Monthly Archives: February 2013
Revis Island can come with a Population
The San Francisco 49ers traded quarterback Alex Smith to the Kansas City Chiefs for draft picks (and cleared up salary cap space). This move put the 49ers in a good spot to trade for New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis (who is currently being shopped by the Jets). What will the New York Jets seek for one of the best players in the NFL?
Addition by subtraction, addition by addition, or addition by multiplication…
Revis is a very HOT commodity and has been talked about by all NFL teams (and fans) since the Jets claimed they are interested in trading Revis. Current New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez has had two terrible turnover-filled seasons and may not be invited back to the team. Sanchez’s current contract/salary cap hit is nearly $13 million, a large burden for New York since he signed a large contract extension in 2012. Sanchez’s salary is very detrimental to the team for a quarterback that has led the league in turnovers for two straight years.
Can Revis and Sanchez be packaged together for a trade? Or can the Jets find an additional team to take Sanchez in a three way deal (like an NBA style trade). A trade for Revis can easily demand two 2nd round draft picks, or one 1st round draft pick, but including Mark Sanchez in the Revis deal; the Jets could take less just to get Sanchez salary cap figure off their books.
Revis was injured very early in 2012 and missed most of the 2012 season and he is only under contract this season, so if a trade is proposed, most likely a contract extension must be in place from the new team trading for Revis.
Time for the New York Jets to get creative…
San Diego Crimson Tide (OL)
Three top tier offensive linemen are coming from Alabama in this years draft. San Diego could be targeting all three of them (OG Chance Warmack, RT DJ Fluker, and C Barrett Jones).
With Joeckel and Fisher probably off the board when the Chargers pick @ #11, SD could trade down in the 1st round and stockpile picks (and still move back up).
Warmack is a mid to late 1st round prospect while Fluker is a late 1st round prospect. Barrett Jones has a 3rd round grade, so with some creative trading and swapping, can Tom Telesoc and Mike McCoy grab Warmack, Fluker and Jones 1, 2 and 3?
Rookie Left Tackles vs. Free Agent Left Tackles (2013 San Diego Chargers)
Quality starting left tackles in the NFL are very difficult to find, especially at a reasonable rate. San Diego found a keeper in 2011 in Jared Gaither, but Gaither failed miserably in 2012, crippled by back spasms & injuries. If Chargers new GM Tom Telesco and Head Coach Mike McCoy do stick with Gaither in 2013, they’re going to have to find a quality backup left tackle. And if this “quality backup left tackle” is forced to start a lot of games, he better have some experience too.
Rookie left tackles do not normally excel their first year, unless they’re top tier first round talents (like LT prospects Luke Joeckel or Eric Fisher). Those two should do well day one. By the time San Diego picks in the first round, number 11 overall, both top tier left tackles will probably be gone, leaving Lane Johnson as the next top LT draft prospect. Johnson has tremendous upside, but he’s only started one season as a starting left tackle, and if he had to backup Gaither, he could be starting more games at left tackle than he has college experience at left tackle. It could be very overwhelming for Johnson as full time starter/protector of Philip Rivers blind side, but that’s only a guess.
If Telesco and McCoy decide to roll the dice on Lane Johnson in the first round, Chargers fans could possibly see Rivers playing the same as 2011 and 2012 (which was poor). Johnson could excel as a starter, but he’ll need some grooming, at least another half a season learning the NFL position. In that case, I don’t think the Chargers draft Lane Johnson with the 11th overall pick.
Left Guard is another first round possibility but interior linemen are not likely taken within the first third of the first round. O-guard Chance Warmack has tremendous upside in this year’s draft and could be that power pro bowl left guard San Diego really needs, but O tackles should be more coveted in first round. Cornerback would feel the safest pick with #11 (if Cason or Jammer are not brought back), but that’s the way former GM AJ Smith’s drafting philosophy was (as Smith drafted several 1st & 2nd round cornerbacks). The Chargers could be looking for more young pass-rushers too, as outside linebackers Shaun Phillips and Antwon Barns may not return either.
San Diego has several holes to fill on their 2013 roster, and whoever the Chargers draft with their first round pick should be a starter, not a project that can possibly start in 2014. Biggest need (by far) is a new left tackle, but WHO? Since Fisher or Joeckel will probably not be available (with pick 11), SD should pick up a cheap free agent backup left tackle that could start of Gaither has another injury plagued year.
Where will the Free Agent Left Tackles go?
• Jake Long = He’ll demand a lot money & a big/long contract ($10MM per year). I can see him going somewhere that is a winner, for a slight discount. Prediction: Colts (or Packers)
• Branden Albert = KC would love to keep him, but since they have the first pick in the draft, and there are no #1 overall QB’s worthy of that overall pick, they’ll select LT Luke Joeckel (for 75% less of what Albert will demand on the open market). Albert will go to a team you would expect either. Prediction: Titans (or NY Giants)
• Sebastian Vollmer = this guy is good and versatile, which will give him a bunch of money and a big contract (perfect for his current coach). He’s currently a right tackle, but he can play left tackle just as well. New England shouldn’t let him go, but he may demand too much money for New England to match. I can see an inter-divional rival throwing big money at Vollmer, but I’d like to see him as a Charger. Prediction = Dolphins (or Patriots).
• Jermon Bushrod = He’s looking for a big payday, just like his ole’ guard buddies Nicks, Grubs & Evens. But he won’t find it because he’s not that great. He will get a decent offer though, and I’d suggest from his current team. Prediction: New Orleans (or San Diego, as he can play both LT and RT)
• Bryant McKinnie = He’ll stay in Baltimore (for cheap too, but still he’s a stop-gap)
• Sam Baker = has left tackle ability, but he’s only had ONE good year. He should stay right where he’s at. Prediction: Atlanta (or SD if they can get him on the cheap)
Who would you like to see as the Chargers starting left tackle in 2013?
How would you project the Chargers starting offensive line?
LT / LG / C / RG / RT
National Fanatic 