Recent LG History Bodes Well for Faneca
Posted by on June 18, 2008 – 9:35 amPat Kirwan provides some promising thoughts for Jets fans on NFL.com about what the migration of top left guards does to the rushing offenses they emigrate from and the ground games they immigrate to.
As always, you day-traders, past results are no guarantee of future success, but what Kirwan unearthed hints positively at what Alan Faneca could bring to the Jets’ table this season.
Kirwan, the former Jets front office man as recently as a dozen years ago, looked at the impact Larry Allen, Steve Hutchinson and Eric Steinbach had on their old and new teams. PK’s conclusion:
"It appears the Steelers will probably drop off. As for the Jets, they should expect their running game to jump from 19th to somewhere closer to 12th. Thomas Jones should have a lot more good-sized holes to run through with Faneca blocking the point of attack. The average jump in league ranking when the elite guards switched teams was 14 spots in the team ranking in the first year, so a Jets move of seven spots could be considered conservative."
Here is a chart summarizing Kirwan’s premise, with each LG paired with the NFL running-game rankings of his old team for the season before his move and his new team for the season after:
| Guard | Old Team | Bef | Aft | New Team | Bef | Aft |
| Larry Allen | DAL, ’05 | 13 | 13 | SF, ’06 | 17 | 6 |
| Steve Hutchinson | SEA, ’05 | 3 | 14 | MIN, ’06 | 27 | 16 |
| Eric Steinbach | CIN, ’06 | 26 | 24 | CLE, 07 | 31 | 10 |
| Alan Faneca | PIT, ’07 | 3 | … | NYJ, ’08 | 19 | … |
Jets Bike: Good Ride
Ed Olli, a.k.a. Fred, emailed us this week to let us know that his motorcycle, well-known among certain pockets of Green & White fans, has had a productive season on the show circuit.
"The JETS Bike had a great fall and spring with two second-place finishes at the world’s famous Rats Hole Bike shows in Daytona and Leesburg," Fred said. "In addition, it won first place at the annual Rat Hole of Myrtle Beach show in May.
"My bike now sits proudly in my office and all the kids and parents love it. I have decided to keep it in NY until December and would love to have the opportunity to show it to all the fans at the stadium."
Congrats on the ribbons, Fred, and I’m sure we’ll see you and your chopper around the Meadowlands in the coming season.
Tags: Alan Faneca, Pat Kirwan
Posted in Randy Lange | 52 Comments »
By Ira on Jun 18, 2008 | Reply
Randy, I really respect Kirwan’s football knowledge and saw his article yesterday. I couldn’t agree more and this is why the Jets and Mr. T went after Faneca the way they did. Faneca will get Brick and Mangold back on track and they will have one of the better o-lines in football this year. Games are won at the line of scrimmage. So expect a big time running game from the Jets this year. GO JETS!!!
By CCY on Jun 18, 2008 | Reply
If there were a guaranteed key to success (there isn’t) it would be: make EVERY 3rd and 1; stop EVERY 3rd and 11. Maybe we have a chance for the former.
By Ira on Jun 18, 2008 | Reply
Randy, With the Jets now having four 1st rd picks on their projected starting o-line i can’t think of any other team with that many in the league right now. I think that has to be the most.
By scjoe on Jun 18, 2008 | Reply
I will agree that the addition of Faneca and Woody should upgrade the running game. But, the telling question and probably the more critical one is, will it upgrade the pass protection. God knows, that is one of the areas that needs to be upgraded most, if not, I believe we will be looking at another losing season.
By Ken on Jun 18, 2008 | Reply
I’m sure that each of the free agents they Jets signed will improve the team at their respective positions. What confuses me is that most of these are older players suggesting that this is becoming a win now team. How can they be considered a win now team coming off a 12 loss season and with a very questionalbe quarterback situation?
By Howard on Jun 18, 2008 | Reply
good article by p. kerwin always thought he was a decent football guy wwhen he was with the jets scouting dept.im looking for a very productive o line in both reguards run and pass protection,and with the better o line i think the qb play will be much improved.and last great looking bike cant wait to see it in person
By Jesse on Jun 18, 2008 | Reply
You got to start building a team from the inside out if everyone stays healthy I think the line will be set for the next 3 to 4 yrs. As for the passing game I would like to see what KC can do behind Mangold. He has more potential than CP does, but he needs to work a little harder at reading his coverages a little better. Can’t wait to see how things shake out! Go Jets!!
By Hogan on Jun 18, 2008 | Reply
I read that article and it really exited me even more about this year. I am starting a second fantacy team cause I could not get Jones on my first. That is the sickest bike I ever saw.
