5 Cost-Efficient Signings That Can Help the Jets in 2012

The disappointment of what was the 2011 season won't end anytime soon for Jets fans. A season infuriating to fans as they missed the postseason for the first time in four seasons will end in with the worst possible outcome.

Jets fans will either watch as their cross-town rivals will hold another title parade in front of their very faces, or the team they hate the most will add another ring to their collection for Rex Ryan to... well... not kiss. 

As the fanbase mourns what could have been, its time to look ahead for what's to come. As the calendar turns and the season concludes, the league is inching back towards normality with an offseason that won't be plagued by a lockout.

Free agency won't be taking place in late July this upcoming season as was the case last season. In fact, we are less than six weeks away from when players can embark on a new journey and join new teams.

These New York Jets will need to make some major acquisitions to keep the fanbase happy and make them feel like they can see a championship of their own in New York. No matter how this Super Bowl plays out on Sunday between the New England Patriots and the New York Giants, the Jets will look little brothers of both, the Big Apple and the AFC East.

Gang Green's nation of psychotic fans want the Peyton Mannings, Mario Williams or Dwayne Bowes of free agency stitched onto their beloved jerseys in 2012. But while the Jets will look at every option, this problem called a salary cap will stop them from pursuing the biggest of what Tuesday, March 13's free agency craze will have to offer. 

Instead, here is a more realistic outlook on five players the Jets could pursue in the 2012 offseason to get back into relevance of January football.

Quarterback: Shaun Hill

Current Team: Detroit Lions
2012 Contract Status: Free Agent

Sure, Shaun Hill may not be as sexy of a name as a guy like Matt Flynn, Peyton Manning or even Alex Smith for that matter. But Hill is the perfect quarterback for the Jets to pursue this offseason. The Jets need a backup quarterback who can instill some competitive fire into Mark Sanchez. 

Hill has come off the bench in Detroit multiple times to fill in for an injured Matt Stafford. Best of all, when doing so, he's looked impressive. Playing 11 games while filling in for Stafford in 2010, Hill posted a 61.8 completion percentage to go along with an impressive 81.3 quarterback rating. With Stafford proving to be a franchise quarterback this past season after accumulating 5,000 yards through the air, keeping Hill isn't a necessity in Motown.

Hill is far from perfect, but coming off the bench and for a cheap cost, Hill should be a guy the Jets look to bring in for 2012. Sanchez deserves a season with new coordinator Tony Sparano but if he fails to improve, Hill can be the veteran to attempt a rescue mission on the Jets season.

Offensive Tackle: Jared Gaither

Current Team: San Diego Chargers
2012 Contract Status: Free Agent

A tough pill to swallow is the fact that Gaither was a free agent up for grabs during the 2011 season, but the Jets did not pounce to bring him in.

Gaither was once the Baltimore Ravens' prized possession on the offensive line as he dominated his competition facing him. But injuries sent Gaither out of Baltimore as he was unable to reclaim the starting job after missing all of 2010 with injuries.

He signed with the Chiefs in August but only as depth. After being cut by the Chiefs in 2011 after a false start penalty while filling in as a backup, it appeared as though his career was heading down the wrong path.

But the Chargers signed Gaither only a day after his release, and he did not disappoint. He finished the season off strongly and hopes that he can return to starter form in 2012. 

With Wayne Hunter still slated in as the Jets right tackle after a dreadful season and Vladimir Ducasse still not ready to see significant playing time, general manager Mike Tannenbaum and Rex Ryan would be crazy to not offer Gaither a contract. After multiple injuries, the 6'9" 340-pound tackle will not be too expensive, and the Jets could have a new starter while continuing to groom Ducasse as a backup. 

Simply put, Hunter should not start for the Jets in 2012 and just about anyone can do a better job than he did in 2012. By signing Gaither, the Jets could luck out and get a great right tackle again. 

