NFL stories are slower since the Super Bowl ended, but some things have gone on in Jet Nation in the last couple of weeks.
[caption id="attachment_500" align="alignright" width="243" caption="Curtis Martin as a member of the New York Jets. // Photo credit unknown."]
[/caption]
+ Running back Curtis Martin, who spent the majority of his career with the Jets, was elected to the NFL Hall of Fame the day before the Super Bowl. He’ll be inducted by his coach and mentor, Bill Parcells.
+ Kenrick Ellis, a nose tackle picked in the third round by the Jets, was due in February to stand trial for felony assault in Virginia. His court date was pushed back until May 22. He’s charged with malicious wounding, allegedly attacking another student during his time at Hampton University. Ellis, who was born in Jamaica and is facing a felony charge, could be deported if convicted.
+ Wide receiver Patrick Turner signed a 1 year, $875,000 contract to stay in New York. $615,000 is base pay, $250,000 is a signing bonus, and $10,000 is a workout bonus. He was due to become a restricted free agent in March. Most fans will best remember Turner from Week 17 in Miami. He caught a touchdown pass after replacing Santonio Holmes, who was benched in the final minutes.
+ After the meltdown that took place on New Year’s Day, fans wondered if wide receiver Santonio Holmes would be in a Jets uniform in 2012. The Jets decided to keep him. His $7.75 million salary was guaranteed, but releasing him would have cost the Jets $12 million in cap room. They’re now on the hook to pay Holmes $15.25 million.
+ Wayne Hunter, the right tackle who struggled this season, is also staying with the team. Hunter signed a four year, $14 million contract last summer. His $2.45 million paycheck is guaranteed. This is starter money, but Hunter allowed a team high 8.5 sacks and committed a team high 11 penalties. Vladimir Ducasse, a disappointing Jets draft pick thus far, is going to compete with him for the job. In spite of Hunter’s on the field struggles, he is well liked and respected by his teammates. He’s the one who called out Holmes in the huddle during Week 17.
+ The Jets announced their 2012-2013 coaching staff on February 13th. While former offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer was gone and replaced by Tony Sparano by the end of January, anyone else who didn’t also depart was “being evaluated.” Most surprisingly, the Jets kept quarterbacks coach Matt Cavanaugh on the staff. Cavanaugh works directly with quarterback Mark Sanchez, who appeared to have regressed last year. While Sanchez’s numbers have improved, anyone watching him can see that he’s taken some steps backward. Keeping Cavanaugh has most Jets fans scratching their heads.
+ Guard Matt Slauson had arthroscopic surgery on his shoulder. Slauson had been playing with damage in his arm, but it was more extensive than anyone reported, with a torn rotator cuff, a torn labrum, and torn biceps. Arthroscopic surgery is minimally invasive and Slauson expects to be operating at 100% by the time training camp opens in July.
+ The Jets will probably not be pursing Mario Williams, the Texans defensive end/outside linebacker and one of free agency’s top prizes this year. The Jets do need an OLB and probably do want Williams, but the price that Williams will command does not mesh with their current budget. They had $500,000 in cap room until left tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson restructured his contract, which created an extra $7.5 million in cap space. It’s still probably not enough.
+ The Peyton Manning rumors are still whirling around in full-force. The Jets and Rex Ryan have repeatedly said that Mark Sanchez is the starting quarterback going into 2012, but nobody has expressly stated the Jets won’t chase Manning. Evidence says they won’t be chasing him, but you never know.
Back to the New York Jets Newsfeed