By Mr. green T on Jun 18, 2008 | Reply
Ken,
I can’t remember where i saw it but we are the 5th youngest team in the NFL.
By Zartan on Jun 18, 2008 | Reply
With Faneca leading and we running the ball more, well do much better this year.Ainge is out of his cast.I love this kid because when i see his pics he looks like a leader.unlike our other QBs.facter that in with his stats and this guy is franchise.
By Ben on Jun 18, 2008 | Reply
Faneca is going to be the anchor and the key to our success offensively this season. And that bike is the nicest thing I’ve ever seen! Randy, why isn’t my man Gastineau on the Jets greats banner at the top of the website with Namath, Weeb, Curtis Martin, Chrebet, etc.?
By Michael on Jun 18, 2008 | Reply
hey i think jets fans that the Safteys postions are goin to be a big battle in the preseason wonder who goin to win????ira and frank what you think about it?
jets fan for life,Michael
By Earl on Jun 19, 2008 | Reply
I agree with Jesse on most. I think KC Has more potential than CP just not yet remember CP sat on the bench for almost 4 seasons b4 he goy in there if you want the jets to be good for a while not just a season here and there. Let cp do his thing h’e a great qb when he has time to be 1 and let KC watch and develop a yr or 2 more.
By Ira on Jun 19, 2008 | Reply
Worrell had to be a signing that O’Dea pushed for. He is a good special teams player and O’Dea coached him while with the Bears. Wow this team this year will have a really new look.
By Ira on Jun 19, 2008 | Reply
Michael, As it stands now they have 7 safeties fighting for 4 jobs. Rhodes and Elam or Smith look like the starters. That leaves 1 spot between Lyles,Worrell,Bing,and Hawkins. We will have to wait and see but i would give Worrell the edge now because of his ST ability. Lyles is the sleeper. Hawkins just might have lost a step or two. Lowery could also be moved to safety. We will see. GO JETS!!!!!
By Frank on Jun 19, 2008 | Reply
Michael, personally I’m pulling for E. Smith he shown flashes just as Elam has neither has been consistant. I think Smith is the better player and needs the reps. Worrell and Hawkins will add depth with Worrel being a special teams guy. Lowery will be in the mix since I think he is a Safety project more than a corner. Clearly this position is in a state of flux and will be very competitive in camp
By Eric NM on Jun 19, 2008 | Reply
Of course Faneca and Woody were great pickups–I’m still uneasy about d’brick and am hoping he can improve next to Faneca. No excuses for him this year.
By TFrank on Jun 19, 2008 | Reply
Think about it…the improved rushing game will set-up the passing game because Defenses will stack the BOX leaving one-on-one coverage, and in the NFL one-on-one means you’re open. CP with his accuracy, knowledge of reading D’s and experience will benefit greatly and KC with his arm strength will have time to throw down field. Should be interesting! By the way, has anyone seen Fireman Ed?
By GIOVANNI on Jun 19, 2008 | Reply
WOW I CAN’T WAIT FOR THE SEASON TO START LOOKS LIKE WE ARE GOING TO BE THE MOST IMPROVE TEAM IN 08,WE WILL DEFENLY GOING TO BE ABLE TO RUN THE BALL,AND WHEN WE GET THAT GOING IT IS GOING TO OPEN UP THE PASS PLAY,I WILL LIKE TO SEE CHAD START THE SEASON I BELIVE WHIT THE IMPROVED OLINE HE IS THE BETTER QB,READS THE D,BETTER THAN CLEMENS AND WHIT KELLER HE WILL CUT DOWN ON THE INT,LETS GO JETS,11-5.
By Mr. green T on Jun 20, 2008 | Reply
Did anyone else get the PSL survey? Say goodbye to fans at the game, unless their connected to corporate.
By Sean on Jun 20, 2008 | Reply
It’s my understanding that unless you buy club seats (at exorbitant prices, obviously), the remaining seats wil be GENERAL ADMISSION? (as per PSL survey) As someone who has had tix in family since “64, I am disgusted that even if I could afford a PSL, I would have to sit in a different seat every week? Think there may be a few haymakers thrown as seats are filled in the rush to good seats?Sean
By Sean on Jun 20, 2008 | Reply
As per the Jet ticket office, there WILL be assigned seating in new Stadium. I was wrong (see previous post), but I have always undestood “general admission” to mean non-assigned seating. Is it me, or did they use a bad choice of words? Looking forward to ’08….why, I am not sure. Sean
By Frank on Jun 20, 2008 | Reply
I’m actually enjoying the Baker feud. Parking his Bentley in what was Jay Cross’s spot. Reminds me of Tangini putting Kendall in with the rookies last year. Glad to see them getting a taste of their own childish medicine. Maybe someone could force Tangini to do punishment laps for not being able to control their players and continuing stupidity. Alienating Baker and not resolving this is going…
By Frank on Jun 20, 2008 | Reply
…to blow up in their faces just like the Kendall debacle did last year. He is significantly better than Bubba Franks is at this point in their careers and Keller is not a TE. There will be a huge hole here and it will hurt the team. Furthermore, I guarantee you that their are plenty of players supporting Baker and this continued circus will undermine team unity.
