Douglas feels ‘Perri’ good about new WR
Joe Douglas is keeping his fingers crossed that Breshad Perriman can fill Robby Anderson’s role this season. The Jets’ general manager took a calculated risk and lost a waiting game with Anderson, who agreed to a fair market value deal with the Panthers nine days into free agency. Douglas pivoted hours after Anderson said thanksbut-nothanks to the Jets’ offer by giving Perriman a oneyear audition.
“He has unique size and speed combo,” Douglas said of Perriman Wednesday on a conference call. “Obviously his career trajectory was different than most firstrounders. But I think you’ve seen it in the back half of two years ago with Cleveland and then at the end of this year.”
Douglas was part of the Ravens’ staff that scouted Perriman before he became the No. 26 overall pick in the 2015 draft. The speedy wideout was a massive disappointment in Baltimore due to injury and subpar production before he bounced around in Washington, Cleveland and Tampa.
The 6-2, 215-pound Perriman caught fire in the final month with the Buccaneers, finding a connection with Jameis Winston after star receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin were out with injuries. He had 25 receptions for 506 yards and five touchdowns in the final five games, which essentially landed him a 1-year, $6 million deal with the Jets.
Perriman, who ran a sub-4.3 40 at his Pro Day five years ago, will be expected to stretch the field in Adam Gase’s offense.
“You’d be hard pressed to find a wide receiver that had better numbers than Breshad,” Douglas said of Perriman’s hot streak in the final month with the Bucs. “So, I’m really excited about his speed, his ability to take the top off the defense. We feel like he can come in here and make an impact. He’ll be able to develop a chemistry with Sam moving forward.”
However, Anderson’sexisting chemistry with Darnol d shouldn’t be marginalized.
Douglas made it clear that he wanted to make life easier for his young quarterback. Both Douglas and Gase stressed the importance of continuity and growing the number of foundational pieces. Letting Darnold’s most explosive young offensive weapons runs contrary to that.
Anderson’s two-year, $20 million deal (with $12 million in the first year) was a fair and reasonable price for the Panthers. The Jets didn’t necessarily have to break the bank to retain Anderson, but it never made sense for the player to return on a prove-it deal to play for a head coach, who has never proven anything himself, unless the price was right.
“Robby obviously was a really good player here,” Douglas said. “Really helped us tremendously down the stretch last year. I’m happy for Robby that he was able to get the money he got…. It’s a really credit for him being an undrafted free agent and how he developed and where he is now. It’s a credit to his hard work.”
Winning franchises typically retain and reward their home-grown ascending players.
Douglas is hoping that his Plan B works this season.