Our hearts are heavy today.
Bombs targeting innocent civilians occurs all too often around our world, but it hits closer to home when the terror reaches Boston. The number of injured from the attack on the Boston Marathon has grown to more than 170 and three people are dead — including an 8-year-old boy.
Those gathered in Boston in Monday were celebrating life and a sicko/group of sickos messed with the innocent. The scene brought back awful memories for so many Americans and the pain can bring you to your knees.
We pray for the victims and their families. We salute the first responders and now we hope a magic touch can help those workers in the Boston area hospitals. Mayor Thomas Menino vowed, "Boston will overcome."
That is something we all can cheer for.
Keith Pittsburgh, PAQ:Is there any talk about our WRs and will Braylon Edwards be a Jet in 2013?
EA: What is up in the 'Burgh? There has been little talk about the wide receivers since the focus has been on Darrelle Revis. Then Mark Sanchez talked Monday and the Jets may be on the verge of officially re-signing Calvin Pace, so the news has not been on the outside. Manish Metha of the New York Daily News reported that Santonio Holmes did not report for the start of the team's voluntary program Monday because Tone is taking classes at Ohio State and rehabbing his surgically repaired foot in C-Bus. Rex Ryan hopes Holmes is ready for Week 1 of the 2013 season and No. 10 was off to a sizzling start in 2012. Injured in Week 4, Holmes was on pace for a career-high 80 catches and career-best 1,088 yards. Jeremy Kerley had a real nice season (56-827-2TD) and I would argue JK is one of the better slot targets in football. This offseason is critical for Stephen Hill and he is a player who should benefit from his first true year of NFL offseason conditioning under strength coach Justus Galac. Hill, a second round pick out of Georgia Tech in 2012, has a unique size/speed combination and he will turn just 22 on April 25th. There are a number of youngsters on the roster too including Jordan White, a seventh round pick who appeared in three contests last year. Edwards remains out there on the market and I don't anticipate that changing before the draft.
Roc Rok SanchezQ:Why not trade Cromartie over Revis? He is a year older, but could be more easily traded.
EA: You do not want to get into a situation where both Antonio Cromartie and Darrelle Revis are off your roster. The goal is to build and not to decimate. Woody Johnson has said the Jets will listen to any offer for a player and the Jets Chairman also said he would be open to re-signing Revis if GM John Idzik thought that was in the best interest of the club. But if you traded Cro and then couldn't reach an agreement with Revis on a contract, then where would you be? Most NFL pundits think Revis will eventually be dealt, but nothing is a foregone conclusion.
JuanBethlehem, PA
Q: IF the Revis trade goes down, do you see the Jets possibly trading the Bucs 13th pick along with a late-rounder to the Browns and draft Alabama's Dee Milliner? We can't have Kyle Wilson starting opposite Cro.
EA:Well the Browns are sitting there with No. 6 overall selection. You can't just package a 13th pick (if your hypothetical happens) and a late-rounder to make that kind of jump. There are more than a few trade charts out there, but you would probably have to throw in a low two/early three. If you want to go to the dance, it takes two to tango. Wilson was serviceable last year and there are other talented corners in this draft. I absolutely have loved what I have seen from Desmond Trufant this offseason and Tru has some quality bloodlines.
Michael P.Q: If the Jets get the 13th overall selection from the Bucs, could they possibly move up from the 9th spot to get Dion Jordan?
EA: In a scenario where the Jets had both the 9th and 13th selections, yes they probably could move up in order to select the super athletic Oregon defender. But while Idzik and his staff will exhaust all possibilities in order to improve the roster, I do not think the Jets would be interested in making that kind of play. There would be lot of value there with two selections in the Top 13 and you do not move up unless you are convinced of drafting a franchise changer.
AaronOzone Park, NY
Q: If Dion Jordan is on the board when the Jets pick, do you think he will be selected? Will Dion Jordan be the next DeMarcus Ware?
EA: Rich Cirminiello — our resident draft expert from CollegeFootballNews.com — just released his mock draft and he has the Jets taking Jordan. If Jordan is still on the board at No. 9 (and that is a big if), I am sure the Oregon product will get a long look. I am not going to throw around those Ware comparisons just yet. Ware has racked up 111 career sacks and he averaged 13 his first four seasons in the league.
Brian R.Bloomsbury, NJ
Q: What is with all of the kicking Tebow all around? Why not have him compete at a needed position like tight end? If he does no work out, cut him.
EA: Nobody is kicking Tim Tebow around. He is one of the most decorated college players of all-time, he experienced success in Denver and the dude has an excellent work ethic. He has tremendous faith and plus he is a Gator! But people miss the point — he wants to be a quarterback.
"Every opportunity you get, you want to make the most of and I'd have loved to have more of an opportunity to just play quarterback," said Tebow last December. "And obviously, that's my goal."
Nick
Q: What are the good options or possibilities the Jets will take in the first and second rounds?
EA:Good question, so let me refer back to our draft expert. @RichCirminiello of CollegeFootballNews breaks it down like this:
Round 1 (No. 9 overall)
Positions of Interest: OLB, G, DT, CB
Possible Targets: OLB Dion Jordan, OLB Jarvis Jones, G Jonathan Cooper, OLB Barkevious Mingo, CB Dee Milliner, G Chance Warmack, DT Star Lotulelei
Round 2 (No. 39 overall)
Positions of Interest: OG, S, QB, TE, WR
Possible Targets: QB Ryan Nassib, G Larry Warford, TE Zach Ertz, S Jonathan Cyprien, WR DeAndre Hopkins, WR Justin Hunter, QB EJ Manuel, S Eric Reid
JavierQ:What are the chances of the Jets drafting Tyrann Mathieu?
EA:It was imperative for Matthieu to interview well with NFL teams this spring. "Honey Badger" assuredly was asked a lot of questions about his well-document problems at LSU. He reportedly failed multiple drug tests and did not play in 2012 after having an excellent campaign in '11 at defensive back and as a kick returner. Mathieu is a talented ballplayer, but can he succeed as a pro off the field?
BobNorth Port, FL (Elizabeth NJ)
Q: I really think the Jets should pick a defensive lineman in the draft this year because they need to get more pressure and sacks on the opposing QB. Or draft an offensive lineman to give our QB more time in passing situations.
EA:While the Jets have to improve their pass rush, I think they are in good shape along the defensive line. Muhammad Wilkerson and Quinton Coples are pieces of the foundation and Antonio Garay was a quality under the radar pick-up in the middle who will push Kenrick Ellis. The re-signing of Pace gives the Jets some flexibility at OLB and Antwan Barnes will give a desperately needed element of speed on the edge. Garrett McIntyre and Ricky Sapp are part of the competition as well. Pace is a solid player who knows the system and he plays the run about as well as any 3-4 OLB in football. The Jets can still add an outside backer, but they do not have to feel forced.
I do not think the Jets are very far away from having a Top 10 or even a Top 5 offensive line. If Willie Colon can stay healthy, the only real starting question you have is at the other guard spot. There are plenty of solid linemen in this draft — even beyond Chance Warmack and Jonathan Cooper.
