Sporting News Team Update!!!!3/12/06

[The Fat Man]

http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/teams/jets/index.html

Jets Team Report

3/12/2006

By Rich Cimini

New York Daily News

Rookie G.M. Mike Tannenbaum did an outstanding job of cleaning up the cap situation -- a mess he helped create under the previous regime, it should be noted. By cutting eight players and re-working at least eight contracts, he cleared about $40 million in cap room, leaving the Jets about $14 million under the cap. They'll get another $8.3 million when DE John Abraham is traded, allowing them to recoup the amount of his franchise tender. Now comes the tricky part for Tannenbaum: Replenishing the roster. He's a neophyte in terms of making personnel decisions and, with money to burn and holes to fill, there will be plenty of decisions. They also have the fourth overall pick, creating a myriad of trading scenarios. It will take a lot of savvy to navigate these waters. You're on the clock, Mr. T. . . . After cutting former Pro Bowl C Kevin Mawae, the Jets appear to have a gaping hole in the middle of the line. But maybe not. A relative unknown could get a shot at the starting job -- Norm Katnik, who was nothing more than a blip on the transaction wire last season. The Jets signed him off the 49ers' practice squad last November and, although he never got into a game, Katnik made a strong impression in practice. Katnik (6-4, 280) is undersized, but he has the kind of body frame that can handle more weight. He's intelligent and technically proficient, a sleeper who might get a chance to replace Mawae. The Jets got a tip on Katnick from RT Scott Gragg, who played with him in San Francisco. Gragg retired after only one season with the Jets, but he might have made a lasting impact by recommending Katnick to the personnel department. . . . The Jets believe that RB Curtis Martin, 33 in May, can get the job done for at least another season. Therefore, it's not a high-priority position in the draft, although it wouldn't be a surprise if they pick a back in the second or third round. The Jets also have capable backups, Derrick Blaylock and Cedric Houston. Martin, recovering from minor knee surgery, will be highly motivated to prove he's not washed up.

DEFENSIVE ADJUSTMENTS: New coach Eric Mangini hasn't announced his plans, but it seems clear that he's trying to install a 3-4 scheme. That will take a lot of moving and shaking, considering they don't have a nose tackle and have only three experienced linebackers under contract. But, so far, they've been looking at two-gap linemen in free agency (there's interest in DE Kimo von Oelhoffen) and that's a sure sign that the 4-3 could be a thing of the past. DT Dewayne Robertson and DE Bryan Thomas aren't good fits in a 3-4, so the change would raise questions about their future.

OFF-SEASON PROGRAM: March 20. The Jets finished 2005 with a dozen players on injured reserve, a poor reflection on the old program. There's a new sheriff in town and, unlike the old one, he'll drop the hammer.

[mbn007]

OFF-SEASON PROGRAM: March 20. The Jets finished 2005 with a dozen players on injured reserve, a poor reflection on the old program. There's a new sheriff in town and, unlike the old one, he'll drop the hammer.

Now this would be welcome news. There is no doubt that the team as a whole was not in the best of condition for much of the year, and a lot has to do with the off-season program.

[Sperm Edwards]

Now this would be welcome news. There is no doubt that the team as a whole was not in the best of condition for much of the year, and a lot has to do with the off-season program.

The in-season program wasn't all that great either.

[tonysxl1200c]

$40M is unbelieveable!! Also, that was all done in about a 3 week span. Like many others have said, making the cuts and clearing room was relatively easy compared to filling those holes back up, and doing it cheap with good young players.