The NFL's free agency season is ready to kick off at the end of this week and the Jets have already been active in preparation. Here is a review of the Jets moves so far and what to expect this weekend:
1. Jets release David Bowens and Brad Kassell
The decision to part with Kassell makes sense since he had trouble staying healthy and wasn't contributing at all on defense.
Bowens was a good player for the Jets the past two years on both special teams and defense. I would hope the Jets consider bringing him back at a cheaper price if nobody else signs him. He is a core special teams player for Mike Westhoff and provides depth at both inside and outside linebacker.
2. Jets release tight end Chris Baker
Most of us saw this coming. The Jets weren't going to pay Baker when they already had Dustin Keller coming off a very successful rookie season.
Baker was the Jets best run-blocking tight end, which means they have a hole to fill now if they plan on running the ball the way Rex Ryan wants to.
I don't know how they feel about bringing Bubba Franks back after a disappointing season, which means they may be forced to look at guy like Dan Campbell, who should be cheap and is a good blocker.
There are some rumblings that Baker could return with a lower contract, but I think he will get some solid offers in free agency because of his versatility.
3. Jets plan to release Brandon Moore
I hate this move. Moore is the Jets' best run blocker and is one of the better young guards in the league. If you want to run the football, you pay the money to keep this guy.
The Jets probably liked what they saw out of Wayne Hunter and Robert Turner as blocking tight ends in short yardage last year. So they most likely feel that they could slide Damien Woody back to guard and let one of those two take over at tackle.
Regardless, I think it is foolish to mess with the chemistry of an offensive line that had so much success last year.
As a result of these moves, the Jets now have a decent amount of cap room to be active in free agency.
Most people expect the Jets to lock up Baltimore safety Jim Leonhard within the first day of free agency, which will be a nice pickup for them. He should complement Kerry Rhodes very well and was a playmaker on both defense and special teams for the Ravens last year.
The Jets would be foolish to chase after Ray Lewis. Why would you pay more for a 34-year-old linebacker, when you could pursue a 28-year-old Bart Scott? The Jets will have to battle a few teams for him, but should have a leg up because of Ryan. David Harris and Bart Scott in the middle sounds awfully good to me.
I wouldn't be shocked if Laveranues Coles ends up being released or traded. Coles wants to be paid as a No. 1 wide receiver and he simply isn't.
If the Jets get rid of Coles, you would expect them to pursue a free-agent receiver (not Anquan Boldin or T.J. Houshmandzadeh) and look very hard at Percy Harvin or Jeremy Maclin in the first round of the draft.
In addition, expect the Jets to try to extend the contracts of Leon Washington and Nick Mangold, who are both coming off Pro-Bowl years.
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