Follow this StoryStream for news and rumors about the New York Jets free agency plans and signings
Are the New York Jets interested in free agent running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis? According to a report, New York is indeed interested in the New England Patriots' free agent rusher (via NY Post).
Green-Ellis visited the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday but does not have a visit scheduled with the Jets.
New York needs depth at the position with free agent LaDainian Tomlinson not expected to return and Shonn Greene the lone established running back. Green-Ellis would be a decent addition. In four years, Green-Ellis has rushed for 2,064 yards (4.0 per carry) and 29 touchdowns. He also has 26 receptions for 292 yards. The only season Green-Ellis started more than half of the Patriots' games (11 in 2010), he rushed for a career-high 1,008 yards and 13 touchdowns. Green-Ellis has not fumbled in 510 career carries.
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Here is a quick look at what the New York Jets have done, and still have to do, in NFL free agency this offseason.
Welcome To New York
S LaRon Landry (Redskins) -- Signs for one year, $4 million
QB Drew Stanton (Lions) -- Signs for one year, $1.25 million
WR Chaz Schilens (Raiders) -- Signs for one year, $765,000
Unrestricted Free Agents
QB Mark Brunell
QB Kevin O'Connell
RB LaDainian Tomlinson
WR Plaxico Burress
OL Robert Turner
DT Sione Pouha -- Re-signed
LB Bryan Thomas -- Re-signed
CB Donald Strickland
S Jim LeonhardS Brodney Pool -- Signed with Cowboys
K Nick Folk -- Re-signed
Restricted Free Agents
LB Jamaal Westerman -- Signed with DolphinsDB Marquice Cole -- Signed with Cowboys
TE Matthew Mulligan
LB Aaron Maybin -- First-round tender
Burress, Tomlinson and Leonhard all seem likely to end up elsewhere. The Jets appear to be moving on without them. It also seems somewhat unlikely that there will be any further free-agent 'splash' moves at this point.
Apparently, the overnight visit worked.
Free agent safety LaRon Landry signed with the New York Jets on Monday after arriving in New York on Sunday for an overnight visit, according to Michael Lombardi of the NFL Network. ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the deal is worth $4 million over one season.
The Jets had been looking for safety help, and they found it -- providing Landry stays healthy.
Productive when he's able to stay on the field, Landry has been limited by Achilles issues to just 17 games over the past two seasons. He had 48 tackles during an injury-plagued 2011 campaign, managing to suit up for just eight games.
Landry began the previous season on a tear, registering 85 tackles, a sack and an interception during Washinton's first nine games. But an Achilles injury forced him to miss the remainder of the season.
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Free agent safety LaRon Landry arrived in New York Sunday for a visit with the New York Jets, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN New York. Sources told Cimini that Landry spent the night and toured the team's facilities on Monday morning.
Mike Jones of the Washington Post reports that Landry, who has played all five seasons of his career with the Washington Redskins, also visited the New England Patriots and has a visit scheduled with the Detroit Lions this week.
Landry has shown flashes of brilliance during his five-year career, but injury problems have limited him during the last two seasons. After managing 90 tackles, a sack and an interception in 15 games during 2009, Landry was setting the NFL on fire to begin 2009. But an Achilles injury forced him to miss the final seven games of the season, and he ended the year with 85 tackles, a sack and an interception. The Achilles flared up again in 2011 and Landry only managed to suit up for eight games.
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The New York Jets announced Friday that the team has agreed in principle on a contract with wide receiver Chaz Schilens.
Schilens spent the 2011 season with the Oakland Raiders and caught 23 passes for 271 yards and two touchdowns. The 26-year old has spent four seasons in the NFL, all with the Raiders, registering 72 catches and 902 yards with seven career touchdowns.
Schilens, a seventh-round pick out of San Diego St. in 2008, is a natural fit in New York because he played with new Jets wide receivers coach Sanjay Lal in Oakland. The 6-foot-4, 225-pounder has both size and speed, but hasn't yet shown production to match the level of his impressive physical attributes.
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The New York Jets have found a backup for Mark Sanchez.
The Jets signed former Detroit Lions quarterback Drew Stanton to a one-year, $1.25 million contract, according to a report from Aaron Wilson of Scout.com.
Stanton appeared in six games in 2011, making three starts for the Lions. He finished the season with 780 yards, four touchdowns, three interceptions, a 58.0 percent completion rate and a 78.1 quarterback rating. During his four-year career, all spent with the Detroit Lions, Stanton has thrown for 1,158 yards, five touchdowns and nine interceptions while completing 55.6 percent of his passes.
The 6-foot-3, 230-pound Stanton spent his college days at Michigan State.
