Jets Takeoff

The Jets lost one of the most valuable members of their team today when all-purpose star Brad Smith agreed to a contract with the division-rival Buffalo Bills. The deal is reportedly worth $15 million over four years. Teams can begin signing free agents on Friday.

I thought the Jets would make a big attempt to keep Smith, but it appears they may have their sights set elsewhere, possibly on the free agent cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha. Their own cornerback, Antonio Cromartie, is also a free agent, as is wide receiver Braylon Edwards and others. New York agreed with Santonio Holmes on a new five year, $50 million contract yesterday.

Smith did everything for the Jets in his five seasons with the team. He will certainly be missed, but with salary cap considerations, changes to kickoff rules, and perhaps the team’s pursuit of bigger stars, Brad Smith is no longer a Jet.

The Jets will report to their Florham Park headquarters on Sunday and will take the field for the first day of camp on Monday. Here’s the training camp information released by the Jets:

The New York Jets officially begin their 2011 training camp on Monday, Aug. 1, at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center in Florham Park, N.J. This marks the first time the Jets will host training camp at the team headquarters.

The Jets also announced they will again return to New York’s Long Island for a practice on Thursday, Aug. 25, at Hofstra University. Training Camp is presented by JetBlue, MetLife, The Record, SportsNet New York and Toyota.

Players will check in on Sunday, July 31, and take the field for the first time the next day. The first practice open to the public is Tuesday, Aug. 2. Look for times of practices in the coming days on newyorkjets.com. 

While the Jets invite fans to attend practices, note that practice may be canceled or closed to the public due to inclement weather. For the most up-to-date news regarding practice schedules, fans are encouraged to call the team’s fan line at (973) 549-4844 or go to newyorkjets.com. Fans can also RSVP for the practice they’ll be attending on facebook.com/jets.

Offsite parking is available across from Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. The lot is within walking distance of the facility and shuttle service will be available. The parking lot can be accessed from Park Avenue. Once on Park Avenue, fans will be asked to follow the posted signs.

The Jets No. 1 priority heading into the NFL’s free agency period was to re-sign wide receiver Santonio Holmes. Though the Washington Redskins were reportedly ready to throw big money at Holmes, the Jets have inked him to a new deal, reportedly worth $50 million over five years, with $24 million guaranteed.

Now the Jets can turn their attention to the cornerback position, where priority No. 2 is re-signing Antonio Cromartie. There are also reports that say the Jets will reach out to free agent Nnamdi Asomugha who is considered to be the second best cornerback in the league, right behind New York’s Darrelle Revis.

The Jets also have Brad Smith, Braylon Edwards, and 13 others who are free agents. Signing Holmes, though, was their top priority.

Shortly after the lockout ended yesterday, Jets head coach Rex Ryan delivered this message to fans:

The NFL lockout is officially over! When you visit the the Jets website, that’s the picture you’ll see. Here’s owner Woody Johnson’s message to fans posted earlier today on newyorkjets.com:

I am pleased to share with you that we have come to terms on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement and the 2011 season is under way.

I look forward to welcoming the players back and being with all of you when the team takes the field. Your loyalty and passion help fuel us on a daily basis and drive our pursuit of a championship.

This agreement would not have been possible without a lot of hard work and compromise on both sides. I would like to express my gratitude to all involved, in particular Roger Goodell and DeMaurice Smith as well as the host of owners and players that contributed to this effort.

It all starts now. The players are returning, Mike and Rex have never been more ready, and Jets football is officially back. I hope you’re ready for what I’m confident will be a memorable 2011 season.

Go Jets!

Tom Moore and Peyton Manning (Indianapolis Star photo)

The Jets have hired former Indianapolis Colts assistant coach Tom Moore as a consultant. Moore, 72, has been a coach for 48 years, 34 in the NFL, and served from 1998-2009 as Peyton Manning’s offensive coordinator.

“Rex [Ryan] and I go way back,” Moore said Thursday in a story first reported by the New York Post. “We’ve had some great games against each other. I just have so much respect for Rex and his staff and the organization. When he made the offer, I couldn’t refuse it.

“I want to keep involved in the game. I’m 72 years young. I want to keep involved. This gives me a chance. I have such great respect for Rex and his staff and the organization. It’s great.”

Moore will work from his home in South Carolina, breaking down film and offering any help he can.

When asked about Mark Sanchez, Moore praised the third-year quarterback.

“I think he’s excellent,” Moore said. “He’s done an excellent job. I haven’t seen him in person but the record speaks for itself. [Quarterbacks coach Matt Cavanaugh and offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer have] done a great job of implementing things that he’s proficient at and that’s what coaching’s about.”

Great move by the Jets. This was Peyton Manning’s guy. That’s all I need to know.

Last week, in a live broadcast from Citi Field before the Mets hosted the Phillies, WFUV’s Chris Quagliata and Amit Badlani had Mark Sanchez on the One on One sports show to talk about the NFL lockout, his offseason, and the upcoming season.

Following his appearance, the Jets quarterback posted this on his Twitter page:

thx for having me on the air today.

And that, Jets fans, is another example of how special this kid is. How many NFL quarterbacks, after appearing on a radio show with two college students, would tweet about it and thank the show for having him on? It becomes more and more obvious every day why the Jets drafted him.

One on One, heard Saturdays from 1 to 4 p.m. on 90.7FM, is New York’s longest-running sports call-in show.

Click here to listen to the interview.

Nnamdi Asomugha

I’ve been saying for two years that Darrelle Revis is the best cornerback in football. Nnamdi Asomugha may be No. 2. The free agent who has spent his entire eight-year career in Oakland has had just three interceptions the last four years – none last year. The reason? Like Revis (no interceptions last season), he’s so good that no quarterback will throw his way.

Asomugha is 30 years old. He’s never played less than 14 games. And he has a chance now to get out of Oakland. There will be plenty of suitors, with the Houston Texans making the most noise. The price tag will be high.

Yesterday, I said that the Jets need to bring back Santonio Holmes and Antonio Cromartie, and that re-signing Brad Smith would be nice. I’m not deviating from that plan, but last weekend I started to think about how dominant the Jets would be if they signed Asomugha to play opposite Revis. Think about it: Teams would not be able to throw against the Jets. They’d have the two best cornerbacks in the game. And this is a team that has to get by Brady and Manning and Roethlisberger to name just a few.

Now, Asomugha will cost you big bucks, probably more than Revis got last year. That will be a problem financially and that will be a problem with Revis. The Jets probably would have no money left under the cap which means Holmes and Cromartie would most likely be gone, and I may have to suit up and run the football a couple times.

I’m not saying the Jets should do it, and I don’t think they will. But what a thought it would be to have Asomugha make Revis Island his new home.