SB Nation New York: All Posts by Joe Caporoso

New York Jets Training Camp Day 5: Out With Cotchery, Closing In On Mason

2011-08-04T21:13:32Z

The New York Jets made an unpopular personnel decision with many of their fans today by deciding to release veteran wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery and attempting to replace him with Derrick Mason, who despite being more productive throughout his career and costing 900K less, is still 8 years older. Cotchery was beloved by most Jets fans for being a gutsy, consistent player who constantly made big plays over his seven year NFL career, all with the Jets. However, the front office is clearly concerned about his back issue and believes Mason, coming off a 802 yard, 7 touchdown season can be productive in the number three receiver role, or potentially holding down the number two spot while Plaxico Burress gets up to speed.

The Jets currently have offered a contract to Mason, who is mulling it over and is expected to make a decision in the next day or two.

Burress will actually miss the Jets first couple of practices due to a rolled ankle. He injured it when practicing routes with Santonio Holmes. Let the "Plexi-Glass" jokes begin.

In other news, the Jets have brought back safety Brodney Pool on a one year contract. He turned down more money from the Dallas Cowboys to come back to the Jets and should see plenty of action at safety, especially in passing situations even if Eric Smith remains the de facto starter.

The Jets still have over 8 million dollars in cap room, so don't be surprised to see them make another move or two.

New York Jets Training Camp Day 4: Rex The Recruiter

2011-08-03T19:17:11Z

In today's press conference, Rex Ryan expressed an interest in seeing the Jets remaining free agents return to their roster. He specifically mentioned James Ihedigbo, Shaun Ellis, Brodney Pool, and even Braylon Edwards, saying the team would love to have him back if he would return at the price the Jets were requesting. I wouldn't count on seeing Edwards return, but considering how much cap space the Jets still have, why wouldn't they do everything in their power to improve their defensive depth by bringing Ihedigbo, Ellis, and Pool all back?

There is no way Mike Tannenbaum can sit on all that cap space for long. Let's just hope they make the right decision and decide n ot to move Jerricho Cotchery in an effort to not free up more space. They are rumored to currently have somewhere between 10 and 11 million dollars of money still to spend, although there aren't many big name free agents left available. Outside linebacker Matt Roth is probably the last intriguing option left for the Jets, unless they look to make a trade or plan on swiping Kevin Boss from the Giants to be primarily a blocking tight end.

Also, can we stop all the Osi Umenyiora to the Jets talk? The Giants and Jets aren't interested in doing business with each other. Beyond that, the Jets aren't stupid enough to offer a first or even a second pick for Osi, especially when he is a 4-3 end and they run a 3-4.

New York Jets Lock Down David Harris

2011-08-02T23:36:34Z

The New York Jets have signed inside linebacker David Harris to a 4 year, 36 million dollar contract with 29.5 million in guaranteed money, the most ever to an inside linebacker on a 4 year deal in NFL history. The move will free up about 6 million more in cap space for the Jets right now, as they are benefited by no longer having him under the franchise tag. It will interesting to see if Mike Tannenbaum looks to make a corresponding move in free agency or via trade in the coming days.

Say what you want about the Jets big spending, but they are built to win both now and for the future. Nick Mangold, David Harris, D'Brickashaw Ferguson, Darrelle Revis, Antonio Cromartie, Mark Sanchez, and Santonio Holmes are now all locked down long term.

Harris was the Jets second round pick in 2007, after they traded up in the round to select him. He has led the team in tackles the past two seasons.

New York Jets Training Camp: Expect David Harris Contract Soon

2011-08-02T19:30:52Z

Multiple sources around the New York Jets organization have reported a long term deal with inside linebacker David Harris should be completed in the next couple of days. Harris also sounded confident today when speaking with the media, saying he believed the process was near complete. He is currently the team's franchise player but we have heard all along they planned on locking him down for the long term as the last piece of their "core four" along with Nick Mangold, D'Brickashaw Ferguson, and Darrelle Revis. Harris forms one of the league's better inside linebacker duos with Bart Scott.