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After missing out on former Pro Bowl safety, Brandon Meriweather, who signed with the Washington Redskins, the New York Jets have their sights set on another safety. According to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News, Landy will be in New York for a visit this weekend:
LaRon Landry will be visiting Jets this weekend, per source. #nfl
— Manish Mehta(@TheJetsStream) March 16, 2012
The 27 year old Landry has played only 17 games over the previous two seasons because of injuries. The former first round pick (6th overall) graded out as a -12.6 overall and -11.0 in pass coverage on Pro Football Focus during his last full season in 2009.
Landry is also expected to make visits to three other teams.
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Brandon Meriweather will not be headed to the New York Jets.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the two-time Pro Bowl safety, who reportedly visited the Jets, signed with the Washinton Redskins on Thursday.
With Meriweather moving on, expect the Jets to continue pursuing safeties in free agency. One name that has been mentioned in connection with the Jets is LaRon Landry, who suffered through an injury-riddled 2011 season but produces when healthy.
Rex Ryan is known to take fliers on big names whose production has not matched their reputation in recent seasons (think LaDanian Tomlinson), so it makes sense that the Jets are interested in Landry.
So far, the Jets have been relatively quiet in free agency.
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Despite a flurry of activity around them, the New York Jets have remained relatively quiet on the free agency front. And while it doesn't appear that they're preparing for any sort of major splashes soon, the Jets do have their eyes on a pair of players.
Drew Stanton, a reserve quarterback for the Detroit Lions, is apparently on the Jets radar, according to a report. He'd likely compete for the backup job behind Mark Sanchez.
Additionally, the Jets have lined up a visit with former New England Patriots and Chicago Bears safety Brandon Meriweather. Meriweather comes with baggage, but also has previously been named to a Pro Bowl. The Jets need safety help in the worst way, and Meriweather would be an upgrade.
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The New York Jets announced Wednesday that the team has re-signed kicker Nick Folk. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The 27-year old hit 19 out of 25 field goal attempts during 2011 with a season long of 51 yards. He also drilled all 42 extra points, giving him a perfect 212 for 212 record on PATs during his career. He has made 113 of 145 field goal attempts during his five years as a pro.
The New York Daily News reports that Folk could still have some competition. A source told the Daily News that the Jets still plan to bring in another kicker to push Folk in training camp for the starting job.
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The New York Jets signed center Kris O'Dowd, the former USC player announced on his Twitter account on Tuesday.
It's Offical! J.E.T.S JETS JETS JETS! #LetsGo!@ NY Jets training Facility instagr.am/p/IIQflZCHpo/
— Kristofer O'Dowd (@ODOWD61) March 13, 2012
O'Dowd was undrafted in 2011 and signed with the Cardinals before being released. He was one of the highest ranked centers in the 2011 NFL Draft.
The Jets are interested in former Oakland Raiders wide receiver Chaz Schilens. However, Arizona is also interested and have scheduled a visit with the wide out (via NFL.com). Schilens has had injury issues in his four years in Oakland but played 15 games (5 starts) last season and had 23 receptions for 271 yards and 2 touchdowns. Schilens has 72 receptions and 7 touchdowns for his career.
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The New York Jets announced on Tuesday that they have come to an agreement on a new contract with longtime Jet linebacker Bryan Thomas (via Jets).
The Jets drafted Thomas out of UAB in 2002 in the first round of the NFL Draft and he has been with the team ever since. Thomas has made 418 tackles (300 solo) and 31 sacks since his rookie season. Last season, Thomas made three starts and 14 tackles (10 solo) before tearing his Achilles tendon and missing the rest of the season.
The Jets have also reached out to quarterback Chad Henne. New York has not scheduled a visit with the former Dolphins quarterback who has visited the Jaguars (via ESPN New York). The chances of the Jets landing Henne as a backup to Mark Sanchez seem slim if Henne is indeed looking for a team where he can compete for the starting job and not be the No. 2. Henne started 31 games for the Dolphins over the past three seasons. However, Henne is familiar with Jets offensive coordinator Tony Sparano's offense as Henne played under Sparano in Miami.
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As the New York Jets look to move past their nightmare season, general manager Mike Tannenbaum and company figure to keep them prominently involved in the 2012 free agency period.
Though the Jets were naturally one of the first teams listed as a possible destination for Peyton Manning, the extension offered to Mark Sanchez last week effectively removed them from Manning Watch. Sanchez' extension totals five years for $58.25 million with $20.5 million fully guaranteed over the next two seasons.
The Jets also re-signed arguably their top free-agent target in defensive tackle Sione Pouha last week. Pouha agreed to a three-year contract Monday.
Free agency period: March 13, 4 p.m. ET - July 22 (the first scheduled day of NFL training camps)
Salary cap: $120,600,000 per team
Jets cap situation: According to ProFootballTalk.com, $7.1 million under at 4 p.m. ET on Friday, March 9. That figure doesn't include the $1.6 million the NFL is distributing to most teams after the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins were penalized a combined $46 million in cap space after piling money into last season's uncapped year.
