New York Jets Free Agents Part II

Jul 24, 2014; Cortland, NY, USA; New York Jets running back Bilal Powell (29) runs with the ball during training camp at SUNY Cortland. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

The other day, we touched on a few of the big name Jets players that are free agent eligible at the end of the season. Today I thought we could look at some of the other players the Jets might look to keep to build on for the future. As I said in the first part of this article, many of these decisions will swing on who is making the calls during the off season. This roster is going to require a bunch of upgrades in the off season, so retaining some of the “lesser” players may turn out to be key for success next season.

Bilal Powell is finishing off a four year/$2.44 million deal which included a $400,500 signing bonus and $400,500 in guaranteed money. Powell came cheap enough for the Jets, and he hasperformed well in limited duties. Powell is a talented back and many believe he has more of an upside that he hasn’t been allowed to display because he’s been buried behind Chris Johnson and Chris Ivory on the depth chart.

This decision will likely depend on whether Chris Johnson is back next year. Powell has earned a contract in my opinion, but it’s unclear what they intend to do with him. If he’s looking for a hefty pay day, he may be allowed to test the market. He’s not a huge part of this offense, but I think the Jets would be wise to retain his services.

Nov 9, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Michael Vick (1) reacts against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

A decision at QB has to be made this season. Michael Vick has played out his one year, $4 million contract with the Jets. The question now becomes whether the Jets want to keep Vick in the mix for next year’s QB competition. It will also come down to Michael Vick’s desire to return to the Jets, or even to football for that matter. Vick will be 35 years old next season, and while he still can play the game, he’s beaten up. Injuries have become more frequent in recent years, and to me, this year he has shown signs of just going through the motions. His heart never seemed to be in the game. My best guess is Vick retires from here. He may try the market, but I don’t believe we’ll see him in green and white again.

Aug 28, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New York Jets quarterback Matt Simms (5) throws against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first half at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

Staying with the QB position, the Jets will need to make a decision on what they need to do with Matt Simms at season’s end. Simms is eligible for free agency as a restricted free agent. I have to believe the Jets have given this player enough looks in his tenure to know what they have in the quarterback. There won’t be many suitors for Simms, I’m thinking, so it is possible the Jets choose to keep him around as an emergency quarterback. Simms position was actually saved by the fact that he still was practice squad eligible this season. The Jets drafted Taj Boyd last season in an apparent move to replace Simms. It’s very likely in my opinion that Simms will be done with the Jets and will be sitting the bench on another team’s roster next season.

Nov 3, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets linebacker Nick Bellore (54) celebrates a defensive stop against the New Orleans Saints during the second half at MetLife Stadium. The Jets won the game 26-20. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

The Jets also have two of their star backup/situational players eligible for free agency as well in 2015. Both inside linebacker Nick Bellore and defensive end Leger Douzable are playing out the final days of their contracts. Bellore is finishing his one year $1,431,ooo deal while contributing on special teams and as a backup with the Jets linebacking corps. Bellore has been a contributor for the Jets; he’s just 25 years old and has three years experience in the current system. In my opinion, he has also earned a contract; his biggest contribution has been as a special teams player, and as such, the Jets if they desire will likely be able to sign him again at the right price. Whether they pursue him will again boil down to which direction they decide to take in the management of the team. I myself would love to see Bellore back for another campaign.

A decision will be made regarding Leger Douzable as well. Douzable is playing out a one year deal worth $1 million that included 150,000 signing bonus and guaranteed money. Douzable has played well for the Jets as a backup, providing rest for the starters along the defensive front. He’s stout against the run, but has failed to provide the big time pass rush from the end. Though I like Douzable, and he has been a key contributor for this team, I see his time coming to an end with the franchise. The Jets lack elite pass rushers off the edge, and will likely look to replace Leger with a younger more talented pass rusher. A move to a 4-3 defensive scheme might change things, but I have to believe Douzable days are numbered with the Jets.

Aug 9, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Greg Salas (19) makes a one handed catch against the New England Patriots during the second half of a preseason game at Lincoln Financial Field. The Patriots won 31-22. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

A few other players are free agent eligible that the Jets might have an interest in keeping. It’s anyone’s guess what they will do concerning these players, they are fringe talents, and those decisions will come down to which direction the next head coach chooses to go. Greg Salas, Tanner Purdum, Benjamin Ijalana, Willie Colon, Philip Adams, John Connor, Joshua Thomas, and Jermaine Cunningham are all unrestricted free agents at the end of the month. Restricted free agents include Dallas Reynolds, Jaiquawn Jarrett, and Chris Owusu. Many of these names aren’t of the household variety to most Jets fans, but decisions to their future with the Jets will be need to made.

Sep 28, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson (96) reacts after the Detroit Lions scored a touchdown at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

I left Muhammad Wilkerson to last in this piece as he is under contract with the Jets through 2015. It’s imperative the Jets get a deal done this off season to retain the “face of this franchise” for the future. Wilkerson is a superstar on the field and has proven he’s a class act off of it as well. Wilkerson’s deal is going to be expensive, and they will need to get it done to fit everything within the cap restrictions. Money isn’t key here, as Wilkerson has proven his worth, and the Jets have a nice little “nest egg” set aside in cap money to get this one done! Wilkerson has been very patient with Jets management; he chose not to hold out for a bigger deal this year, and has quietly put up another respectable year on the field without making noise in the media about the money. This deal absolutely needs to get done this off season, the Jets should take no chances here, pay the man!!

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