Jets Nation

Linebackers Wanted!

The Jets have drafted 23 players over the last five years.  Of those picks only two were linebackers, Vernon Gholston now ‘thankfully’ gone drafted in 2008 and David Harris drafted in 2007.  Bryan Thomas most likely will not be retained.  Bart Scott has become a part time player and will be 32 in August.   Calvin Pace will turn 32 in October, while still a serviceable player, Pace had only five sacks in the 2011 season and his best days are behind him.

Looking at the free agent market not to many names jump out.  Yes, Mario Williams would be great but I just don’t see how it is financially possible given the salary cap position the Jets are in.  The Jets may want to sign a stop gap guy with some NFL experience but a truly impactful player may be out of reach.

While I love reading mock drafts I’ve never seen one that turned out to be correct.  It’s too hard with all the trades and rising and falling players.  I don’t know what the Jets will do in the draft, trade up, down or neither but I’ve tried to lay out some linebackers, where I think they’ll be drafted, and why I like certain ones.  The Jets have a glaring need for speed, athleticism and more depth especially at linebacker hopefully these needs can be addressed in this draft.

The Big Names Possible Top 20 picks:

Courtney Upshaw, OLB – Alabama

Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB – Illinois

Nick Perry, DE/OLB – USC

Early Picks, More Likely if The Jets Trade Back:

Vontaze Burfict, ILB – Arizona State:  Burfict is a versatile ultra aggressive player whom I watched many late nights during the PAC-12 season.  He can play inside or outside.  He has great speed and plays to contact.  You can blitz him or drop him back to cover, maybe even a tight end.   I can just see a Tom Brady sandwich with Mo Wilkerson and Burfict as the bread.  I’d love to see a Harris/Burfict combo for years to come.

Dont’a Hightower, ILB – Alabama:  Hightower played within a 3-4 system for Nick Saban and went up against elite talent of the SEC week after week.  He’s a solid tackler and can get after the quarterback.  Big, strong and fast would be a fine consolation prize if Burfict is gone.

Vinny Curry, DE/OLB – Marshall:  If the Jets get a stud ILB and also land Curry life would be good.  Curry can get up on the quarterback but is big enough to set the edge and play the run.  He has good speed and could also play with his hand in the dirt if need be.    If the jets trade back in the 1^st they may be able to move up into the early 2^nd if need be to get Curry without losing to many precious picks.

Mid Round Pick:

Tank Carter, ILB – TCU:  Reminds me of his ex-teammate now Cardinal Daryl Washington.  Carter is good tackler who can also play in space.  He has a nose for the ball and can make plays against the pass.  might be a little bit of a project, if available in the fourth round he’s a good value for some depth.

Later Round Pick:

Cordarro Law, OLB – Southern Miss.:   Will be interested in seeing how he does at the combine.  Has good football speed can play in space as well as get after the quarterback.  Law played well in the Conference USA Championship game against Houston.

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I Like Rex Ryan.  But there were times during this year’s disappointing campaign that I wasn’t sure I did.  His sidelines at times appeared chaotic, he needs to improve his game and clock management skills, and most obviously, he must be better tuned in to the psyche of the players in his locker-room.  But these are skills, and skills can be developed and improved.  Most coaches achieve greatness because of something beyond skill, something less tangible.  They have an innate quality that only exists in great leaders of men, to get the most out of each individual, sharing the virtue of suffering, sacrificing personal achievement for team success.  Coach Rex Ryan can be that leader.   It is clear after three seasons with the Jets, his players will lay it on the line for him.  The recognition of the exceptions and the taking of swift and decisive action is when true leadership emerges.

I first thought about this when I read that Patriot’s Head Coach Bill Belichick made rookie Stevan Ridley inactive for the AFC Championship game against the Baltimore Ravens.  In a 45-10 victory over the Denver Broncos, Ridley fumbled in the third quarter.  Who would even notice a fumble in a game so dominated by the Patriots?  Coach Belichick took notice and action as Ridley didn’t see the field again that day and perhaps the rest of the year.  When you consider how many carries Ridley was getting for a team not very deep at running back, Coach Belichick’s message was loud and clear, achieve greatness or stay home.

