For Now, Jets Going With Emptier Backfield By GREG BISHOP Published: May 14, 2009 FLORHAM PARK, N.J. ? When the Jets broke into position groups during their minicamp practice Thursday, the team?s available running backs gathered in the middle of the field. All three of them, at least. Missing were Thomas Jones and Leon Washington, two Pro Bowl players who are skipping voluntary team activities to show displeasure with their contracts, and the rookie Shonn Greene, who is not eligible to practice until next week. ?Our group?s a little short right now,? said Tony Richardson, a fullback participating in his 16th set of minicamps. ?I told the guys to seize this opportunity. Because so many weird things happen in this league.? Coach Rex Ryan invoked the stock answer given by N.F.L. coaches when veterans skip these so-called voluntary practices. Yes, he preferred they would attend. No, they are not required to. Ryan expects Jones and Washington at the mandatory minicamp next month, at training camp and at the season opener in Houston in September. ?Because that word, mandatory,? Ryan said. ?I?m not the smartest guy, but I think you should be here if it?s mandatory.? Jones led the American Football Conference in rushing last season, but has skipped all voluntary activities since. The four-year, $20 million contract he signed was heavily frontloaded, and he is due to make $900,000 in base salary this season. Although Jones?s absence came as no surprise, Washington?s was not something the Jets expected. Since last season ended, Washington has expressed confidence in the Jets? habit of re-signing their core players, like receiver Jerricho Cotchery and safety Kerry Rhodes. Washington is in the final year of his rookie contract, due to earn $535,000 next season. Since he can score by rushing, receiving and returning, his value remains difficult to quantify, but he is believed to be seeking a deal similar to that of Maurice Jones-Drew, whom Jacksonville gave $17.5 million in guaranteed money this off-season. Stumbling blocks remain, like the current collective bargaining agreement, under which Washington would be a restricted free agent after this season, allowing the Jets to match offers from other teams. Washington?s agent, Alvin Keels, has taken an unusual approach to negotiations, updating almost daily on Twitter. His tweets have included: ?I want to get my client Leon Washington back into the off-season program. Its a business however and that?s what we will need 2 address.? And, the latest, from Wednesday: ?Positive talk with the Jets today. Jets fans everything will be fine.? On Thursday, Ryan focused on the players who attended practice. He singled out Danny Woodhead, who set an N.C.A.A. career rushing record at Chadron State College ? ?You can be going against air, and that?s impressive,? Ryan said. And Jehuu Caulcrick, who played fullback last season but has worked at H-back recently. The last time Caulcrick played there, in college at Michigan State, he scored more than 20 touchdowns. ?Twenty-one,? Caulcrick said. ?But who?s counting?? In absence came opportunity. But still, while Ryan gushed about cornerback Darrelle Revis, while the recently re-signed tight end Bubba Franks was spotted at team headquarters, while the defense clearly outperformed the offense during practice, the focus remained on the absent running backs. Ryan was asked if Washington had disappointed him by not attending. ?Well, I love it when he takes off and he?s got the ball under his arm,? Ryan said. ?He?s one of my favorite guys. I love him. I love the energy. Everything about him.?
Sanchez is going to get a huge contract and the Jets want to resign Leon and Mangold. When all that gets done will they even have any cap room left to give TJ a raise? I don't think this is going to end well.
Jones will get nothing this year and Cut before next. He is a good, not great back who has already seen a good portion of his contract and had his replacement drafted in the 3rd round this year. If he holds out in training cap all he is doig is giving someone else time to gain more reps and costing himself money in fines. Its not goign to end well for Jones, but it will be just fine for the Jets, they made sure they ahd a back up plan to take a hard line stance with this time.
http://www.nyjetscap.com/salary.html According to this site the Jets have $12M in cap space. Seems to me that signing Sanchez and redoing Leon's contract would leave the Jets with no cap space at all. And doesn't Mangold need to be resigned? Looks like they might have to franchise him for a year. I _know_ the Jets and other teams have handled tight cap situations before, but this one looks like it could be tough.
As long as we get Leon on the field and back working with the team I really wouldnt be to worried. Mangold will be back, Sanchez will get locked up and we already have our replacement for TJ. Everythings gonna be fine for us Jets fans. 2-3 seasons we will be serious contenders as long as we address our needs.
this is why it is very dangerous to have guys like gholston and now sanchez in back to back years. if neither of them pan out there is just so goddamn much money tied up!
NO! Mangold still has two full years left on his deal! then after that he is an RFA, just as Leon will be after this year. Their is no reason to restructure these guys right now. let them play out their rookie deals, and then pay them afterwards. You guys are screaming about signing/trading for a reciever, and then want to re-up half the team because their deals will be up some time in the next 4 years! These things do not need to be redone right now. I feel that Leon should get an extension, so his salary for this year stays the same. Nick doesnt need to get an extension until well after next offseason is essentially complete, if not into the season. The only people who deserve (with more than one year left on their contract) to get a new deal, should be the elite of the elite. Those guys need to be paid and locked up long term. Everybody else should be extended so that their pay increases once their original deal would have expired. But no GM/Owner has the balls to play hardball with these athletes, they just accomadate their above average players and then every above average player feels they are entitled to a pay raise because that above average guy got one! Thats how this all got of control, and it will get even worse if the teams keep giving in to what the crybaby athletes want!
This whole thing could be a blessing in disguise. The reps that camp fodder like Woodhead and Caulcrick could elevate them to Sunday players. Assuming Jones is out next year, It'd be nice to have a full running back corps ready to go pre-draft, pre-free agency. Greene, Washington, Caulcrick and Woodhead? That could be an interesting group if those two can elevate their levels of play. Thunder, Lightning, Thunder, Short White Guy.
No, that's not accurate. Mangold is entering his fourth season, 2010 will be his fifth season; after that, he'll be an unrestricted free agent then regardless of whether there is a cap or not.
That's how I think it will play out also. If Shonn Greene can handle 250 carries Jones may not even see the field as a starter for very long this year. This is assuming that Richardson does not finally retire in camp, he's getting up there. If Greene is ready to roll then you have Greene and Richardson in the base formation. You have Leon Washington as the change of pace back and as a slot receiver in a few situations. And you have a bunch of other guys like Woodhead to fight for the position of being the alternate back that gets a few carries to relieve Greene and as a safety valve if Greene is hurt. This all assumes that Greene is solid, but if he is the Jets really don't need Jones at all next year. He'd be nice to have on the roster but he's an extra wheel.
Michael Lombardi Trade Suggestion ?? I figured i would post this here ... Deion Branch-WR-Seahawks May. 15 - 2:08 pm et Seahawks beat writer Eric Williams doesn't believe team president Tim Ruskell is willing to give up on Deion Branch. Michael Lombardi had suggested a Branch-for-Thomas Jones trade, but Ruskell paid a high price to get Branch and was encouraged by his late-season effort last year. Considering Branch's injury history, Lombardi's matchmaking proposal makes more sense than Williams' spirited objection. Source: Tacoma News Tribune Related: Jets What would you guys think? that would put Julius and Thomas together ...never going to happen.
