Free Agency: 11th Hour Deals & Morning Movement
With hundreds of free agents ready to hit the market, things are getting a little loopy. Here’s a rundown on some of the guys the Jets might have had their eyes on come midnight tonight. We’re going to be up late, so we’ll do our best to keep you updated with whatever we find out leading up to, or just past the deadline.
Last update for me … heading to bed … see you bright & early, check Rotoworld for more.
Kris Jenkins, DT of NYJ? (UPDATED) — Hutch has noted that sources close to the Jenkins deal have said that “It’s a strong possibility that something will get done (with Jenkins).” We’ll keep our eye out.
Adam Schefter has reported that the Jets want Kris Jenkins. we ask if this is just a ploy to sweeten the deal with Detroit? We like Jenkins better than Rogers as a “total package.” According to Cimini, he thinks that Jenkins could command a third rounder from the Jets. Whether the pick will be whatever the Jets receive from the Saints is unclear (and unlikely at this point), but if they can pull that off … that would top Tannenbaum actually trading Brooks Bollinger. — 2/29 2:02PM EST
Patriot Games — We’ll see how this plays out, but has Moss decided to listen to the highest bidder, and the Pats’ signing of Kelley Washington doesn’t do much to dissuade that notion. The Pats also decided to let backup NT Rashad Moore hit the market. We know how much Tangini likes to pick up the Patriots trash for them … — 2/29 1:31AM EST
Asante Deal in Place With Philly (UPDATED) — PFT has learned from gcobb.com that Asante could very well have a deal already in place with the Philadelphia Eagles. Asante has agreed to visit the Eagles Friday. — 1:05AM EST
WR Bernard Berrian Gots to Get Paid! (UPDATED) — The Bears reportedly offered a guy who has yet to go for 1,000 yards $8 million guaranteed, and he turned it down. Apparently the Titans and Vike show are interested in going to $12 million and he has a visit in place with Minnesota on Friday. — 2/29 1:08AM EST
The Faneca Offer — Rich Cimini notes that the Jets could be looking at $8 million per year for Alan Faneca, and he expects that the Jets’ bid will outpace other teams like the Niners and Rams (no word on Cards). Cimini also expects the Jets to go after Damien Woody to play RT. 2/29 12:39 AM EST
The Bar is Set (UPDATED) — Ed Werder got the information on the Flozell Adams deal. Adams got a six year deal for over $42 million with $15 million in guaranteed money. Faneca is expected to receive more than that. Justin Smiley just got a five year deal worth $25million and $9 million bonus from the Dolphins — 2/29 12:18AM EST
Patience of a Saint? (UPDATED) — Newsday’s Tom Rock claims the Vilma deal to New Orleans is done and he hears it is a conditional pick in 2009 (we’ll get to what we really think about a conditional pick a year from now later) … Cimini on his blog is unsure of what Vilma would fetch. Could Jon Vilma be heading to New Orleans? Jason LaCanfora of the Washington Post writes that “very very close to beaing (sic) dealt.” The NO Times Picayune broke this story first here. No word yet on what the jets would get, but I am guessing a draft pick of some sort. The Times Picayune expects a deal to be announced tonight or tomorrow early. — 2/29 12:15AM EST
Plenty more after the jump …
Rogers & Denver a No Go — It looks like the Broncos won’t be looking for the services of one Shaun Rogers. (Thanks to Joe P.) — 11:45PM
Meanwhile in Kansas City … — The big free agent talk is centered around kicker Josh Brown. Herm, like I’ve said all along, year three is going to be a real charm for you!! — 9:54PM EST
Rogers for Stroud? — Sounds like from the LaCanfora’s report (above) that Marcus Stroud and Shaun Rogers could be dealt for each other. — 9:26PM EST
Faneca Update –Adam Caplan of Scout.com notes that the Jets, Niners and Cards will be the big players for the big Guard. — 9:02PM EST
DL Tommy Kelly Re-signs — Although he’s struggled with injuries, the Raiders like what they see in the young lineman and have locked him up for $50.5 million over seven years, and $18+ million guaranteed. Goo!! — 7:30PM EST
OT Flozell Adams Re-signs — Meaty veteran tackle Flozell Adams has come to terms with the Cowboys. No figures yet on the deal, other than it’s rumored to be six years. Keep that in mind when it comes to Faneca. — 7:30PM EST
WR Isaac Bruce Released — Bruce was served his walking papers today by the Rams. — 7:30PM EST
FB Lorenzo Neal Released — The Chargers have let the 37 year old Fullback go. He’s an excellent blocker, but is showing signs of age, could Schottenheimer make a push for him? — 7:30PM EST
Dolphins Want Rogers — The Jets could be hitting a speed bump in their dealings with Mo-Town if the Dolphins are really interested. Is Rogers a Parcells style guy? Hmmm … let’s ask LT and his coke-addled brain. — 7:20PM EST
Lorenzo Neal was a great FB, but do we even have use for a FB in this offense?
