New York Jets Gang Green Daily, 4/11/17: Maccagnan Should Snag Leonard Fournette? 2
Nov 5, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) is tackled by Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Dalvin Tomlinson (54) during the third quarter of a game at Tiger Stadium. Alabama defeated LSU 10-0. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

As the morsels of sand run out in the hourglass and the New York Jets have to make a decision, would they go against the grain and snag Leonard Fournette?

Against the grain? What does that mean?

Well.

The New York Jets strategy has been “take the best player available,” regardless of position. Well, this has been the case as long as Mike Maccagnan and Todd Bowles have been at the helm anyway.

It seems to be a fool-proof strategy. But ESPN’s Rich Cimini suggests that perhaps the Jets would be best served dumping their ideals, via ESPN.com:

Mike Maccagnan subscribes to the best-player-available philosophy. and Fournette could be the best player on the board when the Jets are on the clock, but it’s not a decision that can be made in a vacuum. Scheme must be considered, as well the overall value of running backs, which has declined in recent years.”

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The patented strategy worked with Leonard Williams. The Jets had a surplus of defensive linemen, but now they have a perennial future All-Pro, so obviously that report card is going to look good on the refrigerator.

For a team with as many needs as the Jets, it would seem asinine to me to not select the best player available. The Jets drafted Leo and said we’ll figure it out later how to best use him.

If you don’t want to take the BPA because of schematics, then take the best offer and trade back and maximize your profit margins. That’s the bold strategy they should be pulling on draft day.

While speaking of draft day, the official New York Jets Twitter account is posting a cool draft factoid every day leading up to the draft.

This fact by Randy Lange, senior editor of NewYorkJets.com, brings both jubilation and despair to the Jet faithful. Of course, conveniently not listed on the tweet (and probably for good reason), was one of the biggest busts in not only Jets’ lore, but NFL History in Vernon Gholston.

The ugly stepsister of the NFL Scouting Combine, “the Combine Warrior” label was made because of guys like Gholston. Due to that, it remains a buyer beware sticker on every package that is bought on draft day.

The game is about more than running around in shirts and shorts, although I happen to enjoy the combine festivities more so than the next guy. So we’ll make sure we try to document each of these stats if we have room in our Gang Green daily pieces.

While over at the New York Daily News, we wonder whether positivity and rainbows really pouring out of that building. A piece by Manish Mehta suggested that it’s possible the Jets make the playoffs in 2017?! They even came up with five reasons why that’s the case!

I think the notion is ludicrous and the Jets are more likely to have the number one pick than find themselves in the playoffs. Although, there are some good takes here:

  • In theory, the wide receiving corps should do much better. They’re young and talented and should continue to improve
  • Both Mo’s (Wilkerson and Claiborne) should be great, more so Wilkerson. Now he’s going to be healthy (in theory) and should return to form.
  • The Jets sixth overall pick should be an impact plug and play guy. Outside of a quarterback selection, they should get an impact guy.
  • Although speaking of quarterback, “McCown Magic” is just stupid. Fool me once, shame on me. Try to fool me twice? I don’t think so.

But I can’t say I don’t like the optimism. It’s a nice change. We continue to get closer to the NFL Draft so we’ll continue to have coverage right here on EliteSportsNY.com.

People call me Boy Green for my unwavering dedication to all things New York Jets. I work at The Score 1260 in Syracuse and I'm extremely passionate about sports. I aspire to continue my rise through the business and hopefully I'll end up working for the New York Jets in some capacity.