OFF - Season PLAN ~ ~ ~

[kelly]

Next season’s playoff race begins this spring as all 32 teams retool their rosters, so it’s time to take a look at what each franchise must do for a better season in 2016. Today we break down the Jets, who missed the playoffs by the narrowest of margins. What do they need to do this off-season to ensure that they can book a spot in the postseason in 2016? Check back for our other 31 off-season outlooks, which we will be rolling out in reverse order of finish over the coming weeks leading up to free agency and the draft.

Key free agents

DE Muhammad Wilkerson, NT Damon Harrison, QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, RB Chris Ivory, OLB Calvin Pace, RB Bilal Powell, ILB Demario Davis, RB Stevan Ridley

Player(s) that must be re-signed

Wilkerson, Harrison, Fitzpatrick, Ivory, Powell: The Jets obviously want to retain Wilkerson, who needs at least six months to recover from a broken leg suffered in the season finale against the Bills, but they might not be able to without the franchise tag. That’s estimated to cost the team around $15.5 million of 2016 cap space, but Wilkerson is worth it when completely healthy. Harrison is one of the most underrated defensive linemen in the league—he had an amazing 51 stops last season, tied with St. Louis’ Aaron Donald for the league lead—and this line would look a lot lighter without him. If the Jets can’t get Wilkerson back for any reason, Harrison’s resigning becomes even more mandatory.

 

NFL

Blanket Coverage: Pivotal, if unsexy, assistant coach moves

by Greg A. Bedard

The 33-year old Fitzpatrick is not a perfect quarterback—he’s reached the top of his physical potential, his deep passes tend to sail at times and he has a dangerous turnover. That said, he was a great signing for the Jets before the 2015 season; he was the best quarterback the franchise has seen since Mark Sanchez at his peak, and it was a big step up for a team with a black hole at that position for a good long time.

 

Fitzpatrick ended the year with career highs in attempts (562), completions (335), passing yards (3,905) and touchdowns (31), and he kept the turnovers under wraps for the most part with just 15 picks. Right now, Geno Smith and Bryce Petty are the backup options, which makes Fitzpatrick even more attractive in the short term.

Ivory had a great season, going over 1,000 yards for the first time in his career, and he has the power and agility needed in this offense. Powell can be more easily replaced, but his versatility makes him a valuable chip.

Most important position(s) to improve

Linebacker : Assuming the Jets sign Fitzpatrick, the players who can disrupt quarterbacks on the outside become top priority for the Jets. Gang Green racked up 38 sacks last season, but Wilkerson and Richardson had 17 of those, and Lorenzo Mauldin led all outside linebackers with just four. Calvin Pace, an impending free agent who was once the personification of that pass rush, had just three sacks at age 35.The problem turns to the inside linebacker position as well, because DemarioDavis is an impending free agent, and David Harris turned 32 in January. New blood is needed, and fast. Mauldin, a third-round rookie, is a step in the right direction.

Other positions to improve

Offensive line, cornerback: The Jets’ line has seen attrition from its best players over the last couple of year, and it’s about time for that bill to become due in a more drastic fashion. Franchise left tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson gave up five sacks and a career-high 40 hurries last season—not a good look for a team on the middle end of the curve in passing attempts. Center Nick Mangold started to show a bit of decline when holding the point in the run game, and that has been his most dominant asset. Right tackle Breno Giacomini gave up a team-high 44 hurries, and left guard James Carpenter was really the only man on that line last season who played at a consistently high level. The Jets gave up just 17 sacks last year, which is a pretty good indicator that sack numbers don’t tell the whole tale when assessing the quality of a front five.

 

NFL

Video

Off-season Outlook: Houston Texans

by Chris Burke

The Jets brought Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie back in a nice reunion tour before the 2015 season, but only Revis was above-average. Cromartie allowed a 112.0 passer rating and gave up seven touchdowns. Turning 32-years old in April, Cromartie’s physical abilities may have declined to the point where they won’t cover up his at-times undisciplined play. Slot cornerback Buster Skrine was a better signing, but it’s not clear that he’s an outside guy over the long term. Dee Milliner, taken ninth overall in the 2013 draft, can’t stay healthy. The team needs a relative reset at that position.

 

Overall priority this offseason

Find a new level on offense: With Fitzpatrick at quarterback, Ivory as the main man in the ground game and two legitimate number-one receivers in Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker, there’s no reason—outside of a sketchy offensive line—that the Jets can’t be a top 10 offense. They came close in 2015, ranking 11th in points and 10th in yards, but with a 10–6 regular-season record and no playoff berth, all those numbers get put in the rear view.It seemed like a happy surprise for the team to have an offense that was more than functional for the first time in almost a decade, but now, consistency needs to be the key word. Getting Fitzpatrick back would certainly help, and solidifying the offensive line is a must. If that all happens, and the defense remains consistent, this is a team ready to make a deep playoff run. If not, coach Todd Bowles and general manager Mike Maccagnan could be in for a bit of a rebuild.

>     http://www.si.com/nfl/2016/02/19/new-york-jets-offseason-free-agency-draft-needs

[TuscanyTile2]

On 1/12/2016 at 9:41 AM, kelly said:

With the first weekend of the NFL postseason in the books, we turn our attention to the College Football Playoff National Championship on Monday night -- Alabama versus Clemson.For New York Jets' fans, it's all about the draft because for the fifth straight year ... well, you know. With help from ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper, Jr., we present a viewer's guide for the frustrated/anxious Jets fan.

Focusing on the Jets' primary needs, we cherry-picked a handful of players from Kiper's CFP title preview. It should be noted the top three names on his list -- A'Shawn Robinson (Alabama), Shaq Lawson(Clemson) and Jarran Reed (Alabama) -- are defensive linemen. Just a hunch, but we're going to assume the Jets won't draft another defensive lineman, although a nose tackle can't be ruled out if Damon Harrisonleaves via free agency.

With that in mind, we'll list the top players at other positions, along with Kiper's comments. From a Jets' perspective, the two most intriguing players are on Alabama -- edge rusher Tim Williams and Heisman Trophy-winning running back Derrick Henry.

Enjoy the game.

>     http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/57915/no-jets-to-watch-but-potential-future-jets-to-scout-in-cfp-title-game

 

A'Shawn Robinson?  We're into the A prefixes now?   DeShaun, Keyshawn, Meshawn, LeSean,Tayshawn.

 

Would like to see Q, X, and Z prefixes.  Q'Shawn, X'Shawn, Z'Shawn.  Though S'Shawn would be rather outstanding.

