Jets football blog

Jets energized by Ryan

Bart Scott wasn't with the Jets last year. He wasn't in the team meetings, in the practices, in the new facility in New Jersey.

But Scott can feel a dramatically different vibe about the team right now under the new leadership of Rex Ryan, the Jets new head coach who was hired in February.

"The whole building is buzzing," Scott said. "I think for guys sometimes change is good. There is a breath of fresh air with Rex here." Continue

Kerry (I am the GM) Rhodes not a fan of Cutler

For Kellen Clemens, the Jay Cutler-to-the-Jets speculation has created a sense of déja vu. For Kerry Rhodes, it's more like a case of déja boo.

Rhodes isn't a fan of the Broncos' disgruntled quarterback, who wants out of Denver. According to the popular safety, Cutler has a big head to match that big right arm. If the Jets end up trading for Cutler - they already have placed an inquiring call to the Broncos - it could cause an uneasy tension in the locker room. Continue

Leon Washington seeking new contract

 Leon Washington is looking for a new contract, just as Thomas Jones is. But, unlike Jones, Washington has been at the Jets' facility since the team's "voluntary" offseason conditioning program began last week.

"Other guys have different purposes," Washington said yesterday. "A lot of guys across the league work out on their own. My thing is I'd rather be with my team and have that relationship throughout the whole year."

Washington, who made it clear several times that he was not criticizing Jones, has one year left on the four-year deal he signed after the Jets drafted him in the fourth round in 2006. He is due to make slightly more than $600,000 this season. Continue

Jets sign CB Stickland

Finally filling their need for a proven third cornerback, the Jets signed former 49er Donald Strickland Wednesday to a three-year contract.

The former third-round pick, waived by the Colts and Eagles, played the last three seasons in San Francisco, starting 10 games. Strickland was used mostly as the slot corner in the nickel package, his projected role with the Jets. Continue

Door for Cutler trade still open

As the Jets continue to closely monitor the Jay Cutler situation in Denver, Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels yesterday strongly stated that he has no intention of trading his franchise quarterback away to the Jets or anyone else.

McDaniels, in an interview with the NFL Network yesterday from the NFL meetings in California, said this of Cutler: "He's our quarterback, we want him to be our quarterback, we made that very clear to him and we hope he feels the same way." Continue

Jets make it known they want Cutler

Jay Cutler wants out of Denver and the Jets have told the Broncos they want him if they decide to trade him.

Multiple sources told the Daily News Sunday at the opening of the NFL meetings that Jets Gm Mike Tannenbaum contacted the Broncos to let them know the Jets are very interested in trading for Cutler. But the Jets have yet to make a trade offer, and the Broncos have not said what they want, because Denver has not determined the Cutler situation is beyond repair. Continue

Jets should pry Cutler loose

The Jets passed on Jay Cutler in the 2006 draft and were prepared to pass on him a second time if they had the opportunity. They can't do it a third time if the Broncos are unable to settle his feud with Josh McDaniels, a 32-year-old rookie head coach who is in way over his head.

Jets coach Rex Ryan is not going to be visiting the White House any time soon, at least not with his team, if the Jets stick with the Kellen Clemens vs. Brett Ratliff yawner in training camp. The NFL meetings open Sunday in Dana Point, Calif., and GM Mike Tannenbaum needs to come home with Cutler or at least be the leader in trade talks heading into next month's draft. Continue

Jets may go through Mangini and Browns to try get Jay Cutler

If the Jets decide to make a strong play for Broncos QB Jay Cutler, who could wind up on the trading block in the coming days, they may need help from a certain Cleveland resident whom they unceremoniously dumped - Eric Mangini.

Wouldn't that be a trip?

The Jets have the need, the cap room and the draft-pick ammunition to make a serious offer for Cutler, but the one thing they probably don't have is a quarterback the Broncos would take in return.

That's where Mangini and the Browns would come in. Continue

Thomas Jones misses 2nd day of offseason conditioning program

RB Thomas Jones missed a second straight day of Rex Ryan's inaugural offseason conditioning program, fueling speculation that the AFC rushing champ is unhappy with his contract.

Jones is entering the third year of a four-year, $20 million contract, which he signed at the time of his trade from the Bears, but his base salary for the coming season is only $900,000. Jones' agent, Drew Rosenhaus, approached the Jets about a renegotiation at last month's scouting combine in Indianapolis, according to a league source.

Rosenhaus didn't return calls for comment. Jets spokesman Bruce Speight refused to comment. Asked if there's a simple, non-contract-related reason for the absences, Speight once again declined to comment. Continue

Jets interested in thin skinned Cutler

If Jay Cutler successfully cries his way out of Denver, the Jets can't be ruled out as a potential landing spot. A source said yesterday that the Jets are "paying attention" to the situation involving the Broncos quarterback, who wants to be traded.

Cutler made the request Sunday night through his agent, Bus Cook, several outlets reported. Cook also represents the retired Brett Favre, but a deal for this Cook client is a long way from happening, and just how interested the Jets are is not clear. It would seem to be a long shot, but general manager Mike Tannenbaum pulled off a stunner last summer by trading for Favre. Continue