An update on where we're at by Turn-on-the-Jets

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http://turnonthejets.com/2014/03/toj-new-york-jets-free-agency-tracker/#more-20915

Welcome to free agency, New York Jets fans. Here at Turn On The Jets, we are going to keep this post updated with transactions, rumors and observations throughout the next few days, as the craziest time of the NFL season kicks off. Make sure to continue checking back as the news starts to trickle in and to follow us over on Twitter right here and Facebook right here…

7:50 PM – Some additional Strief information: Strief is an underrated player who often was overshadowed by the Saints’ guard tandem of Jahri Evans and Ben Grubbs and would be an immediate upgrade over Austin Howard. Strief was named the top Right Tackle in the NFL by both Pro Football Focus and The Bleacher Report 1000. He is 30, which is not that old for a lineman, but 4 years older than Howard. Would be interesting if Jets could potentially land Strief for similar contract that Howard was asking for.

7:20 PM – Still no Jets news. Hopefully patience is a virtue in the John Idzik era. The Chicago Bears just released Julius Peppers, which adds another potential Hall of Fame Defensive End to the market. Don’t see much interest from Jets here as he is a pure 4-3 DE. Miles Austin has been designated for Post June 1 cut. We’re not big fans here as we want to see young, ascending talent sign on, but he has been linked to the Jets. Another safety is off the market. Mike Mitchell signed with the Steelers after a breakout 2013 campaign in Carolina. The pool of safeties has quickly thinned out. Only Jairus Byrd and Chris Clemons are left of the top 8 or 9 guys.

Elsewhere, Golden Tate is heading to Detroit for a visit and Jairus Byrd is heading to New Orleans for a visit. One player to keep an eye on is Saints tackle Zach Strief, who the Jets have reportedly inquired about. According to our resident OL expert, Mike Nolan ”Strief is an underrated player who would be an upgrade over Howard and would be a smart move if they could get him at similar money.”

5:20PM - SO MANY TRANSACTIONS. Cornerback Vontae Davis signed a 4 year, 39.5 million dollar contract with 20 million dollars guaranteed. Wow. If he is getting paid that, what is Alterraun Verner looking at? Safety Malcolm Jenkins has signed with the Philadelphia Eagles, taking them out of the Jairus Byrd sweepstakes. Safety TJ Ward is signing with the Denver Broncos, taking him off the Jets radar. As for offensive lineman, Geoff Schwartz is signing with the Giants, Jon Asamoah is signing with the Falcons and Zane Beadles is heading to Jacksonville.

DeMarcus Ware and Lamar Woodley have been both been released either would be a logical target for the Jets.

Stay patient Jets fans, we are only 80 minutes in. There are plenty of viable options still on the market at cornerback (Munnerlyn, Verner), safety (Clemons, Byrd), and receiver (Tate, Sanders, Jones).

4:20PM – Right tackle Austin Howard is going to hit the open market, which is obviously not very good news for the New York Jets. He is likely to see a robust market from teams like the Miami Dolphins, Oakland Raiders and maybe a few others. Nothing is over until Howard signs on the dotted line with another team but the Jets are very likely to be looking for a new right tackle this offseason. Eric Winston? Winston Justice? The NFL Draft? It will be interesting to see how the Jets approach filling this need.

ELSEWHERE, Josh McCown is lined up to meet the Tampa Bay Bucs, the Houston Texans and then the Jets, in that order. Mike Freeman has also said that Mike Vick has told former teammates that his most likely destination is the New York Jets…so Mark Sanchez may not be very long for the world of Green and White.

A few other names, Dexter McCluster has actually signed with the Titans, not the Browns. Walter Thurmond is scheduled to visit the Jaguars tonight, where he could be reunited with his former defensive coordinator, Gus Bradley. Antoine Bethea signed with the 49ers, taking another safety off the market.