 

[kelly]

A closer look at the positions the New York Jets could target at the NFL combine in Indianapolis:

Positions of need : Generally speaking, the Jets must get faster on both sides of the ball. As for specific positions, they need linebackers (inside and outside), a tight end, an offensive tackle and a running back. The need for running back will fluctuate, depending on how the team fares in free agency. If the Jets loseChris Ivory and Bilal Powell, it'll be a total rebuild. As always, a quarterback question hovers over the franchise. They've picked a quarterback in each of the past three drafts (Geno Smith, Tajh Boyd and Bryce Petty), but they still don't have a clear-cut successor to Ryan Fitzpatrick, assuming he re-signs. General manager Mike Maccagnan believes in stockpiling quarterbacks, so he'll be looking for another arm.

Three players the Jets could focus on at combine :

Paxton Lynch (QB), Memphis : Of the top three quarterbacks -- Lynch,Carson Wentz and Jared Goff -- Lynch is the most likely to be available when the Jets pick (20th overall). He's an intriguing prospect because of his size (a shade under 6-foot-6) and skill set. He can throw and run, but he needs a lot of polish, especially with his footwork. Is he worth a long-term investment? That's what the Jets have to decide. The combine marks the start of the process.

Noah Spence (OLB), Eastern Kentucky : His team interviews will be more important than his on-field workouts. Everybody knows he has talent -- tremendous quickness as an edge rusher -- but he has a lot of questions to answer about his character. He was booted by Ohio State after flunking multiple drug tests, and there was an alcohol-related arrest at Eastern Kentucky. He has some explaining to do; the Jets will be eager to hear him out.

Darron Lee (OLB), Ohio State : Lee is a highly productive, sideline-to-sideline defender, but the question is scheme fit. At 6-foot-2, 228 pounds, he's on the small side to play outside linebacker in the Jets' 3-4 scheme. This will be the first chance for the Jets' scouts to get an up-close look at his body type, allowing them to project whether he can add weight and hold up as an edge player in Todd Bowles' system.

>       http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/58555/new-york-jets-should-focus-on-qb-paxton-lynch-pass-rushers-at-combine

[kelly]

COULD JETS BRING CROMARTIE BACK... AGAIN?

Antonio Cromartie has no hard feelings about being released by the Jets for the second time in three offseasons. In fact, he might be open to re-signing with Gang Green on a cheaper deal. NFL rumors roundup

 

>    http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/nyj/new-york-jets

[kelly]

Inside the Draft : Myles Jack Leads LB Class

Dane Brugler Previews the Combine with Senior Reporter Eric Allen

video..

> http://www.newyorkjets.com/videos/videos/Inside-the-Draft-Myles-Jack-Leads-LB-Class-/3cbf0b07-8822-4988-9469-4d4532d1dbef

[kelly]

~ ~   6. Bowles wants to get younger: It's funny. The day after the season, I asked Bowles if the team needs to get younger. No, he said, it needs to get faster. It sounded like coach-speak. On Wednesday, he said, "We know we're an older team. We want to get younger at almost every position. We're going to try to do that." Younger ... faster ... it's all the same.

rest of above  : 

>  http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/58609/jets-gm-mike-maccagnan-feels-good-about-ryan-fitzpatrick-contract-talks

[kelly]

Combine Report : Who Will the Jets Re-Sign ?

Brian Costello and Senior Reporter Eric Allen Recap Day One and Preview the Upcoming New League Year

 

video..

>  http://www.newyorkjets.com/videos/videos/Combine-Report-Who-Will-the-Jets-Re-Sign/bdd3051d-7b47-45f2-b36b-972d983720d2

[kelly]

JETS HAVE PLENTY OF WORK TO DO

With key free agents on both sides of the ball, Gang Green ranks highly on Mike Sando's list of teams whose rosters could churn this offseason. GM Mike Maccagnan should be awfully busy. Teams facing turnover (Insider)

 

>     http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/nyj/new-york-jets

[kelly]

— Jets coach Todd Bowles gave a window into the team’s offseason plans this week with one telling comment.

“We know we’re an older team,” Bowles said. “We want to get younger at almost every position, and we’ll try to do that.”

Bowles is right: The Jets do have an older team, but they also are not in rebuilding mode where they can tear the roster down and go with a youth movement. It is the interesting and challenging position the team finds itself in in Year 2 of the Bowles/Mike Maccagnan regime, partly because of some poor drafts in 2012-14 and partly because of how they approached last offseason.Maccagnan did not enter with a five-year plan for turning around the Jets. He struck quickly and aggressively in free agency last year, plugging holes to improve the 2015 team. The moves worked well with the team going from 4-12 to 10-6, but in the process the team got older. According to a study of rosters done by phillyvoice.com at the start of last season, only five teams had an older average age. The team went from 13th in average age in 2014 to 27th last season.

This is a tricky offseason for Maccagnan, who won executive of the year as a rookie general manager. With limited salary-cap space and high-profile free agents of their own to re-sign, the Jets do not have much cap space to play with. But this is a win-now team. After five straight years of missing the playoffs, the fans and owner Woody Johnson are running low on patience. Had the Jets won in Buffalo in Week 17 and made the playoffs, the urgency would not be as great. But they blew it, and the playoff drought is hard to ignore.While it is premature to put anyone on the hot seat yet, the pressure is on Bowles and Maccagnan to make the postseason in 2016. The team could face a massive overhaul next year. The way Maccagnan structured the contracts he handed out last year, the Jets easily can move on from most of them after this season. Darrelle Revis is the only one of the 2015 additions who would result in too much dead money ($8 million) for it to make sense.

The Jets basically set this up as a two-year window last year by adding older players such as Ryan Fitzpatrick, Brandon Marshall, Revis and Antonio Cromartie. That window is starting to close.Before free agency starts, the Jets look like they will have seven starters 30 or over when the season starts: Fitzpatrick (33), D’Brickashaw Ferguson (32), Nick Mangold (32), Breno Giacomini (30), Marshall (32), David Harris (32) and Revis (31). Wide receiver Eric Decker (29) is not far behind.The getting younger process began this week when the team released Cromartie. With the emphasis on youth, it seems unlikely the team will bring back Cromartie (31) or free-agent linebacker Calvin Pace (35).Other than the draft, the 2015 offseason was all about making moves to win immediately without much of an eye on the future. This season, Maccagnan is walking more of a tightrope between the short-term and the long-term.

“It’s like putting a puzzle together, so you’re trying to make decisions that are going to be the best for the team long-term,” Maccagnan said. “But first and foremost, we’re going to do everything in our ability to try to keep as many good players on the team as we can.”Last year, Maccagnan’s moves earned him the nickname “Magic Mike.” It’s time to see if he can pull another rabbit out of his hat.

>      http://nypost.com/2016/02/26/mike-maccagnan-year-2-the-big-roadblocks-jets-gm-must-clear/

[kelly]

just an fyi..

~ ~ The answer to the most asked question pertaining to the Jets finally has an answer.

