Good news on the Lamont Jordan front

[RobbleRobble]

1) A 1/18 Newday article states that the Jets will tag John Abraham, not Jordan. This move was expected, but some have stated that the Jets are so desperate to keep Jordan that they would consider tagging him instead of Abraham.
2) Another 1/18 Newsday article, says that the Jets should make every effort to get Jordan resigned, because "If Jordan gets to free agency, he's probably gone, because the money could get too astronomical for the Jets to keep him and still stay under the salary cap. That's why they need to get it done before the signing period begins." Jordan goes on to say all the right things in the article: He'd love to come back, he wouldn't mind being Martin's backup another year or two, etc. But implies that if he stays he wants two things 1)Lots of money, 2) More playing time.
3) As stated in another thread, Henry wants to go to Miami. In fact, he's so sure he's going to Miami, he's sold his house and put all his things in a Florida storage facility.

So the Jets cannot force Jordan to stay, and if he hits the free agent market, he's likely gone. On top of that, one of the top suitors for a RB is making other plans.

So it sounds like Jordan can be had, although to sign him, we're going to have to open up the checkbook big time. Will Dennis Green be willing to spend what it takes to land Jordan?

 

[CardLogic]

Curious, the theads re: Travis Henry are generating all kinds of chatter; but this thread hasn't caught much interest.

I think Jordon would be better than Henry, but either would be helpful.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

I'm surprised the Bills are going to trade Henry within the division. I'm also surprised Miami has anything left to trade after the A.J. Feely and Lamar Gordon debacles.

 

[vince56]

If Henry wants to be in Miami that badly, then he won't play well for us. Jordan, Bennett, Alexander, or draft one may be our only choices.

 

[chickenhead]

Abraham is getting a lot of bad press here in NY. Not to say that the press dictates the move, of course, but a lot of Jets fans would rather see Jordan stick around than Abraham at the moment. Also, Martin came out and said he would share carries.

 

[Renz]

I think Jordan will stay with the Jets and if not, he will cost too much for us.

Henry would probably pick Miami as his first choice, but I think he'd be happy to play here.

JMO.

 

[Goldfield]

How in the world would Jordan cost too much for us? He is a guy who has been a backup. He wont get top dollar.

I would LOVE Jordan here. He is my first option. The Cardinals has ALOT of cash under the cap there is no excuses...

 

[Rats]

Sounds like both backs Henry and Jordan want two things. Lots of playing time and lots of money. The Cardinals have both. Give it one of them and then fix the Oline. We will be a playoff team if they do these things. A rookie Rb has potential ala Thomas Jones but a proven NFL back has already shown they can get it done. Bennett would still be in the mix I would think. Alexander not so much.

 

[Syracusecards]

Sounds like both backs Henry and Jordan want two things. Lots of playing time and lots of money. The Cardinals have both. Give it one of them and then fix the Oline. We will be a playoff team if they do these things. A rookie Rb has potential ala Thomas Jones but a proven NFL back has already shown they can get it done. Bennett would still be in the mix I would think. Alexander not so much.

Agreed. Everyone is going so crazy about all of the great running backs in the draft. Does the name Ron Dayne mean anything? Right on the money with Thomas Jones too. There wouldn't be a phrase called "draft bust" if every hyped college player went on to great things.

2nd round pick comes down to proven vs. unproven. I'll take proven any day.

 

[LVCARDFREAK]

How in the world would Jordan cost too much for us? He is a guy who has been a backup. He wont get top dollar.

I would LOVE Jordan here. He is my first option. The Cardinals has ALOT of cash under the cap there is no excuses...

Because its market value and lots of teams will want Jordan. Plus, frankly, he is that good, imo. I think the Jets will try to resign him but wont be able to afford his asking price. The Cards have a s good a shot as anyone as long as A) Both Graves and Green buy into that he is the back of the future for this team and B) They pay him market value.

 

[SuperSpck]

As far as drafting a RB goes, I think I trust the current regime's judge of talent much much more than most previous. What ever the way we go, IMO seems like the right decision, because if we get a proven performer FA than great, if we have another draft like 2004's (but this one including a RB) than great too.

 

[Twist18]

Alot of people have concluded or surmised that Travis Henry will be in Miami but I still feel Edgerran James will end up as a Dolphin, leaving Henry for us or the Raiders. James wants to go back home to play and I don't believe the Colts can afford him.

