Jets football blog

Jets expecting Sanchez to win job

Mark Sanchez has six weeks to prove to Rex Ryan that he's ready to start the Jets season opener in Houston on Sept. 13.

Even though veteran backup Kellen Clemens will take the first-team snaps when the Jets step on the field Friday morning at 8:15 for their first training camp practice up here at SUNY-Cortland, about as off-Broadway as it gets, it will be disappointing to the Jets if Sanchez doesn't show enough for Ryan to start him right away. Continue

Jets closer yet with Leon Washington

Jets RB Leon Washington probably isn't going to receive his coveted contract extension before Thursday's training-camp reporting deadline, but the two sides have made enough progress in recent days that a long-term deal appears likely in the coming days, sources said Wednesday night.

Washington's agent, Alvin Keels, had a face-to-face meeting yesterday with GM Mike Tannenbaum, hoping to hammer out a contract before camp starts at upstate SUNY-Cortland. Washington has been threatening to hold out, which would cost him about $17,000 in mandatory daily fines. Continue

Jets getting closer with Washington

It's crunch time in the Leon Washington negotiations.

With veterans due to report Thursday to training camp at SUNY Cortland, the Jets have stepped up discussions with the big-play running back, who is threatening a holdout.

Washington, seeking a long-term extension, still hasn't decided if he will report to camp under his existing contract, his agent, Alvin Keels, said Monday.

"It's a work in progress," Keels said of the negotiations, declining to offer specifics.
It's believed the Jets were preparing a new proposal to Washington, due to make $535,000 in the final year of his original contract. He's looking for at least $6 million per year. Continue

Sanchez will have a chance to shine in camp

Before he can be the next Broadway Joe, he’ll have to be Main Street Mark.

The Mark Sanchez era opens Friday in tiny Cortland, N.Y., the Jets’ training camp home for three weeks. By the time they leave “The Crown City” — aptly nicknamed because it’s 1,130 feet above sea level, highest altitude in the state — the Jets should have a sense of whether their prized rookie is ready to wear the crown abdicated by Brett Favre.

If not, the starting job will go to Kellen Clemens, the long-time understudy facing his now-or-never moment.

“It’ll be a long summer, a heavyweight title fight,” offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer said. “There will be good rounds and bad rounds. Hopefully, it’ll be easy for us and easy for the fans to figure out the winner.” Continue

Gholston to replace Pace

Vernon Cholston's rookie season wasn't very good, making many wonder if the Jets' 2008 first-round pick was a bust and not worthy of being drafted sixth overall.

From the day he was introduced as the Jets' coach in January, Rex Ryan expressed confidence that he would be able to get something out of the Ohio State product. Ryan continually lauded Gholston's progress during offseason training activities, saying he'll play a big role in the Jets' success in 2009.

All eyes were going to be on Gholston anyway, but now he's really going to be in the spotlight. Ryan said Wednesday that Gholston will be inserted into Calvin Pace's starting spot at outside linebacker for the first four games of the season. Continue

RB Washington being held up by Jets according to agent

Leon Washington's agent says a contract extension with the Jets is being delayed by the team, not the running back.

Alvin Keels used his Twitter page yesterday to reveal, "I can't say that I'm the one holding this deal up. I can only continue to work though."

Washington boycotted some of the Jets' offseason program in search of a contract extension, and is thought to want a multiyear deal worth at least $5 million per season. He did participate in the final minicamp.

The team opens training camp July 30. It is unknown if Washington will report on time.

Keels wrote, "I'm not good with odds, but I can say that getting an extension means a lot to LW. We will see what happens." Continue

Leon Washington may still holdout

Still without A long-term contract, Jets RB Leon Washington indicated Tuesday that he's still mulling the possibility of a training-camp holdout. Veterans are due to report July 30 at SUNY-Cortland.

"I do not know," Washington said in a phone interview, when asked if he'll show up on time. "Honestly, the situation is pretty much the same as it was in minicamp (last month). We're at a standstill. Not a standstill, but nothing has really changed." Continue

Gholston to fill Pace's shoes

Calvin Pace's loss could be Vernon Gholston's gain.

At least that's what Kerry Rhodes hopes.

The Jets will be without Pace for the first four games of the season after the linebacker was suspended for violating the league's policy on performance enhancing substances, and Rhodes said he believes Gholston will be up to the task of replacing Pace.

"We've got capable guys and Gholston has learned the system and is doing better," Rhodes said of the Jets' former first-round pick, who struggled last year during his rookie season. "He's been through a whole year and he's older. And now he's going to be more aggressive and attack. But it's not just him. We're not going to put all the pressure on him."  Continue

LB Pace suspended 4 games to start season

Jets linebacker Calvin Pace has been suspended for the first four games of the 2009 NFL regular season for violating the league's performance-enhancing substance policy.

The NFL, announcing the suspension on Thursday, said Pace will be eligible to return after the Jets' Oct. 4 game against the Saints.

In a statement released by the Jets, Pace said the suspension stemmed from his use of an over-the-counter dietary supplement -- which he did not identify -- that contained a substance he did not know violated the policy.

"I am responsible for what I put into my body and I should have paid closer attention to the League's guidelines. I regret that this has happened and apologize to my teammates, the entire Jets organization as well as the fans," Pace said. "Hopefully, this does not distract from our ultimate goal of winning the Super Bowl." Continue