When the new league year begins, the team will, officially, have$23,195,256 in spending money. That figure officially becomes official with the news breaking, according to Tom Pelissero of USA TODAY Sports, that the league’s salary cap will be $155.27 million.

The figure represents roughly a $12 million increase from the 2015 season.

Tom Pelissero 

 

✔‎@TomPelissero

The NFL and NFLPA have finalized a 2016 salary cap of a $155.27 million per team, per sources.

 

For the Jets, that $23 million and change will likely be used on some of their own free agents. As things stand right now, New York has 20 of its own whose contracts are set to expire. Among those 20 are players that played quite big roles on New York’s 10-6 campaign a season ago.

Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson, running backs Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell, along with nose tackle Damon Harrison, all have contracts that will expire on March 9th. While the Jets have made it known they’d like to retain all of them, not all will be back.With $23 million in cap space, it also gives the Jets enough money to franchise tag Wilkerson or Harrison, two moves the team is mulling over, according to GM Mike Maccagnan.

The franchise tag for Wilkerson is expected to be roughly $15 million while tagging Harrison would cost the Jets $13 million.Of course, if New York wants to make a signing or two in free agency, the team will need even more than the money they have right now. That $23 million can be bumped up to near $30 million with the release of three players.

Receiver Jeremy Kerley ($1.4m free), tight end Jeff Cumberland($1.9m freed) and offensive tackle Breno Giacomini ($3.4m free) are all candidates to be let go.There’s still work to be done for the Jets, but with the league salary cap now known, a bit of certainty is now known on a previously unknown situation.

Please note: The Jets salary cap figure was determined with the OverTheCap base estimate + $27,000 increase OTC did not account for in their early estimation + $1.5 million due to NFL/NFLPA lawsuit 

> http://jetswire.usatoday.com/2016/02/26/2016-nfl-salary-cap-set-at-155-27m-how-much-money-do-the-jets-have/

[kelly]

- We’ve officially entered the hand-size-critique portion of the NFL scouting calendar, where nothing is too outlandish to dissect in the maddening search for a franchise quarterback.Tiny mitts are strictly off-limits. Slightly undersized paws prompt whispers of disappointment. Hamburger Helper Hands are a godsend.

The NFL Scouting Combine can create paralysis by analysis for teams like the Jets looking for a long-term solution at quarterback. Every element is magnified to ridiculous proportions. Breaking news: All the top signal callers — gasp! — threw in drills on Saturday!“Supply and demand is an issue at that position,” Cardinals general manager Steve Keim said. “Finding that position is the hardest job for a general manager to have. There is no secret: We’re always trying to look for the next guy. To be in a situation like Green Bay years ago when they took Aaron (Rodgers) when Brett Favre was their starter, that’s obviously the ideal situation, but how many times are you sitting in the 20s where you can take a guy that you see as the future?”

The Jets hope that Ryan Fitzpatrick will not be a bridge to nowhere, but the truth is that nobody, not even an experienced college talent evaluator like Mike Maccagnan, truly knows. The organization is cautiously optimistic that Bryce Petty can evolve, but his timetable remains open-ended.The Jets would be smart to select a quarterback in the upcoming draft, but who... and when? Talent evaluators around the league believe that the 2016 quarterback class might be relatively deep, but there are no sure things. North Dakota State’s Carson Wentz, who has a solid 10-inch hand size, in case you were wondering, has morphed from Division I-AA virtual unknown to the possible first signal caller off the board in April.Cal’s Jared Goff and Memphis’ Paxton Lynch will have to make the sometimes time-consuming conversion from spread offenses. Michigan State’s Connor Cook will have to overcome maturity and leadership questions. Penn State’s Christian Hackenberg must prove that he can recapture his freshman success in a pro-style offense before he regressed in a spread system.

Scouts and evaluators don’t believe there is a slam-dunk Day One starter, which further complicates matters for teams with issues at the most important position in the game.“Let’s face it: Nobody has patience anymore,” new Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter said. “They’re drafting these guys to play them.”Fitzpatrick’s career revival last season was an unintended gift from the football gods. His standout play coupled with invaluable leadership bought Maccagnan & Co. more time to develop their long-term plan for the position. The Jets undoubtedly have a vision and (fluid) plan to set a firm foundation for years to come, but there are no free lunches in this league: They still have to produce in the here and now.

“You always have to be in a ‘win-now’ mode,” Keim said. “You can never say, ‘We’re building for the future.’ Fans don’t want to hear that. Organizations don’t want to hear that. Our expectations are to win and win now.”Fitzpatrick provided the Jets with what teams in the market for a quarterback in this year’s draft want: A reliable veteran who can win now, while a young player finds his footing. Absent a no-brainer future star at the position in the draft, the bridge quarterback rout is the smartest option.

“There’s going to probably have to be a level of patience,” said Rams general manager Les Snead, who could be in play for a signal caller with the No. 15 pick. “You go to the realistic scenario and you find a guy who can bridge you and win games while maybe a young player is developing. That’s a realistic scenario, but...it’s nice to live in the ideal world sometimes.But it doesn’t happen.”Forecasting quarterbacks has never been more challenging. The rise of spread offenses in college makes an already inexact science an even more daunting proposition. There are too many variables to count. Intangibles matter.“There’s so much that goes into that position that you can’t see on film,” 49ers general manager Trent Baalke said. “That’s why you’ve got to get the coaches with him, sit down, talk ball, do as much research into their work ethic, their preparation habits, their intelligence.”

The Jets shouldn’t shy away from drafting a quarterback with the No. 20 pick if the brain trust has a strong conviction that someone can be a true difference maker within a reasonable amount of time. It makes sense for Maccagnan to select a signal caller at some point in this draft.Until then, the Jets, like everybody else, will pore over every nuanced detail with the hope that maybe, just maybe, they can find their man.

>   http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/mehta-finding-qb-draft-challenge-jets-article-1.2546148

[kelly]

Last year was almost everything the Jets could have hoped for. Almost.

For the first time in near half a decade they were competitive, not a laughing stock. They were playing meaningful games down the stretch, not planning their mid-February vacations.

They were, from September through December, relative.

What the Jets weren’t, were what they wanted to be.“It’s a longer process to turn a team around,” Jets GM Mike Maccagnan said at the NFL Scouting Combine last week. “We had a lot of success last year, but to me, this is still very much a work in progress.”While 2015 was a start in the right direction, ultimately, it ended short of anything worth bragging about. The Jets didn’t win the AFC East, make the playoffs, win a playoff game or make a playoff run.

They were competitive, which was certainly better than in years past. But as Maccagnan eluded to, far from where the team wants to be.As a result, the goal now is about taking that next step. And unlike last year– when Maccagnan had a Top 10 pick and $60 million and cap space to work with–things won’t be as easy.Once the team franchise tags defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson, the Jets will have just over $7 million in available cap space. Their first pick in the draft is 20th overall. They have 19 unrestricted free agents outside of Wilkerson looking for new deals.

