Welcome to the second installment of “Why can’t the NY Jets keep a star or role player caliber player?” I promised part two, and here it is. Some of these players wouldn’t be considered superstars but definitely role players and stars. Here we go:
List of Players:
#1: LB Jonathan Vilma: In the 2004 NFL Draft, the NY Jets selected Jonathan Vilma with the 12th overall pick. He had an excellent rookie year and won the DROY. He kept being consistent as he was a pro-bowler for the Jets. But he did stumble upon some injury issues, and Eric Mangini didn’t believe he could play as a linebacker in a 3-4 defense. So, as usual, he was traded. He was shipped to New Orleans in return they got a fourth-round draft in 2008 and third-rounder in 2009. Those players turned into Dwight Lowery, who was not the worst but certainly not the best and Shonn Greene, who was pretty good for the Jets. But, like usual, Vilma went on to win a Super Bowl with the Saints and appeared in two more pro-bowls. He was involved in the bounty-gate scandal but was still inducted into the Saints Hall Of Fame. Yet, again another player who found significant success out of NY.
#2: LB Demario Davis: In the third-round, with the 77th overall pick, the NY Jets selected Linebacker Demario Davis. He was challenged by Bart Scott and Josh Mauga for the starting job. After four years, he became an unrestricted free agent. According to Pro Football Focus, he was given the 15th highest grade among all 60 qualified inside linebackers. He wasn’t able to get a deal with the Jets and signed a two year, $8M contract with the Cleveland Browns. After a year with the Browns and having an identical stat line as the year before, he was traded back to NY because there was a coaching change in NY. Yet, again Davis had a phenomenal year and couldn’t reach a deal with the Jets. He then signed a three year, $24M contract with the Saints and became an All-Pro linebacker. The Jets instead signed Avery Williamson, who was great but has been injured. While Davis’ book is still being written, we won’t know if this was a good or bad move by the Jets. So far, it doesn’t seem like the best. Just pay these guys…
3: WR Santana Moss: With the 16th overall in the 2001 NFL Draft, the NY Jets selected speedy WR Santana Moss coming out of THE U! (University of Miami). Moss had a couple of hamstring issues at the beginning of his career. Yet, in his third year, he popped off with a 1,000+ yard season. Two years later, he was traded to Washington in exchange for Laveranues Coles. Coles was previously a Jet, and the Jets wanted him back. If you compare stats after the trade, you can say it wasn’t an awful trade. It wasn’t, but Moss had three 1,000+ yards in Washington, Coles had one in NY. Moss when onto be on the second team All-Pro and Pro-Bowl in Washington. Moss is yet again another first-round draft pick who was right that the Jets couldn’t resign. It isn’t very reassuring for the future.
That’s going to be it for today’s article. I hope you’ve enjoyed and stayed tuned for Part 3. Some of these names you most likely have forgotten the Jets had and lost. Up next, we’ll go over Coaches and Front Office members the Jets had and lost. This has been Jose Calderon III with FiveBorough Dispatch; have a great day, everybody!
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