Signing Harris to a long term deal will also provide immediate cap relief to the Jets for this year, who could look to improve their depth at linebacker, offensive line, safety, or wide receiver. There is also still a chance they could look to bring veteran defensive end Shaun Ellis or Trevor Pryce.

New York Jets Training Camp, Day 3: Muhammad Wilkerson To Start

2011-08-02T19:21:04Z

Rex Ryan has said rookie defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson will start immediately.

The New York Jets selected defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson in the first round of this year's NFL Draft and they intend on getting the most use possible out of him right away. Rex Ryan said in his press conference today that Wilkerson will start for the team at defensive end immediately, which doesn't necessarily bode well for the return of free agent Shaun Ellis. Ryan did say that if Ellis returned, he would start in name to keep his streak of starts for the franchise going but Wilkerson would get the bulk of the reps. It will be interesting to see if Ellis would be willing to come back on those terms.

Ryan also said he expects big things out of third year linebacker Jamaal Westerman, who will be a "DPR" or "Designated Pass Rusher" according to him. Westermanis currently the team's top reserve at linebacker and should see substantial action on third downs and other passing situations.

In other news, Brandon Moore and Jerricho Cotchery both have been placed on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, yet both claimed today they will be ready sooner rather than later and have no concern about being ready in time for the opener. Cotchery remains available in trade talks, but hopefully the Jets will think better of it and keep him on the roster, considering his value as a slot receiver.

New York Jets Training Camp, Day 3: Muhammad Wilkerson To Start

2011-08-02T18:14:41Z

Jerricho Cotchery On Trading Block?

2011-08-01T20:33:32Z

The NFL Network reported today that the New York Jets have put veteran wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery on the trading block, in an effort to clear more space to pursue other free agents.

This is surprising news considering it remains up in the air whether Plaxico Burress is ready to be a full time number two receiver or not. Behind Santonio Holmes and Burress on the depth chart, if you take away Cotchery is Patrick Turner and rookie fifth round pick Jeremy Kerley. How could the Jets feel comfortable with that situation?

Among the rumored players the Jets could be targeting are former San Diego Chargers wide receiver Macolm Floyd and outside linebackers Matt Roth, Manny Lawson, or Tully Banta-Cain. It would make sense for the Jets to add another linebacker, but be perplexing if they replaced Cotchery with Floyd, considering Floyd could end up costing more. There is a chance the organization isn't convinced Cotchery is healthy as he is coming off back surgery this past off-season.

Other notes from the day --

Rex Ryan said Eric Smith will start at safety opposite Jim Leonhard.
Ryan also claimed this was the "best roster he has ever had"...not surprising.
Jason Taylor has signed with the Miami Dolphins...we can all go back to hating him now.
Antonio Cromartie will take reps at kick returner as part of the committee to replace Brad Smith.

New York Jets Training Camp Day 1: Plaxico Agrees To One Year Deal

2011-07-31T13:56:02Z

The New York Jets have signed Plaxico Burress to a one-year contract for a little more than $3 million dollars. After getting spurned by Nnamdi Asomugha, this is a nice free agent pull for them. Burress should split reps opposite Santonio Holmes with Jerricho Cotchery and at a minimum provide a good red-zone target for Mark Sanchez.

The Jets arrived in Florham Park today and Burress should join them shortly. They won't be on the field until tomorrow. As for the rest of the day, Antonio Cromartie is apparently deciding between the Jets and Oakland Raiders and they are also in pursuit of free agent tight end Todd Heap.

The Burress signing obviously means the end of Braylon Edwards in New York. It will be interesting to see if Burress can come near matching his production last season after spending a couple of years in prison. Regardless, this signing is another successful recruiting job by the Jets front office and hopefully start some momentum in picking up a few more players.

Burress, the former New York Giant, had met with the Giants on Friday and the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday.