Jets Re-sign Cornerback Hank Poteat

The Jets have brought back corner Hank Poteat, after appearing in every game for the green in 2007, starting nine. He was an unrestricted free agent, and signs a one-year deal with the team. The 30-year-old will provide some depth to the Jets secondary, as he will back up players like Dwight Lowery, David Barrett, Justin Miller, Andre Woolfolk and last years first-round pick - Darrelle Revis. Poteat has been in the league since 2000 when he was drafted in the third-round by the Steelers. He has also been with the Buccaneers and Patriots.

Gholston Gets the Number of Former Giants Great Taylor

A lot was made today about rookie Vernon Gholston getting his new number as he reported for Jets camp - no. 56.  Yes, that is the same number that another linebacker in New York wore that gave QB’s nightmares, the same ones that Gholston wants to give QB’s in 2008.  That player that use to wear no. 56 is none other than Lawrence Taylor, Hall of Fame LB for the Giants.  Gholston says it’s not a big deal he got that number.  “I just thought it was a good number,” Gholston said. “That’s all I really thought.”

Third-round bust Anthony Schlegel was the last Jet to wear 56, and overall there has been 15 players to wear the number.  Gholston is hoping that he will be more like the player in blue that use to wear the number.  “My goal is to hopefully one day be the best player I can be,” he said. “My immediate goal is to just help this team. I’m all about the team and being a team player. If we’re all doing good, then I consider myself doing well.”

Jets Select TE Dustin Keller With The 30th Pick

Jets Select DE Vernon Gholston With The Sixth Pick

Gholston Goes with the 6th Pick to the Jets

The Jets wanted Darren McFadden, but in the end they are happy with the player they got - DE Vernon Gholston of the Ohio State Buckeyes. Last season in 13 games he had 37 tackles, and had a whopping 14 sacks, a number the Jets would have no problem with in the Pros. He will likely stand up and play LB in Jets defense, and will be called upon often to be a player to make plays. He was one of just two players to have a sack against Chris Long, the number one pick OL that went to the Dolphins. He’s actually a pick that was cheered by the Jets fans…go figure.

Here is a scouting report on Gholston from NFLdraftcountdown.com

Strengths:
A terrific athlete…Good speed and quickness…Has a cut muscular physique…Very strong with good power…Has an outstanding motor…Does a solid job against the run…Has excellent range and is a terror in pursuit…Is able to get pressure off the edge or as a bull rusher…Good tackler…A hard worker with top intangibles…Very productive…Versatile and can play more than one position…Still has some upside.

Weaknesses:
Needs to be more consistent…Questionable awareness and instincts…Undersized if he were to play defensive end…Does not have a lot of experience dropping into coverage…Has some work to do when it comes to technique…May have to learn a new position at the pro level…At times he gets by on his natural ability…Does not have an elite burst…Some durability issues…A better athlete than football player?

Notes:
Could be either a 4-3 defensive end or a 3-4 outside linebacker in the NFL…Broke his left hand in the ‘05 season opener and redshirted…Beat Michigan’s Jake Long for the only sack he surrendered as a senior..A workout warrior with rare physical tools but he was also very productive..Can be a Shawn Merriman type of player at the next level with some development..The best pure pass rusher in the ‘08 Draft.

Jets Finally Move Former First Rounder Robertson to Denver

The Jets have finally rid themselves of the burden of DT Dewayne Robertson, as they have found a trading partner for the former number one pick in the Denver Broncos.  New York has moved Robertson to the Broncos for a conditional pick in the 2009 draft.  The 26-year-old has had knee issues, but it could also be he just didn’t fit the system with the Jets.  “It’s a great opportunity,” said agent Hadley Engelhard. “He’s got the chance to showcase his abilities.”  In 77 regular-season games (75 starts), Robertson has 319 tackles, 188 solo, and 14 1/2 sacks. He’s forced four fumbles, recovered two, and had two pass breakups.

Robertson was almost moved to the Bengals last month, but the deal fell though when he failed a physical.  Denver and Detroit were two other teams that showed interest, but it took some time for the Jets and Broncos to finally wrap up a deal.  “Dewayne did a lot of good things for us and in that position in the 3-4,” coach Eric Mangini said  “I thought Dewayne did a lot of good things for us at nose where we didn’t have a lot of luxury, and he did a good job at end. I like him a lot. I think Dewayne is a good player in whatever system he’s in. He’s able to penetrate and make plays.”

Jets Still Eyeing RB McFadden?

With the draft five days away, the Jets appear to have their sights set on one playmaker - that being Arkansas running back Darren McFadden. The Journal News reports that the Jets had McFadden in town to see a fight last week, as well as to meet with the teams trainer for workouts. The big question about McFadden still appears to be if he will be on the board when the Jets pick at no. 6, or if the Raiders or another team will swoop in and grab him.

“He certainly enjoyed his visit there and he appreciates all the signings they made,” McFadden’s agent, Ian Greengross told the paper. “He would love to be a Jet if he’s still there at six.” “If” again appears to be the biggest question. The Raiders seem to be the biggest roadblock to McFadden becoming a Jet, and there has been rumors from day one that Oakland is where the back will end up, as Raiders owner Al Davis has had a liking of McFadden and the star power he brings to the table.

McFadden last season averaged 140.7 yards per game, and overall rushed for 1,830 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Rhodes and Jets Agree on Five-Year Deal

The Jets made a solid move on Wednesday, signing safety Kerry Rhodes to a contract extension that will keep him in green for the next five years.  Reports say that the deal is worth $33.5 million, $20 mil of which is guaranteed.  The deal means that Rhodes is one of the NFL’s highest-paid safeties.  He had one year left on his original rookie deal.

Rhodes will be entering his fourth season, and in an offseason where the Jets have been as aggressive as anyone with signing players, it was important for them to get Rhodes in the fold.  He would have been an unrestricted free agent in 2009 if not signed before then.  In his three seasons with the Jets, he has 270 tackles with 10 picks and eight sacks.  He was the teams fourth round pick in 2005 out of Louisville.

The safety was due to make only $927,000 this season.  Reports say with this deal done, the Jets may actually try to save some cash, as they will look to trade down to the 10-15 range in the draft later this month, saving money and acquiring extra picks if they can find a partner to dance with.  That won’t be so easy.

2008 New York Jets Preseason Schedule

Already the 2008 preseason schedule is out for the New York Jets, and other than the two opponents they traditionally face in the preseason - the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles, they will open the preseason with a game against the Cleveland Browns in Cleveland and the Washington Redskins at home.

What to do with DT Dewayne Robertson?

Today’s Newark Star-Ledger is reporting that both the Broncos and Bengals are no longer interested in going after Jets defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson. The paper puts out there that the Jets are likely to cut Robertson if no team is willing to make a deal for him, so why throw something at the Jets for him if he’s just going to end up on the open market anyway?

Robertson is due a $3 mil bonus in June, so that is when the team will likely sever ties with him. One team the paper says may be willing to give up something for him is the Lions, as they say that Detroit might be willing to give up a late round pick for him. The nose tackle is a no-show right now for workouts with the team. GM Mike Tannenbaum is trying to put on a happy face about the situation, saying that the team has not ruled out bringing Robertson back, but that he would have to redo his deal and be moved from DT to DE.