NFL Free Agency 2011: Plaxico Burress Signs One-Year Deal With Jets

Just days after missing out on star cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha to the Philadelphia Eagles, the New York Jets responded early Sunday morning by snatching free agent wide receiver Plaxico Burress from the free-agent market.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Burress signed fully-guaranteed, one-year contract worth just over $3 million. This ends the speculation that the New York Giants, Burress former team, were strong suitors for the 6-foot-5 wide receiver. Pro Football Talk's Mike Lombardi tweeted the Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers were the only real players in the Burress sweepstakes.

This move for Burress will more than likely silence critics who were slamming the Jets organization for going after Asomugha when their offense clearly needed more weapons. If Burress can get back into football shape, he can be a nice target for quarterback Mark Sanchez. However, there's still be questions marks about Burress. The biggest question is: Can he produce after spending 20-months in prison?

For more on the signing of Burress checkout SB Nation's Big Green Nation.

Nnamdi Asomugha: Are The Giants Doomed? I Don't Think So

Calm down. Take a deep breath. Let everything play out. The season is a month-and-half-away, and a lot can happen. Star-divide The reality is, the Eagles were good Friday morning. Friday night they got better. Good for them, that's what NFL teams are supposed to do. Philadelphia has beaten the Giants six straight times, and Friday night they raised the bar even more. It is sort of like Red Sox-Yankees -- each team continues to try and get better to outdo the other. What the Eagles did Friday is throw the latest salvo. So what? Before Friday, the Eagles were the biggest obstacle in their path. Right now, that hasn't changed.

http://www.bigblueview.com/2011/7/30/2305249/nnamdi-asomugha-are-the-giants-doomed-i-dont-think-so

Nnamdi Asomugha To The Eagles Hurt Both The New York Jets And Giants

Nnamdi Asomugha spurned the New York Jets early Friday evening, instead signing a five-year, $60 million contract with the Philadelphia Eagles. Unfortunately, this move now hurts not only the Jets, but the Giants as well.

Asomugha, long regarded as one of the best defensive backs in the NFL during his seven seasons with the Oakland Raiders, was rumored to be down to either the Jets or the Dallas Cowboys earlier on Friday. The Jets were so confident they had a shot that they released both Mark Brunell and Kevin O'Connell as well as restructured a few other contracts to make enough room to haul in one of the top free agents of the offseason.

Unfortunately for the Jets, Asomugha decided to sign with the Eagles for reasons currently unknown. Not to be outdone, the Giants are hurt nearly as much as the Jets in this deal.

The Giants face the Eagles twice per season as NFC East rivals and, as everyone who has watched  a Raiders game in the past will know,  Asomugha all but takes away half of the football field from whichever quarterback he's facing off against (in this case, it will be Eli Manning). Not to say the Eagles were going to be an easy opponent to begin with, but their signing of Asomugha makes the match-up all the more difficult.

Either way you look at it, Asomugha probably just took away nearly his entire New  York fanbase. That $60 million probably makes him feel a bit better about that, though, right?

Free Agency 2011 Showdown: Jets vs. Dallas For Nnamdi Asomugha

It is down to two teams for the services of All-Pro cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha and Giants fans aren't going to be happy with either choice: the New York Jets or the Dallas Cowboys. With the Houston Texans signing Jonathan Joseph and wide spread reports that the San Francisco 49ers are out of the bidding for Asomugha, it only leaves the Jets and Cowboys, who ironically face off week 1 in Sunday Night Football.

In a final bid to clear cap space for Asomugha, the Jets have released quarterbacks Mark Brunell and Kevin O'Connell. They are expected to resign Brunell after the situation with Asomugha shakes out. They have also announced signing rookie quarterback Greg McElroy to a 4 year deal.

Brad Smith All Class With His Comments About Jets Organization After Signing Free Agent Deal With Buffalo

Thursday was a hectic day of player movement in the National Football League. Just one day after re-signing their prized free agent, Santonio Holmes, to a five-year deal, the Jets said goodbye to one of their other URFA wideouts – Brad Smith. The versatile WR and return man will stay in the AFC East after reaching an agreement on a four-year $15 million dollar deal with the Buffalo Bills

On Thursday afternoon, Brad Smith joined The Michael Kay Show for a chat about his time in New York, whether the Jets showed much interest in trying to re-sign him, why it’s bitter-sweet for him to leave New York, and his excitement to be so wanted by the Bills. Here’s a few quotes from the spot.

