Buzz: Ramsey, Oelhoffen & Clement
Last night, Rich Cimini wrote on his blog that he expects the Jets to either trade or release Patrick Ramsey and Kimo Von Oelhoffen in the coming days before the new cap year. First the info on Ramsey:
With a $1.4 million roster bonus due Saturday, Ramsey is an obvious candidate to be jettisoned. The Jets are trying to trade Ramsey before the deadline. Failing that, they will release him and clear $2.1 million in cap space. For obvious reasons, they don’t want to pay the roster bonus.
Although this organization miraculously managed to trade Brooks Bollinger, as far as KVO, it doesn’t look like they are going to be able to do the same thing:
I’m also hearing there’s a good chance that DE Kimo von Oelhoffen, 36, will be released by the weekend. He’s due a $600,000 roster bonus Friday, and it’s believed the Jets are trying to get him to swallow a pay cut. If they keep him at his current contract, he’d make about $2.5 million in 2007, a ridiculous amount for a one-dimensional player (if that) who should consider retirement.
As far as Clement, it sounds like his agent has been in contact with the Jets, but they are letting him test the market, which I would have imagined. Although it might look bad that the Jets are going to release guys they just brought in last year, hindsight is always 20/20. At the time the Jets brought in Ramsey, they needed a vet to back up an unknown quantity in Pennington. If the organization thinks that Clemens is ready to be the two, then Ramsey served his purpose in the interim, and accumulated less yardage in green and white than Bent and I have combined for the Jets at QB (0 yards). For a sixth round pick, the deal was a steal, they also renegotiated his contract while leaving it cap friendly where they now look to save an extra $2.1 million in 2007 if they do release Ramsey.
As far as KVO, I don’t take their willingness to release him as a sign of weakness, it’s the contract they gave him, that I consider a weakness. At the time though they were desperate to find a replacement for Abraham who would fit the 3-4 scheme. It’s clear the Jets thought they could get two years of starting out of the aging lineman, but that just hasn’t worked itself out as his play has declined rapidly, in a system where, let’s face it, he didn’t have the support of an excellent system that had been in place for years. My friend Henigin (rabid Steelers fan) who posts here from time to time was shocked by the money the Jets gave him last year, and he was right. Although the initial move was questionable, getting rid of KVO is a clear sign that this organization is doing the right things, and is recognizant and accountable of their own mistakes.
Although burning the money on the cap always hurts, at least it wasn’t in a year when we really could have used it.
Again, another example of how this regime doesn’t care what happened in the past and looks at how can the team be better at present and for the future. I say clear that cap space and go after A. Thomas of BAL. How scary would it have been if Terry Bradway were still calling the shots?
These moves shouldn’t be a suprise. All these guys were just stop gap additions, not long term solutions. Would have liked to see KVO be at least decent peg. But I guess you can’t expect a 36 year old lineman to hang with these young guys. With the flux we had in the defense this year, I do give the guy credit though.
Now if we cut Ramsey what are we doing with our third QB position? Not that we require one, I do see Smith listed as our number 4.
This says one thing to me, the Jets are fully committed to improving this team, with every position and every coach. I love the fact that this new regime is not sitting back and being happy going 10-6, they want to constantly upgrade this team. As far as our third string QB goes, I don’t think we should be too concerned. I trust that the organization will find a capable QB after all the final cuts are made. I can’t see them using Brad Smith as the numder 3, but you never know with Mangini, he’s been pretty unconventional.
Nope. Bradtwan’s arm is not good, trust me, and there is no way he would be comfortable running our offense as presently constituted. Don’t worry, we’ll find someone. Hopefully someone who is good at holding a clipboard, because with any luck, that’ll be as far as their duties extend.
Could be looking at Joey Harrington, although I don’t see him as a number 3 QB. Any other QBs who might be released or are on the free agent market who could fill a veteran back-up or number 3 QB role?
there will be plenty, I’m sure after all the cuts..Holcomb, Rattay, hell maybe even Vinny
No one beleives me but David Carr may be in green and white, young accurate veteran he would make a perfect back up in this system and can be had for a 3rd or maybe even 4th round pick.
I guess, the thing is, if you are on your 3rd stringer then you are toast… one way or another. The only team I can think of that went to the playoffs with a third stringer was the Iggs back in 2002?/3? (Is that right, am I on crack?)
If the team thinks that Clemens is ready to fill the two… why wouldn’t you use the third roster spot for a guy they think they can groom and trade later on? Look at the Packers & Eagles for examples of that…