Again, it isn’t as easy as a year ago.

“I think, philosophically, I know everyone wants to set standards with what you want to do this year,” Maccagnan said. “Our goal is just to find the best way to utilize the money we have to have the most impact in terms of making ourselves a better team.”And the Jets don’t have to search far for how to get better, or areas that can be improved. The offensive line was the oldest in the NFL last year, and the team lacks a pure pass-rusher.New York could use a running back, considering both Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell are free agents, along with improvements at various other spots on the roster.

The Jets core is in tact, but they aren’t yet ready to realistically compete for a Lombardi Trophy.Maccagnan’s job is to get them closer to that level this year.“We have some good players,” Maccagnan said. “But it’s such a competitive industry that you’ve got to constantly figure out where  you’re weak at.

“Once you determine that, in a perfect world, you figure out how to improve on that.”

>     http://jetswire.usatoday.com/2016/03/01/mike-maccagnan-says-jets-are-still-a-work-in-progress/

[kelly]

In the coming days and weeks, Mike Maccagnan's vision for the New York Jets -- his long-term plan, if you will -- should start to come into focus.

With free agency looming, the second-year general manager has two philosophical roads he can travel. He can stay the course, trying to squeeze another year or two out of a team built largely on players older than 30. It would mean an all-in mentality for 2016 -- i.e., restructuring contracts to create cap room and plugging holes with older veterans. It would stunt player development and hurt the Jets' cap situation in future years, but they'd be keeping the window open for the likes of Brandon Marshall, Darrelle Revis,David Harris and New York's aging core.Or Maccagnan could opt for the other path -- not a total rebuild but a roster-building approach that emphasizes youth. It would mean fewer quick fixes via free agency and a greater concentration on the draft. This would create better cap health in future years and fortify the bottom third of the roster, which should have an immediate impact on the dreadful special teams. It's tough to have your cake and eat it, too, so it could mean a step back in the standings (although they'd never concede that).

I think the Jets will opt for the latter scenario, partly out of necessity. (More on that later.) They've already dropped a couple of hints, with coach Todd Bowles saying he wants to get younger and faster. This might seem like a step back after last year's ultra-aggressive offseason, when they were among the league leaders in free-agent spending, but it's part of their master plan.Last year was all about establishing credibility and creating a winning culture, eradicating the stink of 2014. The Jets were a broken franchise at the end of the Rex Ryan-John Idzik tenure, a dysfunctional organization with conflicting agendas. It wasn't a good look, and the product on the field was poor. It was so bad that disgruntled fans rented planes and bought billboard space to trash Idzik, who lost the trust of the fan base and, more importantly, his owner, Woody Johnson.

In came Bowles and Maccagnan, a couple of football lifers who won back the fans by attacking the offseason. In free agency, the Jets doled out $76 million in guarantees, the third-highest total in the league, according to ESPN Stats & Information. They added star power to the roster and, although they didn't win enough games to make the playoffs, it was enough to spin the arrow to the "up" direction. They were required to spend a big chunk of money to satisfy the salary-cap rules, but part of the motivation was to change the perception of the franchise.In a letter to season-ticket holders this week, Johnson said Maccagnan and Bowles "reinvigorated the team and have us heading in the right direction." That letter was accompanied by a notice that season tickets are increasing by 4 percent, the first price hike since 2011. Hey, it's a business. Perception doesn't pay the bills.

So the question is, what now ?

With a foundation set, Maccagnan and Bowles can shift to a long-range view. This isn't to suggest they didn't do it last year; in fact, they made only two financial commitments last offseason that extended beyond a year -- Revis andBuster Skrine. Most of the big contracts were essentially one-year, prove-it deals. That was by design. The game plan was, "Let's get good fast and re-evaluate." How they tackle this offseason will set the course for years to come.

Two problems : They have only six draft choices and a limited amount of cap space. They can't blame the cap issue on Idzik; that's on Maccagnan, who overpaid for Revis and Skrine. Revis and Muhammad Wilkerson are eating up 20 percent of the entire cap ($32.7 million in cap charges), a ridiculous number for two nonquarterbacks.

There is a way to increase their flexibility, an avenue they will explore: trading Wilkerson. He's their best asset, and dealing that asset would unlock $15.7 million in cap space (the amount of his franchise tag) and bring back a high draft pick. This is reminiscent of the 2013 offseason, when the Jets refused to pay Revis and decided to cash in their top bargaining chip. They didn't win anything without him.

 

Will the Jets trade Wilkerson? It's a fantasy-football scenario. It's hard to pull off a tag-and-trade under ideal circumstances, and this isn't an ideal time. Wilkerson is rehabbing a surgically repaired leg, and it's a historically good draft for defensive linemen, hurting his market. In the end, they'll probably end up keeping him.

Does that mean it'll be all-in again in '16? Or will they try a retool on the fly? Maccagnan has reached a fork in the road. He can take solace in knowing the road won't have a nasty billboard calling for his head.

>      http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/58744/critical-decision-for-jets-go-for-quick-fix-2-0-or-change-to-slow-build

[kelly]

Less than a week remains until the beginning of NFL free agency, Wednesday at 4 p.m.But starting Monday, agents of pending free agents can negotiate with any team — the so-called legal tampering period. That's when free agency actually opens, albeit unofficially. 

With that in mind, let's examine the Jets' current salary cap situation, and how it might change in the coming days. 

Before the Jets applied the franchise tag to defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson, they had about $21.9 million in cap space, thanks to the $8 million they saved by cutting cornerback Antonio Cromartie.But then came that $15.701 million tag for Wilkerson. So the Jets are now down to about $6.2 million in cap room. Overthecap.com has it at $6.663 million.

The Jets could create more cap space by cutting wide receiver Jeremy Kerley ($1.3 million savings), tight end Jeff Cumberland ($1.9 million), and right tackle Breno Giacomini ($4.375 million). Expect some or all of those cuts to happen soon. Of course, they'd probably have to find a replacement for Giacomini, via free agency or the draft, since there don't appear to be any prominent candidates on the current roster. Kerley and Cumberland are more easily replaceable. The cuts of Kerley, Cumberland, and Giacomini would create $7.575 million in combined cap savings, bringing the Jets' cap space to about $14.238 million, based on that overthecap.com estimate. 

More cap space would come from contract restructures for left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson ($14.107 million cap hit in 2016), center Nick Mangold ($8.6 million), and/or wide receiver Brandon Marshall ($9.5 million). Oh, and the Jets could opt to cut kicker Nick Folk ($2.156 million cap savings) and go with a cheaper alternative by re-signing pending free agent Randy Bullock. 