 

[WisconsinCard]

Alot of people have concluded or surmised that Travis Henry will be in Miami but I still feel Edgerran James will end up as a Dolphin, leaving Henry for us or the Raiders. James wants to go back home to play and I don't believe the Colts can afford him.

Henry may well want to go to Miami but do you think that the bills will work a trade to a team in their own division?? I don't....I agree with you on the EGDE thing.

 

[Dan H]

Alot of people have concluded or surmised that Travis Henry will be in Miami but I still feel Edgerran James will end up as a Dolphin, leaving Henry for us or the Raiders. James wants to go back home to play and I don't believe the Colts can afford him.

Colts will be using the tag on Edge . . . they'll probably end up trading him for defense, though.

 

[slanidrac16]

Do we really want to spend our whole wad on a f/a running back? Ask yourself this. Are we just 1 rb away from being in the playoffs? If we sign a f/a rb will there be anything left for additional help, or will we have to depend on another super draft to step in and fill the remaining voids?

We can all speculate on who's the best in the draft. Williams, Benson, Brown, etc. Wouldn't we be better off drafting a rb like Ronnie Brown and then loading up the voids on offense with free agents. Seems to me for the same money it will cost to sign a guy like Lamont Jordan could be used to sign a stud o-lineman or 2, a TE, and a veteran QB like Brad Johnson.

I think another thing we need to do is no matter what rb we settle on, we need to draft another speed back for insurance. As you all know rb's can go down on the first play of the season. With Shipp and Hambick we have the tugboats. With Ronnie Brown we would have a speed back. But we will need some insurance in case Brown were to go down because if that happens we would be in the same position we were in this year...too many Jeeps and no Corvettes.

 

[EndZone]

Do we really want to spend our whole wad on a f/a running back? Ask yourself this. Are we just 1 rb away from being in the playoffs? If we sign a f/a rb will there be anything left for additional help, or will we have to depend on another super draft to step in and fill the remaining voids?

We can all speculate on who's the best in the draft. Williams, Benson, Brown, etc. Wouldn't we be better off drafting a rb like Ronnie Brown and then loading up the voids on offense with free agents. Seems to me for the same money it will cost to sign a guy like Lamont Jordan could be used to sign a stud o-lineman or 2, a TE, and a veteran QB like Brad Johnson.

I think another thing we need to do is no matter what rb we settle on, we need to draft another speed back for insurance. As you all know rb's can go down on the first play of the season. With Shipp and Hambick we have the tugboats. With Ronnie Brown we would have a speed back. But we will need some insurance in case Brown were to go down because if that happens we would be in the same position we were in this year...too many Jeeps and no Corvettes.

We are 18 something mil under the cap....we would not be Spending our whole wad on some running back.

 

[Shane]

I think Jordon would be better than Henry, but either would be helpful.

Im curious as to why you feel this way? The only thing Lamont Jordan has proven in the NFL is that he is a very good change of pace back and that he can spell a RB for a few carries here and there. He hasent shown that he could be a primary franchise RB that could carry the load over the length of an NFL season. I agree that I would be happy if we got him but not as happy as Henry.

Henry has proven that and not just once but has two Pro-Bowl caliber seasons on his resume to back it up.

 

[slanidrac16]

We are 18 something mil under the cap....we would not be Spending our whole wad on some running back.

That is of right now. Theres a good chance Q will get an extension. You must allow for the rookie pool too. Plus if we go after somebody like Bennett or Henry it will cost us a draft pick.
IMHO, I just think it may be wiser to spend that money on 4 or 5 players to fill the holes and add depth. We are not just 1 player away. If we were I'd say throw in the kitchen sink to get Alexander.

 

[john h]

I'm surprised the Bills are going to trade Henry within the division. I'm also surprised Miami has anything left to trade after the A.J. Feely and Lamar Gordon debacles.

I am still of the opinion you trade to the team who gives you the best offer and not get caught up with what division he is traded to. Other teams are going to improve themselves regardless of what you do. If they exclude all teams in their division they are taking a lot of options off the table. A team needs to be more concerned about improving their own team and not get caught up being concerned about who other teams are trading for.

 

[Russ Smith]

Im curious as to why you feel this way? The only thing Lamont Jordan has proven in the NFL is that he is a very good change of pace back and that he can spell a RB for a few carries here and there. He hasent shown that he could be a primary franchise RB that could carry the load over the length of an NFL season. I agree that I would be happy if we got him but not as happy as Henry.

Henry has proven that and not just once but has two Pro-Bowl caliber seasons on his resume to back it up.