By Ira on Jun 20, 2008 | Reply
Frank, I totally disagree with you. Mr. T and Eric will get this resolved and it won’t hurt the team unity. Baker and his agent must have seen the Seinfeld adventure when George was trying to get fired and drove his car around the Yankee parking lot dragging the WS Trophy from his car. It’s sad that it has come to this. Let’s hope they can move him before or early in camp.
By Frank on Jun 20, 2008 | Reply
Ira this is already hurting team unity it has already caused a distraction in OTA’s. Their are players watching and learning as he did with Kendall last year and he is slowly forcing Tangini’s hand in this. Tangini clearly made a decision to create this acrimony with Baker thinking this will somehow set an example going forward. This method is foolish and will backfire on them once again. More…
By Frank on Jun 20, 2008 | Reply
…importantly and unbeleivably Tangini is severly under estimating his contributions and just like Kendall they think they will plug in his replacement and there will be no drop-off. They are dead wrong in this assumption and the team will suffer yet again. Going forward Baker is more important to this team than Coles is yet they caved to Coles which is all just plain and stupid. What’s even…
By Frank on Jun 20, 2008 | Reply
…alarming is that Tangini said they learned from their mistakes last year and yet they are repeating the very same idiocy that undermined last season.
By Jesse +Vile on Jun 20, 2008 | Reply
Why do the jets have 300 TE’s on the roster???????? and keep signing more
By Ira on Jun 20, 2008 | Reply
Frank, What LC brings to that locker room and field very few players if any could do the same. He is so well respected by his teamates and coaches. Don’t compare him with Baker. I didn’t want to lose Baker either but this is way past being repaired.
By Frank on Jun 20, 2008 | Reply
Ira the team played better when Coles was sidelined and hurt last year. This notion of how well respected and what he brings to the table is significantly over blown. There are plenty of players who feel he is a chronic complainer and negative which he is. Your confusing the fact that he got away with naming Mangini “Penguin” and bitterly complaining about the practices as somehow he is a leader.
By CEDRIC on Jun 20, 2008 | Reply
Baker more important than Coles….woooow. Whatever peace pipe your smoking from, pass it this way. Not even gonna combat that one. Go Ahead Frank. lol
By JetOrange on Jun 21, 2008 | Reply
It is interesting that Buffalo spent big bucks for two offensive lineman last, this year the its the Jets. Compare results
By Larry on Jun 21, 2008 | Reply
Frank,im behind you 100% on the Coles/Baker debacle.We dont need this kind of disruption again this year.God only knows how the QB position is going to shake out? What will LC’s mindset be if CP doesnt start? Tangini has made a lot of right moves, but as far as blind faith they’ll do the right thing count me out. Last years fiasco was 75% bad management/coaching. 6 short weeks till preseason.
By Frank on Jun 21, 2008 | Reply
Cedric you continue to entertain with your lack of football knowledge. Umm let’s see we signed Faneca, Woody and Richardson and our RB is TJ. So your right Coles is more important since we will have a west coast passing game right???? No Cedric…Tangini is gearing up for smash mouth football and a running offense and in order for that to work we need a TE that can block and stay healthy…got it!
By Ray on Jun 21, 2008 | Reply
Frank, you and your new buddy Larry need a reality check. Baker is the key to this season? We will have mass unrest? Even the lowly Bungles right now are proving that if you take a hardline with these guys they will get in line. Baker has no leverage, he is under contract and if he tanks it his value goes down so he would still be underpaid. Baker’s value to this team is 1/10th of what…..
By Ray on Jun 21, 2008 | Reply
Kendall meant to this offensive line last year. Baker has been a solid player, but your constant implications that this guy is the key to the whole year is comical at best. You are already assuming that Franks will get hurt. The Jets can do nothing and Baker will be on the field all year whether he’s happy or not.
By Frank on Jun 21, 2008 | Reply
Ray…It’s the scheme read everything I posted and maybe you and Cedric will learn something. Now I suggest You, Cedric, Drew (who’s MIA) and Mr. Jet (Ira) go have a green Kool Aide party at Spicer’s new “Jets Den” the one I designed for him(see the next Radar story).
