InmanRoshi
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When Parcells was GM with the Jets, Tannanbaum was his right hand mand. Mangini is also attempting to install Parcells/Belichick 3-4. This is a possible trade partner that makes a lot of sense.
Jets GM poised to upgrade team
Thursday, August 17, 2006
BY DAVE HUTCHINSON
Star-Ledger Staff
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. -- During a state-of-the-team address yesterday at training camp, Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum said he's confident he'll be able to improve the team before the Sept. 10 opener at Tennessee and laid out three ways in which he can do it.
Tannenbaum, speaking to the media for the first time since the start of training camp in late July, also said the Jets will give running back Curtis Martin every opportunity to return this season. Martin, 33, is on the physically unable to perform list following an arthroscopic procedure on his right knee in December.
Although Tannenbaum didn't say so, obtaining a running back likely tops his priority list. The backs on his radar include T.J. Duckett (Falcons), Ron Dayne (Broncos), Michael Turner (Chargers) and Kevan Barlow (49ers).
Acquiring a nose tackle is next on the agenda and the Jets had veteran Grady Jackson in for a visit yesterday.
Possible trade bait is veteran wide receiver Justin McCareins, who remains in coach Eric Mangini's doghouse and has fallen to the second team behind Jerricho Cotchery. The Jets remain deep in the secondary as well after the trade that sent cornerback Derrick Strait to Cleveland was voided when running back Lee Suggs failed his physical.
"We've been talking to a lot of teams about a lot of different positions," said Tannenbaum. "I don't want to comment on any particular speculation except to say that I'm on the phone a lot and once in a while it's to Michelle (his wife, who recently gave birth to a baby boy)."
Tannenbaum, in his first season as GM, explained that in the month of August there are three ways to improve your team: waiver-wire claims, signing a vested veteran who is waived in training camp, or making a trade.
As for a waiver-wire claim, the Jets are fourth in line to claim a player by virtue of their 4-12 finish last season and have a chance to pick up a fairly good player as teams make their final cuts.
Any vested veteran cut in training camp doesn't have to go through waivers and can sign with any team. Tannenbaum said the Jets are in good shape salary cap-wise to sign such a veteran.
Finally, the Jets can make a player-for-player trade, as they attempted to do with Cleveland for Suggs, or can trade draft picks for a player. Tannenbaum pointed out that the Jets have four picks -- a first, two seconds and a third -- on the first day of the 2007 draft.
"Organizationally I feel good about our preparation relative to those three mechanisms to improve our team," Tannenbaum said. "If any of those three scenarios present themselves to us I feel good that we can react accordingly and improve the team."
Tannenbaum dodged a question about whether he regretted not drafting a running back higher, especially after Martin advised the team to strongly consider taking one in the early rounds because he was concerned about his ability to play this season.
The Jets didn't draft a running back until the fourth round, when they selected Florida State's Leon Washington, who is a small, situational back. As a result, the Jets find themselves scrambling to find a back in the third week of training camp as Derrick Blaylock, Cedric Houston and Washington have yet to step up.
"I wouldn't characterize it as scrambling," Tannenbaum said.
That, however, is exactly what it is. Martin is currently rehabbing his knee and someone with knowledge of his condition said he won't be ready for the opener. The hope is that he'll be ready at some point in the season.
"(Martin) is working hard to get back as quickly as possible and we're going to give him every opportunity to do that," Tannenbaum said.
Jets GM poised to upgrade team
Thursday, August 17, 2006
BY DAVE HUTCHINSON
Star-Ledger Staff
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. -- During a state-of-the-team address yesterday at training camp, Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum said he's confident he'll be able to improve the team before the Sept. 10 opener at Tennessee and laid out three ways in which he can do it.
Tannenbaum, speaking to the media for the first time since the start of training camp in late July, also said the Jets will give running back Curtis Martin every opportunity to return this season. Martin, 33, is on the physically unable to perform list following an arthroscopic procedure on his right knee in December.
Although Tannenbaum didn't say so, obtaining a running back likely tops his priority list. The backs on his radar include T.J. Duckett (Falcons), Ron Dayne (Broncos), Michael Turner (Chargers) and Kevan Barlow (49ers).
Acquiring a nose tackle is next on the agenda and the Jets had veteran Grady Jackson in for a visit yesterday.
Possible trade bait is veteran wide receiver Justin McCareins, who remains in coach Eric Mangini's doghouse and has fallen to the second team behind Jerricho Cotchery. The Jets remain deep in the secondary as well after the trade that sent cornerback Derrick Strait to Cleveland was voided when running back Lee Suggs failed his physical.
"We've been talking to a lot of teams about a lot of different positions," said Tannenbaum. "I don't want to comment on any particular speculation except to say that I'm on the phone a lot and once in a while it's to Michelle (his wife, who recently gave birth to a baby boy)."
Tannenbaum, in his first season as GM, explained that in the month of August there are three ways to improve your team: waiver-wire claims, signing a vested veteran who is waived in training camp, or making a trade.
As for a waiver-wire claim, the Jets are fourth in line to claim a player by virtue of their 4-12 finish last season and have a chance to pick up a fairly good player as teams make their final cuts.
Any vested veteran cut in training camp doesn't have to go through waivers and can sign with any team. Tannenbaum said the Jets are in good shape salary cap-wise to sign such a veteran.
Finally, the Jets can make a player-for-player trade, as they attempted to do with Cleveland for Suggs, or can trade draft picks for a player. Tannenbaum pointed out that the Jets have four picks -- a first, two seconds and a third -- on the first day of the 2007 draft.
"Organizationally I feel good about our preparation relative to those three mechanisms to improve our team," Tannenbaum said. "If any of those three scenarios present themselves to us I feel good that we can react accordingly and improve the team."
Tannenbaum dodged a question about whether he regretted not drafting a running back higher, especially after Martin advised the team to strongly consider taking one in the early rounds because he was concerned about his ability to play this season.
The Jets didn't draft a running back until the fourth round, when they selected Florida State's Leon Washington, who is a small, situational back. As a result, the Jets find themselves scrambling to find a back in the third week of training camp as Derrick Blaylock, Cedric Houston and Washington have yet to step up.
"I wouldn't characterize it as scrambling," Tannenbaum said.
That, however, is exactly what it is. Martin is currently rehabbing his knee and someone with knowledge of his condition said he won't be ready for the opener. The hope is that he'll be ready at some point in the season.
"(Martin) is working hard to get back as quickly as possible and we're going to give him every opportunity to do that," Tannenbaum said.
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