Restricted Free Agents (4):
WR Patrick Turner - Signed one-year, $875,000 contract
TE Matthew Mulligan
LB Aaron Maybin
LB Jamaal Westerman
CB Marquice Cole
Unrestricted Free Agents (11):
QB Mark Brunell
QB Kevin O'Connell
RB LaDainian Tomlinson
WR Plaxico Burress
OL Robert Turner
DT Sione Pouha
LB Bryan Thomas
CB Donald Strickland
S Jim Leonhard
S Brodney Pool
K Nick Folk
The New York Jets are reportedly interested in acquiring free agent safety LaRon Landry, according to Yahoo! Sports' Jason Cole.
Cole reports that the Chicago Bears and Philadelphia Eagles are also interested in the talented safety, who has been plagued by injuries for the past two seasons. The Washington Redskins, for whom Landry played the first five seasons of his career, also reportedly want to retain Landry's services.
Landry, who definitely eats his spinach, had 35 tackles, 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery last season while suiting up for just eight games. The 27-year old has started all 64 games in his career, racking up 290 tackles, four interceptions and 5.5 sacks.
If Landry does end up with the Jets, he could become a teammate of Brandon Jacobs, who's also interested in signing with Rex Ryan's crew. The two have a little, ahem, history:
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According to Manish Mehta, the New York Jets have come to terms with nose tackle Sione Pouha on a three-year deal. The finances of the deal are yet to be released.
This is a big signing by the Jets on the last day they could bargain with him without the open market becoming a factor. The 33-year old Pouha anchors a defensive line that has the makings of dominance with young Muhammad Wilkerson looking like a true talent.
Some thought Pouha would be given the franchise tag but general manager Mike Tannenbaum decided against it.
With all of the uncertainty in New York after a tumultuous season, the last week has seen some order restored with Mark Sanchez getting an extension and now Pouha being paid.
The Jets can now turn their attention to the outside for some help in other spots. With free agency starting Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. ET, New York can start building in earnest for 2012.
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The NFL has officially set the salary cap for the 2012 season at $120,600,000 per team. Teams have to be under that cap by 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, March 13 when the league season -- and the free agency period -- begins.
Unrestricted free agents can sign with a new team any time from March 13 until July 22. Restricted free agents (those whose teams can match any offer made to a free agent) can sign with a team until April 20. Franchise players can sign with a new team until November 13. If a franchise player does not sign by November 13, he must sit out the season.
The New York Giants got under the salary cap in the past few days by releasing running back Brandon Jacobs and re-structuring the contract of quarterback Eli Manning. According to Spotrac, the Giants are currently at $112,361,603 with 43 players signed.
The New York Jets are at $113,226,874 with 48 players signed, per Spotrac.
The New York Giants cut running back Brandon Jacobs today in a move meant to clear salary cap space. Almost as soon as he heard the news Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post tweeted that Jacobs "would be a legitimately smart pickup for the New York Jets. A good fit for Tony Sparano's run-oriented offense."
Is Hubbuch right, Jets fans? Or, has he lost his mind? Even if he is right, could you stomach the thought of the mouthy Jacobs?
Remember Jacobs' on-field confrontation with Rex Ryan after the Giants defeated the Jets on Christmas Eve? Jacobs said recently that he had no hard feelings from that incident and would play for the Jets -- which is exactly what you would expect a guy who knew he might be needing a job to say.
What do you think, Jets fans? Jacobs sharing carries with Shonn Greene? Would you be in favor of it?
With the clock ticking toward the beginning of the 2012 NFL Free Agency period on March 13, ESPN New York reports that the New York Jets "have accelerated talks" with nose tackle Sione Pouha in an effort to keep him from reaching the open market.
Pouha, 33, is widely considered the most important of the 11 unrestricted free agents the Jets could potentially have. The 6-foot-3, 330-pound Pouha has started for the Jets for the past three seasons, and had more than 50 tackles each of the past two years.
Pro Football Focus ranks Pouha second on its list of potential free agent defensive tackles. PFF grades players on a +/- system, and graded Pouha at +30.1 in 2011, the best grade in the league among defensive tackles.
PFF's 'Run Stop Percentage' statistic, which shows how often a player causes an offensive play to fail, showed that among defensive tackles only Broderick Bunkley of Denver had a higher RSP in 2011 than Pouha.
With a possible chance of upgrading their position at quarterback via signing free agent Peyton Manning, the New York Jets need to figure out how to deal with incumbent signal-caller Mark Sanchez. Now, the Jets are a long-shot to sign Manning but if they do, former Jets running back LaDainian Tomlinson says Sanchez would probably need to go.
"In my opinion, I don't know if he would handle it well," soon-to-be-free-agent RB LaDainian Tomlinson speculated regarding Sanchez's reaction to the potential acquisition of Manning during an NFL Network appearance on Wednesday.
"I think he would probably go in and maybe ask to be released because here is Mark Sanchez's gripe: 'I took you guys to two straight AFC Championship Games; yeah I didn't get it done last year, but my first and second year I took you to two AFC Championship Games. How can you turn around and just bring in another quarterback right now?'