Looking back on the New York Jets season there were plenty of opportunities to send this same message, most notably perhaps with Matt Mulligan.  When you consider penalties, poor blocking, and a sideline argument with RB coach Anthony Lynn, a missed opportunity by Rex to make a huge statement of Mulligan’s inability to achieve greatness, could have put the rest of the team on notice.  Leadership is having the courage to make unpopular decisions.  When you stand at a podium and insist you are good enough to win a Super Bowl but allow mediocrity in the locker room, it’s not talent holding the team back, it is a lack of genuine leadership.

When comparing the two coaches, Ryan and Belichick, there is one huge difference.  Coach Ryan wants to live up to his label of a “player’s coach”, to be liked by his players and they in turn will play hard.  It’s a “when they feel good they will play well” philosophy.  Coach Belichick has never sought the “player’s coach” label and he demands greatness out of everyone, all the time.  It’s a “play well and you will feel good” philosophy.

Ironically in the end, both coaches are liked by their players, but for right now many players who like Belichick, have rings on their fingers.

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Nick Mangold is in Hawaii for the Pro Bowl and he is working with the Pro Bowl Community Blitz, presented by P&G.  Last year this was the largest community outreach in the history of the league.  JetNation had the opportunity to talk to Nick for a few minutes as they took a break on the site of their efforts, building a playground at a public school on Oahu.

JN: We know you’re doing some community service while you’re in the Hawaii for the Pro Bowl, tell us a little about the NFL Pro Bowl Community Blitz presented by P&G.

NM: Yeah we’re doing some great work here with P&G, mostly building playgrounds and things like that for kids. It’s for a great cause and it feels really good to give back to the kids. 

JN: If you want to know more about this great cause go to facebook.com/takeittothehouse

JN: We’ve heard a lot about the state of the locker room, Greg McElroy and most recently Darrelle Revis has come out and said the problems “ran deep”, how bad was the locker room and was it over blown by the media?  

NM: Whenever you combine losing with have that many personalities inside a locker room, there is a chance of a few problems. We’re going to fix it.

JN: The biggest issue seemed to be the relationship between Santonio Holmes and Mark Sanchez. Do you think that relationship can be fixed and do you feel that Mark is the QB of the future?

NM: Yeah. Mark is our guy. We have faith that Mark will be our QB. He and Tone are both extremely competitive, Mark is probably the most competitive guy I know, they’re both pros and we think it will work out. 

JN: Ever since Rex took over, the bedrock of the Jets has been a top defense and a strong running game. The Jets finished 1st in ’09, 4th in ’10, but slipped down to 22nd this past year in total rushing Why do you think this happened? 

NM: We had a lot of moving parts up front. I don’t think we had the line completely healthy and together all season. I think the lockout hurt us a little, we had some moving parts and the OTAs and mini camps would have helped us. But next year I expect us to get back to form. 

JN: We all know about Rex’s bravado. This year it seemed to be more of a burden on the team, some teams even came out and said Rex gave them extra motivation. Do you think Rex needs to tone down the guarantees and bravado?

NM: Rex is gonna be Rex. We love playing for him, and this year we feel like we let him down. We don’t want to do that again. 

JN: When you lose guys like Jericho Cotchery, Damien Woody, Alan Faneca, Tony Richardson, Kris Jenkins, and Shaun Ellis not only are you losing talent, but leadership as well. When I look at guys like you, D’Brick, Revis, and David Harris I see those same leadership qualities. What do you guys have to do to establish yourselves as leaders to make sure this locker room situation never happens again?

NM: I think we all need to and can step up and take on more leadership responsibilities. Next year is a new year and we’re going to fix it.

JN: Next weekend of course is the Super Bowl and it is a Jets fan’s worst nightmare in New England vs the Giants. Who do you want to win and why? 

NM: Neither, I hope it ends in a tie. I probably won’t even watch it.

