"My Almost Conversation about Ryan Fitzpatrick With Michael Kay"

(February 28th 2016) By: Efraim Graber

As I sat on the Belt Parkway on the way home from work on a Friday afternoon, The Michael Kay Show was playing in the background. Don and Michael were discussing the rumors that Colin Kaepernick wanted to be traded, and if the Jets should make the trade if it comes their way. I want to start off by saying that I am a huge fan of The Michael Kay show and I usually agree with Don and Michael's opinions. Michael kept on insisting that they should definitely entertain getting Kaep. 

He's younger, he has the ability to be a super star and he took a 49ers team to a Super Bowl that they almost won and followed it up with a trip to the NFC Championship the next year. This bothered me as a Ryan Fitzpatrick supporter, I needed to say my piece.

That's when I dialed 1-800-919-3776. They picked up after 2 rings. I was put on hold and told to turn down my radio. I did. Then comes the wait game, but at least I get to listen to the show while I waited until they let me say my piece. Don then began to say that Kaep (Colin Kaepernick - his name is too long to keep writing), was a running quarterback and that Ryan Fitzpatrick is not. Now I had even more things to say (Its been 20 min waiting on hold at this point).

From 2008 until 2016 Ryan Fitzpatrick has averaged 225 yards rushing per season. That is not the numbers of an immobile quarterback. Albeit they aren't finesse runs. They are the grittiest runs you've ever seen. One critique is that he has to learn how to slide.  Here's one of his grittier runs:

 

 

Ryan Fitzpatrick is not a quarterback who never had a good season in his career. He has played well in Buffalo for a few seasons. He had a great season with the Titans and Texans until he got injured. People love his quirkiness. He gets fans excited about what he's going to do next. The players love the new fun attitude too.

 

However the most important reason why the Jets should resign him over going out and getting Kaep is continuity. He has built a rapport and good chemistry with Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker. He had the best statistical season of his career with them and he had the best statistical season for a quarterback in New York Jets history (Joe Namath just shivered somewhere). He had the number 1 Red Zone offense in the NFL last season, and that was without their 6 foot 6 tight end Jace Amaro who is returning this season. Let him grow with Marshall, Decker and Co. Sign Fitzpatrick. We finally have a QB that's worth watching, he is a better QB than we've seen in a long while. LETS ENJOY HIM. I know its hard to enjoy football Jets fans, but lets give it a shot.

 

It was now 60 minutes that I was on hold and I had gone through all of this in my head. I went through how I would start my conversation when Michael said "Efraim from Brooklyn". But alas, I got home, parked and Michael started interviewing someone. I hung up and wrote down some of my pints so I wouldn't forget them. I had my conversation with Michael Kay, in my head.



 



"Off-Season Moves - Atlanta Falcons"

(February 27th 2016) By Jay Gelb and Efraim Graber

Lets start off by wishing Falcons owner Arthur Blank a speedy recovery from his cancer. Now, on to football. What do you get when you have one of the better QB's in the NFL throwing to possibly the best WR in football or handing off to one of the most productive breakout RB's in football? If "playoff team" crossed your mind you would be right! That is of course, unless that team had the worst pass rush in the league, yielding a measly 19 sacks. This is while playing in a division featuring MVP Cam Newton, Drew Brees and the emerging star Jameis Winston! That being said, Head Coach Dan Quinn has made it his mission this offseason to tear apart this defense and paste it back together with more speed and youth.



The Cuts:

Jay:

Paul Soliai - What was heralded 2 years ago as a big FA signing will end with Soliai getting cut after refusing to take a pay cut on his $5.6 Million salary. The switch to Dan Quinn's 4-3 attacking defense cut Soliai's playing time by a lot, and his sub par performance (no sacks and only 17 tackles) while he was on the field certainly didn't help his case.



Justin Durant & William Moore - These two have recently been released. Their lack of durability is most likely to blame as well as their old age of 31. Which for a defensive player can be ancient. The Falcons need to get younger on Defense after ranking 7th in yards allowed. The team will save roughly $5.5 Million between the two players.



Devin Hester - At 33 and coming off injury Hester is an option to be cut. Atlanta is rumored to be interested in Travis Benjamin who can return kicks as well as add speed opposite Julio Jones.

Efraim: 

I agree with the first 3 cuts, but Devin Hester can make a big comeback in a big way. He's one of those players that can give your team that spark. I don't believe he's lost his speed. However, they can still benefit from picking up Travis Benjamin.

I would also add Roddy white to this list. This team will not be able to move forward without cutting ties with him after a horrific season.



The Re-Structures:


Jay:

Roddy White - Many believe that White is on his way out after 11 seasons with the Atlanta Falcons after repeatedly seeing reduced targets over the past 3 seasons. However I believe that that the better idea would be to either re-structure Roddy's contract or make him take a pay cut and move him into a Larry Fitzgerald type role, playing in the slot while the falcons get younger and faster opposite Julio.