Earlier on Monday, it was reported that the Jets have called Manning to see if he's interested in joining their franchise. Manning has said he does not know who or where he would like to go yet.
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Peyton Manning is apparently not the only veteran quarterback trying to prove this offseason that he is healthy enough to make a comeback in 2012. Chad Pennington, formerly of the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins, said Monday he is considering a comeback. And if he does play, he would like to be the backup quarterback for Mark Sanchez with the Jets.
Of course, any comeback by Pennington, 35, would depend on his health, especially that of his shoulder. Pennington has been forced to injured reserve three times in his career by injuries to his throwing shoulder, and did not play in 2011 after suffering a shoulder injury midway through the 2010 season with Miami.
"You can say you want to go back someone up, but you gotta understand, starters go down and starters have to be relieved," Pennington said Monday on "The Michael Kay Show" on 1050 ESPN New York. "So if you’re a backup, you have to believe you can go in there and believe you can make something happen. That’s so important for me, to have that confidence that I can look Coach Sparano and Coach (Rex) Ryan in the eye and say, 'Yeah, you can trust my sholder.’ Right now, I don’t know if that’s the case or not."
Pennington has apparently been tutoring Sanchez, since he played for new Jets offensive coordinator Tony Sparano in Miami and knows his offense.
A Pennington comeback with the Jets, for whom he played from 2000-2007, would hinge not only on his health but on whether the Jets end up with Manning. Pennington would probably be an upgrade from veteran reserve Mark Brunell, both as a tutor and a player. He would not necessarily be competition for Sanchez, however.
One player who could be competition for the Jets quarterback is Jason Campbell. The former Washington Redskins and Oakland Raiders starter will be a free agent soon, and a report Monday indicated the Jets are interested in bringing in Campbell.
A six-year veteran, Campbell lost the starting job in Washington when the Redskins brought in Donovan McNabb. After Campbell suffered a season-ending collarbone injury in Oakland in 2011 the team acquired Carson Palmer, making him expendable.
According to the New York Daily News, the New York Jets are interested in signing free agent linebacker from the Baltimore Ravens, Jarret Johnson.
The Daily News has learned that the Jets are interested in landing free agent outside linebacker Jarret Johnson, who played six seasons under Ryan in Baltimore. Johnson, who has spent the better part of his nine-year career in the shadows of stars like Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs and Haloti Ngata, appears to be an ideal fit for the Jets' scheme.
Johnson will be 31 at the start of the 2011-12 season, but durability has not been an issue thus far for the aging linebacker; he has played in 129 consecutive regular season games, including 89 consecutive starts.
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Plaxico Burress said Thursday on the Dan Patrick Show that he rejected a chance to return to the New York Giants a year ago, choosing the New York Jets instead. Burress insists that the Giants "wanted" him to return.
"I made the decision personally not to go back. I didn't have any animosity towards them because they wanted to bring me back. I made a decision not to go. ... It was just a situation where I just wanted to go somewhere and start over fresh," Burress said.
Is Burress right here, or is this revisionist history? The Giants and Burress did meet, but after signing with the Jets Burress admitted at the time that a return to the Giants was never in his plans.
Burress caught 45 passes for the Jets in 2011 and appears ready to move on once again. On the DP Show he once again talked about the possibility of joining the Philadelphia Eagles.
"It would be a beautiful place to play, no doubt about it. With all the players that they already have in place, I just see myself going to where I could help that team win a championship. If I go to that team and score some touchdowns in the red zone I really believe they have the opportunity to go to the Super Bowl and win it."
All Giants' fans can do is shake their collective heads. After spending much of the 2011 offseason talking about Burress, then having him ultimately sign with the Jets, now they might be looking at having him sign with the NFC East rival Eagles.
Burress is long gone from the Giants. That, however, does not seem to means the Giants and their fans are done having to deal with him.
New York Jets general manager Mike Tannebaum would not comment directly on Peyton Manning during a Thursday WFAN interview, but noted that New York's quarterback situation could look different in 2012 than it did during the past season.
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Tannenbaum wouldn't give his take on the quarterbacks, who are currently under contract, but did say the position "has a reasonable chance to look different by opening day."
The Jets GM called Mark Sanchez "far from perfect" in 2012, noting that "he put everything into it, it just didn't work out as well as we had hoped."
And after Sanchez' disappointing season, which revealed little progress from prior years, the Jets could look to add a veteran quarterback -- if not to replace Sanchez than at least to give him some competition in training camp.
Two prominent names being mentioned as potential Jets targets include Manning and Chad Henne.
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The New York Jets could add a quarterback when the doors swing open on NFL free agency March 13. According to Fox Sports, the Jets could take a run at Miami Dolphins quarterback Chad Henne.