I know the Jets cut Sowell, but my understanding was that it was more based on a tight cap.
That being said, I think the better question is, have we had a good fullback in the past two years?
Lorenzo Neal *is* a great fullback, that’s all about $.
wow, thank god we don’t have a lame site name like that dolphins site. God, I really hate the dolphins!
Upgrade RT with Shane Olivea…cant be worse then Clement
lol, i thought the exact same thing – I think I’m going to hate the Dolphins a lot more in about 2 years, tho
if we come out of this with faneca, a servicable RT and Jenkins or Rodgers and only lose vilma; we have to be ecstatic. I know there are issues with the identified players (health, age, attitude + $$ for a LG) but that would really improve this team. We could then focus our efforts in the draft on OLBs, secondary depth, perhaps a downfield threat and OL depth.
Parcells trying to **** us again?…..I don’t think so as Rogers is not a Parcells guy. The vets he will bring in will be guys that he knows
On offense, Guard is the biggest concern for the Jets, getting an RT though important is less so, and they can find someone in the draft who could start there in the first three rounds.
on a side note, tonights episode of lost was great
How about this:
Jets trade Vilma to NO for a third round pick, then send the same pick to CAR for Jenkins.
Plausible?
Well here’s the latest update from ESPN… looks like the Jets might just give up their own third rounder for Jenkins.
Nearly a year after starting the process, the Carolina Panthers are about to unload disgruntled defensive tackle Kris Jenkins.
The Panthers and New York Jets have been in heavy trade discussions about the three-time Pro Bowler and a deal could be completed Friday, according to multiple sources. The Panthers tried to trade Jenkins before last year’s draft, but pulled back when they couldn’t get a first-round pick in return.
It’s likely they’ll willl settle for less (probably a third-round choice) this time to get rid of Jenkins, who, in July, said he didn’t like living in Charlotte. He also didn’t endear himself to the coaching staff by skipping last year’s voluntary workouts to spend time with family in the Washington, D.C. area..
The Jets are looking for a bigger defensive tackle to man the middle and it became clear after last season that Dewayne Robertson wasn’t who the team wanted in that role.
Jenkins, 28, is listed at 6-4 and 335 pounds, but his weight became an issue after he missed much of the 2004 and 2005 seasons with knee and shoulder injuries. He admitted to getting close to 400 pounds while he was sitting out, but got his weight under control and played well enough to make the Pro Bowl after the 2006 season. The Panthers are scheduled to pay Jenkins a $1 million roster bonus next week.
– Pat Yasinskas, ESPN.com and The Associated Press
Lions, Saints appear favorites to land Vilma
Linebacker Jonathan Vilma is moving closer to being traded away from the New York Jets, and he may get the word on his new team by as early as Friday.
This week, Vilma has visited with the New Orleans Saints and the Detroit Lions, and they appear to be the two teams ready to pull off a Vilma trade for a draft pick. Terms of the draft choice compensation is unknown.
A bone chip from a pre-existing condition from high school led to a November surgery that ended Vilma’s season and effectively ended his Jets career.
He only started jogging recently, but hopes to be running at full speed within a month. Vilma is in the last year of his contract.
did you see this in the times-picayune comments? about vilma..
“He will have to pass any physical before the trade is finalized. Rumor is that the knee injury could be a degenerative condition. However, it is a condition that several other players in the league suffer from and still manage to play.”
I hadn’t heard this rumor, did anybody know that?
where did you see that link melissa?
Joe – I knew that he has a condition that basically is chronic / degenerative … here’s the WebMD page on it
http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/osteochondritis-dessicans
Melissa – My hope is that Detroit comes in to make a last minute deal, but from what I hear, it’s the Saints and a conditional pick in 09
droseatwork: It’s on ESPN.com- Here’s the link
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3269418
But the story’s about the NFL in general- I just copied the part about the Jets.
Bassett- I heard a conditional pick too for Vilma, but I hope they get more, though knowing the Jets I doubt it.
if Cimini is right we are going BIG into this offseason – that’s awesome!
thanks for keepin me up to date guys…. my cable is out in my dorm room and i cant watch espn!!! you guys are my only source please keep the info coming!!!!
