Nov. 22, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets inside linebacker Bart Scott (57) reacts after a tackle against the New England Patriots during the first half on Thanksgiving at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports

This morning, with free agency just a few days away, we continue our countdown of the 10 best free agent signings in New York Jets history. Remember, the pickings are slimmer than you might think. For our younger readers, the NFL didn’t have straight free agency until the year 1992, when the players earned free agency by beating the NFL in court.

Our team is forever linked to that, as the decision is known as the “Freeman McNeil Decision”.

But anyway, back to the countdown. Our choice for number 10 was Alan Faneca.  And now, our number 9 best free agent signing by the Jets:

BART SCOTT

OK, over the last couple of years that Bart was here, he hardly justified himself a place on this list, granted.  But for the first two years in New York, Bart earned it my friends.

This was the guy that Rex had to have.  He was at his house when the 2009 free agency period opened.  Rex wanted this guy to be the heart and soul of his defense, much the way Ray Lewis held the same role in Baltimore.

What he brought with him was Rex’s personality, but he brought it onto the football field.  He was the embodiment of Rex Ryan on the field, both with his brash play and his brash personality.  His swagger brought a toughness to the New York Jets that we had not seen in a lifetime.

In the two seasons that the Jets made their playoff runs, Scott put up 92 and 81 tackles.  For two years, he was a poor man’s Ray Lewis.  And forgetting his talent, he makes the list for this:

For that, Bart makes the list.

Dec 30, 2012; Orchard Park, NY, USA; New York Jets outside linebacker Calvin Pace (97) during the game against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Bills beat the Jets 28-9. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Nov. 22, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets inside linebacker Bart Scott (57) reacts after a tackle against the New England Patriots during the first half on Thanksgiving at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports

The Jets began the road to salary cap recovery yesterday, waiving/releasing five players. Two of those players have been prominent faces for the Jets over the past few years, Calvin Pace and Bart Scott. These two moves were not a surprise, as they have clearly passed their primes as players, and have been the faces of an ever slowing down group of Jets linebackers.

But, it hasn’t always been this way. These two players were important cogs in the Jets defense, earlier in their Jets careers. Scott may be re-signed at the minimum, but assuming he isn’t, let’s remember the good sides of these players tonight, starting with Calvin Pace.

When Calvin first arrived with the Jets in 2008, he was an impact pass rusher. He put up back to back seasons of career high sack totals with 7 in 2008 and 8 in Rex Ryan’s first year of 2009. The 8 sacks were also in only 12 games.

Bart Scott was still in pretty top form when he arrived here in 2009 along with Rex Ryan. Not only did he bring his play with him from Baltimore, he brought a new attitude to the Jets. Rex had that attitude on the sideline, Bart had that attitude on the field. It was an attitude that said, “Here comes the Jets!”, and that the Jets had to be counted for. That the Jets were a laughingstock no more.

That first year with Rex Ryan, he posted 92 tackles. We thank both Bart and Calvin for what they brought to the table. And we finish up with our greatest memory of Bart Scott:

For that alone, the attitude change around the Jets, we thank Bart Scott.

Nov. 22, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets inside linebacker Bart Scott (57) reacts after a tackle against the New England Patriots during the first half on Thanksgiving at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports

The days of “Can’t wait!” are officially over in Florham Park, NJ.

The Jets have finally made moves to get under the salary cap, releasing LB Bart Scott, LB Calvin Pace, S Eric Smith, OT Jason Smith, and TE Josh Baker. As the Jets were over the cap as we all know, most of these moves were expected.

Bart Scott, despite being injured for part of the 2012 season, was almost a guaranteed cut, as was Calvin Pace. Both have suffered from dimished abilities. They could return at diminished salaries, but that possibility will be discussed at a later date.

Eric Smith was no surprise as his playing time significantly dimished, and Jason Smith was owed a hefty $12 million if he remained on the roster. The only marginal surprise is Josh Baker, who showed some ability as a pass catching tight end before he was injured during the preseason.

This does bring the Jets below the salary cap, by most counts at around $10 or $12 million below. Now it is on John Idzik to start repairing this roster.