Jets Sign TE Richard Owens
In the wake of the release of Bubba Franks, the Jets have signed free agent TE Richard Owens (6-4, 273/Louisville) today. Owens was an UDFA signed by the Minnesota Vikings in 2004, during which time he played in 39 games for the Vikings from 2004-06 before being waived and then signed by the St. Louis Rams in September 2007, where he then played in 14 games. Owens was released last summer and has been out of football ever since.
Not a starter, Owens is largely a special teamer, and not known as a pass-catcher. Owens had a visit with the Jets and Bills back in April, but was obviously not signed at that time. The Jets seem to have thought enough of him to bring him back in and sign him to a contract with Franks now out of the picture and the draft wrapped up. Although they might not have worked a lot together, new Jets WR coach Henry Ellard would be familiar with Owens’ play from their time together in Saint Louis.
[Richard Owens Stats CNN/SI]
[RIchard Owens KFFL]
21 Responses to Jets Sign TE Richard Owens
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Bent says: At 4:16 in the double talk thread, I said this:
“Alternatively, maybe the reason is something like they’re about to sign someone else and needed the roster spot, knowing that Franks would be available as a fallback later on.”
Ta-da!!! *Jazzhands*
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SackDance99 says:
Bent,
It’s hard to believe that the Jets had to beat another team to the punch for a guy who has been out of the game for over a year!
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kyle says:
Jets are in trouble this year.
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Bent says:
If they are, it’s not because of this.
Sack – shhh…let me have my moment.
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ridinmywave says:
Didn’t alge get released by the titans? And if so, this is not rocket science
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JUSTWIN says:
We are seriously going to miss Baker.
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Bent says:
Are we though? He had over 20 yards receiving last year just three times (and the Jets lost two of those games, one when he fell over in a key spot). He historically did most of his damage when split out – a role Keller already performs better than he ever did.
Was his blocking that amazing? He had a few penalties and gave up a few sacks, otherwise I didn’t notice anything special from him. A lot of the success the Jets had running the ball was with Franks and Keller in the game and they often ran behind Turner and/or Hunter too.
ridin – No, he’s still there.
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Bent says:
Oh, and I think this is VERY unlikely, but wanted to mention it for completeness, Owens is also a longsnapper and therefore the Jets might weight up whether he could replace Dearth, which would save a roster spot and approximately $500K of cap room.
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jvsvn says:
I’ve said this before — “Get used to it” The Jets will be bringing in TEs all summer. Certainlky after every cut down day through the preseason and probably after that too. There will be a TE on the roster in Week 1 that isn’t there now. Baker isn’t really a big loss from a talent or production stand point. The big issue will be getting someone up to speed on the blocking scheme and assignments in time to make a serious contribution to the running game. That’s a lot easier said than done and, in my opinion, an important (but not critical) aspect to this year’s team.
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TOON2388 says:
my concern is that RO will demand the ball and ruin our young QB’s psyche
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Dean Barbella says:
An aging, hurt Bubba Franks and UDFA that’s been out of the league for a year Owens are telling signs to how poor Jets depth issues are.
If these guys are better than what we have: converted defensive lineman, Kareem Brown, picked off the waivers trash heep and converted offensive lineman, Robert Turner, then why did we let Chris Baker go?
I mean, New England thought he was worth the coin.
This sucks… by the time Dustin Keller learns to block, he’ll be too slow to get open.
C’mon Tannenbaum!
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the jets break my heart says:
mmm…this does not look good for us. I understand Kellers gonna emerge and have a breakout season but we need a blocking tight end. I don’t know why we got rid of Baker, he can catch and block and do both effectively. Now hes with the team we hate more than anyone and is probably gonna play well. Im concerned about the Jets at the tight end position this upcoming year.
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it’s going to be like the Run N’ Shoot with Dustin Keller lining up like a Wide Out… if our biggest problem next season is the lack of depth at Tight End then I’ll be a happy camper. Good defense can overcome many obstacles… especially when those obstacles can only put up 7 points a game
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Jeff says:
I am more interested over the depth of quality receivers than for a backup blocking TE. Even depth on the offensive and defensive lines concerns me more than who is going to play second fiddle to Dustin Keller.
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EastSide says:
Feel the same way Bent. Baker is just a case of absence making the heart grow fonder. The way he clammed up in the middle of his contract dispute last summer suggests management might have promised him his freedom if he just kept a low profile. The guy did not want to play here anymore and he made it evident.
A weakness at TE will not be the undoing of this team- I would even put our lack of o-line depth as a greater issue as far as the offense is concerned. Brick is getting to the point where he can survive on an island without TE assistance on the left side in passing situations (Faneca’s health is key though). With Woody’s age he will soon become a wildcard in terms of reliability but with any luck he will perform at a satisfactory level. As far as the running game is concerned, what will probably happen is our ability to make holes in opposing defenses will become more reliant on the blocking of fullbacks Richardson and hopefully Caulcrick.
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Richard has great hands for passes they just need to throw to him he has been out yes but has been practicing every day since his release from st. louii . He is extreamly powerful for blocking and has awsome speed for a 273 pounder just wait and see look at his touch down at carolina with a fake field goal to win the game or his time in kentucky. you will not be disappointed with this pick up he has been number one on everyones list for pick up if someone got hurt or kicked out.
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middleburg98 says:
middleburg411 went to high school with Ricard….take his words as a friend and nothing more…
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Richard..whoops
This is a minor signing of a blocking TE, but I wonder why they signed a guy who has been out of football since 2007? Sounds like a stop gap signing until a better prospect comes along.