The Boone Docks

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You can also get to Bob Glauber's blog, which has been renamed "Glauber's NFL Hot Reads" with this link right here.

As we move one day closer to the start of training camp, the situation revolving around Leon Washington and his mission for a new contract will continue to be a hot topic and one that obviously bears monitoring.

Just for a refresher, we detailed Washington's situation here a while ago in order to try to clarify where both sides are coming from. Washington, who's earning $535,000 in the final year of his initial four-year deal, hasn't totally ruled out the possibility of holding out from training camp, although the stiff $17,000 fine for every day missed makes a lengthy boycott probably unlikely.

In an interview that's posted on playersvoice.com (Tip of the cap to JayM for pointing this out to us, which comes courtesy of our friends at holyjoemath.com.), Washington speaks about his search for a new contract and whether he's going to report to camp on time next week.

"It's steady going," he said in regards to contract talks between the Jets and his agent Alvin Keels and whether he'll be at camp. "Contact situations are a process where it takes a lot ot time. You have to trust your management. I have to trust Alvin Keels. I believe he will go out and do a good job for me. But I have to be patient. It's an ongoing process. The good thing about it is the New York Jets want to get something done, and I'm honored to be in that situation. So I look forward to it."

Washington didn't waver when asked if he wants to continue to be a Jet.

"This is where I want to be," he said. "I'm young in my career. I believe I did all the things I need to do on and off the field to deserve the right to have this contract extension. So hopefully I can be rewarded for all the things I've done on and off the field."

In a Tweet less than 40 minutes ago, Keels indicated he's still trying to get something done soon for a few of his clients and that no doubt includes Washington.

"Im hoping to make some progress on a couple of deals this week, training camp is right around the corner," Keels said on his Twitter account.

As for the interview with Washington, a few other topics were discussed, such as a look back at how crazy things were with the person who's name has been banned from this blog around. But I thought one of the more candid responses Washington gave was when he discussed how badly things unraveled the last five games.

That talk of a Giants-Jets Super Bowl -- which by the way at the time I thought was just plain ridiculous hype -- was a bit premature, wasn't it?

"We get gassed up and took the gasoline and didn't finish the way we wanted to finish," Washington said. "So I think it's learning process and it's a learning curve, especially for the younger guys, that you have to finish. The football season is 16 games. You have to finish. So hopefully we can take that to heart and come out better this year."

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Buried in the announcement of Marc Anthony's new minority ownership of the Dolphins, was this little nugget: he will also perform the national anthem during the Jets' Oct. 12 MNF clash with the Fins in Miami. What a game that should be.

Between Channing Crowder-Rex Ryan storylines to the fact that game marks the return of Calvin Pace from his four-game suspension to seeing the Fins' new partial owner belting notes in the pregame, it all makes for an intriguing night in South Florida.

Although we're 11 days from the Jets officially taking the field for the start of training camp up in lovely Cortland, the rookies are scheduled to report exactly a week from today. Can you feel the buildup?

That means summer vacation is almost over for the likes of Shonn Green and coverboy quarterback Mark Sanchez, who's been hitting the workouts hard with trainer Todd Norman of The Cutting Edge to help prepare for his first season in the NFL. Sanchez is about to embark on his journey to prove the Jets did the right thing in moving up to select him in April's draft and giving him the richest contract in the franchise's history.

Apparently, Sean Payton's thinks the Jets have a solid franchise QB in Sanchez. Payton, no stranger to how things work in this city since he's a former Giants' offensive coordinator, likes what he's seeing from first-year coach Rex Ryan and the New Orleans Saints coach believes the Jets are playoff bound.

Wonder if Payton penned that column before Calvin Pace's suspension was announced. If not, then there's more reason for optimism Jets fans.

-* Speaking of Pace, I was channel surfing recently one day and stumbled upon Keyshawn Johnson filling in as a guest host on ESPN's "Jim Rome is Burning." Johnson, author of "Just Give Me the Damn" and never one to hold off on giving his opinion, took a small dig at the Jets' outside linebacker and others who've claimed they took an over-the-counter supplement and weren't aware it contained a banned substance.

Johnson did this, of course, while also pumping himself up.

"I don't get it," Johnson said July 3, the day after Pace's suspension was announced. "After all these years and all the media scrutiny, guys are still not paying attention. I have no idea why players would use this to get an edge. It's simple: lift weights, run, work out and eat right. Why would you put your body at risk. I was too afraid something would go wrong to take this type of a chance. Being the best at my position or even the best in the league isn't worth the risk. It does nothing for you but make you look like a big strong fool. But I guess you would say you didn't know what you were taking or you didn't read the box. Oh well."

