NFL GridIron Gab Daily Digest

Coming off the heels of yet another season ending in defeat in the AFC Championship Game, the Jets are facing a crucial offseason. Who they decide to keep/let go will go a long way in determining the future makeup of this team. As we have seen many times in the past, Mike Tannenbaum always has a plan and loves to be aggressive and creative. I'm sure he's already got something planned up his sleeve. All we can do now is wait for free agency. You know, if there even is free agency this year.

With that said, I'm going to play Mike T for a little while and lay out my priorities for the Jets current crop of free agents.

1. David Harris- Harris is easily the Jets top priority this offseason and Mike Tannenbaum seems to have realized that as reports have stated that the Jets plan to use the franchise tag on Harris. He is the glue that holds the Jets 3-4 defense together. He has led the team in tackles the past two seasons and calls the plays in the defensive huddle. When he missed five games in 2008, the defense was noticeably different. Plus, he's a homegrown talent and the only member of the "Core Four" (Revis, Mangold, Ferguson) not to have yet receive an extension. Tannaenabum would get hammered if he let Harris walk over resigning a player they traded for.

2. Antonio Cromartie- Say what you want about the guy's off the field behavior, you can't deny the guy is a great football player. He's inconsistent at times, but when he's on he can dominate. He and Revis make up arguably the league's best cornerback tandem and you don't want to break that up. Look at the two teams that played in the Super Bowl this year, they both had elite secondaries. Also you can't discount the fact that the Jets gave up a second round pick for Cro. Letting him walk after one year would be quite a costly one-year rental.

3a. Santonio Holmes- Holmes is a unique and special talent. He's the best receiver the Jets have had since Keyshawn Johnson was wearing green and white. His ability to make a big play at the biggest moment is uncanny. You can count 4 games this year where he made a pivotal play, against the Broncos, Lions, Browns and Texans. Oh yeah, and he only played 12 games. If he wasn't one drug test away from a one year suspension, he would be higher on this list.

3b. Braylon Edwards- Braylon had a solid year. He minimized his drops, made big plays the down the field, and did a great job blocking in the run game. I don't want to take anything away from him, but he simply isn't as valuable as Santonio and frankly, I don't even think it's a question. In a perfect world, the Jets would retain both Holmes and Edwards, but being realistic it just doesn't seem possible at the moment. The love has been pouring in on Braylon recently, but it was only a few months ago when no one even wanted him back. That's what a DUI and criticizing your quarterback will get you. Now, it appears Braylon has his act together, but he just isn't as valuable as Santonio is to the Jets.

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From The Fantasy Flukie

In case my flukesters need a reminder. Stay away from MJD! His knee is shot. I don't care what Jacksonville says a player of his size can only take sooooo many beatings. His 2010 stats were average and not "Pocket Hercules" like – 1342 yards rushing, 34 receptions for 317 yards, and only 5 TDS. Heck, his backup Rashad Jennings had 4 TDs. Jack Del Rio saved his job with an 8-8 record and nearly squeaked into the playoffs. Much of his survival was the play of David Garrad. Zebras don't change their strips and besides improving their D and maybe grabbing a WR Jack Del Rio's team will come back largely intact.

MJD is starting to show wear and tear. He no doubt will be in a 50-50 split with Rashad Jennings next year. In fact I wouldn't be surprised if their 1000 yard rusher is Jennings not MJD. Those of you in keeper leagues strongly consider making a play for Jennings. Those in traditional drafts consider taking him in the double digit rounds. He may be the RB sleeper you will sorely need. Many people immediately consider MJD a first round pick just because of his name. Razzball just did a 1st round in a mock draft and MJD went 7th. Undoubtedly, this will be a huge mistake. At 7 I could list 5 players to take before Maurice.

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The Arizona Cardinals are a team that is in dire straights for a quarterback, and they are now allowing Larry Fitzgerald, their Pro-Bowl wideout, to start making personnel decisions. It has just escaped from the Cardinals organization that Fitzgerald's first recommendation for a replacement quarterback was Kevin Kolb. This throws the Eagles into a very good postion if the Cardinals follow through with Fitzgerald's suggestion.

The Cardinals had a less than memorable season with, "That's Fine!" as the starting quarterback, and then a weak last ditch effort from Max Hall and John Skeleton. Arizona struggled to get any offense moving, and that's with Fitzgerald starting every game. That means, even with the weak rushing game, the Cardinals need a quarterback more than the Eagles need to draft an offensive lineman.

