Tag: New York Jets

6 players in the Super Bowl the Jets should target in free agency

Emmanuel Sanders and Demarcus Robinson are among players the Jets should target that will be playing in Super Bowl 54 down in Miami, Fla.

All eyes will be on the Super Bowl on Sunday, and that should include those belonging to members of the Jets front office.

Team officials should be glued to the game, as there are several players playing in Miami that are set to hit the open market in March. The best two teams in the NFL are strapped with talent and it would be foolish for the Jets to not want to model their franchise like the Chiefs and 49ers have.

With that said, let’s take a look at six Super Bowl participants that the Jets should have their eyes on come free agency.

49ers: WR Emmanuel Sanders

(Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)

While Emmanuel Sanders will be 33 years old this March, he proved his worth in San Francisco, making a significant impact down the stretch for the 49ers passing attack.

The Jets are lacking a true threat on the outside and Sanders has shown no indication that his production is going to slow down. While New York would like to have Robby Anderson back, Sanders would be the complement that would continually allow Gang Green’s true homerun threat to take the top off of defenses.

New York will have to get creative in its search for Sam Darnold’s No. 1 wide receiver. The 49ers not only gave Sanders a lifeline after his best days were behind him in Denver, but he also recorded 36 receptions for 502 yards and three touchdowns in 10 regular-season games.

Although the Jets may not have the cap flexibility to extend Anderson and ink Sanders to a lucrative deal, Sanders provides some veteran experience that the position group would be lacking with Demaryius Thomas and Quincy Enunwa unlikely to return.

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Robby Anderson believes Jets want him back in New York

The Jets have told free agent wide receiver Robby Anderson that they’d like to re-sign him.

The New York Jets are getting a head start on trying to keep their own free agents.

Robby Anderson spoke to the media at the Miami Convention Center on Wednesday and discussed his upcoming free agency. Anderson has made it publicly known that he’d like to stay with the Jets for years to come, but it wasn’t known if the Jets felt the same way. Now, according to Anderson, the Jets have made their intentions known.

“I know they’ve communicated that they do want me back,” Anderson said Wednesday, according to Newsday. “So, we’ve just got to see how it plays out.”

The specifics of a new deal have yet to be discussed, though. However, Anderson is seeking between $13-15 million annually, according to a previous report from The Athletic’s Connor Hughes.

“I don’t think they’ve gotten to numbers,” Anderson said, “but I know obviously they want to be at the table, and I think they’re planning to be at the table to keep me in-house.”

Anderson said at the end of the season that he would keep his options open in free agency and that he has no plans of giving the Jets a hometown discount.

The fourth-year wideout out of Temple had one of the best seasons of his career in 2019. He recorded 52 catches for 779 yards and five touchdowns. Most of that came at the end of the season when the Jets offense started to come together.

If Joe Douglas can lock Anderson up before he hits the open market, it would be one less thing the general manager has to worry about during free agency.

Mike Tannenbaum: Giants are an O-line away from turning it around

Former Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum believes the New York Giants are a talented offensive line away from turning things around.

Former New York Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum sees promise in the New York Giants and believes they are extremely close to turning it all around and becoming legitimate playoff contenders.

But what is holding them back? Well… The same thing that has been holding them back for nearly a decade — their lacking offensive line.

“I don’t see any reason why they can’t turn this thing around pretty quick,” Tannenbaum told NJ Advance Media. “It comes back to the offensive line. You need to be able to control the game. And if you can run the ball and pass protect, that will hide other deficiencies, like front-seven pressure players or corner play, because you’re playing keep away.”

Like Giants general manager Dave Gettleman, Tannenbaum places a substantial emphasis on building a strong offensive line, which not only aids the quarterback, but the defense as well.

“You’re limiting the number of drives your opponent has,” Tannenbaum said. “That’s why I feel like when you get the offensive line right, it really becomes a true force multiplier. It allows you to control the game, knowing that you’re going to have substandard players at some positions. Not everyone is going to have the perfect player at each position. If they get the offensive line fixed, that will buy them time at other positions.”

The Giants have attempted to build and rebuild their offensive line multiple times in recent years to little or no success. Nate Solder has regressed substantially and may be in line for a positional change, Mike Remmers is a pending free agent, Jon Halapio will once again be coming off of a major injury and Will Hernandez took a step back as a sophomore.