Tony Sparano, the Jets’ new offensive coordinator, knows Henne from his time as the Dolphins' head coach (2008- 2011). Familiarity is just one possible advantage for the Jets, though, as competition for Mark Sanchez also makes Henne an attractive, albeit expensive, backup option.
There are those who feel Sanchez would benefit greatly from a little competition. Henne is considered by many to be the perfect candidate for just such a task, one mediocre quarterback pushing another one.
Of course, bringing in a so-called "1A" will not be cheap. Henne is expected to warrant $5 million per season. Such is the price of a thin free agent market for quarterbacks, one in which Henne is the widely perceived third-best option among available players at the position.
Meanwhile, the Peyton Manning speculation will continue as some wonder whether or not the Jets are desperate enough to take a risk on the veteran.
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After bringing in Plaxico Burress instead of simply re-signing Braylon Edwards, the Jets made waves last offseason. Now, they're trying to go back in time according to the New York Daily News.
Edwards signed on with the San Francisco 49ers last season after not being retained by Mike Tannenbaum. Now, with the Jets in desperate need of a wide receiver, Edwards name is back in the mix.
It makes tons of sense for both parties. Edwards is looking for any work he can find after being cut by San Fran just before the 2011 playoffs. Conversely, New York needs a big-bodied playmaker for Mark Sanchez if he has any chance of justifying his draft slot.
The one factor that makes this a perfect marriage would be the contract. The Jets have virtually no money to spend, but could get Edwards on a cheap base salary loaded with incentives.
If Edwards comes back, it would be an interesting start to New York's free agency period.
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Before wide receiver Plaxico Burress signed with the New York Jets prior to the 2011 season the Philadelphia Eagles were considered among the likely landing spots for the former New York Giants star wide receiver.
Now that Burress has completed a mostly unsatisfying season with the Jets and is looking for a new team the Eagles are again in play, and Burress told a Philadelphia radio station this week that “nothing would make me happier” than playing for the Eagles.
“Obviously coming to Philadelphia, instituting myself into the offense, it just adds a unique dynamic to what’s already in place,” Burress said. “it would be dynamic to get me down there in that offense, especially with Mike [Vick] and all the ability that he has at quarterback.”
Is that a shot at Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez, who has been heavily criticized in the wake of the Jets missing the playoffs last season?
Burress caught 45 passes for New York in 2011. He had been out of the league since 2008, when he went to prison after shooting himself in the leg with an illegal handgun in a Manhattan nightclub.
With the Jets trying to reshape their roster after a very underwhelming 2011 season, surprising moves may be coming. New York has some cap problems and Bart Scott could be a casualty of those circumstances. None of that is stunning, what could be however is where Scott is rumored to end up.
According to reports, Scott might just move his stuff across the hallway at MetLife Stadium.
This doesn't make a whole lot of sense on the surface.
Scott has always played in a 3-4 defensive scheme going all the way back to his days in Baltimore. While the Giants need help at that level, Scott isn't young anymore and hasn't been the same player recently.The linebacker will be 32-years-old before the season starts.
He would be a cheap addition for Jerry Reese's cash-strapped group, but it's tough to envision Scott trying to adjust to a brand-new system at this point in his career.
Scott would be able to stay in the Big Apple, which might be about the only reason to think he could go to Big Blue.
We're not sure where he'll be playing next year, but we can't wait to find out.
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Following a year of unfulfilled promise in the form of an 8-8 regular season and a failure to reach the postseason for the first time in three seasons, the New York Jets enter the offseason with a lengthy list of roster decisions to be made.
Entering the offseason, 16 Jets were set to be free agents. That number fell to 15 once wide receiver Patrick Turner signed a one-year, $875,000 contract in early February. Turner was set to become a restricted free agent on March 13, when free agency begins.
The Jets also restructured the contract of left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson this week, according to the New York Daily News, in a move that creates an extra $7.5 million of salary cap space. Previous reports had the Jets at or near the expected 2012 cap.
For the remainder of the Jets' free agents, check out the list below including a recap of how each player fared this season and some thoughts about the chance for a return in 2012. Also, don't miss our look at the New York Giants' free agents from Thursday.
Teams can offer free-agent tenders of varying values to restricted free agents, so if another team would like to sign the player, they must offer a certain level of compensation. The player's original team can then choose whether to match the offer. For the highest free-agent tender, if the player's original team does not match the offer, the other team must surrender a first-round pick.
Mulligan spent the 2011 season as a reserve tight end, contributing very little in the way of receiving numbers. Pro Football Focus graded Mulligan at minus-9.8 for the season and noted that he especially struggled in pass protection (minus-3.4 grade). With Dustin Keller, Wayne Hunter and Vladimir Ducasse still under contract, the Jets can afford to let Mulligan walk this offseason.
In 2011, Maybin reversed his career outlook from first-round bust to an up-and-coming player who's still only 23 years old after playing just two seasons at Penn State. Maybin was drafted 11th overall by the Buffalo Bills in 2009, but in his two seasons with the team, recorded only 24 tackles, zero sacks and one forced fumble in 27 games played (and just one start).