So there's a good chance the Jets will boost their cap space from that $14.238 million number. 

The Jets want to re-sign quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and nose tackle Damon Harrison, plus do all they can to retain running backs Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell, though it seems likely they won't have enough cap room to keep Ivory. As you can see, it'll take some cap space maneuvering by general manager Mike Maccagnan in order to get at least some of those re-signings done. 

>      http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2016/03/nfl_free_agency_2016_whats_latest_on_jets_salary_c.html#incart_river_index

[kelly]

Free Agency Preview: Decisions Ahead atLinebacker

After Electing to Use the Franchise Tag on Muhammad Wilkerson, NT Damon "Snacks" Harrison Could Become a UFA

 

video..

> http://www.newyorkjets.com/videos/videos/Free-Agency-Preview-Decisions-Ahead-at-Linebacker/7c44af54-9d94-4f9f-8344-04a36ae5a37b

[kelly]

Salary Cap dept. , player-by-player..

> http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2016/03/nfl_free_agency_2016_player-by-player_breakdown_of.html#0

[kelly]

AFC team needs : Three key areas to address in free agency, draft

Free agency is nearly upon us, with the market officially opening at 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 9. After that? The 2016 NFL Draft, taking place in Chicago over the last three days of April. So, yes, 'tis the season for roster reconstruction!

With that in mind, Chris Wesseling provides three big needs for each AFC team (listed in alphabetical order). Click the NFC tab below for Gregg Rosenthal's take on the team needs in the other conference.

~ ~    New York Jets: outside linebacker, running back, offensive line

The Jets have needed a dynamic edge rusher ever since Quinton Coples went bust after the 2012 draft. If they are serious about competing, they can't go through another season with Calvin Pace as the top outside linebacker. With Chris Ivory and passing-down specialist Bilal Powell both ready to reach the open market, there are two vacancies in the backfield. The Jets need to think about targeting D'Brickashaw Ferguson's successor at left tackle. An early-round draft pick could challengeBreno Giacomini at right tackle before sliding over to Ferguson's spot down the road.

rest of above article : 

>     http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000640683/article/afc-team-needs-three-key-areas-to-address-in-free-agency-draft

[JetUp81]

On 3/4/2016 at 8:45 AM, kelly said:

Less than a week remains until the beginning of NFL free agency, Wednesday at 4 p.m.But starting Monday, agents of pending free agents can negotiate with any team — the so-called legal tampering period. That's when free agency actually opens, albeit unofficially. 

With that in mind, let's examine the Jets' current salary cap situation, and how it might change in the coming days. 

Before the Jets applied the franchise tag to defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson, they had about $21.9 million in cap space, thanks to the $8 million they saved by cutting cornerback Antonio Cromartie.But then came that $15.701 million tag for Wilkerson. So the Jets are now down to about $6.2 million in cap room. Overthecap.com has it at $6.663 million.

The Jets could create more cap space by cutting wide receiver Jeremy Kerley ($1.3 million savings), tight end Jeff Cumberland ($1.9 million), and right tackle Breno Giacomini ($4.375 million). Expect some or all of those cuts to happen soon. Of course, they'd probably have to find a replacement for Giacomini, via free agency or the draft, since there don't appear to be any prominent candidates on the current roster. Kerley and Cumberland are more easily replaceable. The cuts of Kerley, Cumberland, and Giacomini would create $7.575 million in combined cap savings, bringing the Jets' cap space to about $14.238 million, based on that overthecap.com estimate. 

More cap space would come from contract restructures for left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson ($14.107 million cap hit in 2016), center Nick Mangold ($8.6 million), and/or wide receiver Brandon Marshall ($9.5 million). Oh, and the Jets could opt to cut kicker Nick Folk ($2.156 million cap savings) and go with a cheaper alternative by re-signing pending free agent Randy Bullock. 

So there's a good chance the Jets will boost their cap space from that $14.238 million number. 

The Jets want to re-sign quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and nose tackle Damon Harrison, plus do all they can to retain running backs Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell, though it seems likely they won't have enough cap room to keep Ivory. As you can see, it'll take some cap space maneuvering by general manager Mike Maccagnan in order to get at least some of those re-signings done. 

>      http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2016/03/nfl_free_agency_2016_whats_latest_on_jets_salary_c.html#incart_river_index

Good write-up.  I am actually surprised that we haven't made a move with Folk, Cumberland, and Kerley already.  I don't see any of them on the roster in 2016.

[kelly]

Remember last March, when the Jets rebuilt their roster through free agency, bythrowing loads of guaranteed money at players? Well, that won't be the case this offseason, as the NFL's free agency period is set to begin Wednesday. As it stands right now, the Jets have $6.437 million in salary cap space, according to overthecap.com.

Once Washington cuts quarterback Robert Griffin III, to free up $16.155 million, the Jets will have the NFL's lowest amount of cap space. The Jets are currently ahead of only Washington, which is technically $5.657 million over its cap. (UPDATE: The Griffin release is now done, and he is a free agent.) The Jets' two biggest cap numbers belong to cornerback Darrelle Revis ($17 million) and defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson (the $15.701 million franchise tag). The Jets could trade Wilkerson, but it won't be easy. 

They're expected to cut tight end Jeff Cumberland and wide receiver Jeremy Kerley — and also maybe right tackle Breno Giacomini. The Cumberland and Kerley cuts would create $3.2 million in cap space. The Giacomini cut would create an additional $4.375 million in room. The Jets' third- through fifth-highest cap figures for 2016 all belong to guys who could restructure their contracts to decrease their 2016 cap numbers: left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson ($14.107 million), wide receiver Brandon Marshall ($9.5 million), and center Nick Mangold ($8.6 million). 

So the Jets aren't going to remain at $6.437 million in cap space, but they still probably won't have a lot of money to spend this offseason. The Jets' biggest pending free agents, as the NFL's legal tampering period begins Monday, are quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, nose tackle Damon Harrison, and running backs Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell. 

>  http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2016/03/nfl_free_agency_jets_are_about_to_have_least_amoun.html#incart_river_index

[kelly]

Now that they've parted ways with Antonio Cromartie for a second time, the Jets are in the market for some veteran help at cornerback.

Per Fox Sports' Mike Garafolo—a Star-Ledger alumnus—the Jets have "checked in" onGiants cornerback Prince Amukamara, who is scheduled to become an unrestriced free agent in about 29 hours.

Just don't get your hopes up, Jets fans.

Amukamara would unquestionably be an upgrade over Cromartie, whose skills noticeably declined in 2015 and whose $8 million salary-cap charge was easy to wipe off the books.But Amukamara is also one of the top corners on the market, and he can be expected to cash in this week, wherever he might land.

