Jets get Barlow from 49ers

[Packer Backer]

Looks like the Jets found some help for their depleted backfield.
We all know Barlow has potential, but he may not be the answer to their prayers- at least long term. Good luck, Jets!

[redbuck]

Is it just me or does it seem like Barlow is very much overrated

[Packer Backer]

It's not just you buddy... Way overrated!

[brady_branch]

Yup, same here. Whoever's idea it was to have him take over from Garrison Hearst in SF was very much mistaken.

[football junkie]

I've been thinking about this for a while now. Before this year's draft Curtis Martin went to Jets management and told them to draft a running back because he wasn't going to be back in time to start the season and might not ever be back. But the Jets passed on picking any of perhaps the best crop of running backs to come out of college this decade.

The Jets instead chose D'Brickshaw Ferguson and Nick Mangold two stellar offensive lineman who can help the team for the next 10 to 12 years. And with experience can definitely help protect a young quarterback.

The Jets also had the 35th overall pick in the draft and could have used it on LenDale White of USC -- instead they chose to trade down to the 49th spot. After passing on White the Jets also passed on Brian Calhoun of Wisconsin and Maurice Drew of UCLA.

With the 117th overall pick the Jets chose Leon Washington a running back out of Florida State who was barely ever used. Washington, like Blaylock and Houston is not a power runner. He does not run between the tackles but rather tries to get outside and his minimal sucess is dependant on perfectly executed blocking schemes -- perfectly sealed running lanes. There aren't a lot of those in the NFL.

Also in the off-season the Jets let stud DE John Abraham go to the Atlanta Falcons. This will no doubt drastically hurt the defensive squad.

Ignoring much better running backs on the trade block the Jets first attempt to trade for the oft-injured Lee Suggs. He fails his physical. Next they acquire the hugely over-rated and under-productive Kevan Barlow -- whom the 49ers are glad to discard. And now Barlow is going to be the every down back for the Jets.

Besides all of this stupidity the Jets have decided to have a four-way open competition at quarterback with Chad "am I injured yet?" Pennington, Patrick "Washed out of Washington" Ramsey, Brooks "what am I doing in the NFL?" Bollinger and rookie 2nd round pick Kellen Clemens of Oregon. This self-imposed QB controversy will only serve to hurt the team as players will take sides with who they think should be QBing the team and all sorts of divisiveness will follow -- perfect way to wreck your season before it even begins.

To recap, the Jets have created an artificial QB controversy, jettisoned a key defensive stud player, and put their running game into the hands of Kevan Barlow. Do you think maybe this team is trying to lose?

The Jets are a football team in the biggest media market in the country. They need a star quarterback on their team to successfully market the team to New Yorkers and fans around the country. It is a must. Pennington is not that man.

But look who's lurking in college and will be in next year's draft: Brady Quinn.

The Jets might be trying to lose so they can have the worst record in the NFL and thus get the top pick in the 2007 Draft. Then if Brady Quinn, star QB out of Notre Dame turns out to be everything everyone seems to think he's going to be -- the Jets have found their star QB. The first real one they've had since Joe Namath. The one they can use to market themselves to NYC and the country.

I'm not saying they're trying to lose. I'm just saying they might be.

[KHenry14]

Barlow is one of those teasing types of players...at times he looks brilliant, and at times he looks like he's jaking it. He was definately not one of Mike Nolan's kind of guys, so getting rid of him for basically anything is a plus for the Niners.

Barlow wont make the Jets into winners, but he's probably better than what they've got.

[football junkie]

Barlow is one of those teasing types of players...at times he looks brilliant, and at times he looks like he's jaking it. He was definately not one of Mike Nolan's kind of guys, so getting rid of him for basically anything is a plus for the Niners.

Barlow wont make the Jets into winners, but he's probably better than what they've got.

I completely agree that trading Barlow is addition by subtraction. Plus the 49ers now get the Jets' 4th round pick in the 2007 draft, for a player they may well have cut by the time rosters are finalized. This is a win-win for the 49ers.

Barlow is not a consistent performer but he definitely show flashes of his huge potential at times.

The only thing I disagree with is that Barlow is probably better than anybody the Jets already have at running back. Rookie Leon Washington could turn into a Roger Craig/Brian Westbrook type player. And I don't think Barlow is better than Derrick Blaylock, although he is certainly better than Cedric Houston. To me this move is an upgrade in terms of depth but it still doesn't address the need for an everydown back -- but what do I know?

I'm sure Mangini watched a lot of tape on Barlow before acquiring him so he must have seen something he liked. I hope he does well.

By the way, welcome to the forum! You'll like it here.

[KHenry14]

Mangini is probably just looking to get any type of a guy out there at this point. First Suggs, and now Barlow shows a bit of desparation if you ask me. And could one of those other guys turn out to be better than Barlow? Probably, because I think the NFL already seen about the best that Barlow has to show us, and those other guys are just starting.


I think it's kinda of fun to be in on the ground floor of a new forum. And any forum that Sean runs is going to be a quality forum, and I've been looking for a quality football forum for a while now. Somehow I think this place will be just what I was looking for. :D

[football junkie]

I think it's kinda of fun to be in on the ground floor of a new forum. And any forum that Sean runs is going to be a quality forum, and I've been looking for a quality football forum for a while now. :D

Couldn't agree more. The forums on ESPN on CNNSI are just a bunch of 12-year-olds smack talk each other -- utter nonsense -- none of that here.

[D.C.]

Couldn't agree more. The forums on ESPN on CNNSI are just a bunch of 12-year-olds smack talk each other -- utter nonsense -- none of that here.

...and the site I had signed up to prior to here was the same except they were all upper high school/college students. I'm glad I found an alternative and don't need to go there again.