When the lockout ends and the NFL free agency period begins (probably at the beginning of next week), the Jets will be become an absolutely fascinating story. Really, when are they not?
As I explained yesterday, there are key unrestricted free agents up and down New York’s roster, most notably at wide receiver and in the secondary. Santonio Holmes, Antonio Cromartie, Brad Smith, and Braylon Edwards will all be on the market when the floodgates open.
There are cap considerations that must be dealt with before any of these players are signed - for example, the restructuring of contracts and releasing players. But when all is said and done, it may be unrealistic to think that the Jets will be able to bring back all four. While we don’t yet know what the cap number will look like, these guys will be expensive, the Jets have other needs and other players to take care of, and who knows what teams do to try to lure them away. I think it’s fair to say that if the Jets can bring back three of the four they’d have to be happy. Having said that, I think Holmes and Cromartie are priorities, with Smith next. Edwards is the odd man out. Here’s why:
Santonio Holmes and Antonio Cromartie. (CBS New York photo)
Santonio Holmes: He’ll cost the most and there will be plenty of suitors (the Redskins have been mentioned). In 12 games last season, Holmes had 52 catches and six touchdowns. He added nine receptions and two touchdowns in the playoffs. He’s a legitimate No. 1 and he has good chemistry with Mark Sanchez. Plus, that Jets dance he started is the greatest thing going. The Jets cannot afford to lose him; he’s the one free agent they have who’s irreplaceable.
Antonio Cromartie: He’s a perfect complement to Darrelle Revis. When Revis was out last year, the Jets relied on Cromartie to fill his shoes. He did just that. Unless New York has plans to sign Nnamdi Asomugha, Cromartie has to return. Kyle Wilson didn’t appear to be ready last year to play every down and Cromartie is too valuable to lose.
Brad Smith: One of the most versatile players in the NFL, and one of the most fun to watch. With what he brings to an offense and special teams, Smith is irreplaceable. While Holmes and Cromartie are musts, Smith is pretty close.
Braylon Edwards: If the Jets lose Edwards, a good receiver who fits in well on this team, they could make a run for Randy Moss or Plaxico Burress, maybe even Chad Ochocinco or Terrell Owens. Edwards had a good year last year (53 receptions, seven touchdowns in the regular season; nine catches and a touchdown in the playoffs), but if you had to let one of these guys walk, he’s the one who’s replaceable.
It’s been a long end of winter, spring, and now summer for the NFL. Today is Day 126 of the lockout with all signs pointing to a final resolution to the league’s labor dispute coming sometime this week. That will be followed by a few days unlike any the NFL – or any league for that matter - has ever seen. Free agent signings, rookie signings, trades, you name it, it will happen. ESPN New York’s Rich Cimini, who covers the Jets as well as anyone, has a great breakdown of Gang Green’s depth chart, with unrestricted free agents in caps and rookies in italics. Following Cimini’s list is my quick reaction (in italics):
OFFENSE
WR BRAYLON EDWARDS, BRAD SMITH, Patrick Turner, Logan Payne LT D’Brickashaw Ferguson LG Matt Slauson, Dennis Landolt C Nick Mangold, Rob Turner, Robby Felix RG Brandon Moore, Marlon Davis RT Vladimir Ducasse, WAYNE HUNTER TE Dustin Keller, Matt Mulligan, Jeff Cumberland WR SANTONIO HOLMES, Jerricho Cotchery, Jeremy Kerley, Scotty McKnight QB Mark Sanchez, Mark Brunell, KELLEN CLEMENS, Kevin O’Connell, Greg McElroy FB TONY RICHARDSON, John Conner RB Shonn Greene, LaDainian Tomlinson, Joe McKnight, Bilal Powell, Carlos Brown, Chris Jennings
DEFENSE
DE SHAUN ELLIS, Ropati Pitoitua, Muhammad Wilkerson NT Sione Pouha, Martin Tevaseu, Kenrick Ellis DT Mike DeVito, TREVOR PRYCE, Marcus Dixon, Jarron Gilbert, Matt Kroul, Carlton Powell OLB Calvin Pace, Garrett McIntyre ILB Bart Scott, Josh Mauga, Joey LaRocque, Brian Toal ILB David Harris, LANCE LAURY, Brashton Satele OLB Bryan Thomas, Jamaal Westerman, Brandon Long CB ANTONIO CROMARTIE, Kyle Wilson, Marquice Cole, Will Billingsley CB Darrelle Revis, DREW COLEMAN, Ellis Lankster, Richard Taylor S Jim Leonhard, Dwight Lowery, Emmanuel Cook S BRODNEY POOL, ERIC SMITH, JAMES IHEDIGBO
SPECIALISTS
PK NICK FOLK, Nick Novak P STEVE WEATHERFORD, T.J. Conley LS Tanner Purdum
That’s a lot of key players for one team about to hit the open market. Santonio Holmes, Braylon Edwards, Brad Smith, and Antonio Cromartie are the big four you keep hearing about. Take a look at the potential losses not just at wide receiver but also in the secondary. It starts with Cromartie, but Brodney Pool, Eric Smith, James Ihedigbo, and Drew Coleman are household names. And a Jets team without Shaun Ellis just doesn’t seem right.
Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez appeared last Wednesday on the Fox Business Network to talk about the NFL labor situation, the Jets, and his Sam’s Club healthy lifestyle campaign. He was interviewed by my old college pal, Connell McShane.
“Play an entire game in the AFC Championship game, not just a half,” the quarterback said when asked by McShane what the key was to the Jets getting to the Super Bowl.
New York has made it to the AFC Championship Game in each of Sanchez’s first two years in the league. The Jets lost to the Colts in 2010 after leading 17-13 at the half as Indianapolis outscored Gang Green 17-0 in the second half. New York lost to the Steelers 24-19 this past January despite a second half comeback after the Jets were down 24-3 at halftime. Both games were played on the road.
Jets owner Woody Johnson with New Jersey Governor Chris Christie before January's AFC Championship Game in Pittsburgh. (Andrew Mills/Star-Ledger photo)
Woody Johnson is a big believer in Mitt Romney - the Massachusetts Republican who has declared his presidential candidacy for 2012 - so much so that the Jets’ owner sees similarities between Romney’s run for the White House and his team’s bid for the Super Bowl. The Star-Ledger’s Jenny Vrentas explains:
The NFL’s work stoppage, which has lasted since March, has afforded Johnson more time for politics — but his involvement is much more than a lockout pastime. The Johnson & Johnson heir raised millions for the GOP during the 2008 presidential race, is well-regarded by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and said he would not rule out running for public office.
Johnson’s commitment to Romney’s campaign is equal parts “an honor” and an “intense” amount of work. But just as Johnson believes the coach of his team, Rex Ryan, will lead the Jets to the Super Bowl, he holds a similar conviction and trust in Romney’s ability to elevate America in tough economic times.
“Ultimately in football and politics,” Johnson said, “it’s all about the person who is leading the charge.”
This is a blog about the New York Jets, and I don’t want to go too deep into politics here. But I must say I have a lot of respect for Romney and I commend Johnson for supporting him. The article is a good read.
Forbes.com ranks the Jets as the world’s 10th most valuable sports franchise in its 2011 ranking, valuing the team at $1.14 billion. The Jets actually fell one spot from last year, possibly because of the trouble they’re still having selling personal seat licenses at the New Meadowlands Stadium. Still, it’s a tremendous complement to owner Woody Johnson and the Jets brand that they’re among the franchises you’ll see on this list. Here is Forbes’ Top 10:
1. Manchester United, $1.86 billion
2. Dallas Cowboys, $1.81 billion
3. New York Yankees, $1.7 billion
4. Washington Redskins, $1.55 billion
5. Real Madrid, $1.45 billion
6. New England Patriots, $1.37 billion
7. Arsenal, $1.19 billion
8. New York Giants, $1.18 billion
9. Houston Texans, $1.17 billion
10. New York Jets, $1.14 billion
Former Jets defensive lineman Marty Lyons, who is now the color commentator on the team’s radio broadcasts, has been elected to the College Football Hall of Fame.
Lyons, a 1979 first-round draft pick by the Jets after playing for the legendary coach Bear Bryant at Alabama, was an All American and the SEC Defensive Player of the Year in the 1978 season when the Crimson Tide won the national championship by defeating Penn State in the Sugar Bowl on January 1, 1979.
Lyons went on to become a member of the New York Sack Exchange, a group that combined for 66 sacks in 1981 as the Jets returned to the playoffs for the first time since 1969. Lyons retired following the 1989 season.
Newsday has put together a list of the top 10 Jets of all-time. I was fortunate enough to see five of the players on the paper’s list play - center Kevin Mawae (No. 9), wide receiver Al Toon (No. 7), defensive end Mark Gastineau (No. 6), defensive lineman Joe Klecko (No. 3), and running back Curtis Martin (No. 2). Here’s what Newsday says about the selection of Martin at No. 2:
Bill Parcells signed Martin as a restricted free agent from the Patriots, and it turned out to be one of the biggest acquisitions in franchise history. Martin led the Jets to the AFC Championship Game in his first season, and rushed for more than 1,000 yards every year until knee problems forced his retirement in 2005. With 14,101 career yards, Martin is a certain Hall of Famer.
Click here to read Newsday’s list. I bet you can guess who’s No. 1.
Legendary New York Daily News cartoonist and columnist Bill Gallo passed away Tuesday night at the age of 88. His career at the paper spanned 70 years, the last half century as a cartoonist. Here’s one of Jets quarterback Joe Namath from 1973:
Read the Daily News’ article on Gallo’s death here.