The Jets, who have less than $7 million in available cap space and still likely have to do a deal to keep quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, just don't have the financial flexibility to land player like Amukamara. The Jets are going to be more reactive than aggressive when free agency gets underway on Wednesday at 4 p.m.

With Cromartie gone, the Jets could move backup Marcus Williams into a starting spot. Williams led the team with six interceptions in 2015, but he also only played a third of the snaps. The Jets also have Dee Milliner, Darrin Walls, and Dexter McDougle, plus nickel corner Buster Skrine.But because the nickel was essentially their base defense last year, and because they frequently played dime, the Jets would be better off adding a veteran.

However, a more likely possibility is a veteran who won't be so costly. Pro Football Talk said the Jets had touched base with the Bengals' Adam Jones, for one. But the Bucs' Sterling Moore and the Chargers' Patrick Robinson could also be more affordable options.

>   http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2016/03/jets_interested_in_giants_prince_amukamara_per_rep.html#incart_river_index

[kelly]

The New York Jets have a backup plan if they fail to retain free agent nose tackle Damon Harrison.

Should Snacks move on – the Tennessee Titans are reportedly serious about bringing him on board – then the Jets will be forced to look elsewhere if they wish to maintain their talented defensive line. One option could be Los Angeles Rams free agent defensive tackleNick Fairley, according to the New York Daily News.As of now, New York has about $6.5 million to spend, but cuts will be made. Mehta also writes that the Jets would “love” to dealMuhammad Wilkerson as a part of a tag-and-trade.

Fairley was the Detroit Lions’ 13th-overall pick out of Auburn in the 2011 draft. He played in 15 games for the Rams last year – his first with the organization – but only recorded half a sack and 18 tackles. The six-foot, 308-pound Fairley has 84 tackles and 14 sacks in his five-year career. Fairley has also dealt with a few legal issues in the past, including DUI and reckless driving incidents. With that said, the free agent would make a solid alternative to the Jets line should all else fail.

>    http://jetswire.usatoday.com/2016/03/07/jets-interested-in-rams-dt-nick-fairley-per-report/

[kelly]

Next key date for franchise-tagged players: July 15

March 1 has come and gone, with nine otherwise free agents now restricted by the franchise tag. The next key deadline in this deadline-driven industry arrives in four-and-one-half months.

The franchise-tagged players and their teams now have until July 15 to negotiate long-term contracts. Otherwise, the franchise-tagged players can play under only a one-year deal in 2016.Last year, the deadline indeed drove the discussions, for all franchised players except Giants defensive endJason Pierre-Paul. The only problem with the approach is that, until then, the nine players are essentially unemployed, not under contract and under no obligation to participate in any offseason workouts or meetings or any portion of the looming effort to prepare for the 2016 season in the weeks and months before training camp.

Tagged players, like unsigned draft picks, can participate in the offseason program by signing a letter of protection, which will guarantee the tagged player’s salary in 2016 in the event of a season-ending injury happening during football activities. Last year, Broncos G.M. John Elway argued that tagged players should embrace the opportunity to work out with the team instead of assuming the risk of working out on their own.

“That makes no sense to me,” Elway said last April regarding then-tagged receiverDemaryius Thomas. “If he gets hurt here, he’s covered. If he gets hurt somewhere else, he’s not. Tell me why that makes sense that he wouldn’t be here working out with us? That’s why I don’t understand it at all. That’s part of the game, but it makes no sense for him not be here. . . . I see absolutely zero value in him being away from here — zero value for him. There is no value for him not to be here with his teammates. As far as negotiations and his new deal and what’s going on, we’d like to get something done. By him being away from here, there is zero value not only to us, but also to him. To me, it makes no sense. That actually has no effect on anything that we’re talking to about trying to get a contract done with him, because that’s what we’d ultimately like to do. For him not to be here has zero effect.”

From the players’ perspective, the only leverage they have when tagged is to withhold services. In theory, any of them can stay away from all offseason and preseason preparations, arriving just days before the start of the regular season and getting their full franchise tenders.Elway and the Broncos are in that familiar posture again this year, with linebackerVon Miller tagged and possibly inclined to not be around the team until he gets a long-term deal (or doesn’t get a long-term deal) by July 15. For Miller, who reportedly hopes to cash in like Ndamukong Suh, showing up for the offseason program clearly has value to the team. The question is whether the Broncos would give Miller a better deal in April than they’d be willing to give him as July 15 arrives.

If not, anything Miller or any other franchise-tagged does before signing a contract is a gratuity for the team. And players will continue to view it that way, unless and until a guy bearing the franchise tag has one of his load-bearing limbs snap, shatter, or implode while working out on his own.

>     http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/03/02/next-key-date-for-franchise-tagged-players-july-15/

[hawk]

Current Cap Space per http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/new-york-jets/cap/ : $6.5 Million

• Cut Breno Giacomini saving $4.4 Million
• Cut Jeff Cumberland saving $1.9 Million
• Cut Jeremy Kerley saving $1.3 Million (I am not a fan of him not being on the field last year, but obviously, the coaching staff has a bug up their)
• Cut D'Brickashaw Ferguson saving $11 Million if prior to reporting bonus deadline.  (I am a huge fan of his, and extremely reliable.  However, I don't see a good restructure option, and his play is not worth the $14 Million cap hit)  Assumes a deal can't be made.
• Restructure by giving Brandon Marshall a 3 year $30 Million dollar extension $15 Million guaranteed with a $5 Million dollar signing bonus, and a 2016 $4 Million Roster bonus for a $6 Million Cap hit in 2016.  Saving $3 Million in cap space.  (Essentially guarantees his non guaranteed money, and Locks the Jets into two years)
  • 2017 $6 Million cap hit Dead Money if cut of $10 Million
  • 2018 $8 Million cap hit Dead Money if cut of $3 Million
  • 2019 $10 Million cap hit Dead Money if cut of $2 Million
  • 2020 $12 Million cap hit Dead Money if cut of $1 Million
• Restructure by giving Nick Mangold a 2 Year $15 Million dollar extension $12 Million guaranteed with $4 Million signing bonus and 2016 $4 Million Roster bonus for a $6 Million cap hit in 2016.  Saving $2.6 Million in cap space  (Essentially guarantees his non guaranteed money, and Locks the Jets into two years)
  • 2017 $4 Million Cap Hit Dead Money if Cut of $7 Million
  • 2018 $6 Million Cap Hit Dead Money if cut of $2 Million
  • 2019 $9 Million Cap Hit Dead Money if cut of $1 Million

Adjusted 2016 New York Jets Cap Space: $30.70 Million

Jets Trades:

Mohammed Wilkerson, Geno Smith and Dee Milliner will go to the New York Giants for their 2nd round and 3rd round picks in the 2016 NFL Draft, and Ryan Nassib.  Saving $18 Million in Cap Space. (Similar alternatives with Tennessee or Tampa Bay or...)