If it’s in any way tough for him to say goodbye to the Jets, the organization that drafted him in the fourth round of the ’06 Draft:

“Oh man, it is. It’s extremely bitter-sweet. I’m extremely excited about joining the Bills and their organization and their fans and Coach Gailey is a very stand-up guy and the Bills gave me a great opportunity, but at the same time the Jets have been so great to me. The fans, I just enjoy being here. Unfortunately it didn’t work out, but we’ll get to see each other two times a year.”

Did they show any interest in trying to re-sign him?

“Yeah, they definitely showed interest, but when it came down to actually making a hard offer, it was very difficult with the situation they’re in, all being contingent on other guys, if they could get other guys. So it was a very tough situation for them and for us, but I wish them the best.”

For more Jets free agent analysis, news and discussion, be sure to check out Gang Green Nation.

Darrelle Revis Hopes Jets Acquire Nnamdi Asomugha

The New York Jets accomplished their priority in free agency this week by re-signing Santonio Holmes. The Jets have also signed a number of undrafted free agent rookies, as well as re-upped place kicker Nick Folk. There’s still work to be done though for Mike Tannenbaum and the rest of the Jets front office. After the splash that New England made on Thursday — signing Albert Haynesworth and Chad Johnson — perhaps the Jets will feel even more inclined to make a move for one of the prized free agents still on the market.

One of those guys is CB Nnamdi Asomugha. I’m not sure that it’s the best use of resources considering how solid the secondary already is, but Darrelle Revis sure sounds interested in adding the former Raider Asomugha. Revis explained to Michael Kay on Wednesday how dominant he thinks the Jets pass defense would be if the two of them teamed up in Rex Ryan’s defense.

After talking with Nnamdi Asomugha and hanging with him at the Pro Bowl do you think Asomugha wants to be a Jet?

“Me and him are good friends. We’ve had those talks jokingly at the Pro Bowl. I don’t know we had those talks. He said ‘I want to play with you.’ I said I want to play with you. It was that type of talk. Now we hear and this is the opportunity for it to happen, so I know as our organization is going to move forward that is one of our focal points to try to pursue Nnamdi.”

If you guys get Nnamdi Asomugha is it going to be impossible to throw the ball on your defense?

“I think it is going to be very difficult for opposing offenses to game plan on us I feel so. Not to brag or boast. I mean I don’t know man. The history of the NFL-football has been way before my time; I am only 26; I don’t know if there has been a one-two or the top corners on the same team on a defense, so it would be a great tandem. It would be a great tandem.”

At this point is signing Nnamdi Asomugha a priority for the New York Jets?

“I don’t know if it is a high priority, but it’s a focal point for us to look into that situation. Nnamdi is free right now, so I’m sure not just us, but I’m sure a lot of other teams are trying to get him. He’s a great corner. He’s the best in the league. Everybody right now is just trying to pursue him.”

(Transcription via: SportsRadioInterviews)

New York Jets Add Six Undrafted Free Agents

• ILB Matthias Berning (Central Michigan/Duisburg, Germany/6-0/236)
• C Taylor Boggs (Humboldt State/Upland, CA/6-3/285)
• S Byron Landor (Baylor/Lake Charles, LA/6-0/210)
• S Davon Morgan (Virginia Tech/Richmond, VA/6-0/189)
• C Zane Taylor (Utah/Moab, UT/6-2/309)
• OL Jeff Wills (Minnesota/Laurelton, NY/6-7/350)

Brad Smith Signs With Bills

Not many people expected Brad Smith back with the New York Jets in 2011 and they turned out to be right. While they were waiting to see how the Nnamdi Asomugha situation shakes out, all-purpose wide receiver Smith signed with the division rival Buffalo Bills to a 4 year, 15 million dollar deal. He should provide a good weapon to a young offense. The Jets simply didn't have the money to throw at Smith after paying Santonio Holmes and still having the need to fill their cornerback position. Thus, the Jets are now in need of a new kick returner.

In other news, the Jets are apparently going to let punter Steve Weatherford walk. The favorite to replace him will be TJ Conley, who has been with the team in camp the past two years. LaDainian Tomlinson has also agreed to take a pay cut this year to help in their pursuit of Asomugha.

UDFA Signings 2011: Jets Officially Announce Additions Of 10 Players

New York Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum today officially announced the signings of 10 players as undrafted free agents. The 10 players are:

TE Josh Baker, 6-foot-3, 244 pounds (N.W. Missouri)
LB Nick Bellore, 6-1, 250 (Central Michigan)
WR Michael Campbell, 6-2, 205 (Temple)
WR Dan DePalma, 5-11, 200 (West Chester)
TE Collin Franklin, 6-5, 252 (Iowa State)
LB Stafford Gatling, 6-4/249 (Ohio)
C Tom Ottaiano, 6-1/295 (Monmouth)
CB Julian Posey, 5-11, 187 (Ohio)
WR Courtney Smith, 6-5, 230 (South Alabama)
OL Chris Stewart, 6-5, 351 (Notre Dame)

DePalma is a name you might recognize because he spent part of the NFL Lockout working out with the New York Giants during ‘Camp Eli’ in New Jersey.

