TC4 Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 Some people on here(myself included) have talked about the Redskikns making a move when Jets DE John Abraham becomes a UFA to sign him. But it seems that the Jets are thinking about making a move with him of a different kind, from DE to LB: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/story/144680p-127936c.html Abraham may be on move By RICH CIMINI DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER The next time John Abraham steps on the field, which won't be until 2004, it might be at linebacker, not defensive end. The Jets, planning to overhaul their defense in the offseason, will give strong consideration to moving their only Pro Bowl defensive player back to his original position. Yesterday coach Herman Edwards declined to speculate that far into the future, but he didn't dismiss the possibility of making Abraham an outside linebacker in the Jets' 4-3 scheme. Edwards dropped the name of the late Derrick Thomas, an outside linebacker early in his Chiefs career. Edwards got a first-hand look at Thomas, having served as the Chiefs' secondary coach from 1992 to 1994. Years later, Thomas was moved to defensive end when he started to slow down. "There's no reason to say he couldn't play (linebacker)," said Edwards, preparing to face the Steelers (5-8) Sunday at Giants Stadium. "You can create anything you want to create. You want to do what's best for the player and the football team. At this point, I don't know what that is, because I haven't really thought about it. That's an offseason decision." Abraham, who will miss the season's final three games because of a strained groin muscle, sent word from the trainer's room that he didn't want to talk about the potential position change. He declined several interview requests. If he's upset, it's understandable. Fact is, linebackers make less money than defensive ends, and Abraham's contract expires after the 2004 season. If he doesn't sign an extension before then - and that's starting to look unlikely - he could be tagged a "franchise" player in 2005. There's a significant difference in the franchise tenders between the two positions - $5.6 million for linebackers, $7.2 million for defensive linemen, the average of the top five salaries at each position. Those numbers are based on 2003 salaries. Why would the Jets change a player who has 29 sacks in his last 39 games, resulting in two Pro Bowl selections at end? Three reasons: Abraham (6-4, 256) is undersized for a lineman, which may explain why he gets banged up. He will have missed nine games this season. He also doesn't play the run particularly well. It would reduce the urgency to use a high draft pick on a linebacker. The Jets would go into 2004 with Abraham on the weak side, Victor Hobson on the strong side and Marvin Jones or Sam Cowart in the middle. It would allow them to put their three high-priced ends on the field at the same time - Abraham, left end Shaun Ellis and right end Bryan Thomas, who is playing fairly well as Abraham's replacement. Moving Abraham isn't a done deal, of course. With Ted Cottrell on thin ice, the Jets may have a new defensive coordinator. Edwards may try to hire Bucs defensive line coach Rod Marinelli. Any new coordinator would have input into the Abraham decision. Abraham has been moving back and forth his entire career. At South Carolina, he played end until his senior year. In 2000, he was drafted as an outside linebacker. At the time, the Jets were using a 3-4 scheme, with Abraham projected as Mo Lewis' heir apparent on the strong side. Abraham didn't play much linebacker as a rookie, as he was used almost exclusively as a third-down rusher. When Edwards arrived in 2001, he switched Abraham to end. Abraham has outstanding speed for a lineman, but it's a different world at linebacker, where he would have to drop into pass coverage. Edwards admitted he's not sure how it will turn out. "He's an athlete," the coach said, "but as far as what we're going to do with John, I have no idea." It makes me wonder if he will be okay with this move or not. If not, who knows, he might end up going to a new team come FA time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bang Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 Jets thinking.... "Hmmm... the pass rush isn't broken... Let's fix it!" ~Bang Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubba9497 Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 I want Shaun Ellis to be called up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gamebreaker Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 The Jets are pretty friggin' dumb to make a move like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NYC Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 Yah that is really dumb, Abraham is a small DE who gets injured often in the trenches. Abraham played LB in college and in his rookie season with the Jets. The same way K.C. used Derrick Thomas Bryan Thomas has played well replacing Abraham and is a better run stopper. Putting Ellis, Abraham & Thomas on the field at the same time can only help the Jets. Yah How stupid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NavyDave Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 Its stupid because to abraham its an obvious attempt to lowball him and its happening in his contract year.if he fails he cant justify the higher contract or if he succeeds it means he is a stellar lineback not an end at a minimal loss of 1.6 million. I'd prefer to call up another player from our farm club too after the 3k4 season Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NavyDave Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 Its stupid because to abraham its an obvious attempt to lowball him and its happening in his contract year.if he fails he cant justify the higher contract or if he succeeds it means he is a stellar lineback not an end at a minimal loss of 1.6 million. I'd prefer to call up another player from our farm club too after the 2k4 season Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NYC Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 Since he'll be franchised you can send us another #1 pick no problem. Things are really looking up with Arrington & Champ:rotflmao: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NYC Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 And it's not an attempt to lowball him it's an attempt to keep him healthy for more than 4 games a year. Alos doesn't hurt our LB situation since we'll need 2 new ones next year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inmate running the asylum Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 I think we can forget about acquiring Abraham, who is under contract through 2004. He doesn't become a UFA until 2005 -- if then -- and who knows what the situation then will be for either team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gamebreaker Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 Originally posted by NYC Yah that is really dumb, Abraham is a small DE who gets injured often in the trenches. Abraham played LB in college and in his rookie season with the Jets. The same way K.C. used Derrick Thomas Bryan Thomas has played well replacing Abraham and is a better run stopper. Putting Ellis, Abraham & Thomas on the field at the same time can only help the Jets. Yah How stupid. Is Bryan Thomas a pro bowl DE? :no: Thank you. Is there any guarantee Abraham could play LB well on this level? :no: Thank you. Do you have any ****in' clue about NFL football? :laugh: :dunce: :rotflmao: :no: And once again, thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NYC Posted December 12, 2003 Share Posted December 12, 2003 -What good is a pro-bowl DE if he's always on the sidelines and can't stop the run? NONE -IS Bryan Thomas a better run stopping DE? YES -Is it to the advantage of the Jets to have Ellis, Abraham & Thomas on the field at the same time, YES -Did Derrick Thomas play LB on 1st & 2nd down and then put his hand on the ground on 3rd down to rush the passer? YES Is this the same position Abraham would play which I stated earlier? YES Now I think we know who knows squat about football, LOL. Try again slick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimboDaMan Posted December 12, 2003 Share Posted December 12, 2003 The Jets lost Coles and Morton, two players they very much wanted to keep, because they tried to play "smart" with them instead of dealing honestly. Now they're going to get smart with Abraham. Maybe this will turn out differently, but the other players can't fail to notice how the FO treats its own players. You think they're that dumb? Next time a guy is approaching an incentive bonus and he doesn't get the playing time he expects - for any reason - the players will start to talk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NYC Posted December 12, 2003 Share Posted December 12, 2003 Jets offered Coles 10 mill signing bonus and a healthy contract (Right about what he should make). Morton, who knew someone would be dumb enough to offer a KR that kind of money, he actually think he's a RB. Getting smart with Abraham? He's signed through 2004, he can't stay healthy at DE, we have 2 other good DE, Abraham played LB in college. If he wants to play DE for another team in 05' and continue to get rolled in the run game so be it, he'll be franchised and we'll take a #1 for him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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