11-05-2019, 01:23 AM
FLORHAM PARK, N. Air Max Sneaker 2017 .J. - The New York Jets head into the NFL draft with several needs and plenty of picks. General manager John Idzik also has loads of options with the No. 18 selection. Wide receiver? Cornerback? Tight end? Trade up, or down? Well, its anyones guess — the Jets included — right now. But with the depth of this years rookie class and currently holding a whopping 12 selections, New York will likely be able to add a few impact players. "Well go in open-minded," Idzik said. "The nice thing about having 12 picks is it does give you flexibility and manoeuvrability within the draft." Since taking over as GM last year, Idzik has preached a philosophy of building through the draft. And the 12 picks are just one less than the 13 the Jets had in coach Rex Ryans first three years from 2009-11 combined. Idzik took a deliberate but frugal approach to free agency, still landing perhaps the top three players available at their positions in quarterback Michael Vick, running back Chris Johnson and wide receiver Eric Decker. Despite not being the active spenders many fans hoped the Jets would be, that perception wont affect the Jets draft-day approach. "We view the draft, again, as a talent-based operation," Idzik said. "Were just going to go after the best players for our organization, so I dont know that theres any more pressure based on what transpired or what may not have transpired in free agency." Here are five things to know about the Jets heading into the draft: PLETHORA OF PICKS: Having loads of draft selections doesnt always translate into long-term success. With 12 picks, four of which are compensatory, the Jets have their most since having 10 in 2006. They also had 10 picks in 2004, but havent had as many as 12 since 1998, when their first selection came in the second round with defensive end Dorian Boose. Of those 12 players, only fourth-round tackle Jason Fabini became a regular starter for the Jets. Only one player other than Fabini, third-round safety Kevin Williams, started more than one game in New York. Oh, and five of those selections never played for the Jets in a regular-season game. STAYING PUT?: Despite all those picks, theres certainly a chance the Jets wont keep them all. They might not even stay in the 18th spot, if the right opportunity to trade up — maybe to get a Sammy Watkins or Mike Evans — comes along. That spot in the draft has produced some decent talent in recent years, including Chad Pennington (2000), Calvin Pace (2003), Joe Flacco (2008) and Maurkice Pouncey (2010), but generally very few Pro Bowl-type players have come at No. 18. "We feel if we stay at 18 that well have the ability to select a good player, somebody that can come in and help us win," senior personnel executive Terry Bradway said. TARGETING NEW TARGETS: Whether its Geno Smith or Michael Vick under centre this season, the Jets addressed the wide receiver position in free agency by bringing in Decker, who immediately upgrades the group after two huge years catching passes from Peyton Manning in Denver. But theres still room to improve. While Watkins and Evans are expected to be long gone by No. 18, the Jets might have a tough decision between LSUs Odell Beckham Jr., Oregon States Brandin Cooks, Southern Californias Marqise Lee or Florida States Kelvin Benjamin. ANOTHER CORNER?: Yes, the Jets took a cornerback with their first-round pick last year in Dee Milliner. But it could happen again, because the Jets might need another top-notch player at the position. After releasing Antonio Cromartie, Milliner became the de facto No. 1 cornerback. The current options to start opposite him are free agent signee Dimitri Patterson, and Kyle Wilson, the teams top pick in 2010, who might be better suited as nickel backs. It wouldnt be a shocker if the Jets jumped on Michigan States Darqueze Dennard, TCUs Jason Verrett, or Virginia Techs Kyle Fuller at No. 18. TIGHT SPOT: The Jets re-signed Jeff Cumberland in the off-season, and Ryan has raved about how he is developing into an all-around tight end. But Zach Sudfeld, Chris Pantale and Konrad Reuland, coming off a knee injury, are the only other tight ends on the roster. So, if North Carolinas Eric Ebron is available, the Jets could opt for perhaps the top-rated tight end in the draft. If not, Texas Techs Jace Amaro or Washingtons Austin Seferian-Jenkins could be possibilities in the second round. 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"We are staying at the Paralympics," Valeriy Sushkevich, president of the National Paralympic Committee of Ukraine, said at a news conference. However, he added that the circumstances were far from ideal. "I dont remember a situation when the organizing country during a Paralympics started an intervention on the territory of a country taking part," Sushkevich said, according to the R-Sport agency. "I dont know what to extent the team can focus on the result now." The Ukrainian official said the team would leave Sochi if there is any escalation of military conflict. "I declare should this happen we will leave the games," Sushkevich said. "We cannot possibly stay here in this case." He said he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday night to discuss the situation and request peace during the games. Suskevich said he did not receive any guarantees but it was important that Putin agreed to listen. Putin and IOC President Thomas Bach are expected to attend Fridays opening ceremony. Several countries have decided not to send political leaders or dignitaries to the ceremony in protest of Russias actions in Ukkraine. Wholesale Air Max Shoes. Ukraines decision to compete in Sochi was welcomed by the International Paralympic Committee. "We want sport to prevail and a full complement of teams to compete in what we are confident will be a fantastic Paralympic Winter Games," IPC President Phillip Craven said. "All week the IPC has been working closely with the Ukrainian Paralympic Committee in an effort to keep them here in Sochi. The talking point of Sochi 2014 needs to be great sport and great athletes, not global politics." The IPC has appealed for Russia to recognize the U.N.s Olympic Truce, which asks warring parties to cease hostilities during the Olympics and Paralympics. About 575 athletes from 45 countries are due to compete in the 10-day Paralympics. Five sports are on the program -- alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, biathlon, sledge hockey and wheelchair curling. Ukraine has entered 23 athletes for the Sochi Paralympics. It finished fifth in the medals table at the Winter Paralympics in Vancouver in 2010, with a total of 19 medals and five gold. Ukrainian athletes chanted "peace to Ukraine" as they apparently walked out of a flag-raising ceremony in Sochi on Thursday night. That is now under investigation by the IPC as a possible breach of rules banning political protests. "What were trying to do is gather the evidence, gather the transcripts and then we will see if any steps are necessary," IPC spokesman Craig Spence said. "If there was a political protest, obviously wed be disappointed by that because we have said all week that this is about sport, not politics." ' ' '