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Jets Place Franchise Tag On Kicker Nick Folk

February 28th, 2014

Matt Loede

Posted in News

The Jets have placed the franchise tag on kicker Nick Folk, who is coming off perhaps the best season of his seven-year NFL career, the Associated Press reports.

The Jets announced the move Friday. Teams have until Monday to designate a player for the franchise tag.

Folk made $780,000 last season, but the franchise tag estimate for kickers is about $3.4 million for this season. Folk was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent and by using the tag, the Jets could potentially set things up for a multiyear deal.

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Video: Fox Talks About The Jets Interest In QB Michael Vick

February 25th, 2014

Matt Loede

Posted in Opinions, Video

The Jets may be looking to Michael Vick to mentor Geno Smith in the near future. Allie LaForce and Doug Gottlieb have the scoop on why this is the perfect move for Vick and the Jets.

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Schaub Not Interested In Backing Up Geno Smith In New York

February 24th, 2014

Matt Loede

Posted in 2014 Free Agency, News

A source tells Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News that soon-to-be-released quarterback Matt Schaub is not interested in becoming the backup of Jets quarterback Geno Smith.

Most guys wait until they are asked before they turn down a job, Matt. The entire league knows that Schaub’s days in Houston are extremely numbered and he is likely putting out the word that he wants to get a starting gig in 2014 rather than settle for being anyone’s backup-particularly a turnover-challenged second year man like Geno.

Unfortunately for Schaub, there would seem to be no team in the NFL desperate enough to choose Schaub as a starter. Schaub may soon regret rebuffing any potential overtures that could allow him to stay in the league.

As for the Jets, word is they are focusing on quarterback Josh McCown, a player who has shown he is not too proud to accept the backup label but has also shown his ability to perform handsomely as a starter.

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Michael Vick Considered “Legitimate” Possibility For Jets

February 24th, 2014

Brandon Sweeney

Posted in 2014 Free Agency, Main, News, Rumors

Quarterback Michael Vick has been with the Philadelphia Eagles since he was released from prison in 2009. Vick’s time with the Eagles was a roller coaster ride to say the least, that usually ended in an injury for Vick.

In 2009, Vick backed up long-time quarterback Donovan McNabb until he was forced out of town and signed with the Washington Redskins the following season. Vick started just one game in 2009 and threw for one touchdown and ran for two more.

2010 was perhaps Vick’s most productive season ever as a passing quarterback. Vick was in competition with Kevin Kolb, but eventually ended up beating out Kolb and took the Eagles to the Playoffs but lost to the Green Bay Packers, who went onto win the Super Bowl. Vick finished with 21 touchdowns, six interceptions and a passer rating of 62.6.

From there, Vick’s time with the Eagles gradually went down hill, as he continued to miss more time with injuries.

In the 2013 season, another Vick injury made the Eagles find their franchise quarterback of the future in Nick Foles. Now Vick will be a free agent next March after signing just a one-year deal with the Eagles last offseason. Even with his background of injuries, Vick still has a bit of a market.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapaport, the Jets seem intrigued by Vick and are a “legitimate” possibility to land Vick. Rumors have already leaked about the Jets flirting with other potential free agents, like wide receivers Jeremy Maclin and Emmanuel Sanders.

Other reporters are saying that a Vick signing is unlikely because of the distraction Vick brings to a football team. Vick, however, has ties with offensive coordinator, Marty Mornhinweg.

This headline will either catch fire or die quickly seeing that free agency is set to open in just 16 days.

Brandon Sweeney is Co-Editor of the Gab Network. Follow him on Twitter @NFLNSTUFF, Like him on Facebook , add him to Google+, and Trust him on Sulia.

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Jets And Reps For QB Mark Sanchez Meet At Scouting Combine

February 22nd, 2014

Matt Loede

Posted in News

The Jets and quarterback Mark Sanchez’s representatives met Friday at the NFL scouting combine to discuss the quarterback’s future with the team, Rich Cmini of ESPN New York reports.

While nothing was resolved in what was termed a preliminary discussion, the two sides agreed to maintain open lines of communication.

Sanchez, said to be progressing nicely from surgery on his throwing shoulder last October, will return to New Jersey next week to continue his rehab at the Jets’ facility.

That will allow the medical staff and decision-makers to get a first-hand look at Sanchez’s arm/shoulder strength. On Thursday, coach Rex Ryan told reporters that Sanchez had resumed throwing.

One source said the former starter has progressed to the point where he can throw with good zip on the ball. He’s expected to be ready for training camp, possibly OTAs in the spring.

The two sides are operating under a March 25 deadline. The Jets have to make a decision by then because if Sanchez is on the roster on that date, they owe him a $2 million roster bonus — and that won’t happen.

With a $9 million base salary, and a $13.1 million cap charge, Sanchez would have to take a significant pay cut to remain on the team.

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Jets Sound Like They Are Ready To Dump WR Stephen Hill

February 20th, 2014

Matt Loede

Posted in News

The Jets have become exasperated with wide receiver Stephen Hill according to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News.

The Jets selected Hill in the second round of the 2012 draft after a spectacular NFL Scouting Combine performance which showed spectacular athleticism despite only catching 49 passes during his college career.

In his first two seasons, Hill has just 45 catches for 594 yards and four touchdowns and he has been plagued with injury woes.

Mehta describes the Jets as “near the end of their rope” with Hill and may have concluded that he is never going to be a reliable weapon.

GM John Idzik was not with the team when they drafted Hill and may find it easy to move on from the wide receiver. The biggest stumbling block is the team’s almost laughable lack of talent at the wide receiver position-one of Idzik’s top priorities to fix this offseason.

Especially painful for Jets fans is the success of the receiver selected exactly two spots after Hill in that 2012 draft- Alshon Jeffrey of the Chicago Bears.

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Jets Already Working To Ink Free Agent To Be Tackle Austin Howard

February 13th, 2014

Matt Loede

Posted in 2014 Free Agency, News

One month before the official start of free agency, the Jets are taking steps to lock up its most important in-house free agent.

Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News has learned that Gang Green has started negotiations to sign impending free agent right tackle Austin Howard to a multi-year deal.

Howard, who will turn 27 this offseason, made significant strides in his second season as a full-time starter, helping solidify an offensive line that paved the way for the league’s sixth-ranked rushing attack.

The Jets hope to sign Howard before he hits the open market on March 11, according to a team source.

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Jets Promote Sparano Jr. And Smith To Staff

February 10th, 2014

Matt Loede

Posted in News

The Jets announced they have promoted Tony Sparano Jr. to offensive assistant and former Jets safety Eric Smith will serve as a seasonal intern.

Sparano, 27, has been with us as a seasonal intern since 2012. He played defensive end at the University of Albany from 2006-09 before beginning his coaching career with the UFL’s Hartford Colonials (assistant defensive line, 2010). Before coming to the Jets he was an offensive quality control coach with the Miami Dolphins in 2011.

His father, Tony Sparano, served as our offensive coordinator in 2012 and is currently the assistant head coach/offensive line coach of the Oakland Raiders.

Smith will begin his coaching career for the same team with which he began his professional playing career. The Jets selected him in the third round (97th overall) of the 2006 draft, and he remained with the team until he was released last February.

In his seven seasons with the Jets, Smith recorded six interceptions and 3.5 sacks. The 6’1”, 209-pound Michigan State product started 36 of his 96 NFL games and was a major special teams contributor as well.

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