New York Jets Training Camp: Two Weeks to Go!

Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

It is almost here so close you can almost taste it. Two weeks from today the Jets report to training camp in Florham Park and before you know it the season will be upon us. Here is a brief recap of the offseason to date:

It seems like an eternity since the 2012 season ended.  Mike Tannenbaum was fired as was Tony Sparano, not to mention the retirement of Mike Westhoff. Rex Ryan was retained. Mike Pettine defected to the Buffalo Bills. After a long and exhaustive search John Idzik was hired to be the new general manager. Marty Mornhinweg was brought on board to revive the offense, Dennis Thurman was promoted from secondary coach to defensive coordinator and Ben Kotwicka succeeded his mentor Mike Westhoff.

On the player side of things veterans with bloated contracts and diminished production were cut. Bart Scott, Eric Smith, Sione Pouha and Calvin Pace were some of the cap casualties. Mike Devito, Brandon Moore and Dustin Keller left via free agency among others. Some guy named Revis was traded for a 1st round pick this year and a 3rd round pick next year (if he is still on Tampa’s roster if not then it is a 4th round pick). Tim Tebow and his traveling circus were released. Low cost veterans were brought in such as Willie Colon, Antwan Barnes, Stephen Peterman, Mike Goodson and yes, Calvin Pace. David Garrard was signed then retired when his knee didn’t hold up. Geno Smith was drafted in the second round to be the quarterback of the future and most likely the present as well. Dee Milliner was drafted to bolster the post-Revis secondary while Sheldon Richardson brings his unique skill set to a very talented defensive line. With Smith, Milliner, Richardson, 3rd round guard Brian Winters and 7th round fullback Tommy Bohanon the Jets have 5 potential starters from the draft. After the purge the Jets are set up nicely to have around $40 million worth of cap room next year and up to 11 draft picks.

Goodson was arrested on drug and gun charges that are still pending and Rex Ryan ran with the bulls in Spain. Antonio Cromartie held a 4 week training program with the defensive backs and Steven Hill while Jets West is scheduled to get underway this week with Mark Sanchez and some of the receivers.

That is pretty much the Cliff Notes version of the offseason to date and in two weeks football begins its season long journey from July through early February uninterrupted. Let the fun begin. I can’t wait.