 Efraim:

CUT RODDY WHITE. See the above explanation.


The Re-Signings:

Jay:

Philip Wheeler - A solid Veteran presence for the young linebackers. A 1 year deal for $1.2 Million should do the trick to get him to stick around.



Adrian Clayborne - I believe the team realizes the mistake they made in not playing Adrian on the edge more consistently. He is a quality rotational player, he should be brought back on a 2yr/$5.1Million deal.


 

O'Brien Scholfield - another rotational player but he is nonetheless viewed as more of a  moral leader on this defense and a great locker room presence. Schofield will be looking for more of a longer term deal so figure 3 years in the 4-5 million dollar range.


Ryan Schraeder - The Falcons brought in Jake Long last year as an insurance policy for Schrader and Mathews who were coming off of a horrible rookie season. Schraeder quietly turned out to be one of the best RT's in the league and is now a RFA. Atlanta has too much work to do on the interior of the line that they cannot afford to see Schraeder walk. Expect a 4year extension or in worst case scenario a 1sr round tender worth somewhere in the 3 million dollar area.

Efraim:

This team has to get younger. If that means getting rid of guys like Scholfield and Wheeler than so be it. However, if they are willing to sign for the veterans minimum, then maybe they are worth the re-sign. The offensive line is the most integral part of Matt Ryans game. He needs time to let his receivers run their routes. Keeping Shraeder and building on the Mathews pick from last year should be the Falcons focus.

FA Additions:


Jay:

Travis Benjamin - This addition essentially kills two birds with one stone. Replacing Roddy White opposite Julio, and Devin Hester as the return man. A true deep threat, Benjamin is coming off a 966 yards 5 TD season…and that’s with likes of Johnny Manziel, Austin Davis and Josh McCown throwing to him. Hand the ball to Matt Ryan and this high powered offense, BOOM!

 

Bruce Irvin - Defense? Check, Young? Check, Faster? Check…..oh and did I mention he's from Atlanta and loves Dan Quinn from their Super Bowl winning days in Seattle?!?! Pairing Irvin with sophomore stud Vic Beasley will create a dangerous duo.

 

Stefen Wisniewski - The Falcons had quite the bumpy ride at the Center position in 2015. Wisniewski brings veteran leadership and stability to a relatively young OL.

 

Alex Boone - Fresh off an MCL tear Boone is one of the top guards on the market this season. His price tag will be affordable after the injury. At 28 he is also 4 years younger than Chris Chester. Perhaps a 1 year prove it deal will be in order here.

 

Efraim:

 

100% agree on these free agents for the Falcons. Although I would also add Eric Berry. Fresh off an emotional season with the Chiefs, where he beat cancer and played for a dominant defense that made the playoffs. He can really teach this young secondary a thing or two about how to create turnovers and force the issue. He would instantly take over as a leader on the field as well as in the locker room.

"Off-Season Moves - New York Jets"

(February 24th 2016) By: Jay Gelb and Efraim Graber

Starting with the Jets we will be going through each teams needs, wants and what we think they should do this off-season. Two of our writers opinions will always be placed side by side in these articles for diversity purposes.

The Jets are in a good place right now, but they need to make a number of roster moves to free up cap space. After cutting Cromarte, the Jets have about $23 million in cap space available. Tagging Mo Wilk and letting him play under the tag will cost the jets roughly $15 million per year leaving them with $8 million to spend and still a need for more cap room.

The Cuts:

Jay:

 

Breno Giacomini - cutting Giacomini would save the jets $5.6 million and is justified by his team high 44 allowed QB hurries and lack of ability to run block. The jets are hoping Brent Qvale will push for the starting RT spot. Either way the jets will look to replace him before cutting him.

Jeremy Kerley - the curious case of Jeremy Kerley will not continue into 2016. Chan Gailey does not like small sized receivers and the jets can save $1.3 Million by cutting him.



Jeff Cumberland - Frankly the jets have no use for him. In a year when the jets only other health TE was Kellen Davis, Cumberland could not find his way on the field. If that wasn't a good enough reason, Amaro is faster and a better pass catcher and Enunwa a better blocker.

Efraim:

 

I totally agree on Cumberland and Kerely. However, it's very hard to come by an enforcer like Breno Giacomini. They might be better off giving this O line another year together.

The Re-structures:

Jay:

D'brickashaw Ferguson - Ferguson has a $14 million cap number for 2016. He will certainly have to take a cut or restructure his contract if he wants to stay. While he bounced back from a bad 2014, Brick still isn't what he used to be. The jets should look to the draft for his future replacement in a mid to late round.