An offensive tackle may be in play for the Giants in Round 1 of the 2020 NFL Draft, but they also have a substantial number of needs on the defensive side of the ball.

Ultimately, New York may still be a year or two away from compiling the type of offensive line that will propel them forward, but they need to take that first big step this offseason and land some sort of anchor, whether that comes through the draft or free agency.

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Jets Free Agent Profile: What to do with CB Maurice Canady?

Jets Wire evaluates whether or not New York should re-sign impending free-agent cornerback Maurice Canady.

Before Joe Douglas can focus on who he plans to target in free agency come March, he’ll have a handful of in-house decisions to make.

The Jets have 32 players set to hit the open market this offseason. Some don’t figure to factor into New York’s plans for 2020, while it’s safe to assume the Jets would like to keep others around for a while. Either way, Douglas has a lot of work to do in his first offseason on the job.

Maurice Canady joined the Jets in November after spending three years with the Baltimore Ravens. The 25-year-old cornerback was a somewhat pleasant surprise for New York, as he was relatively solid down the stretch. Is that enough to warrant a return in 2020? Let’s evaluate the situation in Jets Wire’s latest free agent profile.

Pros of keeping him

When the Jets claimed Canady off waivers from the Ravens, he was viewed as a depth piece for an already banged up cornerback unit. The acquisition proved to be far more impactful for New York, though, as Canady earned himself a spot in Gregg Williams’ defensive back rotation.

Canady wasn’t a world-beater lining up mostly in the nickel, but he was a solid contributor. When Brian Poole wasn’t on the field, Canady made the most of his opportunities with high-motor play and fierce physicality.

Cons of keeping him

Canady is one of those players who balls out in short spurts, only to return to mediocrity a couple of weeks later. That is not necessarily a knock on him. He just is not a starting-level NFL cornerback at this point in his career.

Considering that is what the Jets need, it’s hard to see Canady back in green and white next season.

The verdict

All things considered, Canady has a somewhat solid chance of sticking around at One Jets Drive. Nickel corner is a valuable position and he showed enough he can contribute in that role.

With that being said, the Jets need major upgrades at corner. Canady is a solid backup, but Douglas needs to do more than continue to add depth pieces who might be able to make a play here and there.

It’s a tougher call than it might seem, but Canady is likely out in the Big Apple.

Mark Sanchez looks back on his Jets career: ‘Every year was a revolving door’

Mark Sanchez blamed the Jets front office for not giving him any good receivers to work with throughout his New York career.

The Jets would have loved to see more consistency from Mark Sanchez during his time in green and white. He, however, wishes he got more of the same thing from them.

Sanchez’s first two years with Gang Green got off to a hot start as he led the Jets to two AFC Championship appearances in 2009 and 2010. Sanchez looked destined to be the franchise quarterback for years to come, but as his play started to decline, the Jets weren’t finding the same success. Much of that, Sanchez feels, stems from constant turnover within the organization.

“Every year was a revolving door,” Sanchez said on WFAN’s Boomer and Gio Show on Wednesday. “Every year was a new formula. Instead of maybe a draft-and-develop mentality, it was, ‘Let’s go sign some of the best guys on the market and see what happens.’ And every time you do that, you kind of roll the dice. And it just became difficult for everyone. And … you’re either the hero or the goat. When it doesn’t work out, it’s just, ‘Hey, welp, see you later.’ And then I woke up in Philly.”

Sanchez never had any great receivers that he built chemistry with. His top two receivers were Santonio Holmes and Braylon Edwards, who had short tenures with the Jets. Sanchez, however, wasn’t exactly an elite quarterback with them.

In four seasons with the Jets, Sanchez only threw more touchdowns than interceptions twice and only threw for over 3,000 yards twice. He was best described as an erratic game manager thanks to his turnovers — so a bad game manager — who rode the coattails of an elite defense to two straight AFC Championships.

Sanchez noted that injuries hampered his career, but also acknowledged that there were plays that could have been made that would have changed the narrative of his Jets career.

“Hindsight’s 20-20,” Sanchez said. “Listen, I think if some of the guys stayed healthy here or there, and you know the margin for error in this league is so small. You know, one play here, one play there changes perception a little bit, and maybe we stick together a little longer. Maybe we get through one of those valleys and get back up to one of the peaks that we should’ve been at.”