-* The title of this post also refers to our new blog look. It was supposed to go down today, but has been pushed back until Wednesday so I'm told. There will be plenty of new bells and whistles to implement once we get more familiar with some of the new toys we'll have at our disposal.

Before I tend to the yard duties and work up a serious lather on the steamiest day we've had around here seemingly all summer, I figured this is something many of you have been waiting for.

Hot off the presses, we finally have the Jets' training camp schedule and you fans can truly begin making plans on which practices you want to attend.

By the way, you'll notice the one-day return to Hofstra comes Aug. 12. That's when the Jets will host their "Family Night" at Shuart Stadium.

Here's the release from the Jets and the schedule follows:

The New York Jets officially open their 2009 training camp with two practices on July 31 at SUNY Cortland and announced details of a training camp schedule that feature practices open to the public in three different locations - Central New York, Long Island and New Jersey.

On Aug. 12, the team will hold a special Family Night Practice brought to you by Verizon FiOS on Long Island at Hofstra University’s James M. Shuart Stadium. Hofstra University was the home of the Jets training facility and training camp from 1968 until the team moved into its new facility in September 2008. At the conclusion of this special practice, the entire team will head to the sidelines to sign autographs for fans.

Three more practices will be open to the public on Aug. 22, 26 and 27 at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center in Florham Park, N.J.

At each location, fans attending can enjoy Generation Jets Fest and the Jets Shop Merchandise Tent. There will be opportunities for autographs from players and the 2009 New York Jets Flight Crew. For the most up-to-date practice and event schedule, visit www.newyorkjets.com/camp.

The Jets open the 2009 preseason at home against the St. Louis Rams on Aug. 14 and kick off the regular season at the Houston Texans on Sept. 13. The Jets make their first 2009 regular season appearance at the Meadowlands on Sept. 20 against the New England Patriots.

Practice Schedule
July 31-Aug. 29

7/31 8:15 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
8/1 8:15 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. (ST)
8/2 8:15 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
8/3 9:00 a.m. and 3:15 p.m.(ST)
8/4 8:15 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
8/5 8:15 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. (ST)
8/6 Green and White Scrimmage: 7:00 p.m.
8/8 8:15 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
8/9 8:15 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. (ST)
8/10 8:15 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
8/11 8:15 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. (ST)
8/12 Family Night Practice brought to you by Verizon FiOS at Hofstra University: 6:00 p.m.
8/14 Preseason Game against St. Louis Rams: 7:00 p.m.
8/16 8:15 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. (ST)
8/17 8:15 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
8/18 8:15 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. (ST)
8/19 8:15 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
8/20 8:15 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
8/21 8:15 a.m.
8/22 Practice at Florham Park, NJ: Time TBA
8/24 Preseason Game at Baltimore Ravens: 8:00 p.m.
8/26 Practice at Florham Park, NJ: Time TBA
8/27 Practice at Florham Park, NJ: Time TBA
8/29 Preseason Game at New York Giants: 8:00 p.m.
9/3 Preseason Game against Philadelphia Eagles: 7:00 p.m.
(ST) Indicates a special teams practice.

Sorry gang, a bit scrambled around here with Hot Rod Boone on vacation before camp begins.

The Jets added TE Richard Owens yesterday to replace Bubba Franks on the roster. Franks was cut on Monday.

Owens, 28, spent three seasons with the Vikings and one with the Rams. He was out of the league last season.

He's a blocking tight end primarily, and he has some long-snapping experience. Could be a helpful special teams guy.

Kerry Rhodes never shies away from the hot topics, and he didn't a few minutes ago on the horn with ESPN-1050's Brandon Tierney. Rhodes, asked about the brief Jets' flirtation with indicted ex-Giant Plaxico Burress, said Plax would have been a great addition to the Jets.

"He would definitely have been a No. 1 receiver," Rhodes said, "and he would have given Jerricho (Cotchery) and those guys the freedom to do some things."

Rhodes also hinted at his dissatisfaction with the defensive scheme last season, more so since he had become a solid safety by getting the freedom to make plays in his prior two seasons under Eric Mangini.

"Last year, yeah," Rhodes said when asked if he felt constrained by Mangini's system. "Before that, he let me do my thing. There was some stuff going on with the team, but I'm not going to air it out there. We had some limitations with what we could do last year and I'll leave it at that."

As for second-year DE/LB Vernon Gholston, who will be needed to step in for the suspended Calvin Pace (out for the first four games due to a violation of the league's performance-enhancing drug policy), Rhodes also took a swipe at Mangini's system.

"He was a little hesitant, a little slow, and he had to learn a new position," Rhodes said of Gholston. "And it didn't help that he had all the pressure of being a top-10 pick. He's under some pressure now to perform, and we're not going to put it all on him. He's going to have to step up now and he's making strides."