Bellore, an inside linebacker, was ranked No. 8 on the Draft Countdown list of the top 50 undrafted free agents.

The Jets will open training camp at their Florham Park regular-season training facility on Sunday, July 31.

NFL Free Agency: Jets Resign Nick Folk

The New York Jets resigned kicker Nick Folk to a one year contract. Folk will compete with the recently signed Nick Novak in training camp for the job. In other special teams news, CBS Sports is reporting the team is unlikely to bring punter Steve Weatherford back.

Other updates:

• Bob Glauber and Adam Schein are both reporting that it is unlikely the Jets are going to sign Randy Moss as a cheap replacement to Braylon Edwards, who isn't expected back. Edwards tweeted today that he wanted to return but doesn't think the organization reciprocates those feelings. Many people were expecting the Jets to make a run at Moss in free agency. 
• The Jets have expressed interest in free agent cornerback Chris Carr and outside linebacker Antwan Barnes.
• It is being reported the Jets have offered $12 million dollars a year to Nnamdi Asomugha but any movement from Asomugha on that deal or any other offered to him by another team isn't expected for a few days.

NFL Free Agency Rumor: Jets Linked To Randy Moss

The New York Jets may consider signing free-agent wide receiver Randy Moss, according to Jason La Canfora of the NFL Network. The 34-year-old Moss is the NFL’s active leader in career touchdown receptions (153), but struggled through a 2010 campaign split between the New England Patriots, Minnesota Vikings, and Tennessee Titans, catching just 28 passes in 16 games.

However, Moss could prove useful for New York, which needs another receiver to complement the re-signed Santonio Holmes now that Braylon Edwards is likely out of its price range. And before dismissing the idea of Moss suiting up for the Jets, consider that team owner Woody Johnson told NFL.com in May that Moss “has the God-given talent to be a superstar [….] I admire his skill and what he’s accomplished during those years.”

In two seasons under coach Rex Ryan, the Jets have struggled with their passing offense, instead using a power running game and strong defense to accumulate a 20-12 record over that span. The Jets ranked 23rd in passing touchdowns and 22nd in passing yards in 2010.

For complete Jets coverage, please visit Gang Green Nation.

Santonio Holmes Signs 5-Year Extension With Jets

Heading into this abbreviated offseason, the Jets made re-signing wideout Santonio Holmes their first priority. Well, check that off the list. According to multiple sources, the Jets have agreed to a five-year extension with Holmes on Wednesday, believed to be in the $50 million range. He will receive about $24 million in guaranteed money. According to ESPN, the Jets had a hard decision to make about which wideout to bring back, and this contract could mean that Braylon Edwards is out the door.

The deal is for five years, sources told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter. By rule, Holmes isn't permitted to sign the contract until Friday. Holmes' deal, believed to be in the $10 million-a-year range, is so big that it probably means they can't afford to re-sign Braylon Edwards, another high-profile free agent. Edwards is coming off a strong season, but the Jets prioritized Holmes because of his speed and game-changing ability.

Holmes is one of the most productive and reliable wide receivers in the NFL, and bringing him back means that Mark Sanchez will retain one of his favorite targets. We'll have more on this signing, including reaction from Holmes and the organization, ad it becomes available.

NFL Free Agency Rumors: Jets Look For Huge Day Two

If you have been following the work of Mike Tannenbaum since he has taken over as the New York Jets General Manager, you know he isn't shy about swinging for the fences. This season appears to be no different.

• Michael Lombardi of the NFL Network has reported the Nnamdi Asomugha to the New York Jets talk is "very serious." We already know the Jets reached out to his camp last night about forming the best cornerback tandem in recent NFL history with Darrelle Revis. Can Mike Tannenbaum pull it off?
• The Washington Redskins have resigned receiver Santana Moss and also recently signed receiver Donte Stallworth, which should indicate they will have less money/desire to throw a huge contract at Santonio Holmes. ESPN's Adam Schefter is reporting the Jets will try to close a deal with Holmes today, after being the first team to offer him a contract yesterday.

The rest of the guys:

• Wide receiver Brad Smith is expected to sign with the Chicago Bears.
• The Jets are pushing hard to bring safety Eric Smith back.
• Cornerback Drew Coleman is expected to leave via free agency.