NY Jets may draft Jay Cutler
Here is the link.
http://www.nj.com/jets/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/113834051934650.xml&coll=1
Jets audible: Eye Vandy QB Cutler in draft
Friday, January 27, 2006 BY DAVE HUTCHINSON
Star-Ledger Staff
In an apparent philosophical shift, the Jets are seriously considering drafting Vanderbilt quarterback Jay Cutler in the first round of the April draft should they trade down from the fourth pick overall, according to someone with knowledge of the team's thinking.
With the hiring of new coach Eric Mangini, the Jets now seem willing to select a quarterback in the first round and groom him for the long term. Under former coach Herman Edwards, the Jets were believed to be planning to address other needs with their first-round pick and sign a veteran quarterback to compete with Chad Pennington in training camp.
Pennington, 29, had his second rotator cuff surgery in an eight-month span last October and his career is in jeopardy.
Meanwhile, the Jets continue their search for an offensive coordinator, with Saints offensive coordinator Mike Sheppard, former Browns head coach and Texans offensive coordinator Chris Palmer and perhaps Eagles quarterback coach Pat Shurmur said to be on their list of candidates.
Tony Wise remains the front-runner to replace offensive line coach Doug Marrone, who wants out of his contract, which has a year remaining.
At the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., several Jets team representatives and scouts, including general manager Terry Bradway, had a lengthy dinner with Cutler on Wednesday night. The Dolphins also have shown interest in Cutler.
In addition to Cutler, the Jets have shown considerable interest in offensive tackles D'Brickashaw Ferguson (Virginia) and Eric Winston (Miami).
If the Jets keep the fourth pick overall, they likely would take Ferguson, who is considered a franchise left tackle. If they trade down, they would try to select Cutler in the 10-to-15-pick range and pick up an offensive tackle such as Winston later in the first round.
On many early draft boards, Cutler is ranked as the third best quarterback behind Matt Leinart (USC) and Vince Young (Texas).
Cutler, 6-3, 223 pounds, was a one-man band for Vandy this season. He threw for 3,073 yards, 21 touchdowns and just nine interceptions while leading the Commodores to a 5-6 mark in the competitive Southeastern Conference. He has good mobility, rushing for 215 yards.
Most teams view Cutler as a player who'll need at least a year on the bench behind a veteran. He has good arm strength, smarts, toughness and a strong work ethic, according to reports.