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For the second year in a row, running back Curtis Martin is again on the list of finalists to be inducted into the Pro-Football Hall of Fame. If you like the Jets on Facebook or follow them on Twitter, you might have noticed their “Curtis to Canton” campaign? That’s what it is.

Martin had a spectacular career (mostly for the Jets).  He entered the NFL in 1995 as a third round draft pick of the New England Patriots. In his first year, he ran for 1,487 yards, and was named the Offensive Rookie of the Year, and selected to the Pro-Bowl.

Curtis Martin came to the Jets for the 1998 season as an unrestricted free agent, reuniting with Bill Parcells. Martin was an incredibly healthy player for the Jets, missing only one game in his first seven seasons, but he was forced to retire in 2007 due to complications from a knee injury. He had played only sporadically through 2005 and 2006.

Martin finished his career with 14,101 total rushing yards and 90 rushing touchdowns, as well 3,329 receiving yards and 10 receiving touchdowns. He rushed for 1,000 yards are more in each of his first ten seasons, but fell short in becoming the first rusher to run for 1,000 yards are more in his first 11 seasons.

Winning the NFL rushing title in 2004 with 1,697 yards, Martin became the oldest player to do it at the age of 31. He’s fourth on the NFL’s all time leading rush list, behind Walter Payton, Emmitt Smith, and Barry Sanders. Martin is the Jets all time leading rusher with 10,302 yards, fourth on the Patriots (bleh) leading rush list with 3,799 yards, and he’s one of 16 players to have scored 100 career touchdowns.

Players are voted into the Hall of Fame by a Board of Selectors, a 44 person committee that is made up mostly of sports writers, usually from major papers in NFL cities. There are also other delegates, members whose cities have lost NFL representation (such as Los Angeles).

In order to be eligible for enshrinement, a player (or coach) must be retired at least five years. Fans are able to nominate players for the hall by writing letters or emails to the Pro-Football Hall of Fame. The selection committee is polled by mail to select 25 semi-finalists, once in March, September, and October. In November, the committee selects 15 finalists, also by mail.

Nine members of the Selection Committee, a sub-committee known as the Seniors Committee, pick two players whose careers ended more than 25+ years ago. This brings the total list to 17 finalists.

The day before the Super Bowl – so February 4^th this year –the committee gets together to elect a new class. To be elected into the hall, players must get at least 80% support from the voters. Here’s the catch: no less than four and no more than seven players are elected every year. If four players don’t get 80% support, then the top four vote-getters are elected. If more than seven players get 80% or more support, then only the top seven vote getters are elected in.

The induction ceremony usually takes place the first full weekend of August, with the community of Canton, Ohio (where the Pro-Football Hall of Fame is located) holding a weeklong festival to celebrate. Unlike the Baseball Hall of Fame, inductees aren’t enshrined as members of a specific team. All their accomplishments for each team are listed equally and no specific team is highlighted. In addition to the busts that stay on display in the hall, the inductees are given gold jackets.

As I mentioned, this is Curtis Martin’s second year in a row that he’s been nominated. Last year, his first year eligible for selection, he missed out on induction. Richard Dent (defensive end), Marshall Faulk (running back), Deion Sanders (cornerback), and Shannon Sharpe (tight end) were all elected in to the hall last year as players from the modern era. Chris Hanburger (linebacker) and Les Richter (linebacker) were also elected in, but didn’t play during the modern era, and Ed Sabol, who was behind the idea of NFL Films, was also selected.

One of the greatest players of all time and the guy’s a Jet. Here’s to hoping 2012 is his year to get in at Canton.

You can comment on Curtis Martin’s Hall of Fame chances in the Jet Nation forums.

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As the Indianapolis Colts continue to rebuild their organization there is increased speculation that quarterback Peyton Manning will be released.  Manning is due a substantial signing bonus in early March (rumored to be approximately $28 million dollars) and many insiders believe that the Colts will move on from the future Hall of Famer and start over with rookie quarterback Andrew Luck.  Once Manning is released the speculation continues that the New York Jets will be the likely landing spot for the star quarterback.