Safety: Michael Griffin

Current Team: Tennessee Titans
2012 Contract Status: Free Agent

Michael Griffin is the best safety on the open market for when March 13 comes around. Regardless, his price tag will not be so expensive that the Jets wouldn't be able to invest in him.

As the Jets outside cornerbacks locked down competition and passes towards the sidelines, the middle of the field was diced by the passing attacks of the NFL. Eric Smith, Jim Leonhard and Brodney Pool were the Jets three main safeties taking the majority of the shellacking throughout 2011 in the Jets secondary, and that needs a change. 

With the level of overall safety play decreasing in the NFL, filled with less superstars than other positions, Griffin could be in line for a big pay day in March. But he has been inconsistent in recent years, having success in 2009 before faltering in 2010 before once again having phenomenal coverage this past season. Overall, his lack of fluency will result in a not-so-heavy contract from teams looking for his services this upcoming year. 

The Jets need an athletic safety, and if the Titans do allow Griffin to enter free agency, the Jets need to be quick to give this man a telephone call... and a nice signing bonus. It will be worth it, as signing Griffin can help whomever the Jets decide to start beside him in the other safety slot look a little better.

Outside Linebacker: Anthony Spencer

Current Team: Dallas Cowboys
2012 Contract Status: Free Agent

Secretly, I'm hoping the Jets spend big cash in free agency or their first-round pick on an outside linebacker who can attack the passer. With Detroit defensive end Cliff Avril likely to hit free agency, he's a name Jet fans should really watch out for. 

Nevertheless, this list is for cost-efficient, realistic types of signings the Jets can make so cue Anthony Spencer, linebacker from the Dallas Cowboys. 

Spencer is a talented player in Dallas' defensive system that really hasn't broken out in the way the 'Boys front office anticipated after drafting him in the first round of 2007. Regardless, with the Jets unlikely to bring back Bryan Thomas following his season-ending injury, Spencer is a name to look out for. 

Spencer has been a stout run-stopper that can also apply pressure on the quarterback throughout his career. He may not be as savy as Clay Matthews when it comes down to bringing down the QB, but Spencer can get to the QB if needed and proved so with six sacks in 2011. The Jets highest sack total this past year belonged to Aaron Maybin, also with six. 

Spencer won't be too expensive since he hasn't really been considered a great player by the media. Opposite of Spencer is one of the best linebackers in football, Demarcus Ware, who is entitled to most of the Cowboy's defensive success. And for good reason, he's quite the superstar. 

If Spencer ends up a free agent, look for Rex Ryan to give his brother Rob Ryan, the Cowboys defensive coordinator, a call for an extra opinion. After playing a year in the Ryan system, Spencer could adjust to Rex's defense more quickly than some of the other players available.

Wide Receiver: Braylon Edwards

Current Team: N/A (Waivers)
2012 Contract Status: Free Agent

There aren't many chances you get to right a wrong in life. 

Mike Tannenbaum and the Jets will have a chance to do that in 2012 when free agency opens up, and they have a chance to bring wide receiver Braylon Edwards back to the Jets.

The Jets missed Edwards' knack for big plays in 2011. The Jets had only two plays over 40 yards the entire season. In his final season with the team, Edwards alone had four plays over 40 yards and was able to help the Jets advance through playoff games with clutch grabs.

The options for free agent wide receivers are large, and the draft is filled with talent players who could make an impact for many years to come. But in terms of a proven commodity who will come extremely cheap, Edwards can be the guy for the Jets in 2012.  

After a failed season in San Francisco for which he was released before their season was even complete, Edwards won't likely make over a million dollars this upcoming season unless he does so in an incentive-based contract. 

While the Jets brass didn't exactly make Edwards feel at home during negotiations last summer, the receiver admitted that he might find himself back playing for the Jets next season when asked on Twitter. To add more fuel to the fire, Jets head coach Rex Ryan commented on Edwards, hinting that the Jets did indeed miss Edwards when they decided to replace him for Plaxico Burress.