Why Greg Camarillo is a Good Fit for the New York Jets

August 25, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Greg Camarillo (17) during the second half of a preseason game against the Houston Texans at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated the Texans 34-27. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-US PRESSWIRE

We are almost 12 hours since the cut down deadline last night at 9 PM. Now is the time that GMs are around the league, scanning the transactions to see who might be a good fit for their football teams. Bloggers and analysts like myself take this time to do the same thing.

One name that stuck out to me, as it did to all of us, was Deion Branch. After all, he has had success in this league, including earning a Super Bowl MVP award. However, if you look at this guy closely, you can tie much of his success to Tom Brady. In his years away from New England, Branch’s production wasn’t even close to his production in New England. That happens, a quarterback can bring something out in a receiver that nobody else can. But, maybe not the best fit for the Jets, even though we all like to sign Patriots to get some intel on the enemy.

Going further, there is a guy that doesn’t draw as much attention to himself, but is a talented wide receiver. His talent and experience would make a great fit for the New York Jets. That receiver’s name is Greg Camarillo. Turn the page and we will talk about him a bit.

The Jets are severely lacking in the playmaker department, this is obvious. Santonio Holmes is the only proven playmaker on the outside. Oh, the Jets have guys, Stephen Hill, Jeremy Kerley, Chaz Schilens, and Patrick Turner. There is a lot of potential within this group. For anyone that visits this site, they know that we are especially excited about the potential of Stephen Hill. But that is what it is, potential. The season cannot hang on whether or not Stephen Hill has a huge season. As a rookie, it needs to be a situation where Hill having a great season is EXTRA. The Jets need receivers they can count on.

Enter Greg Camarillo. Many of you might wonder about the suggestion. He hasn’t been that productive over the last two years, with only 29 catches over that time with the Minnesota Vikings, one of those seasons with Brett Favre as quarterback. But, break this guy down further, and you will see his worth.

First of all, he is a decent sized guy for a wide receiver at 6’2″ 200 pounds. At wide receiver, you can’t carry a lot of small, Jeremy Kerley sized, guys. Camarillo is not that. He also still is young enough, at 30 years old, to have plenty of gas left in the tank.

Go back two years to see Camarillo’s worth for the Jets system. Look at his 2008-2009 stats. With the Miami Dolphins in those two years, Greg averaged 52.5 carries per season. Clearly, these are the stats of a reliable, maybe not elite, but reliable wide receiver. Who was his coach? Tony Sparano. You don’t always need to get elite players, you need guys that will fit your system. Greg Camarillo would fit that system.

Finally, his average per catch, to me is a factor. Camarillo has not had a huge average per catch for his career, 11.9 yards. You might wonder why that is important, since the Jets need weapons to stretch the field. Here’s why.

Greg Camarillo is a valuable weapon as a possession receiver, especially in Tony Sparano’s system, evidenced by the stats in the previous page. If Camarillo is in the fold, he can be a guy in the possession game, which would free Santonio Holmes up to be more of a threat down the field. So he influences the downfield passing game by freeing up others to be part of that threat.

You don’t always need the best players, you need the right ones. You need guys that fit your system. Greg Camarillo is that guy. Your move Tannenbaum.