February 22
Jets take two steps back
The New York Jets were a huge dissapointment in 2007 after making the playoff in 2006. Now, it looks like that not making the playoffs will become a trend for a while.
Rich Cimini of the New York Daily news said this about Jonanthan Vilma, “The popular linebacker, whose star has dimmed in two seasons under Eric Mangini, has received permission from the Jets to shop himself for a potential trade, the Daily News has learned.”
Vilma was rookie of the year in 2004, and made the Pro Bowl as an alternate in 2005. Now, under head coach Eric Mangini Vilma has been reduced to a little above average.
The move from a 4-3 to a 3-4 was stupid in the first place. You cannot just make players fit the scheme that you want to run. You have to make a scheme for what the players can do.
It does not mean that Mangini could not eventually switch to a 3-4. What they needed to do is gather a couple of key parts on the defensive line, and in the linebackers, and then switch to a 3-4.
The annoucement along with Vilma’s knee injury will result in a second day draft pick. Also, you can add in there that Vilma is in the last year of his rookie deal. Most likely he will want a new one when he is traded to a new team.
In the end the Jets are making a huge mistake. Vilma will comeback with avengence in a scheme that suits his talents, and the Jets will once again have egg on their face.
