LinvilleGorge

I'm saying not everything gets reported. The conversation almost certainly never went anywhere. They probably said #2 was straight up off the table. But there's zero chance we didn't at least ask in passing about it. There's zero reason not to. The worst that can happen is they say no. Okay, cool. So now we're still in the same spot we were in before.

Yes, it's my opinion. I don't know why you keep thinking my opinion is something I'm staying as stone cold truth. Have you ever negotiated anything in your life? If you think we had ongoing conversations with the Jets and never once asked even in passing about the availability of the #2 overall pick them I have some oceanfront property outside of Asheville that I'd like to present to you. Amazing investment opportunity. Truly a one of a kind property.

Oh, and you REALLY think that we had an ongoing conversation with the Jets for weeks and never asked out of curiosity, "Hey, since we're chatting and friendly... just for shits and giggles... what about that #2 overall pick?" C'mon man! Of COURSE we did.

It's stating the blatantly obvious that if a move is made the franchise ultimately thinks it will be beneficial. If that's your argument then you really don't have an argument. I get the hopefulness aspect. Darnold has intriguing talent and he was in a bad situation with a bad coach. I just don't get the attacking approach toward people who see the significant indicators both historically and with Darnold's actual okay that this is unlikely to ultimately work out. I'm not screaming from the rafters that Darnold is trash and will always be trash, but it's truthful that he WAS trash in NY. We're just making a bet that it had more to do with the situation than the player. Similar bets across the league throughout history usually haven't paid off. That's all I'm saying.

Yes, because literally everything comes to light. Every casual conversation between NFL executives with working relationship leaks word for word to the press. C'mon man. You're teaching so hard on this thread. We get it, you're very hopeful about Darnold. Cool. But you don't have to do these mental gymnastics and get all butthurt because others aren't nearly as hopeful.

Did they choose this path or was it actually forced on them? The Watson trade opportunity fell apart with the lawsuits. We swung and missed on Stafford. We reportedly at least had a conversation with SF about #3. Personally I think it's likely that we at least casually asked the Jets about #2 until they chuckled and suggested we talk about Darnold instead. The Teddy bridge was burned with all the shade we threw his way. Rolling with Teddy wasn't an option. It would've sent an awful message to the locker room. At best, Darnold was our #4 option this off-season behind Watson, Stafford, and trading up in the draft. Put the pieces together and it is what it is. The best bad option available.

Historically speaking, that's accurate. Bust reclamation projects usually don't work out. Long shot doesn't mean that he absolutely won't work out, it just means it's unlikely. It is.

Where have I said anything absolute? You're arguing against something you've only imagined.

I get Urlacher vibes from that guy. But I agree, 270 is a bit concerning.

Read what I actually typed. Refute it if you like, but you're basically answering an actual reasoned, spelled out response with homerism emotion.

I said I have no idea how much input Fitts has in the process. Once it became fairly evident to us that the Watson ship had fully sailed due to off field issues and that #8 was going to be too low for the QBs we most coveted in the draft, Stafford was our next plan. Once we missed there, we basically went with the best bad option left on the table. At least the trade wasn't gutting. Like I said, a 6th and next year's 2nd and 4th isn't a heavy investment in the QB position. If he works out, great. If he doesn't, we haven't mortgaged the franchise on it like we would have to have been able to trade up in the draft. But, no. Honestly I don't think Darnold being on the roster will have a huge impact on what we do in the draft. He's a long shot. I know the staff is hopeful on his talent, but honestly unless they're idiots I think they also know that he is a long shot. We still haven't officially picked up his 5th year option. That's very telling IMO. They're not going to even go that far until they actually see him in person at least at OTAs.

5'8" 149??? Good grief, how is he going to survive in the NFL? Smith is definitely going to have to add some weight but at least he has the frame to do it. My comp for him has always been Marvin Harrison and he was listed at 6' 179. I think that'll be about Smith's ultimate NFL build.

Yeah, Gase is trash and the Jets didn't have a good situation (no highly drafted players goes into a good situation) but it's really not up for debate on whether or not Darnold was a bust for the Jets. He was.

You realize Rhule has final roster control, right? I don't know how much input Gotta has on the process but I do know that on paper Rhule has the final say.

They disagreed with Teddy too. I kinda think they might not know what they're doing in terms of addressing the QB position. The reality that they traded for pretty much the polar opposite prospect to the FA bust they signed last year strongly indicates that IMO.

Very possible. But the odds are even higher for a guy who has already busted.

Yeah, honestly I do. They were desperate to move on from their last mistake so they're going to roll the dice on another subpar option but one with a higher level of physical talent this time given that was an Achilles heel of the last one that failed. A future 6th rounder and a 2nd and 4th next year is a relatively paltry investment in the QB position. It's not like we traded three firsts. Yes, this 100% feels like throwing a dart at the board.

I have no idea what they believe. I do know that if Darnold predictably doesn't work out and we make no further moves to hedge our bets at QB, then my confidence in Rhule's ability to identify QB talent is officially at zero.

Nope. That'd be enough for this off-season. I just don't think we should pass on a QB we like at #8 due to Sam Darnold. If we don't like the QBs at #8, sure trade down. But Sam Darnold being on the roster shouldn't impact that draft selection. History indicates the odds of Sam Darnold being our answer are pretty slim.

Agreed. Then pick him.

Word is that Rhule wanted to trade back last year and Fitterer comes from an organization that routinely trades back to get more picks. Wouldn't surprise me in the least if we're going putting out the word that once we're on the clock, hit us up with your offers because we're not married to making a pick at #8.

We signed Teddy to a pretty significant contract and cut bait after one year. I don't think we're at all married to Darnold. If he sucks we'll go fishing again pronto.

I would LOVE a trade down opportunity that netted an additional 1st next year. We bet on Darnold. Fine. But we need to hedge that bet. Heavily. If we aren't taking a QB at #8, trade back and try to net an additional #1 next year to put ourselves in better position to make a move on a guy like Sam Howell or Spencer Rattler next year if Darnold doesn't work out - which let's be honest, history indicates that's pretty likely. Even doing that, I still wouldn't be surprised to see us take a guy like Davis Mills or Kellen Mond if they're there in the 3rd. QB is just THAT important. You have to keep swinging until you find one. If you end up with more than one, even better. Flip one for additional assets down the road.

I've been saying for quite some time that if we aren't taking a QB at #8 then we should at least answer the phone and listen if it's ringing.