What could have been is left to the imagination. In reality, though, Sanchez’s Jets tenure ended up being a failure after a red-hot start.

Jamal Adams says he’s had extension talks with Jets: ‘I want to be in New York’

The Jets and All-Pro safety Jamal Adams are in the beginning stages of extending the 24-year-old.

Down in Miami for the Super Bowl LIV, Jamal Adams told the New York Post and Newsday that the Jets and his representatives have begun talks on a contract extension.

“They’ve talked about it, no numbers yet,” Adams said after making the rounds at Radio Row on Wednesday. “I’d be lying if I said I don’t expect to be extended. I do because of not for what I’ve just done on the field, but even off the field for what I’ve done for the organization. I’ve done everything they’ve asked me to do. I’ve done it at a high level each and every year. I’ve proven that I’m the best safety doing it right now.”

Adams confirmed on his Twitter account this afternoon that while the discussions have been small, he fully expects to be extended this offseason.

Adams’ short feud with Joe Douglas and the Jets front office seems to be a thing of the past. After listening to offers for the All-Pro safety before the 2019 trading deadline, New York is now in the beginning stages of extending the face of the franchise.

The 24-year-old Adams is eligible for a contract extension and the Jets seem willing to take advantage of that. With the uncertainty surrounding his future, the Jets seem prepared to keep him in green and white on a long-term basis.

“I’m not trying to be paid just to be the highest-paid whatever,” Adams said. “I’m trying to get paid for my status and what I’ve done. That’s what I’m about.”

Earlier this month, the Bears extended their All-Pro safety, Eddie Jackson, thus setting the market for the position’s elite. Chicago inked Jackson to a four-year, $58.4 million deal with up to $33 million guaranteed.

“I’m happy for him,” Adams said of Jackson’s extension. “I told him after the Pro Bowl he deserved it. Like I said, I’m not competing to be the highest-paid safety. I’m competing within myself to get what I’m worth, my status. That’s what I’m about.”

Adams just wants a fair contract. He’s not looking to make a record-breaking deal, but at the same time, he wants to be paid what he’s worth. A contract in the neighborhood of Jackson’s sounds about right.

As of now, Adams is set to earn $3.5 million in 2020.

Ex-Jets LB Darron Lee finds it ironic he never wore new uniforms he advocated for

Ex-Jets linebacker Darron Lee finds it ironic that he never wore new uniforms he campaigned for.

On the same day, Mike Maccagnan was fired and Adam Gase received the interim general manager title, the latter shipped Darron Lee to Kansas City for a sixth-round pick.

The Jets’ first-round pick in 2016 was sent packing with a logjam at inside linebacker. New York signed C.J. Mosley to pair with Avery Williamson, drafted Blake Cashman and added Neville Hewitt as depth.

Lee was traded to the Chiefs nearly a month after the Jets received new uniforms. Besides Jamal Adams, Lee was the biggest proponent of a Gang Green makeover, often taking to Twitter to advocate for an apparel change.

A fan of what New York ended up with, Lee never got the chance to don any of the three new uniforms.

“I never got to wear them. Talk about irony,” Lee told the New York Post. “I loved them. I’m glad the fans love them. I’m glad they can enjoy them.”

Regardless, Lee added that he has no hard feelings toward the Jets. They gave him an opportunity to win a Super Bowl despite not being a huge contributor to the Chiefs’ winning efforts.

Though he played in all 16 games in 2019, Lee rarely saw the field. He went from a starting-caliber linebacker in New York to being relegated to special teams duties in Kansas City. He started two games in the regular season and has been inactive for the first two rounds of the playoffs. That will likely be the case Sunday against the 49ers.

Still, Lee has a chance to win a ring while wearing red and yellow. That’s far more than he would have been able to say had he worn the Jets’ new uniforms in 2019.

Former Jets coach couldn’t remember Raheem Mostert

Former Jets running backs coach Marcel Ship has no recollection of Raheem Mostert even being with the Jets.

The Jets weren’t aware that they had a diamond in the rough with Raheem Mostert.

Now a 49ers playoff hero on his way to the Super Bowl, Mostert was signed to the Jets practice squad for six days in September 2016. The Jets were not the first or last team to cut the running back, but he’s since played an integral part in San Francisco’s Super Bowl run.