Adjusted 2016 New York Jets Cap Space: $48.70 Million

Free Agent Signing:

Lamar Miller - Running Back - 5 year $32.5 Million ($18 Million guaranteed with $12 Million Signing Bonus, $3 Million Roster bonus in 2016) $6 Million Cap Hit in 2016 reference average between DeMarco Murray and Mark Ingram/CJ Spiller (2015 top RB's)

Mitchell Schwartz - Right Tackle - 5 year $35 Million ($10 Million Guaranteed with $5 Million Signing Bonus, $5 Million roster Bonus in 2016) $7 Million Cap Hit in 2016 reference Bryan Bulaga

Alex Boone - Guard - 4 Year $20 Million ($8 Million Guaranteed with $4 Million signing bonus, and $3 Million Roster bonus in 2016) $5 Million Cap Hit in 2016 reference James Carpenter

Zach Brown - LB - 2 Year $7 Million ($4 Million Guaranteed with $2 Million roster bonus) $4 Million Cap Hit in 2016 reference Malcolm Smith   

Adjusted New York Jets Cap Space $26.7 Million

Let Ryan Nassib and Bryce Petty battle out for top spot, or draft a replacement.

Let Mitchell Schwartz and Carpenter/Qvale/Ijalana battle it out for tackle spots.  

Still have $26.7 Million to sign Edge Rusher / Depth / Draft Picks and rollover for next year.

[kelly]

One day after losing Chris Ivory to the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Jets agreed to a contract Wednesday with former Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte, ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter reported.

Welcome back to 2010.

That year, the Jets cut Thomas Jones in a cap-related move and signed an aging legend, LaDainian Tomlinson. And you know what? It worked. The future Hall of Famer, 31 at the time, became the starter and nearly rushed for 1,000 yards. He did it on a team-friendly contract.The numbers on Forte's contract weren't immediately available, but this has the same feel as the Tomlinson/Jones swap in 2010, a season that ended in the AFC Championship Game.

Forte, 30, isn't on Tomlinson's level as an all-time great, but we're talking about one of the most productive backs in the league since 2008. You worry about his age and the wear and tear (2,035 career carries), but this marriage can work if he's used in the right role -- as a complementary back, including third downs. His workhorse days are over.If Forte has a good sidekick (perhaps Bilal Powell, if he re-signs), he can be productive as a dual threat. If the Jets don't add more talent to the position and rely heavily on Forte, they're in big trouble. In that sense, it's hard to give a final grade to the acquisition. We'll have to see how it plays out.

"He has one or two years left, but what he's lost is some speed," an AFC personnel executive said. "But he can play all three downs and has some passing-game value. He's just lost a level of speed and magic at his age. He's not a long-term solution, but maybe the price was right to bridge the gap for a year. Maybe they still draft one. But he's someone who can start for a year until the long-term guy is identified."Since breaking in with the Bears, Forte has 487 receptions, more than any running back over that span. In 2014, he caught 102 passes. Sure, he has slowed down a bit, but he still has value because of his football savvy and durability. Like Tomlinson, Forte is a high-character individual, and he'd fit nicely into the Jets' locker room. He has two allies in the organization -- college scouting director Rex Hogan, a former Bears scout, and former Bears wide receiverBrandon Marshall. Forte is a pro's pro.

The running back market is thin. Alfred Morris would've brought an Ivory-like toughness to the backfield, but his asking price was too high for the Jets. If they can pair Forte with Powell and draft a running back, they'd have a nice mix -- a rookie, a middle-aged player in Powell and the older guy, Forte.

General manager Mike Maccagnan still has work to do.

>    http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/58883/matt-forte-to-jets-evokes-memories-of-ladainian-tomlinson-circa-2010

[kelly]

Tight end Zach Sudfeld is heading back to the New York Jets.

Sudfeld’s agent, Jason Bernstein, confirmed via Twitter that Sudfeld is re-signing with the Jets.Sudfeld missed all of 2015 after suffering a torn ACL in mini-camp last June. He was waived/injured and moved to injured reserveafter clearing waivers.

Sudfield was a restricted free agent, but was not tendered a contract by the Jets. Instead, he became a free agent for less than a day before re-signing in New York.Sudfeld played in all 16 games with the Jets in 2014 and started three games. He caught five passes for 85 yards on the year.

>       http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/03/10/zach-sudfeld-to-re-sign-with-the-jets/

[kelly]

The Jets have released wide receiver Jeremy Kerley and tight end Jeff Cumberland.

Kerley was the Green & White's fifth-round choice (153rd overall) in the 2011 draft out of TCU. He carved out a role as a contributor all around the offense and as the team's primary punt returner in his five seasons.Kerley's most productive campaigns were 2012 (56 catches, 827 yards, two TDs) and '13 (43 catches, 523 yards, three TDs). He also was effective when rushing with 18 carries for 133 yards (7.4 yards/carry). And he threw four passes, completing his first two, for 41 yards in '11 and for 42 yards in '12. He has 182 career receptions for 2,225 yards (12.2 yards/catch) and nine touchdowns.

"JK" saved his most productive games for the Patriots. His lone 100-yard receiving game came at New England in 2012 (seven catches, 120 yards), and the next year he had a career-high eight catches for 97 yards and a TD, with seven grabs coming on third down and a franchise-record six of them converting third downs to firsts in the 30-27 overtime home win over the Pats.

As a punt returner, Kerley turned in the last touchdown return by a Jet, his 68-yard score in the 2012 season opener against the Bills. He had a career-high 48 returns this past season for an 8.6-yard average and for his career averaged 9.3 yards on 134 returns.Cumberland was signed as an undrafted free agent after the 2010 draft out of Illinois and spent his first six NFL seasons with the Jets. He was little-used as a rookie and then tore his Achilles tendon three games into the '11 season.

He finally got a head of steam in 2012-14, putting up very similar receiving numbers in each of those seasons for totals of 78 receptions for 1,002 yards and 10 touchdowns in that span. For his Jets career he had 86 catches for 1,119 yards (13.0 yards/catch) and 10 TDs.

>     http://www.newyorkjets.com/news/article-9/Jeremy-Kerley-Jeff-Cumberland-Released/0c9b7841-45d5-4ebb-a055-4c46e57664b3

[Beerfish]

 

RB! ...  Jets need a QB, OLB! ... Jets need a QB, Oline! ... Jets need a QB.

[kelly]

You saw this coming for months: Wide receiver Jeremy Kerley, who spent most of the New York Jets' season in the Chan Gailey Witness Protection Program, was released Wednesday by the team.With no role on offense, and a $3.1 million cap charge, Kerley's ouster was long anticipated. The move doesn't save a lot of money for the Jets -- only $1.3 million in cap room. They get stuck with a $1.8 million dead charge, the pro-rated portion of the signing bonus he received for the contract he signed in 2014.