Last August, the Bills waived Maybin after their first preseason game and he was subsequently signed by the Jets shortly thereafter. In early September, the Jets cut Maybin, who had just survived the roster cutdown to 53 players, in favor of signing backup quarterback Kevin O'Connell. At the end of the month, he was re-signed.
Maybin eventually took the field in Week 4 against the Baltimore Ravens, recording one sack. He appeared in each of the Jets' remaining games, 13 in total. PFF gave him a plus-4.6 grade for the season and evaluated him at plus-7.5 as a pass rusher.
Friday morning, reports surfaced that the Jets plan to use a first-round RFA tender on Maybin, meaning he will be entitled to a salary of approximately $1.3 million. The Jets will have the opportunity to match any offer Maybin receives from another team, and if he does sign elsewhere, the Jets will receive a first-round pick.
In 2011, Westerman set career highs in tackles, sacks and games played (16). The latter statistic might be most impressive, given reports from earlier this month that Westerman played the season with a torn groin that bothered him since training camp. Westerman had surgery in January, and is reportedly recovering as planned. Westerman also was critical in replacing Bryan Thomas (see below) after he tore his Achilles tendon.
The Jets had to have liked Westerman's production in just his third season (PFF grade of plus-1.8, 18th among outside linebackers in 3-4 defenses) and figure to attempt to bring him back in 2012.
Another third-year veteran, Cole appeared in 14 games in 2011 but did not meet his levels of production form the previous season. In 2010, Cole played in 12 games but recorded 22 tackles, two interceptions (one returned for a touchdown) and five pass defenses (he had zero in 2011). Cole also plays special teams, and could be brought back for those purposes.
These players are normal free agents, as they are free to sign anywhere for as much as a team can offer.
After 19 seasons, Brunell could be headed for retirement this offseason. He spent his last two seasons with the Jets, completing 8-of-16 passes for 144 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. The Jets very well could bring in a quarterback to provide Mark Sanchez with some competition, though a move of that sort would likely have little impact on Brunell.
O'Connell wrapped his second stint with the Jets in 2011 without taking a snap. He was originally signed by New York in 2009 after the New England Patriots drafted him in the third round of the 2008 draft -- the highest pick the Pats had spent on a quarterback since they drafted Drew Bledsoe No. 1 overall in 1993. O'Connell appeared in only two games for New England before he was released. The Detroit Lions signed him in September 2009 and traded him to the Jets not long after for a seventh-round pick in the 2011 draft.
A torn labrum in O'Connell's throwing arm cut short his 2010 season, and he was eventually cut two separate times. After a brief stint with the Miami Dolphins, O'Connell was claimed off waivers by the Jets on Sept. 4. He seems likely to continue what has been a bit of a journeyman career thus far, though possibly not with the Jets.
In a season that eventually spiraled downward into a mess of discontent, Tomlinson was one of the Jets' most vocal leaders. After the season, Tomlinson labeled the team's locker room "dysfunctional" and admitted it was one of the worst he's seen in his 11-year career.
On the field, set career-lows in carries, rushing yards and rushing touchdowns, though he remained a productive receiver. PFF gave him a plus-1.1 grade, 50th among halfbacks. Though he likely has a couple productive years left, Tomlinson and the Jets seem likely to part ways.
After his much hyped return to New York -- albeit with a different team -- Burress put together a relatively quiet 2011 season. PFF graded him at plus-0.4, 46th among wide receivers.
Though the Jets have had issues with another top receiver, Santonio Holmes, Burress seems unlikely to return to New York. Thursday, he returned to his former high school, Green Run High in Virginia Beach, VA, with Giants running back and close friend Brandon Jacobs. There, Jacobs told The Virginian-Pilot that Burress doesn't want to return to the Jets because of the locker room discord. At 34 years old, Burress doesn't figure to have too many years left in him, though some NFL teams may feel confident adding him as a third or fourth receiver.
Turner began the 2011 season as the Jets' backup center and a versatile player who could play across the offensive line. But after breaking the fibula in his lower right leg in New York's preseason opener, he required surgery and was out for six weeks. Initially, head coach Rex Ryan said the team would wait to put Turner on injured reserve. But after being unable to determine if Turner would be able to play in 2011, the Jets placed him on injured reserve Sept. 26.
Presuming he's fully recovered, Turner could be re-signed by the Jets to provide further offensive line depth.
In his seventh season, Pouha continued his emergence as one of the league's premier nose tackles. PFF graded him at plus-30.1, second behind only the Cincinnati Bengals' Geno Atkins for nose tackles. His plus-27.2 grade against the run also was second in the league, behind the Denver Broncos' Brodrick Bunkley.