The Jets got a little thinner at TE today. Just got word that they have released Bubba Franks.

The 10-year pro was re-signed by the Jets on May 12. He started in four games last season and played in eight overall, catching six passes for 47 yards.

When I spoke with Franks during the OTAs in May, he told me he expected to be fully recovered from the knee injury that kept him watching from the sideline and unable to participate in any of the team's activities. Back then, Rex Ryan was confident Franks would be around, too.

"We don't think it's serious," Ryan said May 14. "Obviously, we wouldn't have signed him if that was the case. But we think Bubba will be fine when we go to training camp."

If you take away Dustin Keller and LS James Dearth from the equation, the move leaves just Kareem Brown, Jack Simmons and J'Nathan Bullock, all of whom are unproven obviously, at the position for the Jets.

Seems like the Jets sign a new player every day.

They just announced they've brought T Nevin McCaskill, who was waived by the Packers last Monday, on board.

Listed at 6-4, 300 pounds, the Hampton product by way of Tallahassee, Fla. was originally signed by the Bills as a free agent in 2007 and was a member of their practice squad for parts of the 2007 season before he was waived on Aug. 31. last year.

McCaskill also spent time on the Eagles practice squad last season before the Packers plucked him off the squad and signed him in December.

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A quick, last-minute programming note, especially to those Jets fans in the Buffalo area. I'm going to be on WECK 1230 AM at about 8:05 p.m. tonight talking about the Jets offseason with a couple of buddies of mine who host a weekly radio show up there every Monday. So tune on in and check us out.

You can also check out the live streaming audio here. Look on the right side of the screen and click the LISTEN LIVE button.

Linebacker Calvin Pace has been suspended without pay for the Jets' first four regular-season games for violating the NFL's policy on performance enhancing substances.

Pace, in a statement released through the team, said the suspension is a result of dietary supplement he took, though he declined to cite what the banned substance was.

"This is a situation that resulted from an over-the-counter dietary supplement that contained a substance that I did not know violated the League’s policy," Pace said. "I am responsible for what I put into my body and I should have paid closer attention to the League’s guidelines. I regret that this has happened and apologize to my teammates, the entire Jets organization as well as the fans. Hopefully, this does not distract from our ultimate goal of winning the Super Bowl."

The suspension for Pace, who will be allowed to practice and play in the preseason, begins Sept. 5. He's eligible to return to the Jets’ active roster Oct. 5, the day after the Jets play the Saints in New Orleans and the beginning of the week leading up to the Oct. 12 Monday night game with the Dolphins in Miami.

Looks like Thomas Jones still has a thing for granting interviews to radio stations.

Jones, who didn't speak with the media after ending his boycott of the OTAs nor did he make himself available during minicamp, was on Houston radio station KILT last week while he was in town preparing to pick up an award. It wasn't a very in depth interview (these things rarely ever are) so there's nothing earth shattering.

But it's the first thing we've heard out of him in a while. He addressed the comments he made about the guy who's name has been banned from this blog and here's what he had to say:

“Well the situation with me is I was asked a couple of questions [last year] and I answered them," Jones said. "First of all, I have the utmost respect for Brett Favre - he’s one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play. It was an honor for me to get a chance to play with him. I played against him in Chicago for three years in my division. But it was an honor to play with him. He brought a lot of fun to our team; he brought a lot of energy and excitement to the huddle last year so I was definitely happy I had an opportunity to play with him.

"The deal with the interceptions and all that - it was kind of blown out of proportion, it’s just part of the game. You make one comment or a couple comments and they’re turned in to something else. But I guess he’s not ready to give it up - and when you’ve played as long as he’s played, that’s pretty much all you know. I’m not saying he can’t do anything else but football’s his life. So you know, I wish him the best of luck, I hope he don’t have mixed feelings about what he’s doing. But hey, at the end of the day, if you can still play and a team wants you, then why not play?”

Click underneath the, ahem, picture below for the rest of the transcript and if you want to check out the audio for yourself, you can do that right here. Scroll down to the end of his comments to click on the audio link.

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As for Sterger, the apple of many a Jets' fans eyes, she'll be performing at the sports-comedy show 12 Angry Mascots later today. Sterger will be there long with Green Bay Packer running back Ryan Grant, who hails from Rockland County.

So if you're longing for another glimpse at Sterger, here's your chance. The show begins at 8 p.m. at Comix. The club is located in Manhattan at 353 West 14th Street, just east of 9th Avenue.

Better make those last-minute plans now.

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The Jets claimed G Mike Fladell off waivers today. Fladell, a 6-7, 334-pound Rutgers product and Howard Beach native, was a member of the Giants practice squad and was waived last June 24.