While this story seems to make sense on paper, especially after the Jets took a chance on Brett Favre, there are several issues that should prevent Peyton from playing with Gang Green.

Cap space- Peyton Manning is currently one of the highest paid players in the NFL and will command a significant contract if he hits the free agent market.  The New York Jets are reportedly $5-7 million dollars under the cap and would have to come up with some creative accounting (restructuring contracts and cutting players) in order to come up with the space required to sign Manning.  Does that really make sense to do for a soon to be 36 year old quarterback coming off of major neck surgery?

Not one player away-In order for the Jets to return to their championship contender status the team is going to have to upgrade the talent base at several positions.  Gang Green needs help at safety, linebacker, right tackle, and wide receiver, in addition to adding depth at other positions.  Bringing in Peyton Manning will prevent the Jets from upgrading their roster, as his price tag will eat up valuable cap space.  Lets face it Gang Green is not one player away from a championship, even if that player is Peyton.

Ground and pound- Throughout his entire professional career Peyton Manning has been the focal point of his offense, one that is primarily built around an explosive passing game.  The Jets offensive philosophy is almost the exact opposite as it is built around a power running game.  So with that being said Gang Green would either have to change their philosophies or Manning would have to accept a lesser role. Either way I do not think it makes sense for a quarterback that will only play for another year or two.  Note: I understand that Peyton’s former offensive coordinator Tom Moore is a consultant for the Jets.  While there is a notion that Moore could be hired as a passing coordinator, I still do not think it would be worth restructuring an entire offense for a player that will not be with the team long term.

Injury factor- One of the most important factors in this entire deal is the health of Peyton Manning.  The NFL has becoming a passing league, which means that defenses have been forced to step up their pressure on the quarterback.  Can Manning’s body endure the rigors of a physical 16-game season?  It is not like this is a minor injury that Peyton is trying to return from.

It is no secret that the Jets need help at the quarterback position, but based on the reasons listed above I do not think that Peyton Manning is the answer. Manning’s age, health, and price tag are all red flags in my eyes.

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Let us remember that Mark Sanchez only started 16 games at the University of Southern California.  He had two years of up and down moments, however, led the New York Jets to AFC Championship games in his first two seasons.  I don’t think it comes as any surprise when I say that Sanchez had a year of regression in 2011-2012.  With poor offensive line blocking and complicating schemes, Sanchez was constantly looking down to see how his protection is holding up.  I don’t care if you’re Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, or Drew Brees, when you’re being rushed on every play, it is extremely difficult to focus on finding an open receiver.  I believe that Sanchez never truly trusted this offensive line this season and it was a major reason for his decline.

However, most of the problems I see with Sanchez are physical and a few are mental…some can be fixed, some a quarterback either has or doesn’t have.  One example would be Sanchez backpedaling when the rush is coming, rather than stepping up into the pocket or using his legs to roll out and make something happen.  He often stepped back into sacks of 7 yards or more.  Any successful team is consistently at 3^rd down and 4 or less, but it seemed that the Jets were always in 3^rd down and 8 this season.  In an era where a quarterback’s ability to extend a play is vital to the team’s success, Sanchez found himself on his back more times than passes completed on the roll out this season.  The problems with his throwing motion are small matters that he can fix.  He needs to keep the ball high and tight to his body when he drops back (this will decrease the amount of strip sacks he takes). His release should be over the top and often times, in times of a rush, he slings the ball sidearm and doesn’t follow through with his arm or his body.  Many times this season I believe Sanchez threw blindly into crowded areas.  He was fortunate that he didn’t have more interceptions than he did (18).  The major flaw with his game is his inability to scan the field.  Any fan can see that when a play is designed to go to Dustin Keller, or Plaxico Burress or Santonio Holmes he immediately looks at that receiver.  If that receiver’s covered he looks to check down right away to a running back.  This is why he completed 308 passes for 3,474 yards.  A lot of check downs.  308 completions should lead to well over 4,000 yards passing.  This may not be an area that can be fixed.