True but that's largely because Henry went to a team that didn't have a pro bowl RB starting in front of him. Jordan was the 49th overall pick, round 2, by the Jets. Henry was the 58th overall pick, round 2 by the Bills. Just for fun we took KVB over Jordan and took Stone over Henry. Oh yeah the one I'll never stop crying over, we took Stone and SEVEN picks later Detroit took Shaun Rogers, the guy I was screaming at the TV for us to take. Argh.

Back to my point, coming out of college Jordan was rated ahead of Henry. Henry went to a team whose leading rusher the prior year was Shawn Bryson a former college teammate, who had 591 yards rushing the year before Henry arrived. So Henry started 12 games as a rookie because he came to a team that DESPERATELY needed him.

Martin rushed for 1500 yards in Jordan's rookie year(jordan nearly 300 at 7.5 YPC), you can't really fault Jordan for not unseating Martin he's led the Jets in rushing 7 years straight and he's been over 1000 yards TEN straight years. Not exactly Shawn Bryson that Jordan was trying to beat out.

Jordan is bigger and probably faster than Henry. Sounds like Green really likes Henry but I personally think Jordan would be a better fit.

Of course I thought Stacey Mack was a guy worth signing a couple of years ago and he went to Houston and bombed out and near as I can tell was on nobody's roster this year.

Thats another guy I'd like to see us look at if we don't keep Hambrick, great short yardage guy proved to not be fast enough to play every down for Houston.

 

[john h]

How in the world would Jordan cost too much for us? He is a guy who has been a backup. He wont get top dollar.

I would LOVE Jordan here. He is my first option. The Cardinals has ALOT of cash under the cap there is no excuses...

Depending on how much money the Bidwills holds back from our CAP will have much to do with who we can sign. DG, I think, said we kept 7.5 mil of the CAP money last year. We will have a hard time ever getting up to speed if we continually spend less than our competitors. Of course, we were the only NFL franchise to lose money so perhaps he Bidwills had no choice. This puts us between a rock and a hard place. You cannot improve the team without spending money and you cannot increase attendance/revenue without a good team. You can bet the players and their agents pay close attention to how much money a team spends and if they hold back CAP money. It will go into their decision making process.

 

[Renz]

Just for fun we took Stone over Henry.

Ooooh!!! That stings!

 

[Russ Smith]

Ooooh!!! That stings!

It's frightening how bad we were in the 2nd round in the Mac years.

Rutledge in 99
Thompson in 2000(at least he started)
KBV and Stone in 2001 (KVB injuries)
Fisher in 2002(great talent bad knees would have been great on this defense)


We got Quan in 2003 and Dansby this year hope it's the start of a 4 year trend to great picks after 4 years that didn't pan out.

 

[Rocco]

It's frightening how bad we were in the 2nd round in the Mac years.

Rutledge in 99
Thompson in 2000(at least he started)
KBV and Stone in 2001 (KVB injuries)
Fisher in 2002(great talent bad knees would have been great on this defense)


We got Quan in 2003 and Dansby this year hope it's the start of a 4 year trend to great picks after 4 years that didn't pan out.

It goes back even further than that. Prior to Boldin and Dansby (which is the first time I can remember the cards having productive 2nd round picks in back to back years), the only really productive second round picks I can remember are Lomax, Macdonald, Sanders, Dierdorf, Marsh. Our second round draft pick history is just awful.

 

[40yearfan]

Depending on how much money the Bidwills holds back from our CAP will have much to do with who we can sign. DG, I think, said we kept 7.5 mil of the CAP money last year. We will have a hard time ever getting up to speed if we continually spend less than our competitors. Of course, we were the only NFL franchise to lose money so perhaps he Bidwills had no choice. This puts us between a rock and a hard place. You cannot improve the team without spending money and you cannot increase attendance/revenue without a good team. You can bet the players and their agents pay close attention to how much money a team spends and if they hold back CAP money. It will go into their decision making process.

I don't think it's the amount of money you spend, it's how you spend it. Look at Philadelphia and New England. They are the two most successful franchises in the past few years and neither team ever spends to their full cap. Cap management is now a full blown issue of it's own and the teams who don't pay attention to it or mortgage their future invariably fall into the abyss (except for Washington, but their time is coming).

The Cards have done a very good job of managing the cap (thanks to R. Graves) and if they keep going in the same vein will not have the dip in talent so many other teams have experienced because of cap issues.