Update: Fladell was waived by the Jets Wednesday after failing his physical.

Continue reading "Thomas Jones speaks and a Jenn Sterger sighting" »

Ok, so he's no Plaxico Burress, but the Jets figure they've got nothing to lose in going after wideout Mario Urrutia. They have put a waiver claim in on the former Bengals receiver, a seventh-round pick (246th overall) in 2008.

Urrutia, 6-6, 232, was released by Cincy last Aug. 30 and signed to the team's practice squad the next day. He spent the entire season on the practice squad and was subsequently released.

During his college career at Louisville, Urrutia had 130 catches for 2,271 yards and 16 touchdowns.

The waiver claim comes a day after the Jets were awarded cornerback Rod Barksdale off waivers from the Giants. The move is in keeping with GM Mike Tannenbaum's "look-under-ever-rock" theory in acquiring personnel.

Glauber here filling in while Hot Rod enjoys some R & R. Just a note that the Jets have been awarded cornerback Rashad Barksdale off waivers, adding depth to a position that the Jets have concentrated on through much of the off-season.

Barksdale - 6-0, 208 pounds - was originally a sixth-round pick (201 overall of the Eagles in 2007 after starring at upstate Albany. He didn't make the Eagles' roster, but joined the Chiefs and played in six games, recording nine tackles.

Barksdale signed with the Giants practice squad last Sept. 1, but was released on Saturday, shortly after the team concluded its mini-camp.

(Note: Barksdale's first name was inadvertently listed as Rod. It is Rashad.)

There's some unwritten code among football scribes that we spend most of late June and July on vacation recharging and freshening our batteries. Now that I'm officially a part of the fraternity, I'm no different. I'm actually writing this from the comforts of another climate where there's no rain in sight on the radar and the heat index is somewhere in the neighborhood of 110 today. Rain? What rain?

So I'll be continuously pulling my head out of the sand like an ostrich as we rest up before the season-long grind. (Sorry I'm not as cool as the beloved E-Bo and didn't post a picture of ... well, you get the point). But if there's any news, we'll still be all over it. Training camp is six weeks away and I'll have plenty of stuff to keep you guys entertained as we get closer to the opening of camp in Cortland on July 31. I'll do my best to provide you with more than enough morsels to whet your appetite until then.

In the meantime, here's something I wrote on Rex and Buddy Ryan as part of our Father's Day Sunday Special. Buddy is a character (he kept me laughing throughout the entire time we talked) and we've learned that Rex is following right in his footsteps. It was great to chat with both of them about their relationship with each other.

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there. Kick back and relax and enjoy your day tomorrow. Even though my father isn't alive to smell the flowers and I can't physically tell him, I'll say it anyway: Happy Father's Day, pop.

You guys had some good convo going on whether you wanted Plaxico Burress on board. Brandon Marshall became another possibility when his trade demands went public. It's an interesting debate: Which of those two wide receivers would you want? Are you guys convinced the current collection of wide receivers can get it done or do you believe they still have to go out and get a No. 1 wide receiver?

All right, the pool is calling my name, so it's time to open up the forum for you guys again. As my man the King Fixer likes to say, tossing the keys ...

We interrupt The Great Plaxico Burress Debate for a quick bit of news.

The Jets today have announced the signing of third-round pick Shonn Greene. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but it's believed to be a four-year contract that includes a signing bonus of $905,000.

Green's signing means the Jets have officially inked all three of their picks in April's draft, with Mark Sanchez's five-year, $50-plus million deal that could be worth as much as $60 million the headliner.

Update: The Jets also announced they've signed free agent LB Brock Christopher.

Below is the info from the Jets' short releases on Greene and Christopher.

We now return you to your regular-scheduled programming and apologize for any inconvenience. You may now continue with The Great Debate.

Continue reading "Shonn Greene signs" »

Tom Rock is all over it, with a little something here and here, and Bob Glauber offered up some thoughts here.

So what does this mean for the Jets, who, of course, have expressed their interest? It all still depends on how long the case is adjourned. If Burress' next court date is postponed until sometime after the season and he is free and clear to play this season, then the Jets might go ahead and make that plunge. Along with the Buccaneers and a third team, the Jets have expressed their interest in Burress and coach Rex Ryan this past week didn't do anything to shoot down speculation the Jets remain in play for the talented but troubled playmaking wide receiver.

The Jets players and coaching staff appear to be in favor of bringing Burress on board, including wide receivers coach Henry Ellard. But remember, as Glauber noted, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell could hit Burress with a suspension even without a final legal verdict. So the whole situation is a little bit murky.

What do you think about Burress, Jets fans? Do you want him or should the team stay away?