Jets Finagling For Sharper?

In an earlier article I wrote wondering (in a comment I made later, after Jets had traded Kerry Rhodes to the Cards, who lost Antrel Rolle) why, after Kerry Rhodes had such a good run in the playoffs after being benched during the regular season, Rhodes had been traded to the Cardinals for a fourth round pick in 2010 and 2011.

As I had said, the Jets giving up draft picks (to the Chargers for Cromartie) for players that really wouldn't make much of a difference to an already outstanding defense might come back later to bite them in the butt. Well, they got some picks back.

Yet, this isn't about Rhodes, necessarily. It is, however, about safeties, and the one safety that the Jets acquiring could make them even more serious Super Bowl contenders than everyone already thinks they are, and that safety is Darren Sharper.

There is only one way, however, that the Jets could get him, and that is if they lose a UFA of their own. And that UFA is Thomas Jones, no?

Or is he someone who was cut, and just looks like a UFA? Considering the Jets cut him, then brought him back, and then let him go again, it looks like typical Jets finagling to me. And if Jones is a UFA, I'm speculating they won't sign him again PRECISELY because they need to lose one to get Sharper.

Crafty, that Mike Tannenbaum! Jets just resign Rhodes, and then trade him!

Which makes me wonder about the Dolphins signing Chad Pennington, who had asked for a "no trade" clause. Will Parcells, a protege of Tannenbaum, try the same scheme in order to pick up more draft picks? Heck, everyone knows the Rams need a quarterback, and what better QB than one who led a 1-15 team to the playoffs? 1-15, just like the Rams last year.