With the roster now meeting the league's requirement of 53 men, the New York Jets were forced to make some difficult decisions, parting ways with some unexpected players. Rookies were released, some veterans were kept in favor of others, and now it’s time to figure out which players might be brought back in a practice-squad capacity.
The Jets’ decision to carry four quarterbacks and seven wide receivers violates conventional-thinking practices when it comes to developing a roster. Fortunately, the organization could not justify any means to release special-teams ace Wallace Wright or 6'5" rookie QB, Erik Ainge.
Among those released by the team was veteran cornerback Hank Poteat. His time in New York has been a roller coaster, constantly finding himself on the cutting block, only to return to the team later.
When he arrived in New York in 2006, it came with a whirlwind, as Poteat ended up traveling between New York and New England a few times over the course of two months.
When it appeared that he had finally established a role on the team, Poteat was allowed to test the free-agent market at the start of the 2008 offseason. Poteat was eventually re-signed by the Jets, only to find himself in a situation that’s all too familiar at this point.
Despite the unfortunate circumstances that seem to have plagued Poteat’s career, the most surprising aspect to his release is that happened in favor of the team retaining veterans David Barret and Ahmad Carroll. Many fans truly believed that Poteat would be safe, and the decision would come down to releasing one of the latter players.
As it stands, Carroll and Barrett have both secured spots on the Jets’ 53-man roster and should be making plans to travel with the team to Miami for the Sept. 7 opener.
Linebacker Matt Chatham followed Eric Mangini to New York in 2006, and was also among those released in favor of younger players in a crowded position. Chatham was efficient in special-teams duty and served as a fair backup in linebacker rotations. However, when the cuts were announced, it became apparent that the solid performances of undrafted free agent, Kenwin Cummings, forced Chatham out of a job with the team.
There weren’t many surprises with the other players the Jets’ passed on. The only releases that caused a brow to furrow for a split second involved offensive linemen Jacob Bender and Nate Garner.
Both players were final-round selections in the Jets’ previous drafts and were classified as projects (read: reaches) coming into training camp. Development of these players was expected to be a process, so it shouldn’t be a surprise if the Jets place them on the practice squad.
Accompanying Bender, Chatham, Garner, and Poteat are wide receivers David Ball, Larry Brackins, and Paul Raymond. Tight ends Jason Pociask and A.J. Schable were also trimmed from the roster.
Running back Jehuu Caulcrick, and offensive linemen Stanley Daniels, Kyle DeVan, and Matt McChesney were waived as well.
Defensive backs Rudy Burgess, James Ihedigbo, Cameron Worrell, defensive linemen Thomas Johnson, Bryan Mattison, and Ropati Pitoitua, and linebackers Blair Phillips and Brandon Renkart were victims of final cuts.
13 comments Last one added 10 months ago — Leave a Comment
William Berry 10 months ago
Just saying, the Patriots cleared a few rooster spots after the Jets released Poteat. Just saying.:)
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Sean Crowe 10 months ago
I'm rooting for the return of Ty Law, not the return of Hank Poteat...thank you very much. :)
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Sean Crowe 10 months ago
By the way, nice job.
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William Berry 10 months ago
I'd rather have the guy who replaced TY Law.
Um, no, not Earthwind Moreland.:)
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Brandon Keener 10 months ago
awesome read. very informing. Congrats on snagging Favre.
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William Berry 10 months ago
Um, I'm not a Jet's fan, but on behalf of Patriot fan's everywhere I'll accept your congrats at getting to face the Favre of 2005 twice.:)
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William Berry 10 months ago
Oops, thought it was my article on the Patriots may be looking at Poteat, sorry, good article.
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Daniel Smith 10 months ago
very good article, i think all the cuts they made i didnt have a problem with. except one
hank poteat why would they cut poteat who has played better then barret and less money on the cap then barret, i hate barret expect more mistakes and blown coverages from him this year. i do like the fact they kept all those wr's because you never know who is going to step up, there all pretty young and each have something to contibute plus the defense is going to have a hard time pin pointing a strategy if they rotate them in and out also i like ainge and was happy they didnt cut him
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Angel Navedo 10 months ago
I could understand keeping Ahmad Carroll since he plays special teams. But I can't understand keeping Barrett over Poteat. Hank may not be the fastest, but he's usually in good position at the very least. You won't see big plays flying over his head too often.
Hopefully Barrett plays well this year. He does have his moments, and has managed to snag a pick or two on a good day, but I'd only trust him in dime packages.
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Bruce Dickenson 10 months ago
I wish we would have kept Bender and Garner.
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Angel Navedo 10 months ago
I wasn't a big fan of either. Both guys were selected as known projects, and both looked extremely slow and un-athletic. They were always out of sync when I saw them.
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Tyler Clugston 10 months ago
I have to completely agree with Daniel's post about keeping Poteat. I understand that he has been in a league for awhile now, but if you match him up head to head with Barrett, he is clearly a better cover guy who doesn't miss assignments like barrett does constantly. I'm actually a huge Matt Chatham fan and I thought he was a true football player who went hard on every play. Also, before we had made the deal of the century for Favre, there was talk among myself and a lot of Jets fans about how we thought Ainge could have been a steal and possibly creep up the depth chart. I mean the guy was a gamer at Tennessee in the SEC and has great size and amazingly great footwork for a guy that stands 6'5". But in the end, the roster has to make it to 53, but I would have liked to have seen Hank Poteat making the green and white over David "Bust" Barrett. Great article, very informative.
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Angel Navedo 10 months ago
Thanks for the read, Tyler!
I liked Matt Chatham as well, but from what I understand, he lacked the versatility Mangini likes. The LBs they kept in favor of Matt are guys that can switch up and put their hands in the dirt if we want to switch to a 4-3 base.
I am going to miss his experience though. He's a good rotational player if Barton or Harris get winded, or (god-forbid) injured.
As for Ainge, I have heard good things about him from people who watch football. He has some intangibles from what I understand. Main reason he was kept is because the team knows they couldn't properly evaluate him. He had surgery on his throwing finger shortly before training camp started, so cutting him before being able to see what he can really do would have been a regrettable move, no doubt.
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