Pouha is considered arguably the Jets' biggest free agent, but given his age (he turned 33 earlier this month), he presents a tricky situation. Initially, Pouha was considered a popular target for the Jets' franchise tag, but according to Jenny Vrentas of the The Star-Ledger, Pouha is not expected to be tagged.
Sione Pouha, arguably Jets' most key FA, not expected to be tagged, source says. Jets tight on cap space, should go for multi-yr deal. #nyj
— Jenny Vrentas (@JennyVrentas) February 20, 2012
With the Jets tight on cap space, a multi-year deal for Pouha could be more feasible.
Entering the 2011 season, Thomas had spent all nine of his NFL seasons with the Jets. In all but two, he played in all 16 games (in the two he didn't, he played in 14 and 15 games).
However, against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 4, Thomas tore his left Achilles tendon and was placed on injured reserve five days later. In the immediate aftermath, right tackle Damien Woody -- who tore his Achilles the season prior -- indicated just how tough Thomas' situation will be entering the offseason as a free agent.
"It's a tough situation for Bryan Thomas going into free agency with an injury," said Woody. "And he's an older player, too, so teams are probably going to sit back and wait."
Thomas will turn 33 in June, making his recovery seem even tougher. It's very possible that the injury could end Thomas' career.
Strickland, who spent one year with the Jets in 2009, returned to New York in 2011 after spending one season with the San Diego Chargers. Though he appeared in 15 games, he was buried on the depth chart at left cornerback behind Darrelle Revis and Kyle Wilson. Strickland earned a minus-0.2 grade from PFF, which would have placed him 43rd among cornerbacks had he played the minimum number of snaps.
Depending on what else the Jets do in free agency, the 31-year-old Strickland could be brought back to a secondary that also has two safeties set to be free agents (see below).
An underdog for much of his career (after walking on at Wisconsin, he went undrafted), Leonhard faces more adversity this offseason after tearing his right patellar tendon in December. Leonhard could begin the 2012 season on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, which would obviously complicate his re-signing.
Friday, Leonhard tweeted his progress in rehab and provided an optimistic outlook.
Update:10 weeks out from surgery and every day is better than the last. In the rehab world that's a win. Now I just need a new contract.
— Jim Leonhard (@jimleonhard) February 24, 2012
In the 13 games prior to his injury, Leonhard was effective as usual. PFF graded him at plus-2.9 (16th among cornerbacks) overall and plus-5.7 in pass coverage (8th at the position). He also returned nine punts for 83 yards (9.2 avg.) with a long of 15 yards. According to ESPN New York's Rich Cimini, re-signing Leonhard is likely to be a low priority for the Jets this offseason. Given his injury, he doesn't figure to generate much interest elsewhere in the league.
Pool was a late addition to the Jets' 2011 roster after starting 12 games for the team in 2010. He started six games and appeared in 14 this season, and PFF graded him 30th among safeties at minus-0.4. In the same article linked to above, Cimini believes the Jets will elect to "shake up" their safety corps, meaning Pool should also be considered unlikely to be re-signed.
Signed to a one-year contract for a second season with the Jets, Folk was near the bottom of the league (28th) in converting 76 percent of his field goal attempts. His distance on kickoffs was also inconsistent, and it's hard to see the Jets making a hard run at re-signing Folk.
New York Jets safety Jim Leonhard took to Twitter earlier today to update his progress on his rehab on his injured knee. He also said that he wanted a new contract.
Update:10 weeks out from surgery and every day is better than the last. In the rehab world that's a win. Now I just need a new contract.
— Jim Leonhard (@jimleonhard) February 24, 2012
The veteran safety is an unrestricted free agent. At the very end of 2011, Leonhard said he was certain he would make a full recovery for the 2012 season from the torn patellar tendon which ended his season.
He also said
"I'm 100 percent confident that I'm going to be playing football somewhere next year," Leonhard said. "Obviously with the history here, you'd like it to be here, but you never know." (via NY Post)
For more Jets free agency rumors and chatter, visit our StoryStream. We also have another StoryStream for other Jets offseason news, or you can visit the blog Gang Green Nation for additional Jets news and analysis.
The New York Jets are expected to place a first-round tender on restricted free agent outside linebacker Aaron Maybin, according to a New York Daily News report. The tender will likely be valued between $2.5-2.75 million.
Maybin will then have the option of signing the one-year tender, or he can also test free agency. But the Jets retain the the option to match any contract he is offered; and if they don't, they will receive a first-round pick from whichever team signs Maybin.
The Buffalo Bills 2009 first-round draft pick (No. 11 overall), Maybin broke out with the Jets after two silent years in Buffalo. He registered six sacks in 13 games with New York in 2011 after being held without a sack for each of his first two seasons with the Bills.
For more Jets free agency rumors and chatter, visit our StoryStream. We also have another StoryStream for other Jets offseason news, or you can visit the blog Gang Green Nation for additional Jets news and analysis.
The New York Jets are unlikely to use the franchise tag on nose tackle Sione Pouha, according to published reports.