Tony Sparano, new offensive coordinator is going to have to develop an offense that fits Mark’s strengths and minimizes his weaknesses.  He needs to roll out, he needs more options to throw to, and he needs plays that require him to make the easy decision.  Once they have confidence in his ability to do these things, they can expand the playbook.  I believe he still has a tremendous amount of potential.  After all, check out Eli Manning’s third year in the league (301-522 for 3,244 yards, 24 TDs, 18 INTs).  It looks awfully similar to Sanchez’s third year line (308-543 for 3,474 yards, 28 TDs 18 INTs).  He is still young, he has a new offensive coordinator, and regardless of the cowardly reports by anonymous players, he has a tremendous work ethic and wants to be great.  With a few minor adjustments and simplified playbook that caters to his strengths, Mark can have an excellent bounce back season in 2012-2013.

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The Jets have drafted 23 players over the last five years.  This is by far the lowest in the NFL, the league average has been 38.  Of those picks only seven were defensive players.  This aggressive style trading pick for players moving up in the draft has allowed the team to be competitive with back to back championship game appearances.  However the shelf life of a team built in this manner tends to be short.  As we all saw once the roster started to turn over the replacements were not there, for example Wayne Hunter.

With a glaring need for youth, speed and athleticism the Jets 2012 NFL draft strategy will have to move in a different direction.  The draft is a complicated process. Top prospects often fail, Vlad Ducasse selected 61st overall, while others later round picks often flourish, Matt Slauson selected 193rd.  I’m not saying the team will find late round Pro Bowlers left and right but the fact is if you draft four players there is no way six will work out.

Here’s what I think will happen:

1. The Jets will trade back in the first round and get a pick or two more.  This will also allow some flexibility to trade up in other rounds.
2. They will concentrate on defense.  Yes the offense needs help but the team is going to win with defense.  This aging defense needs replacements for this year and next as older high priced players move on.
3. They will draft for their needs as well as for the future.  Here’s an example, tight end is not a glaring need but Dustin Keller is an unrestricted free agent after next year and may not be able to be retained.

Hopefully a crop of young talent will allow the team to continue to have success while helping the salary cap situation allowing some personnel flexibility and depth something the team sorely lacks.

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The New York Jets late season collapse and surprising locker room issues have put the team in the headlines almost on a daily basis.  Recently I had a chance to interview three diehard Jets fans (also season ticket holders) to hear their thoughts on the issues that Gang Green is facing.

TR: Following the Jets “meltdown in Miami” the team has been making headlines for all of the wrong reasons. What are your thoughts on the team’s chemistry issues and who do you think is most responsible for them?

Brian Imbemba Jr. : “While I think there is a significant chemistry problem between certain individuals on the team I think the media has also made its best effort to exacerbate the situation.  I think the responsibility for this falls on the coach, the gm and the players.  I think the general manager has placed little value on the importance of locker room leaders and it showed in this years team.  Rex has said he never had a true pulse on this team and that is inexcusable.  It is his third year as a head coach and much like the QB we need to see some growth.  Lastly not one player stepped up and took control of that locker room??  Are we really that devoid of leadership?  On a side note LaDainian Tomlinson is the furthest thing from a leader as he did absolutely nothing to defuse this situation but made sure to speak of the problems as he parted ways with the team much like he did with San Diego.”

Joseph Grinwis :  “Obviously there is a problem on the offensive side of the ball, most notably between Sanchez and Holmes. I’m guessing here, but I assume that Holmes’ attitude is the biggest issue and if it’s something that he’s not willing to work on then he should get the boot, unless the organization wants to condone his me-first attitude and in which case they should just deal with the consequences of what’s going to happen every year between the two until Sanchez is gone.”

Randy Reay :  “To start in all the years I have been a Jet Fan I have never been more embarrassed then I have been in the last 2 seasons. We have gone from a team that was liked around the league to an organization that people and other teams take pleasure in throwing under the bus. The Jets did this to themselves. Rex Ryan created a “frat house mentality” and it has backfired big time.  Accountability should be the key this season. I personally blame the entire organization from Woody Johnson to Mike Tannenbaum to Rex Ryan.”

TR: According to several published reports the relationship between Mark Sanchez and Santonio Holmes deteriorated as the season played out.  How would you address this situation going into the offseason?

Brian Imbemba Jr. : “There has to be accountability, consequences and repercussions.  I would start by sitting them down and let them both know what’s at stake team-wise and individually.  From that point it has to be monitored closely as we progress from mini-camps to Cortland.  Let them room together at Cortland and see how the relationship develops.  As long as they are able to function on the field I do not think how they feel about each other off of it will matter.  I think qb/receiver communication has to be stressed, as on too many occasions they were not on the same page.”

Joseph Grinwis: “I’d sit them both down and talk about what’s going on, what their differences are, etc. If all sides don’t see a resolution coming quickly then either Sanchez or Holmes need to be released or traded. Obviously this would have to happen before February 8, when Holmes is guaranteed $7.25 million of his 2013 contract, let alone the $7.75 million he’s already guaranteed in 2012.”

Randy Reay: “Rex and Sparano need to sit down with them both and read them the riot act. There is no “I” in team. Holmes should have never been made a captain to start with. What kind of message are you sending to the rest of the team by making him captain?  This issue should have never been swept under the carpet and should never have gotten to this point.”

TR: Heading into his third season the expectations were pretty high for quarterback Mark Sanchez.  How would you evaluate Sanchez at this point and do you believe that he is a franchise quarterback? 

Brian Imbemba Jr. : “I think based on pure skill I would evaluate Sanchez as an average quarterback.  He has flashes of brilliance but for the most part he is middle of the road.  I think his problems start with fundamentals.  He needs to keep 2 hands on the football and keep it high until the decision to throw is made. He has a propensity to fumble.  He runs through his progressions way too fast and checks-down before a play has a chance to develop.  At certain points he locks onto one receiver or only scans half the field and most importantly his accuracy has been sub-par.  As far as being a franchise quarterback I do not believe he is at that point, but I am not ready to throw the towel in.  I think he deserves a shot with new offensive coordinator Tony Sparano before we can make a final judgment.”

Joseph Grinwis: “Sanchez has regressed every year since joining the Jets. He has proven time and time again that he is not capable of consistently winning games when the coaching staff hands him the ball and asks him to do so. He is not a franchise quarterback he is a game manager, and a pretty good one at that. But if a team stops the Jets’ rushing attack or the defense has an off day, the Jets will find it hard to win with Sanchez at quarterback. Everything around him will have to be near perfect in order for him to win a championship one day.”

Randy Reay:  “Sanchez took a step back no doubt, but not 100% is on him. The fact that the offensive line gave him very little protection hurt him while his receivers dropped catchable passes as well. Brian Schottenheimer’s play calling did not help either. Sanchez has shown he can take a hit (great) but that being said he looks lost at times, locks in on a receiver, and turns the ball over at the worst time. Sanchez no longer has Shotty to take the bullet for him and in my opinion this is a make or break year for him. If he cannot cut it then it is time to cut our losses and move on to another quarterback.”

TR: What are you feelings on the hiring of offensive coordinator Tony Sparano?

Brian Imbemba Jr. : “I am a fan of the hire.  If not for it being a breath of fresh air I think he meshes well with the head coach, something I never thought Rex and Schotty had. I think his vision of the offense and Rex’s vision are aligned.  This team will get back to running the football, working the play action, and god-willingly stretching the field to get the extra defender out of the box on almost every down. I think he will make players accountable and demand a certain level of performance. Maybe our QB can use the tough love he is going to receive.”

Joseph Grinwis: “ Love it. Sparano will bring back ground and pound and a ball control style offense that fits the capabilities of Sanchez to a tee. If Sanchez still is inconsistent he will be replaced by the veteran that the Jets will surely bring in this off-season.”

