Smizzy Posted February 23, 2006 Share Posted February 23, 2006 Jets take off into a new, younger era By Pat Kirwan NFL.com Senior Analyst (Feb. 22, 2006) -- The new era for the Jets has officially taken off and it will be a youth movement. On Wednesday, general manager Mike Tannebaum announced the termination of the contracts of cornerback Ty Law (starter), tackle Jason Fabini (starter), quarterback Jay Fiedler (backup), defensive tackle Lance Legree (role player), linebacker Barry Gardner (backup), fullback Jerald Sowell (starter) and wide receiver Harry Williams (backup). The cutting of the seven players will combine to create close to $16 million in salary-cap space for the franchise, but the work is far from done as the Jets are projected to be close to $28 million over the salary cap when free agency is set to start on March 3. And with the franchise tag being placed on defensive end John Abraham at a value of over $8 million, I expect more cuts along the way in New York. The biggest challenge isn't cutting players or even renegotiating a few contracts to create salary-cap space -- Tannebaum knows how to do the cap work to get down under the $93 million number in time. The big challenge is replacing the talent on the field with equal or better talent for a cheaper price. Eric Mangini took over as Jets coach last month and already faces several roster challenges. I don't disagree with one move the Jets made, but when I realized that Law started 15 games, had 10 interceptions and 45 tackles and went to the Pro Bowl, it's clear someone has to step up from the roster or the draft. And, sure, Fabini missed seven games this year due to injury, but he also started all 114 games that he was on the active roster for the Jets. Coach Eric Mangini may really like the young tackles on the roster, but I'm sure Fabini will be missed as a third tackle or even a guard. Maybe he returns to the Jets at a later date for less money. Sowell started 30 games in the last two years and brought a solid effort every week. He may be able to be replaced with a young draft pick, but that's a pick they could have used on another position that may have had a glaring weakness. LeGree wasn't a starter, but as a rotating player he did account for 29 tackles and three sacks. That production has to be replaced. Fiedler never got his Jets career going with the injury bug hitting him right away, but the QB situation in New York is yet to be determined. Here's another guy who could return at a cheaper price later on if he's healthy and does not find a team to go to. After all, Vinny Testaverde returned when no one ever thought that would happen. The point is that while Tannebaum shaves the roster to comply with the cap rules, Mangini and his staff have to be looking to replace whatever talent and production these seven terminated players brought to the organization. The good news is that a lot of other teams are going through the same issues, it's just the Jets are the first team to get the ball rolling on trimming the cap. Maybe a few other players will take a pay cut, maybe they can trade Abraham for some draft picks, and maybe Mangini can uncover some of those bargain signings the Patriots were famous for over the past few years. My guess is it will take time, but the team is headed in the right direction. Patience and an eye for the future are the keys for Jets fans. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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