Joe Zibell's Baseball Writing

The draft is now over, and it is a long way until Training Camps in LATE July. While you are enjoying your summer off, please don't hesitate to visit Joe Zibell's Baseball Writing Blog. As good as it gets.

Josh Evans

It's official coming from Hempsted, LI, Josh Evans has announced his retirement after sitting out most of last season with a back injury.

Losing Josh last season never really came around to bite the Jets because of strong play from Dewayne Robertson and Jason Ferguson in the middle, but this coming season with Ferguson bolting to Dallas (reuniting with Parcells), this could become a weak spot for the Gang Green. More blockers may end up being able to get through those tackles, and into the face of Jonathan Vilma and alike.

The Jets spent a third round pick for a large Tackle out of Utah. However, as I repeated so many times during the 2003 season, large defensive tackles will take time to develop in this league just because of large differences between college and the pros. Therefore, he will probably not contribute much this season.

Keep an eye out for a veteran DT that gets cut after June 1st, and hopefully the Jets can swoop in and grab that person...

Per the NY Daily News, the Jets also signed Guard (Offensive) Brandon Moore to a long term extension.

Doug Brien

The Jets are going to release Doug Brien around June 1st. According to published reports, they have given him permission to speak to other teams about a new job.

A no brainer decision here after picking a kicker as high as the Jets did. I'm not arguing with the thought process of picking a kicker, but you can't and don't have room under your salary cap for two pro kickers fighting for a job. Not taking up an extra roster spot either during training camp.

Doug got the Jets into the divisional round of the playoffs by hitting a field goal against San Diego... But that wasn't enough. Not when you had two chances to bring your team to the AFC Championship that following week, with two MAKEABLE kicks.

Sorry Doug, time to move on. Hope you get a chance to miss 45 yard game winning field goals somewhere else.

Johnny Sample

Ex-Jet, NFL great Sample dead at 67

STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

PHILADELPHIA - Johnny Sample, a defensive back who was on the winning side in two of the NFL's landmark games, including the Jets in Super Bowl III, died yesterday. He was 67.
His death was confirmed by Jeff Moran, a spokesman for the medical examiner's office in Philadelphia. Details were not immediately available.

Sample had an interception for the Jets in their 16-7 upset of the Baltimore Colts in the Super Bowl in 1969. That game, for which the Jets' Joe Namath "guaranteed" victory, established the old AFL on a par with the NFL after the two leagues merged.

Earlier, Sample played for the Colts in the 1958 NFL championship game against the Giants that is still often described as "The Greatest Game Ever Played." The Colts won 23-17, the first game to go to overtime.

"On behalf of the Jets organization, we are saddened and extend our heartfelt condolences to the family of Johnny Sample. Johnny dedicated his life to football and had a passion for the game. He will always have a special place in Jets' history," Jets coach Herman Edwards said. "The Jets and the NFL community have lost a friend in Johnny Sample." In all, Sample played 11 seasons for the Colts, Pittsburgh Steelers, Washington Redskins and the Jets. The 1958 title game was in his rookie season and the 1969 game was his last.

"His participation in two of the most significant games in NFL history, the 1958 championship game and Super Bowl III, symbolized the champion John was," Colts owner Jim Irsay said.
Known as a fierce hitter from his cornerback position, Sample had 41 interceptions during his career, returning four for touchdowns, and also returned one punt and one kickoff for a TD. In his final year with the Jets, he had seven interceptions.

Born in Philadelphia, he attended Overbrook High School at the same time as Wilt Chamberlain and played in college at Maryland-Eastern Shore.

WBC middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins said he knew Sample for 18 years.

"He was a stand-up, speak-his-mind kind of guy," Hopkins said. "It's like getting hit with a right hand that you can't shake off. He is my best older, elder friend."