It would make sense that the Eagles would want at least a first round pick in exchange for their possible starter, in Kolb. It would be very surprising to see any team, including the Cardinals, want to give up a first rounder for a quarterback that has had a poor season. The Cards' currently hold the fifth overall pick, and that means that the Eagles have about a zero percent chance of getting it.

The Cardinals have way too many holes to fill on their team, and they can't afford to get rid of a fifth overall. However, the Eagles might be able to swing a second round pick, and that isn't quite as awesome, but it's still huge. There is no way that the Eagles will take anything less than a second round for Kolb, and the Cardinals may be more than happy to hold onto their first and trade away their second.

Saying that the Eagles could score the Cards' second rounder, it could fill some much needed postions on the Eagles offensive line or the defensive side of the ball. Giving the Eagles two second rounders and then still holding onto their first could be a season changer. Andy Reid should jump on this opportunity, as the Eagles have more than a handful of postions that will not be able to be filled via trade.

The only issue- There have been countless draft boards that have Arizona taking Blaine Gabbert, from the University of Missouri, with their fifth overall pick. There is no team above the Cards' that would have any interest in Gabbert, and if they were to draft him there would be no need for Kolb. It's going to come down to how much faith the Cardinals have in Kolb and how much potential they think Gabbert has.

Happy Monday Giants fans! Hope your weekend was good. We're getting into draft coverage.

-Remember, we're still looking for a draft writer. Email Me if interested, with a sample article.

-Our Prospect Profiles series is gaining steam. Lots of good prospects this year. Many who can help the Giants.

-I think the Giants will target Best Player Available in the first round. Obviously, if the best player is a QB, they won't. But, whether it's an offensive or defensive lineman, linebacker or something else, the Giants won't reach for need. Never have. Never will.

-Outside linebacker is still probably the biggest need. Akeem Ayers is the best 4-3 outside linebacker, but he's not ready to start on day 1. The Giants will look hard at him. I like Mason Foster, from Washington or Mark Herzlich, from BC. I don't want a defensive end that is transitioning to outside backer. Doesn't work well in the 4-3.

-Why doesn't it work well in the 4-3, but it does work in the 3-4? Because in the 3-4, outside linebackers are asked mainly to rush the passer. There's more coverage responsibilities in the 4-3.

-Annoyance interlude: Fire alarm went off in my building at 2 in the morning. Turned out to be a false alarm, the batteries were out or something. But, it was 2 in the morning. I was happily sleeping. Warm, in my bed. It was cold out. At 2 in the morning. Needless to say I was not happy.

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During the 2010 season, it seemed a single week couldn't go by without another layer being added to the onion that was the Albert Haynesworth saga.

It seems like the 2011 offseason is no different.

WRC Channel 4, a local news channel, is reporting that Albert Haynesworth has been accused of sexual assault by a waitress at the W Hotel in Washington.

According to the report:

The U.S. Attorney's Office is expected to review the evidence in the case to see what, if any, charges may be brought against Haynesworth.

Haynesworth's agent, Chad Speck, provided the following statement to NBC Washington's Dan Hellie:

"There seems to be no truth to these allegations. We are currently evaluating facts and considering our own legal action against those involved."

Details are still emerging, but it's (once again) safe to say that any trade value that Haynesworth may have had has now completely plummeted.

It's hard to picture any scenario where he will be on the Redskins roster for the 2011 season.

The Raiders have announced that Pro Football Hall of Famer Rod Woodson will return to the Raiders as a member of the team's coaching staff. Woodson will serve as assistant coach, cornerbacks.

"I'm excited that we have a Hall of Fame player who is coming back to the organization," said Raiders Head Coach Hue Jackson. "I was extremely impressed during the interview process with his communication skills and I'm looking forward to Rod imparting his wealth of knowledge to our players."

Woodson played 17 NFL seasons from 1987-2003, including the final two of a Hall of Fame career with the Raiders (2002-03).

"It's an honor to be back with the Raiders and be able to talk to Raider players about true football," said Woodson, who most recently served as an analyst for the NFL Network and as a color commentator for the Big Ten Network. "I'm looking forward to working with the organization and the challenges of the 2011 season."