets need to move on from the mindset of picking players to sell tickets. That approach, perhaps which led to the Jets acquiring Brett Favre and then Tim Tebow, needs to be in the rear view mirror. You get that sense it is under John Idzik, who isn’t wired that way.
And it’s unclear if Manziel’s game will translate to the NFL. He’s a great competitor, but running around like a mad man, making plays on the fly, often leads to injuries on the NFL level.
Also, he’s seems like he might be a party animal. Jets probably don’t need to add a player like that being close to NYC.
In 2012, in College Station, he was charged with disorderly conduct and possessing a fake license.
And can you imagine what a distraction Manziel would be the New York press, especially the Jets rambunctious beat corps (including yours truly). It would be a circus. Jets don’t need any more circuses.
The questions to Rex Ryan, and the players, about Manziel starting, would be non-stop, and drive the players and coaches crazy.
So unless the Jets have a very, very high grade on Manziel, which remains to be seen, and he represents a major steal at 18, they should stay away . . .
December 3, 2014
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