Randy Reay:  “Could be a breath of fresh air after Shotty.  I understand he is an in your face kind of guy who demands accountability which I think is great.”

TR: What do you think are some of the Jets biggest needs as the team prepares for the 2012 season?

Brian Imbemba Jr. : “In no particular order I would say 2 new safeties (one dynamic player at the very least)  an every down 3-4 OLB who can rush the passer, OL in particular right tackle and depth, a complimentary running back to Shonn Greene, a vertical threat wide receiver, an inside backer with speed to replace Scott and both a punter and kicker.”

Joseph Grinwis: “They need help in several areas. Most notably they need a starting right tackle, a pass rushing outside linebacker, and two starting caliber safeties, along with some youth and speed at the wide receiver position. A bruising running back to spell the often-injured Shonn Greene would help as well.”

Randy Reay: “Wow we need a ton of help. Offensive lineman, pass rusher, linebacker, safety, a backup quarterback, a running back to push Shonn Greene, and a tight end to team with Keller.  The Jets need better overall depth and need to improve team speed.”

TR: Thank you for your time guys, your insight is appreciated.  As always it is going to be a very interesting off-season for the New York Jets.

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By Rick Allen

With an outstanding weekend of conference championship football behind us and only a few days until the Super Bowl, it is time to lay out what the NFL off season calendar has in store for the year round football fan.

January 28^th – Senior Bowl – Kick off at 3pm, NFL Channel- One last chance to watch your favorite college senior or start your own draft depth chart.

January 29^th – NFL Pro Bowl – 7pm NBC -  With the addition of Brandon Moore replacing Patriots guard Brian Winters and joining offensive line mates D’ Brickashaw Ferguson and Nick Mangold, watch the Jets O-line lead the AFC Pro Bowl team.

February 5^th – Super Bowl XLVI – 6:25 on NBC- New England Patriots vs. New York Giants in Indianapolis.  As if another Super Bowl without the Jets isn’t bad enough, could the matchup be more painful?

February 20^th – Teams can begin applying franchise and transition tags to players.   The Jets have an array of underwhelming free agents with a few solid contributors; Jim Leonhard, Bryan Thomas, Plaxico Burress, and Sione Pouha.

February 22-28 – NFL Combine with Live Coverage on the NFL Network and NFL.com.  If you have not taken a few sick days to watch this already, I would highly recommend it.  A great watch for the hard core football fan.

March 5^th – Deadline for teams to apply franchise and transition tags.

March 13^th – Free agency begins at 4pm.  Let’s hope for a very busy front office for the New York Jets.

March 25-28 – NFL Owners Meetings in Palm Beach, FL.  It doesn’t appear playoff re-seeding will make the agenda this year, but perhaps an additional rule limiting coaches changing teams in the middle of a season might be a hot topic.

March 30-31- Super Regional Combine in Detroit Michigan, this is an invitation only workout opportunity for future NFL draft picks.

Mid April – Off season programs begin.  Each team is allowed 10 OTA’s during the off season.

Late April – The Official 2012 NFL schedule will be announced.

April 26-28 – The 2012 NFL Draft, ESPN/NFL Network – Once again round one will be held Thursday night April 26^th in prime time as it has become a huge television event.  Rounds two and three Friday April 27^th and rounds four through 7 Saturday April 28^th.  Stay tuned to ESPN and NFL Network for full coverage.

Late July – Training camps open round the league.

Early August – The 2012 Pre-season begins.

September 6^th – 2012 -NFL season begins at the stadium of the Super Bowl Champion.

As the long wait begins for the 2012 NFL season one thing is certain, it’s a great time to be a fan of the NFL.  Follow all the off season information on www.jetnation.com and football Sundays will back before you know it.

As a side note, the 2012 Hall of Fame class is announced February 4^th , with the inductions in Canton on the 4^th of August.  I believe Curtis Martin deserves the honor and it will be bestowed upon him this year.  Let’s fill the stands with the green and white and show Curtis Martin how much his effort, performance, and class means to the JetNation.

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