Jets football blog

Jets sign Plaxico Burress to one year deal

Plaxico Burress will have the chance to do what he recently talked about: try for Super Bowls on both New York teams.

More importantly, the Jets have given the 33-year-old receiver a second chance at the NFL, after serving nearly two years in prison for gun possession.

Burress and the Jets agreed to terms on a deal this morning, the team confirmed. ESPN first reported the move, reportedly a 1-year deal for $3.017 million fully guaranteed. (continue)

 

Jets sign Eric Smith to 3 year deal

Eric Smith has agreed to terms on a three-year deal with the Jets, according a person with knowledge of the deal. That person requested anonymity because the Jets have not yet announced the move. Retaining Smith is good news for the secondary, just hours after the Jets lost out in the Nnamdi Asomugha sweepstakes. Entering free agency, the team had just one true safety under contract, Jim Leonhard, who is coming off a season-ending tibia fracture. (continue)

Jets will not sign Nnamdi Asomugha

The Jets have dropped out of the bidding for Nnamdi Asomugha, leaving the free agent cornerback to sign with the Cowboys, NFL Network reports.

The Cowboys emerged as the Jets' competition Friday, with players, including quarterback Tony Romo, willing to restructure their contracts, according to NFLN.

Reports of fist pumps between Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and his coaching staff on the practice field emerged Friday afternoon, NFLN said.

The Jets employed the same tactic, according to NFLN, restructuring the contracts of linebacker Bart Scott, linebacker Calvin Pace, running back LaDainian Tomlinson and offensive lineman Brandon Moore.

They also released back quarterback Mark Brunell and are expected to re-sign him at a lower rate.

It may not have been enough to keep Asomugha from the Cowboys. Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, twin brother of Jets coach Rex, coached the All-Pro for five years in Oakland, and Dallas also holds the financial advantage no state income tax in Texas. (continue)

Jets sign WR Santonio Holmes

Santonio Holmes, the speedy wide receiver with a knack for acrobatic catches in tight spaces, has agreed to a deal to stay with the Jets, according to league sources. It is believed to be a five-year deal.

Holmes, 27, was the Jets' top priority and was also reportedly initially atop the Redskins' wish list. But Washington agreed to terms with Santana Moss on Tuesday and agreed to terms with another free agent wideout, Donte' Stallworth on Wednesday morning.

Holmes was considered the top offensive free agent on the market. The top defensive free agent, cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, has also been contacted by the Jets. (continue)

Mark Sanchez willing to restructure contract

Mark Sanchez said he'd be willing to re-structure his contract to ease the Jets' salary-cap burdens now that the quick free agent signing period is underway.

Among other players, the Jets stand to lose Braylon Edwards and Santonio Holmes if they cannot make a deal.

"Absolutely. My agent has already talked to me about it,'' Sanchez said. "So whatever we need to do to win, it's on. I think our whole team feels that way. (Darrelle) Revis, me, whatever.''

Sanchez said he's confident team management feels that way, too.

"Whatever it takes. That's (Mike) Tannenbaum, (Woody) Johnson, Rex's third down conversion.That's them trying to throw touchdown pass, that's them getting a sack. That's what we do on the field. Well this is what they do in the offseason,'' he said. "I know they'll position us and acquire the best talent we possibly can with the finances we have. (continue)

Jets top free agents 2011

Antonio Cromartie CB RFA

Braylon Edwards WR UFA

Shaun Ellis DE UFA

Santonio Holmes WR RFA

Brad Smith WR/KR RFA

Jets to pay back wages

This morning at 9, the entire Jets organization gathered in the auditorium of the team's Florham Park facility for a brief meeting.

With the end of the lockout now on the horizon, owner Woody Johnson, general manager Mike Tannenbaum and coach Rex Ryan addressed both business and football-side employees. Their message, according to a person who was at the meeting: thanks for weathering the work stoppage, and now let's get back to work. That person requested anonymity because it was an internal meeting. (ledger)

Unlikely Jets can keep Holmes and Edwards

Braylon Edwards leaves little doubt where his heart is, again making it clear that his preference is to suit up for the Jets in 2011.

There was essentially no hesitation Friday when the wide receiver was asked if continuing his career in New York was at the top of his free-agent wish list.

"Most definitely," Edwards told reporters after pleading guilty to a DWI charge stemming from his September arrest in Manhattan. "I'm glad that we got it resolved today before free agency is officially open. So that's definitely good for us, but at the same time, I don't know. You may have some teams that are leery. You may have some teams, hopefully the one I'm standing in now, that are OK with it.

"I can't really speculate what they're going to do."

But whether Edwards gets his wish remains to be seen. The Jets have a huge decision to make with their free-agent wide receivers. They likely won't be able to retain Edwards, Santonio Holmes and Brad Smith because of the $120.4-million salary cap. (continue)

Oft injured Kris Jenkins retires

Kris Jenkins' star-crossed career came to an end Wednesday when the free agent nose tackle announced his retirement on his Facebook page.

"Wanted to let you all know that I have loved the support and respect that you all have given me throughout my career," Jenkins wrote. "But it is time for the torch to be passed to the younger players. I am going to hang up the cleats! The mind is always willing to play but my body deserves the rest. Thank you for the (opportunities) to play Carolina and New York." (continue)

Cromartie must be shown the money or the door

With the NFL and the players in the final stages of working out a new labor deal, free agency could be right around the corner. One of the Jets' top priorities once the league returns to business is to re-sign Antonio Cromartie --- but the free-agent cornerback said in an interview today that he won't settle for a hometown discount.

"I would love to be a Jet at the end of day, but I also want to go out and see what the market is, see what the value is," Cromartie told hosts Adam Schein and Rich Gannon on SiriusXM NFL radio this morning. "To me there's no such thing as (a) hometown discount; I'm not giving anybody (a) hometown discount. I'm definitely going to see what the organization says, and then also let them know that I would like to go out and test the market and see what my value is." (continue)