Jets likely must change course on FA-Wideouts

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Jets likely must change course on free-agent wideouts

Jets Blog

By BRIAN COSTELLO

Last Updated: 8:27 AM, June 22, 2011

Posted: 12:41 AM, June 22, 2011

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The Jets have hoped all offseason that they would be able to hold on to most of their big-name free agents when the NFL lockout ended.

Those hopes took a big hit yesterday with reports that part of the proposed new collective bargaining agreement is unrestricted free agency after four credited seasons. That would make wide receiver Santonio Holmes, cornerback Antonio Cromartie and wide receiver/kick returner Brad Smith unrestricted free agents. Each has five seasons under his belt.

There had been a thought the league might operate under the 2010 rules, which did not grant unrestricted status until after six credited seasons. Under those rules, the Jets' trio would have been restricted free agents, and the team would have been able to keep all three on one-year contracts.

The Jets also have wide receiver Braylon Edwards, who with six years' experience would have been unrestricted under either set of rules, to try to re-sign. Jets coach Rex Ryan and general manager Mike Tannenbaum have said they hoped to hold onto as many members of last year's team as possible. It now looks unlikely they can hold on to their top four free agents.

If the Jets lose Edwards or Holmes, they might have to turn to one of the controversial veteran receiving options that have been rumored all spring -- Plaxico Burress, Randy Moss or Terrell Owens.

Holmes was second on the team in receiving yards in 2010 to Edwards with 746 yards on 52 catches with six touchdowns despite missing the team's first four games due to a suspension. Cromartie tied for the team lead in interceptions (three) after coming over from the Chargers in a trade before last season. He is a key piece of the defense playing opposite Darrelle Revis.

Smith caught four passes for 44 yards, and ran for 299 yards and a touchdown, mainly out of the Wildcat formation. Smith also returned two kicks for touchdowns.

brian.costello@nypost.com

Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/jets/jets_likely_must_change_course_on_Okurn3afB7OEXXtTv4mh1O#ixzz1Q0tz1VLS

[Bleedin Green]

I honestly don't think there is anyone who possibly thought there would be the same RFA rules in place this year as last outside of some of these silly beat writers. Certainly not once it was clear that the league was not going to be forced to reopen by the courts, which was the only way they'd operate under the 2010 rules. A new CBA was never going to require 6 seasons accrued for UFA, under any circumstances.

Think of it this way, if the Jets thought there would be 6 years for UFA, they never would've wasted the franchise tag on Harris, who would've been an RFA, and instead would've slapped it on Edwards in order to keep all of their big name FAs.

[slats]

I honestly don't think there is anyone who possibly thought there would be the same RFA rules in place this year as last outside of some of these silly beat writers.

+1

BS article. NFL execs knew what was coming.

They're trying to make a big deal about Brad Smith, too. People cried over losing Leon Washington, and Brad Smith stepped right in and did everything Leon could do and the team didn't miss a beat. Between Joe McKnight, this Kerley kid, Kyle Wilson, etc., the Jets will more than fill the void when Brad Smith goes - and he will go. Just like Leon took over for Justin Miller.

[Bleedin Green]

+1

BS article. NFL execs knew what was coming.

They're trying to make a big deal about Brad Smith, too. People cried over losing Leon Washington, and Brad Smith stepped right in and did everything Leon could do and the team didn't miss a beat. Between Joe McKnight, this Kerley kid, Kyle Wilson, etc., the Jets will more than fill the void when Brad Smith goes - and he will go. Just like Leon took over for Justin Miller.

Absolutely agree on Smith. With the crowd at RB, I have no doubt the repeated talks about McKnight's increased involvement in the offense is their expectation for him to take over much of Smith's role. Not to mention the guy has already shown himself to be a hell of a gunner on ST, which accounts for another of Smith's jobs. When you combine the other guys you mentioned, there's nothing that Smith did that they can't replace. Perhaps Smith was a more experienced passer than any of these guys, but how many throws did he have in his entire Jets career... 5 or so? While maybe no single player can take over all of the responsibilities Smith had, as long as there's someone to fill in all of the holes that doesn't really matter, and each of these guys (theoretically) has value on other spots of field as well, so it's not like they're being kept around just to replace him. I think the Jets will throw an offer out there just in case he's willing to stay cheap, but they're not going to fork out a lot of cash for him and I'm sure they expect him to be gone.