Jets Get Stronger, Dolphins Sit and Watch

April 12, 2010

2009 Super Bowl MVP, Santonio Holmes, was traded from the Pittsburgh Steelers to the New York Jets for a 2010 5th round pick. Holmes is coming off his career best season after catching 79 passes for 1,248 yards and five touchdowns.

The Jets have been on a tear this off-season. Despite being part of the last eight in this uncapped year, New York has been able to maximize their limited free agency moves and stack up with trades.

The Jets began the off-season with a bang by acquiring former Pro Bowl Cornerback Antonie Cromartie from the San Diego Chargers for a 2011 conditional third round pick. Cromartie will join arguably the best shutdown corner in the league Darrelle Revis. To make room for Cromartie the Jets traded their weakest link on defense, CB Kerry Rhodes to Arizona after the Cardinals lost Antrell Rolle to the Giants in free agency.


Rex Ryan then went after another San Diego Charger in recently cut RB LaDainian Tomlinson. Tomlinson was between joining the Minnesota Vikings back field or the Jets before ultimately heading for the Big Apple. The Vikings publicly presented a better offer for Tomlinson as Coach Brad Childress said Adrian Peterson would be the number one and LaDainian 1A. With the Jets he will serve as back-up to second year player Shonn Greene.

The Jets are still heavily pursuing Miami Dolphins DE Jason Taylor. Taylor was in New York for three days touring the new facilities, meeting with players and dining with the brass. Taylor has yet to make a decision on if we will join a city that he has publicly despised. The Dolphins have yet to comment or make any attempts in keeping Taylor for the 2010 season.

The Jets have also signed S Brodey Pool and K Nick Folk.

After themselves opening free agency with a bang by signing LB Karlos Dansby, the Dolphins have done nothing to address their needs at wide receiver, safety, nose tackle or outside linebacker. That begs to question, what are the Dolphins waiting for?

This doesn't look like a team that's going to be able to compete with the rest of the division. And one that is on their way to another 7-9 season. the Dolphins need to begin inquiring about players on the block (and even players that aren't) like the Jets. Neither Cromartie or Holmes were publicly on the trading block, but were traded after a simple phone call. So my message to Bill Parcells is this: Pick up the phone and dial a friend.