Exit 117 Posted March 15, 2006 Share Posted March 15, 2006 http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football...6p-338810c.html Matt has Green dream But Jets want Schaub, not Leinart By RICH CIMINI DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER If Matt Leinart gets his wish, he will playing in media capital of world next season. Matt Leinart has told people in his inner circle that he's dying to play for the Jets. A door opened yesterday that could make it possible, but the Jets have their eye on another, less heralded Matt — Matt Schaub, the Falcons' backup quarterback. On a hit-and-miss day in free agency — the Jets agreed to terms with defensive end Kimo von Oelhoffen, but lost out on quarterback Jon Kitna to the Lions — their most intriguing offseason opportunity was hatched 1,300 miles away in New Orleans. The Saints, once thought to be targeting Leinart with the second pick in next month's draft, signed free-agent Drew Brees. No longer desperate for a quarterback, the Saints are reportedly shopping the pick. The Jets, picking fourth, are in position to make a blockbuster play for Leinart, the former Heisman Trophy winner from USC. But they apparently have other ideas. With Kitna off the market, and with a possible trade for the Redskins' Patrick Ramsey stuck in the mud, the Jets are "looking down other avenues" for a quarterback, a person familiar with the team's thinking said last night. That avenue is named Schaub. The Jets and Falcons are engaged in trade talks, and the Jets are offering disgruntled defensive end John Abraham, the person said. The Falcons want Abraham and appear willing to meet his huge contract demands, but they're not willing to include Schaub in the package, ESPN reported. That could be a deal-breaker. The Falcons have two attractive commodities — Schaub and their first-round pick (No.15) — and it's hard to imagine the Jets settling for a deal that doesn't include one of those. The Jets probably would take Schaub and a second-round pick for Abraham, who arrived in Seattle yesterday for another stop on his recruiting tour. Abraham, a free agent with the franchise tag, is on the trading block. The Jets have been trying to deal him for several weeks. Abraham has told friends he'd love to play in Atlanta, close to his home in South Carolina. Schaub, 24, isn't a household name, but the former third-round pick from Virginia is highly regarded. In college, he played for former Jets coach Al Groh, who worked with Jets coach Eric Mangini. Groh gave a glowing recommendation of Schaub. If the Jets get Schaub, they wouldn't take a quarterback with their No. 1 pick. They'd go with Schaub, Chad Pennington and Brooks Bollinger. But if they decide to use the draft to find their QB of the future, they could trade up and have their pick of Leinart, Jay Cutler or Vince Young. Evidently, the Jets aren't too high on Leinart; otherwise they wouldn't be chasing Schaub. They could stay at four and hope that Cutler still is on the board. Leinart likely will be gone, and Young isn't believed to be a strong consideration for them. By landing von Oelhoffen, the Jets bolstered their run defense, signaling a switch to the 3-4 alignment. He played right end in the Steelers' 3-4, anchoring the position for the last seven years. The Jets gave him a three-year, $9.2 million contract, including a $3.2 million signing bonus — a large investment for a 35-year-old lineman. Presumably, they will use von Oelhoffen and Shaun Ellis at end, raising questions about the futures of tackle Dewayne Robertson and end Bryan Thomas. MAWAE SIGNS: Former Jets C Kevin Mawae, who said upon his release that he wanted to play for a Super Bowl contender, signed with the Titans, who were 4-12 last season. A $4 million signing bonus, part of a four-year, $13 million contract, apparently changed his mind. He was due to make $2.8 million with the Jets. ... DE John Abraham, searching for a team willing to trade for him, was scheduled to arrive in Seattle yesterday for another stop on his recruiting tour. ... Former Cowboys TE Dan Campbell, who visited over the weekend, signed with the Lions. The Jets responded by bringing in Jerame Tuman (Steelers) for a visit, although he is expected to re-sign with Pittsburgh. They also visited with Titans LB Brad Kassel and Packers WR/PR Antonio Chatman. Stay or go for it? They Jets have a chance to move into position to draft Matt Leinart. The question is, should they? WHY THEY SHOULD * The Jets need a quarterback to build around. Chad Pennington used to be that guy, but his surgically-repaired shoulder is iffy. * The Patriots have Tom Brady, the Dolphins just got Daunte Culpepper. The Jets need a franchise-caliber passer to keep up with their rivals. * The Jets need a drawing card, especially with all those luxury suites to fill in a new stadium, assuming they get one. WHY THEY SHOULDN'T * Leinart's arm strength is a question mark, which could be magnified in the nasty winds of December. After Pennington, do they want another touch-and-timing passer? * The Jets have too many other needs to surrender picks and/or players to trade up. According to the draft-pick value chart, they'd have to trade the equivalent of the 21st overall pick to move up only two spots. (Could they acquire the 22nd pick from the Broncos in a trade for John Abraham?) * Leinart might be too Hollywood for a meat-and-potatoes coach like Eric Mangini, who wants a quarterback who can fit in with the rest of the team. (See Brady.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Not_Ldiggitty Posted March 15, 2006 Share Posted March 15, 2006 There's something wrong with him, why would he want to play for the Jets? But, anyway, can you say "Broadway Matt"? Lol, too bad it'll be Schaub, not Leinart! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uconngiants Posted March 16, 2006 Share Posted March 16, 2006 hmmm.... What would your feeling on him going to the Jets be??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plax 4 Prez Posted March 16, 2006 Share Posted March 16, 2006 (edited) hmmm.... What would your feeling on him going to the Jets be??? double post Edited March 16, 2006 by Plax 4 Prez Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plax 4 Prez Posted March 16, 2006 Share Posted March 16, 2006 hmmm.... What would your feeling on him going to the Jets be??? lol...I'd rather have Cutler than Matt on the Jets Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
so-cal dub Posted March 16, 2006 Share Posted March 16, 2006 That would good for you guys. I've been wanting him to go to the Jets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gateb Posted March 16, 2006 Share Posted March 16, 2006 I never really thought Leinart is that great of a QB, even last year. He's going to be a solid QB, who is going to win some games. I'm not sure if he's worth the projected pick he is expected to go. He does not have a rocket arm, and doesn't have any really spectacular feature except for the fact that he is a smooth, talented QB who will be a consistent winner. Reminds me of a Tom Brady figure except he has the expectations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fringe Posted March 16, 2006 Share Posted March 16, 2006 People frm Cal are usually smarter than this. Must have been that tough curriculum this year (1 class, Ballroom dancing) fried his brain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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