By Ray on Jun 21, 2008 | Reply
I have been reading the same comment from you for three weeks Frank!! Let’s see, they gave LC what he wanted (they didn’t), this is the same as Kendall (it’s not), this will kill the season (it won’t), Tangini are clueless and this will blow up in their face, so far so good? I understand you think he is key to the running game, but if our season is on that fragile of a line, we’ve got bigger …
By Ray on Jun 21, 2008 | Reply
problems just Baker. I’m on no Kool Aide, cause I don’t have unrealistic expectations. I lean towards letting things play out because I’m not in the locker room or on the practice field or watching what these guys are. So I am willing to give these guys some slack. I’ll bash when it is called for (last year I was one of the ones calling for CP’s head). You must be a blast DURING the season!!
By Frank on Jun 22, 2008 | Reply
Ray Baker is going to force Tangini’s hand one way or the other so lets assume he is gone. Bubba is our starter and the first week of the season he breaks his pinky toe and gone for the season. Tangini thinks Chad is our ticket to the Superbowl or he would have been traded this offseason and will be the starter. With 8 guys in the box on every play who is going to be our TE?… contrary to what…
By CEDRIC on Jun 22, 2008 | Reply
Ray, you summed it up it up for me, I’m not even gonna bother debating Frank, its obvious you have something to prove by constantly making a case for Baker. The case we’ve made is directly in your face. No need for big long speech & FRANK, Please dont ever insult my football Knowledge again. I know as much about schemes, gaps & techinques as anyone on this site if not more. I’m not new to this.
By Frank on Jun 22, 2008 | Reply
…what you think this offense is extremely fragile and a simple thing like having a TE that can block will make a big difference. Tannenbaum needs to go take a management class and learn a thing or two about managing people. He can’t keep promising people he will review their contracts every year. Personally I am sick and tired of watching Tangini’s learning curve on our time and expense.
By Frank on Jun 22, 2008 | Reply
By the way Ray if you were paying attention from the beginning of my rants I said Tangini needs to resolve this issue with Baker one way or the other. Coles maybe didn’t get what he wanted but they resolved the issue. The statement Tangini is making to Baker is “your not important enough to deal with” and that is idiotic. I can’t wait for the training camp circus that is coming with this.
By Ray on Jun 22, 2008 | Reply
BTW, I read your design plan. Not bad, throw in some stadium seating recliners and I think it’s about right. I think you were born to be a basement designer!
By Ray on Jun 22, 2008 | Reply
Frank, believe me I have read all your rants. Some of your points are valid. And some, like the Franks one you just laid out is based on a bunch of “what if’s”. So I got one for you. Let’s assume you get your wish and they pay Baker his big raise. Then the very next game he takes a helmet to the knee and BAM… he’s gone for the year. Now we have Franks to fall back on, until he breaks……
By Ray on Jun 22, 2008 | Reply
his toe. Half your argument is based on “what if” and those are things out of everybody’s control. And Baker has no leverage to force anyones hand except to continue to gripe publicly. I would like to see it resolved also (with Baker still here), but if they are willing to deal with it they don’t have to do anything.
By Frank on Jun 22, 2008 | Reply
Ray the recliners are a great idea thanks for the input I’ll pass it on to Spicer. In all seriousness are you a season ticket holder? are the PSL’s as bad as Spicer claims?
By Row on Jun 22, 2008 | Reply
I will continue in agreement with Frank. We will all see this year that Coles is barely a 3rd receiver. In last years O Coles would have looked better because we were in 3, 4, and 5 wr sets all year. This year he will struggle with better coverage. Can’t understand why Baker is not a priority to management, nothing has been done. Chris is not Chad Johnson, we need him.
By Frank on Jun 22, 2008 | Reply
Ok Ray I realize the what if’s. It’s about team unity and harmony at this point. Too many good things happened this offseason and this is the type of thing that will undermine everything. I’ve managed large groups of people one sour puss can sap the energy out of everyone. What is he gonna do next? Drop his draws at practice and leave his calling card? The Bentley thing I would have suspended him.
By Ray on Jun 22, 2008 | Reply
No, I’m not a season ticket holder, but I’m on the list so I got to do the survey and yes the PSL’s are bad for any of the mid range seats, up higher they aren’t as exorbitant. But they are the wave of the future so there is no getting around them. They try to make them sound like you have an investment, but really the only adv. is that you can sell it to someone else.
By Ray on Jun 22, 2008 | Reply
Row, you are way out there! First, Coles is barely a 3rd wr?? Name one year he has stuggled with any amount of coverage. Last year he struggled with injuries, not receiving. And I don’t think Frank said anything like that. Second, no Baker is not Chad Johnson. Johnson is way better. But their situations are exactly the same. Unhappy and under contract, so no leverage.