Between cutting Kerley and tight end Jeff Cumberland, the Jets created $3.2 million in additional cap room. As a result, they will start the league year with approximately $10 million in space. It probably won't be enough to re-sign quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and others, so you can expect more moves and/or restructured contracts.Kerley, a proven slot receiver, never found a niche in Gailey's spread passing attack. He played only 225 snaps on offense (20 percent), fifth among the wide receivers. He finished with a career-low 15 receptions for 152 yards and two touchdowns. Because he was the only punt returner on the roster, Kerley was active for every game, but he was an afterthought on offense. He played only 26 snaps over the final eight games.

The former fifth-round pick was frustrated throughout the season and would've welcomed a trade. The Jets tried to deal him in recent weeks, a league source said.In five seasons, Kerley has 182 catches for 2,225 yards and nine touchdowns.

>       http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/58903/sources-jets-will-release-wrpr-jeremy-kerley-whose-role-disappeared

[kelly]

Rich CiminiESPN Staff Writer 

The Jets are re-signing free-agent RB Bilal Powell, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported. Powell also drew interest from the Broncos, according to a source. This gives the Jets a Powell-Matt Forte backfield tandem. They're versatile backs who can catch. It'll be a new personality on offense, a departure from the physical style they had with Chris Ivory. The question is, where's the speed? Forte and Powell aren't burners.

 

>     http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/nyj/new-york-jets

[kelly]

Rich CiminiESPN Staff Writer 

The Jets' backfield makeover is complete (we think). The newest member is former Saint Khiry Robinson, who has agreed to a contract, a league source confirmed. The 6-foot, 220-pounder is coming off a broken leg, but he's considered a diamond in the rough. He will be teamed with Bilal Powell and Matt Forte.

 

>   http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/nyj/new-york-jets

[kelly]

Rich CiminiESPN Staff Writer 

The Jets did not receive any compensatory picks for this year's draft, it was announced today. That's hardly a surprise, considering they did more adding than subtracting last spring in free agency. It'll be a different story next year, as they've already lost two starters, Damon Harrison and Chris Ivory.

 

>    http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/nyj/new-york-jets

[kelly]

Nick Fairley, one of the bigger name free agents still available, has drawn some interest from the Eagles according to a source familiar with both the team and the player. According to the source, who wished to remain anonymous because he was not authorized to speak on the subject, there are three or four teams with serious interest in the 6-5, 291-pound defensive tackle. One of those teams is the Eagles. TheNew Orleans Saintsand Jets could also be in the mix.

He was also fairly sure that Fairley would not return to the Rams where he played on a one-year deal in 2015.

Fairley was the 13th overall pick of the Detroit Lions in 2011 when new Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz was the Lions' head coach. He underwhlemed in his four seasons with the Lions.He played in 46 of a possible 60 games and started 30. He recorded 13.5 sacks and one tackle behind the line on a running play.

As an unrestricted free agent a year ago he signed a one-year deal with the Rams. That deal included $2.5 million in base salary, a roster bonus of $1.75 million and in-season bonuses of $31,250 per game. Fairley played in 15 games for the Rams as the third tackle behind starters Aaron Donald and Michael Brockers. He recorded one-half sack.

The Eagles, switching to a 4-3 defense under Schwartz, need depth at defensive tackle behind projected starters Fletcher Cox and Bennie Logan. Fairley could provide that depth.

>     http://www.nj.com/eagles/index.ssf/2016/03/eagles_showing_interest_in_nick_fairley_per_source.html#incart_river_index

[kelly]

The New York Jets added another starting-caliber player to their impressive defensive line, agreeing to terms with former Chicago Bearsdefensive end Jarvis Jenkins, his agents announced on Wednesday.

Jenkins is expected to sign a two-year contract for $7 million, including a $3 million guarantee, a league source said.A short time later, the Jets finalized a previously reported contract with former Pittsburgh Steelers nose tackle Steve McLendon. It's a three-year contract that can max out at $12 million, according to his agent, Richard Kopelman. It includes a $4 million guarantee.

McLendon is projected as the starting nose tackle, replacing the departedDamon Harrison. The Jets envision Jenkins as a rotational player off the bench, someone who can be a 3-4 end or a 4-3 tackle.Jenkins started 15 games last season for the Bears in their 3-4 defense. He recorded a career-high four sacks, including 3.5 in the first six games. Previously, he played for the Washington Redskins. He was a second-round pick out of Clemson in 2011. He has 108 career tackles, six sacks and no forced fumbles. He's regarded by scouts as a run-stopper whose main contributions come on first and second down. He turns 28 on April 24.

The Jets should be set on the defensive line, with the two newcomers joining Muhammad Wilkerson, Sheldon Richardson and Leonard Williams.

>    http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/59078/rich-get-richer-jets-finalize-deal-with-former-bears-de-jarvis-jenkins

[kelly]

The Ravens don’t often let free agents get to the market if they want to keep them.And with a week of the market come and gone, the message should be sent by now.

According to Peter Schrager of FOX Sports, Ravens linebacker Courtney Upshaw willvisit the Jets today, his first tripThe Jets are looking to bolster their defense, but Upshaw never developed into the kind of pass-rusher the Ravens were looking for.He had 5.0 sacks in four seasons there, hardly what they expected when they took him 35th overall out of Alabama in 2012.

>     http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/03/17/ravens-linebacker-courtney-upshaw-visiting-the-jets/

[kelly]

A look at what's going on around the New York Jets :

1. Setting the table : If you're frustrated by the team's methodical approach in free agency, hang tight. The Jets have the resources to be major players next offseason. They will have plenty of cap space, extra draft picks and only one key player heading to free agency -- Muhammad Wilkerson, assuming he doesn't get a long-term contract. (Sheldon Richardson's contract will expire, but his fifth-year option will be exercised.) General manager Mike Maccagnan set it up this way, managing contracts and the cap to create the flexibility. Every decision now is made with an eye on the future.

Only two non-rookie contracts next year contain significant guaranteed money -- Darrelle Revis ($6 million) and Matt Forte ($4 million). Revis' contract includes an offset, meaning they won't get stuck with the entire $6 million cap hit if they release him (assuming he plays elsewhere). Teams are expecting the cap to spike in 2017, providing additional room. In theory, the Jets could have enough space to carry Wilkerson again on the franchise tag ($18.8 million), although that wouldn't make much cap sense.The Jets also could receive at least three compensatory draft picks, the result of losing Damon Harrison, Chris Ivory and Demario Davis. Compensatory picks will increase in value next year because, for the first time, they can be traded.

Yes, the Jets are being squeezed now, but the future looks bright.

rest of above article : 

>  http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/59127/jets-have-ammunition-to-be-major-offseason-players-in-2017