By Tom Rock
Scratch Smoot off the list.
Free agent Fred Smoot, one of the players the Jets might have been eyeing for their cornerback issues, has signed with the Redskins according to some reports. Five years, $25 mil. That’s some serious Smoot Loot. I still think the Jets are looking for draft day help at that position, though. The focus of their free agency period is still on acquiring a running back, and one has became available.
The Titans officially released Travis Henry today, and he shoots up to the top of the running back field of free agents. ESPN reports that Henry has spoken with or has plans to meet with the Broncos, Packers, Raiders and Texans. The Raiders and Texans? Why anyone would want to play for them I’ll never know. But I think that the Jets can compete with the Broncos and Packers in terms of stature and franchise trajectory. If Henry is looking for a team on the rise, a team that is maybe a year or two away from a deep playoff push, he could do a lot worse than the Jets. The Broncos are on the downslope and the Packers have too far to climb. Henry could be the perfect fit for the Jets. Now all the team has to do is reach out to him and set something up.
I sense that Jets fans are getting restless. Relax. As I’ve noted here in recent days, the front office has said repeatedly that they would not be chucking millions of dollars into free agency but would instead be patient, fill a few gaps with some role players, and continue to build through the draft. Just like the Patriots. Oh, wait, the Patriots who are spending like George Steinbrenner this weekend? Gasp! I have visions of Adalius Thomas and Roosevelt Colvin coming from the outside to make a Chad Pennington sandwich this fall.
Seriously, the Jets have a plan, and it has nothing to do with public relations or fan perception. Tannenbaum and Mangini may be the most disciplined front office in the league when it comes to sticking to their script. Still, it’d be nice if they could sign a guy or two just to let us know that they are open for business!
By the way, B.J. Askew signed with the Buccaneers today. He’ll be happy there because he can do his shirtless pregame routine in Florida without freezing his tattoos off!
Comments (3)
Don't like the idea of Henry. For one, it's buying high. Second, he'll be 29 next season - so the Jets would have to give a 29 year old RB a pretty sizable contract. Third, he has had problems with the Steroid Policy.
Pass.
No way the guy will be a Jet he has a rap sheet recently updated
Apparently the plan is to spend as little money as possible.