Nick Mangold - the other anchor on this line, Mangold is set to make $8.6 million this year. While he hasn’t exactly declined like Ferguson, you can still expect the jets to try and restructure his contract as next year is his last anyway.



Antonio Cromartie - I know Cro was cut already but don’t be surprised if the jets bring him back on a much more team friendly deal…essentially making it a pay cut.

Efraim:

100% agree on those. The feelings around the league are that Cro wants to be with this team and loves Bowles as a coach.

The Re- Signings:

Jay:

Ryan Fitzpatrick - Bringing him back is a no -brainer and the front office has made that clear. Fitz has excelled under Chan Gailey and has created quite the connection with both Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker. The only question is the price tag. Expect the jets to have an exit after 2 years.

Mo Wilkerson - all signs point to Mo getting the tag, a move that will eat up all but the freed up Cromarte money. Personally as much as I love Mo I would look to tag and trade. Don’t expect more than a 1st round pick. May even be a 2nd and 4th.



Damon Harrison - with Richardson and the new Big Cat being here and the jets playing a 3-4, Snacks is the more important FA to keep (as well as cheaper).



Chris ivory - coming off the best season in his career Ivory is looking to get paid, but it wont be from the jets. Not that he isn't worth it. However,  he has reached the point of not being reliable due to injuries with his style of play and his age, I only see that becoming more of an issue as the years go on.


Bilal Powell - I am all for re-signing Powell at the right price. He is an above average 3rd down back who can run, block, and catch it out of the backfield. He showed his talent and value over the last 6 games or so.


Demario Davis - Davis was the biggest upset for me this season as he completely regressed after a very good 2014 season. He lacked the speed in coverage and repeatedly missed tackles. Best case scenario he is brought back behind Erin Henderson on the depth chart maybe but more likely he is gone.


Erin Henderson - contract negotiations have already begun. Erin is a cheap replacement for Davis and a more talented one. Expect the jets to add talent at the linebacker position in the draft.

Efraim:

Fitzpatrick is a must to bring back. His chemistry with not only Marshall and Decker are integral to this teams success, he can also help mold the Rookie, Smith. Thompkins even played well with him. The Jets were #1 in Red zone offense last year. Now Jace Amaro is back. Yes the 6'6" Tight End.

Wilkerson should most definitely be tagged, but I say keep him. He's a once in a  generation player that progresses each year he's in the league.

Harrison can make a deal to keep this insane Defensive line together. He won't be cheap but we can back log his contract like we did with Revis many years ago.

Ivory is not going to be a Jet next year. His value is high and the Jets don't need to rely on him like they did in the beginning of last season.

Powell is a must resign. He is a game changer and Fitz loves using him in screens and in delayed handoffs.

Demario Davis and Erin Henderson can both come back on the very cheap, and I have a feeling they want to be part of this team. Besides, they won't get that great of a deal from anywhere else anyway.

FA Additions:

Jay:

Matt Forte - I am not even convinced that spending the money on a 30 yr old RB is the right move, but going after Forte means the jets are in it to win this year…think LT circa 2010.



Alfred Morris - Morris will be trying to regain the name he has made for himself prior to 2015, and will likely be open to a 1 yr low cost prove it deal.



Brandon Marshall/Danny Trevathan - Denver cannot keep everyone and either of these MLB would be an excellent compliment to The Hitman. Both players have multiple 100 tackle seasons and can play in coverage. Erin Henderson would end up being insurance/depth.



Mitchell Shwartz - At only 26 years old shwartz I considered to be one of the ebst RT's in the NFL. Being a FA is'nt a guarntee as joe thomas likely will opt out and alex mack is reportedly unhappy. But if he does hit the open market the jets should pull the trigger.



Joe Barksdale - After 4 years of terrible football with the raiders and rams, Barksdale finally excelled in San Diego. Even so this could be a cheap option for a team that many holes to fill. If the front office thinks he can be another james carpenter they should sign him.

Efraim:

Joique Bell - Having Bell and Powell in the backfield will give the Jets even more versatility to spread out the offense, which is exactly how Chan Gaily likes it. He can also be a power runner when he needs to be and is very affordable after being cut by the Lions.

Danny Trevathan - He would be ideal since we already have Snack, Mo Wilk and Sheldon Richardson crashing through the middle, Lets add Danny T. Besides for getting after the quarterback, he can also cover RB's and TE's very well. He would fit great with Bowles attacking defense.

Bruce Irvin - This is a pipedream seeing as how he will want a lot of money. It's the Ex-Seahawks way. He would be the edge rusher we need to compliment our big front.

Prince Amukamara - In a very Jetsian move. They would swoop in and take him not only to re-bolster one of the best CB depth in the league, but to spite their in-town rivals, the Giants.