The 33-year-old Pouha is an integral part of the Jets defense, but with their current cap situation it would be hard to pay him top-five money at his position.
Last season, Pouha was excellent once again. He recorded 58 tackles and a sack on the way to being a bright spot in an otherwise dismal year for New York.
It's a very tricky situation for the Jets. They're not going to want to fork over so much dough because of their current situation, and yet they can't afford to lose Pouha's production. If he hits the open market, New York runs the risk of losing him to a desperate team with more free money to throw around.
The 325-pound lineman would be the only player worth tagging for Gang Green. Another option would be to tag Pouha and work on a long-term deal with him in the meantime.
That comes with two risks however. How long do you want to sign a guy who's 33? Also, if it takes a while to sign him, you're losing out on other free agents.
Teams can place the franchise tag on players any time between now and March 5. Free agency begins March 13.
For more news on the Jets, be sure to check out SB Nation New York and Gang Green Nation.
Over the next couple of weeks you will be hearing a lot about NFL teams using the "franchise tag" on certain players. Maybe you know exactly what the franchise tag is and how NFL teams use it, maybe you don't. If you don't, you have come to the right place. Here is a quick primer on how the tag works.
NFL teams can apply the franchise tag to one player each year in order to prevent an unrestricted free agent from hitting the open market. An unrestricted free agent is one who has enough service time in the league to go the open market without his original team being able to match any offer he might receive. The tag gives teams the opportunity to keep their best players for at least one more year.
Related
- Franchise tenders shrink under new CBA
- Team-By-Team Look At Free Agency
- Predicting Which Players Will Be Tagged
Franchised players lose the ability to become free agents for one season, but are financially rewarded. Players who are franchised must be paid either 120 per cent of their existing salary, or the average of the top five players at their position over the previous five years - whichever figure is greater.
At the end of this third season with the New York Jets, safety Jim Leonhard finds himself hitting the open market as an unrestricted free agent. In a recent article on SI.com, Leonhard was listed with several others as players whose 2011 seasons ruined their chances of receiving a decent sized article. However, unlike the other players on the list, Leonhard was mentioned because of his back-to-back seasons that ended with injuries.
Leonhard is on this list almost through no fault of his own, but rather to highlight how damaging an ill-timed injury can be. When he's on the field, Leonhard is one of the more consistent safeties in the NFL - he was a terrific addition to the Ravens in 2008, then helped upgrade New York's secondary beginning in 2009.
The problem is that, for the second year in a row Leonhard ended the season on the sidelines. He suffered a freak shin injury in practice late in the 2010 campaign, then tore his patellar tendon making his lone interception of the 2011 season in Week 13.
It sounds as if the Jets are ready to move on. Can Leonhard, who will turn 30 in October and is coming off major leg injuries each of the past two seasons, find another home?
In his three seasons with the Jets, Leonhard has made 185 tackles 2.5 sacks and three interceptions. The Jets are expected to select a safety high in the draft, possibly Alabama's Mark Barron, to replace Leonhard.
For more on the Jets, head to Gang Green Nation.
The New York Jets have $8.39 million in salary cap space as the 2012 NFL Free Agency period approaches, according to Pro Football Talk. That is an interesting number when you consider that ESPN New York is reporting a far-different scenario, stating that the Jets have just $464,000 in salary cap space.
Perhaps the discrepancy is based on how the salary cap rules are interpreted. PFT says this season teams are allowed to carry over excess salary cap space from the 2011.
Regardless, here is a current look at the Jets free agents, from Mac's Football Blog:
Restricted Free Agents (4)
TE Matthew Mulligan
LB Aaron Maybin
LB Jamaal Westerman
CB Marquice Cole
Unrestricted Free Agents (11)
QB Mark Brunell
QB Kevin O'Connell
RB LaDainian Tomlinson
WR Plaxico Burress
OL Robert Turner
DT Sione Pouha
LB Bryan Thomas
CB Donald Strickland
S Jim Leonhard
S Brodney Pool
K Nick Folk
ESPN New York expects that only Pouha, the team's starting nose tackle, will be a major priority for the Jets.
Jets Free Agency 2012: LaRon Landry 'I Am Glad To Be A Jet'
LaRon Landry, one of the newest New York Jets free agent signings, is happy to be with the team (via Sports Radio Interviews).
When asked what other options Landry had, he responded that the Patriots, Eagles, Lions and Bears were potential landing spots.
When it came down to it, Landry picked the Jets because of head coach Rex Ryan, defensive backs coach Dennis Thurman as well as the organization itself.
Landry feels that the Jets are a good fit for him as their defensive style will allow him to make plays rather than fit a role as a strong safety or free safety.
For more coverage on the Jets, be sure to check out Gang Green Nation and SB Nation New York for all your needs. Also return to this StoryStream for updates on the 2012 New York Jets free agency rumors and news.
Mar 21 5:30p by Pat Johnston