Jets football blog

That was quick. Jets trade Derrick Mason

Two days after Derrick Mason was demoted in favor of a rookie receiver, the Jets traded the 15-year veteran to Houston for a conditional draft choice, a person with knowledge of the trade confirmed.

That person requested anonymity because the team has not yet announced the trade. The Houston Chronicle was the first to report the move.

Mason signed a two-year deal with the Jets in training camp to replace Jerricho Cotchery, who requested his release from the team. Mason was used as the No. 3 receiver behind Santonio Holmes and Plaxico Burress, and coach Rex Ryan boldly predicted Mason might catch 90 to 100 passes this season. (continue)

Jets trade Lowery to Jags

The Jets pulled off a pair of trades and waived 26 players to trim their roster to 53 a week before kicking off the season in prime time against the Cowboys.

Gang Green Saturday acquired Packers rookie offensive lineman Caleb Schlauderaff for an undisclosed conditional draft pick and traded defensive back Dwight Lowery to the Jaguars for an undisclosed draft pick.

Despite the flurry of activity the past two days, more roster changes are likely on the horizon as the Jets scan the waiver wire in the next day or so.

"That's always a possibility," Rex Ryan said Saturday night. "If we think there's an opportunity to upgrade our football team... We have a history of doing that and we'll certainly look at all possibilities."

The Jets' coaches and scouting department gave Schlauderaff "high grades" coming out of college, Ryan said. Saturday, the coach rewatched tapes of the former Utah guard with GM Mike Tannenbaum and offensive line coach Bill Callahan before proposing a deal to Green Bay. (continue)

WR Mason signs with Jets

Receiver Derrick Mason is headed to the Jets, he announced on his Twitter account today.

“Jet fuel is full time to fly!!!!!” Mason wrote.

The Jets courted Mason as a replacement for Jerricho Cotchery, the longtime Jets receiver who was released Thursday after requesting to part ways with the organization. Mason visited the team’s facility that same day.

Rex Ryan said Friday that he thought Mason would have to leave money on the table to come to the Jets. Baltimore wanted to bring him back, and Tennessee was also in the mix, but Mason chose to join Ryan. (continue)

Jets sign Cromartie

The cornerback has agreed to terms, according to a league source. The deal is worth a reported $32 million, and secures a major need the Jets have: a veteran cornerback to play opposite Darrelle Revis.

Cromartie, who was hot and cold at times with the Jets last season, is a consolation prize of sorts, really only signed because the Jets were jilted by Nnamdi Asomugha bolting to the Eagles. Asomugha, the most sought after free agent on the market, inked a five-year, $60 million with $25 million guaranteed. (continue)

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)

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)