And it's Erik Ainge out of Tennessee. Some draftniks had Ainge rated as high as the sixth-best quarterback in this year's group, but the nephew of the former Celtics guard - and current Celtics GM - ended up as the ninth quarterback chosen. There are plenty of questions regarding the QB.
Certainly physically there's a lot to like, starting with his size: 6-5 1/2" and 223 pounds. But he doesn't have a big arm and his overall career at Tennessee, after entering the program with much fanfare, was considered somewhat of a disappointment in terms of contending for a national championship. Those kind of yearly expectations at Tennessee seemed to wear on Ainge at times.
But while his performance in the "big game" was always a criticism - and a fair one - Ainge did break Peyton Manning's single-season completions record this year with 325 and he finished the 2007 season having completed 62.6 percent of his passes, throwing for 3,522 yards, 31 touchdowns and just 10 interceptions. Lots of big numbers across the board. Interesting project pick here.
Next up for the Jets, the fifth pick of the sixth round, the 171st pick overall.
UPDATE: and with that pick [love the condensed time of the draft this year] the Jets grab a receiver: Marcus Henry, a 6-3 1/2" 207-pound wideout from Kansas. Became an NFL prospect based on his huge senior season when he became the go-to guy in the Jayhawks' offense. Henry had 54 catches for 1,014 yards and 10 touchdowns. Known for great hands, ability to adjust his body to poorly thrown passes, but also for not having great speed.
Also known as having no relation to Newsday's very own Marcus Henry.
Comments (7)
I don't like the pick. Never trust someone who spells Erik with a k. Just ask Eric Mangini. He of all people should know better.
Whoa, Gridder Tom. That's harsh. Good shot though.
I miss the Parcell's days of stock piling picks and drafting a dozen guys...
If we picked Keller for his size and speed why would we turn around and pick a slow, similar sized WR?
I really would've liked to see another CB instead...Dwight Lowery sounds like another "Versatile Athlete" that Mangini seems to love. I'm tired of seeing "Versatile". We needed a corner who can play alongside Revis and lock down someone...
I don't mind the Keller pick now that I read into it more, but I don't see the value of Henry. They've done a great job in spotting talent over the past few years (Harris, Vilma, Rhodes, Revis...etc.) maybe Lowery and Henry have more to them than it seems. Maybe Henry's going to be another Chrebet with the size that he lacked.
wow erik ur so fnny saying something and go UPDATe: not!.....ur syaing hes slow?...didnt he run a pretty good forty time? thought so
Relax, Mike. He's not a bad pick by any stretch, but by comparison to other top receiving prospects, he didn't have a great time. He ran a 4.55 in the combine. Devin Thomas ran a 4.40, DeSean Jackson ran a 4.38, Limas Sweed ran a 4.48, James Hardy ran a 4.45, and so on.
Hey, Capt Rich, go check out Parcells 98 draft and see what he did with a dozen picks that year.