Great job so far Bassett, I’m just excited to hear that the JETs are busy right now. I think we all expected them to be, but after last offseason, I was a little worried. I have been waiting for this time of year since the early/middle portion of last season. The next two months should be a lot of fun, or really frustrating.
The key is getting Jenkins for a 3rd rounder. In my opinion, he is the one irreplacable piece of the puzzle (the massive and talented 3-4 NT-albeit who has never played in the 3-4 before). I would love to get Faneca, and Woody would be great, but worst case scenario we can maybe get those positions in the draft- it is far less likely we can get someone of the build and talent of Jenkins in the draft.
if all those deals come through, we look to be setting up to take Gholston
Over at ESPN, Clayton says that the Jenkins trade is a done deal, but it’s going to cost us our #3 AND #5. He also says that Vilma should be a Saint soon. He gives no definitive word on Faneca though.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3270118
I read about the 3rd and 5th for Jenkins as well…in my opinion its well worth it…especially considering we’ll most likely get a draft pick from New Orleans for Vilma. Lets hope they officially announce the Jenkins signing tomorrow afternoon, followed by at least an announced visit for Faneca.
good morning as well…..1010 WINS has vilma out for a conditional pick in 2009. it better be a high pick when he plays alot…cant just give him away. same report has faneca in for 4yrs/ 32 mil…and jenkins traded to us, no report how much its gonna cost. since u guys feel a 3rd and 5th is ok…i will trust you. the guy can play…
Well I heard that we might get a 2nd or 3rd for Vilma and or a conditional for 2009
The equivalent value of our 3rd and our 5th is the 53rd pick in the draft.
Don’t rule out the possibility that we retain Robertson (and/or draft a replacement?) and play Kris Jenkins at DE. I like him better there.
Jenkins contract is up at the end of next season too, so do we extend him, or wait and see how he goes?
We are two picks down for 2008 and already one up for 2009 (PK), so I hope Vilma nets us a 2008 pick (or there are more picks to be attained from other trades).
Agreed Bent. I’ve read/heard multiple scouts say this is the deepest draft in 5+ years in terms of the middle rounds. I’d hate to lose more picks in rounds 2-5 than we gain. I understand New Orleans wanting to give a conditional ‘09 only so they can ensure Vilma is healthy, but let’s at least nab a #5 for this year too.
The PK trade netted us a 4th in 2009 correct?
Yeah on the PK trade.
Can someone please tell me why putting Jenkins at end is smarter than at tackle? I just don’t see it…. at all. Does anybody really believe Robertson is that dominant? I feel like I keep bad mouthing him, but I wont call a duck a swan. Someone just fill me in.
There’s a number of reasons why that might be so. I’m not saying it IS smarter, just that it COULD BE.
Firstly, Jenkins has no experience in the 3-4. Principally, he has never been asked to two gap before. There is more to this than just being over 325 pounds. Carolina fans don’t seem to think he is a good fit at nose tackle in a 3-4 and they would probably know better than you or I. (Certainly me, anyway!)
Secondly, there are plenty of other guys a similar size to Jenkins who play as 3-4 DEs.
Thirdly, If Robertson stays with the team, Jenkins has the height to play DE, whereas Robertson doesn’t.
Similarly, Robertson is stocky, whereas height can be a disadvantage for a 3-4 nose for leverage reasons.
Finally, Jenkins can still command double teams from the end position and Robertson has shown that he can be dominant one-on-one.
I believe Robertson is on his way out, but I am not the only person in the world who questions whether Jenkins wouldn’t be better at DE. Maybe the Jets don’t even know themselves. However, the point somebody else made about Jenkins maybe becoming more suited to a 3-4 nose role as he gets older and less active is a very good one.
It’s not easy to rank these front lines:
Robertson-Jenkins-Coleman
Coleman-Jenkins-Shaun Ellis
Jenkins-Robertson-Coleman
Jenkins-Sedrick Ellis-Coleman
Jenkins-Pouha-Coleman
I have no idea which of these (or something else) is the plan.
I was just curious. I couldn’t see it. Sometimes you just need an extra set of eyes. We wont know 4 months anyway.
I heard that Javon Walker was released by Broncos. If don’t get Randy Moss (which is highly likely), why not go after Walker. He would provide us with a dynamic receiving corps. Also maybe sign Alge Crumpler and Lorenzo Neal. Crumpler would be a great duo with Chris Baker. And Neal paved the way for Tomlinson to gain 1000 yards rushing lord knows how many times. I think they could potentially be great signings and provide a huge spark for the Jets offense.