Yet, his old position coach in New York couldn’t even recall him being on the Jets roster.

“Wow, I don’t remember him at all,” former Jets RB coach Marcel Shipp told ESPN’s Rich Cimini. “I usually remember those guys. This is bad. I do not remember him being in the room.”

The Jets weren’t the only team who misjudged Mostert. He went undrafted out of Purdue in 2015 and spent time on six different rosters before finding a home in San Francisco in 2016. Mostert didn’t succeed with the 49ers until this year, though. With one of the best offensive lines in the league, Mostert totaled 772 rushing yards and eight touchdowns in the regular season and 278 rushing yards and four scores in the postseason.

While the Jets and several others missed out on Mostert, these types of stories happen all the time in the NFL. Sometimes, it takes a few years and the right set of circumstances for a player to finally make an impact.

Mostert got his opportunity in San Francisco. Now he’s heading to the Super Bowl as a feel-good story after making the most of it.

Daniel Jones, Sam Darnold will square off in Super Sunday cornhole tournament

New York Giants QB Daniel Jones and Jets QB Sam Darnold will square off in a cornhole tournament on ESPN on Sunday.

Come Super Bowl Sunday all eyes will be on… New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones and New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold?

Wait, what?

Neither Jones nor Darnold will be playing in The Big Game, but the duo will get plenty of airtime as they square off in a cornhole tournament dubbed “SuperHole.”

Make of that what you will…

Adding to this somewhat bizarre turn of events, the matchup between Jones and Darnold will warrant a national TV audience as it will be aired on ESPN The Ocho ESPN2 at 5:00 p.m. ET (note: it will be recorded on Friday).

“Being from Charlotte cornhole was always around – to watch it evolve from a backyard game to a full-fledged sport with American Cornhole League leading the way has been exciting,” Jones said, via the official website of ACL SuperHole. “Plus, the opportunity to take Sam on heads up was something I couldn’t pass on. Hopefully sometime soon we’ll be doing it on the gridiron in the big game!”

I know what you’re thinking, but I assure you this and very real and Darnold is taking it as seriously as Jones.

“While I wish I was going to be on the field this weekend, this is a nice consolation prize – and another opportunity to take home a win for Gang Green against a cross-town rival,” Darnold said. “Daniel’s a great competitor, but I’ve been practicing and feel good about my odds!”

Darnold and Jones have even engaged in a little friendly trash talk, via Busted Coverage.

Be sure to set your DVRs! This is a can’t miss…?

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Joe Namath: Eli Manning did ‘far more than I ever did on the field’

Joe Namath believes Eli Manning accomplished far more in his NFL career than he ever did.

Joe Namath had some kind words to in the wake of Eli Manning’s retirement.

Manning officially stepped away from the NFL after 16 seasons on Friday, closing his career with a press conference at the Giants’ facility. Namath and Manning are both Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks with Namath having one and Manning have two.

The two New York legends have drawn some comparisons since Manning announced his retirement, but Namath doesn’t see himself on the same level as his Big Blue contemporary. Rather, he thinks Manning’s accomplishments dwarf his.

“I was pretty good and did some things. Eli, I marveled at. He was remarkable,” Namath told The New York Post. “I wouldn’t compare myself to Eli. He’s done far more than I ever did on the field. … The games played. The durability. The playoffs. I remember early on he was getting some heat, he didn’t always smile much, but every player that’s ever played with Eli swears by his work ethic and his character.”

Manning was one of the healthiest quarterbacks the NFL has ever seen. In 16 years, Manning never missed a game due to injury. Of course, the rules during Namath’s days didn’t protect the quarterback as much as they do now.

As for the playoffs, Manning and the Giants were in the postseason six times during his career. The Jets were in the playoffs twice with Namath under center.

One thing they do have in common though is that all of their Super Bowl wins were upsets. The Jets were not expected to beat the Baltimore Colts in the Super Bowl in 1969 and the Giants were underdogs to the New England Patriots in both of their Super Bowls victories.

The only thing Namath has over Manning right now is that he’s in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Manning isn’t. Although, that should change once Manning is eligible.

That doesn’t have to happen right away to see that Namath is right, though. Both players are New York icons, but there’s no disputing that Manning had the better career.