Jets Salary Cap Casualties Go Both Ways

John Idzik has a handful to deal with when handling the salary cap.

It’s a good thing that new general manager John Idzik puts a premium on the draft, because making moves via free agency is going to be difficult.

Why? The salary cap. Soon, we will start to hear about salary cap casualties, but they go both ways, with departures and acquisitions. Let me explain.

We know that soon, if not by the time of this post, we are going to start hearing about casualties from the roster. You know the names: Bart Scott, Calvin Pace, Eric Smith, and the list goes on. Guys that either because of age, production, or both, are no longer worth paying for, that are going to be cut. That is, they are “casualties” of the salary cap. But in a sense, you can say that guys they can’t sign are also casualties.

There has been a lot of talk about bringing back, or not bringing back, Shonn Greene, with the signs all pointing towards the latter. One report has Greene, a UFA, “as good as gone”. So if that is the case, who do the Jets replace him with? Let’s talk about what type of running back the Jets need.

We have talked about the needs of a West Coast offense, but we will briefly review. The perfect back for the system can be characterized by one word, “versatility”. The back needs to be fast, and be able to pick up yards after the initial hit. He must be elusive, and be able to catch the ball out of the backfield, which are all characteristics that are lacking in Shonn Greene.

However, there is a free agent that would fit this bill quite well.  He’s adept at catching the football, and has come into his own with the Miami Dolphins.  His name………….

Dec 30, 2012; Foxborough, MA, USA; Miami Dolphins running back Reggie Bush (22) runs the ball against the New England Patriots during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

Reggie Bush. Think about it, over the last two years, he hasn’t rushed for less than 986 yards. He has had seasons with over 70 and 80 receptions out of the backfield. We have seen how elusive he is, at least until the “Dirty Thirty” puts a hit on him of course. He would be the perfect addition to the West Coast Offense.

The trouble is the price tag. Hitting his prime at 27 years old, he is going to command big bucks on the open market. The Jets are in such bad shape they are talking about trading Darrelle Revis, there is as slim a chance as anything that they would have the money to sign Bush. They are going to have to look at more mid-level free agents, and the draft.

See what I mean? Cuts are salary cap casualties, as well as players that aren’t signed. Good luck Mr. Idzik.