Jets swoop to keep Jerricho BY RICH CIMINI / DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER Acting with unprecedented swiftness, the Jets secured a piece of their future yesterday, signing wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery to a five-year contract extension - a full year before he was eligible for free agency.Sources believe it could signal a new philosophy for the Jets, who may be adopting the Philadelphia Eagles' style, locking up top young players before their value peaks. In the past, the Jets waited until the season before intensifying negotiations with their potential free agents.The Jets already have expressed an interest in re-signing safety Kerry Rhodes to a long-term deal, according to a source. Rhodes, an emerging star, has two years remaining on his rookie contract. While no deal is imminent, the interest demonstrates their proactive approach. Linebacker Victor Hobson, a free agent in 2008, also is a candidate for an extension. Cotchery admitted he was surprised by the Jets' aggressiveness."I wasn't expecting them to come to me a year early, but they did," Cotchery said on a conference call. "It was an easy process. It was the number I wanted." Cotchery's extension, through 2012, averages roughly $3.5 million per year, including about $8 million in guarantees.It's a terrific deal for the Jets, who made sure to get it done before the market goes wild with the start of free agency today. Cotchery was due to make $850,000 this year. The Jets, who began yesterday with $14.95 million in salary cap room (not counting the Cotchery deal and the Derrick Blaylock and Bobby Hamilton cuts), have the flexibility to pursue expensive free agents. They're interested in Chargers running back Michael Turner,but the cost could be prohibitive.The Chargers gave Turner, a restricted free agent, the highest tender, $2.35 million. That means, if they decide not to match an offer, they'd be entitled to first- and third-round picks. Teams are allowed to negotiate draft-pick compensation, but Chargers GM A.J. Smith doesn't sound like he's going to budge. "It's over," Smith emphatically told the Daily News."It'll take a 1 and a 3."The Jets could explore a trade for Bears running back Thomas Jones, but it will be hard to pry him away."You've got to have a good amount of difference-makers on your team," Cotchery said. "We have a few, but we need a few more on both sides of the ball." HEY JOEY: An Internet report says the Jets may pursue loudmouth LB Joey Porter, cut yesterday the Steelers, but a source said it's highly unlikely. . . . DE Kimo von Oelhoffen, thought to be on the bubble, will remain on the team under his existing contract, according to his agent, Mark Bartelstein. . . . :beer: The Jets were shopping LB Eric Barton for a possible trade. He's due a $250,000 roster bonus. :beer: The Jet Set While the Jets re-sign Jerricho Cotchery yesterday, here are three players they may still go after: RB Michael Turner, Chargers: LaDainian Tomlinson's understudy could be a future star, but it'll take half your draft to get him. LB Adalius Thomas, Ravens: The Jets are interested, but the price could get out of hand. He'd be perfect in Eric Mangini's defense, but he could be too rich for the Jets' blood. RT Marc Colombo, Cowboys: Fills a big need. Tony Pashos (Ravens) and Jon Stinchcomb (Saints) also are possibilities at right tackle. Originally published on March 2, 2007 > http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/story/501917p-423286c.html
Did Cotchery's deal really take up that much cap space? I thought we had way more than that? I dont know anything about how Cap room works, but I swore everyone was saying we were in the 25.M range.
if they go after porter, who wants elite money, and they dont make a move for thomas ill be pissed. porter wants the same money, for an older beat up body. id take a younger guy who can still give a few more years and make a bigger impact on defense. thomas has more versatility than porter....not to mention it would be flat out odd to see porter in anything other than gold and black. question about the whole turner deal....hes an RFA this season, and the tender is for 1 year....right? so after this season he would be an UFA...maybe the whole chris brown thing wouldnt be so bad if after this season we could ink turner. who knows anymore when it comes to the RB situation....maybe well strike gold in the draft. EDIT: i didnt know porter was 30...i thought he was older. been playing forever it seems like. i still would prefer thomas' versatility over porter and his me me me attitude that has been showing lately.
$$$$$$$$$, plus a 1st and a 3rd round pick for Turner is just way, way , way too much bordering o. I would have a hard time considering that if Reggie Bush was up for grabs. In less something drastically changes, there is now way Turner is going to be a Jet.
