15ish Free Agents Coming to Hempstead
Posted on April 30th, 2007 by Bassett
After Mangini’s plea (see right sidebar on NFL.com) to undrafteds on the NFL Network yesterday, the Jets have already been busy on the phones, trying to line up more than a few guys to bring in. They told the press last night that the Jets will sign about 15 rookie free agents. The first names to be made public are:
- Leonard Peters: S, Hawaii — Peters if you’ll remember was eyed seriously by the Jets, and who Peters said he felt most comfortable with Mangini. Apparently they ‘promised’ that they wouldn’t draft a safety if he would sign with them (probably in round 7). I think he’s a guy Mangini will try to get on the final roster as best he can.
- Brett Ratliff: QB, Utah — I would imagine he’s just a “camp arm,” but if the Jets see what they need from Clemens, and Ratliff suprises, you never know.
- Mark Zalewski: LB, Wisconsin –6′1″ 236, the Badger signed last night.
- Kyle Steffes: RB, North Dakota State — 5-foot-11, 209-signed a free agent contract with the New York Jets. Steffes was a three-time all-conference selection.
- Jessie Allen: FB, Virginia Tech — 6′0″ 252 pound thumper, he almost signed with the Rams, but he wanted to wait 15 minutes for the Jets.
- Mike DeVito: DT, Maine — He was the team captain at Maine, and was cheering against getting picked once the Jets picked Chansi Stuckey.
- Matt King: DE, Maine — Teammate and co-captain with DeVito, Jim Hermann called him to tell him to hang on. They will be together in Green.
- Kevin McCollough, LB Cincinnati — 6′2″ 240 first-team all-Big East player, signed last night with the Jets.
- Andrew Wicker, OG Ole Miss — 6′5″ 294, the prospect, signed Sunday night with the Jets.
- Dominic Moran, OG Western Michigan — Teammate and QB Ryan Cubit said he signed yesterday with the Jets.
- Alvin Banks, RB James Madison – Yes! Move over Corey Davis (BUF), a JMUer is on the Jets! 5′10″ 215 pounds and a 40-yard dash in 4.51.
- Dustin Osborn, WR Colorado State — 6′0″, 185 lbs. Osbone who signed with the Jets, walked-on and later earned a scholarship at CSU. Missed two games due to an ankle injury in 2006, leading the Rams in yards per reception.
- Tim Lindsey, LS — Might try out with the team, if the Redskins don’t pick him up first.
UPDATE: Our thanks to Chris Fells, according to David Ball’s agent, he is joining the Chicago Bears…
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I quite like Ratliff and he came on strong at the end of the year, so maybe things started to click for him. Never would have drafted him.
Would’ve been happy to draft Peters though. Big hitter, flies about, should be good on ST.
Zalewski, Allen and Devito are pretty good pick-ups too.
I think Andrew Wicker OL Ole Miss can be added to the list, unless the report I had was wrong. Raw, aggressive small-ish, not very mobile guard.
I spoke with Ball’s agent this morning and he has signed a free agent deal with Chicago. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
I hope they get Dawson, because he was SD99’s favourite (sic)!
Hi Chris, thanks for the update… good for him, shame for us … :(
Brian,
My pleasure. I interviewed David for an NFL Draft show we did and I was hoping David would catch on somewhere. He is a great kid, with some tremendous hands. If he didn’t have the bad quad, his 40 time would have been better at the Combine, and almost without a doubt he would have been drafted.
You have a great blog going here, and keep it up. Too bad you aren’t a Niner fan……Hey, I may be a broadcaster and writer, but I still have my team.
Crushed Walter Thomas was not on the list.
Only FA who if he turns it around could be a pro bowler given rare combination of size and speed.
Just disappointed.
h
Another agent was on here at the weekend saying that Anthony Montgomery (PK, Boise State) had been contacted by the Jets. Interesting to see if he gets picked up. Dunno if he can kick off, but he made 12 straight FGs at the end of the season (only one was 40+ though).
Has anyone heard anything about DT/NT Kelly Talavou out of Utah? I don’t think he was drafted or signed by anyone yet and he could be a good fit for our 3-4 nose position.
I’m surprised we didn’t go after Ball a little harder, sounds like the next Wayne Cherbet to me.
Bent, thanks for the shout out. Dawson’s a great kid and would be perfect for training camp to push the other RBs. I’m not sure he has NFL-caliber talent, but he couldn’t have done much better in the Ivy League (all-time rushing and TD leader). He’s very shifty, sets up blocks perfectly and has great hands. Probably will play in the CFL because he’s Canadian.
I know that I’m the only one who cares, but Dawson was signed by the Colts and, as of now, was the only RB drafted or signed by the Colts this year. He has an uphill battle, but he has a great opportunity.
I hate to be picky, but the last name is “Fells”…….
Hi Chris, actually just noticed when i re-read .. my apologies
Another addition to the list: Dustin Osborn who is a 6′0″ 194 WR/PR from Colorado State and is noted as a good leader.
Moran is a versatile 303 pound lineman, who can play both guard and tackle.