Analyzing the Jets Free Agents

As Jets fans hoping to recover from the painful reality that the team did not "lead the league in wins," we can take solace in the fact that the team has a strong young core, an intriguing and successful head coach and an owner that's willing to spend. But with an entire slew of free agents and an unknown and uncharted new labor agreement to come (hopefully), the Jets' most important piece this off-season will be GM Mike Tannenbaum, who adeptly loaded the team with talent for a Super Bowl run this season. Tannenbaum will have his hands full adding the pieces that will hopefully make the Jets a contender in 2011. Here is a breakdown of the Jets most important free agents.

David Harris-MLB: The only member of the "Core Four" that has yet to be offered a long term contract, Harris is coming off a season in which he led the team in tackles and at age 27 is in his prime. His partner in crime, Bart Scott is on the decline and the Jets will need Harris back to maintain their position as one of the league's best defenses. Once the CBA is in place, expect Harris to be the Jets' first priority, but beware, Harris waited all season for this negotiation as the other three (Mangold, Revis and Ferguson) got deals, and he will fight hard for what he thinks he deserves...think Darrelle Revis.

Santonio Holmes-WR: Let's make no mistake: Holmes is the Jets best receiving threat and "Tone Time" is not a myth...it's real. After serving his four game suspension, Holmes worked his way into the starting lineup and gave the Jets a threat that they haven't had since Keyshawn Johnson was in town. Braylon Edwards (see below) is also a free agent, and the Jets have said they want to bring both back. If they can't, expect the Jets to target Holmes as the guy, but this is not certain, it may make sense for them to sign Edwards, who is expected to be a cheaper (if only slightly) option.

Braylon Edwards-WR: Edwards had a very strong year for the Jets, finishing second on the team in receptions and first in receiving yards. He cut down on the drops that plagued him the last few seasons, and is always a good vertical target for Mark Sanchez because of Edwards' size and athleticism. As I said before, the Jets would love to keep both him and Holmes, but we'll see if this is possible. Edwards is a far superior blocker in the open field than Holmes, and certainly has the tools to be a number one receiver, but we'll have to see how much money he commands once free agency begins. It will also be interesting to see if the possibility of Edwards being suspended by the NFL (because of his DWI and past issues) affects the Jets decision to sign or prioritize him ahead of Holmes.

Antonio Cromartie-CB: Cromartie was a fantastic compliment for Darrelle Revis this season. He was brought to New York for that purpose and it certainly worked, but in terms of his overall season–well it was up and down. Cromartie is a good ball hawk and an above average coverage-guy, but he has a tendency to get beat in big spots, and gets flagged for ridiculous penalties way too much. Oh yeah, and his tackling makes Deion Sanders look like Dick Butkus. The fact of the matter is that the Jets spent a first round draft pick on cornerback Kyle Wilson last season and while Wilson had a rough rookie season, he did look useful at times and may be able to take over opposite Revis next season. Cromartie will want/need a lot of cash in the offseason, and the Jets quite frankly may not have the resources to pay him.

Shaun Ellis-DT/DE: The longest tenured Jet heads to free agency this season, and as much as Jets fans will want him to be back (none more than me), it seems his days are numbered. Ellis has played 11 seasons for gang green, and only missed 6 games. Ellis is still a good run defender and a fantastic leader, but he's clearly on the down side of his career and plays a position the Jets must improve. Most of the experts expect the Jets to draft a DT of some sort in the first round to try and improve the team's pass rush–and area that killed them all season, and with Ellis as the only member of the D-line that is a free agent, it seems that he will either not be asked back, or be offered a contract with very little guaranteed money. Ellis may seek employment elsewhere or retire, either way, he will be a Jet for life and enter the Ring of Honor in the near future.

Brad Smith-KR/WR/QB: This is an interesting one. Smith was a crucial part of the offense all season, coming in for the wildcat/option packages that were pretty effective. The problem is how much money will he seek and is he really an essential member of the team? With Sanchez entering his third season, usually the coming out party for quarterbacks, will the Jets really use Smith enough to warrant him coming back? He is a dynamic Kick Returner and Special Teamer for sure, but if Cromartie comes back, that role could be filled. Also, don't forget that the Jets still have Joe McKnight who can also return kicks. Also working against Smith is that the team showed it can be effective on offense without him–beating New England in the playoffs when he was injured and nearly coming back against Pittsburgh without using any of the Wildcat offense. That being said, it is unclear what kind of market their will be for the multi-talented Smith, and if there are few suitors, perhaps the Jets can get him back as a steal.

Kellen Clemens-QB: I expect Mark Brunell to retire and despite the accepted notion that Kellen Clemens will not be brought back, I disagree. Clemens will not have many offers elsewhere, and with his knowledge of the offense, should be a cheap and steady backup for Mark Sanchez. After all, the Jets felt comfortable with Clemens as the backup when Sanchez was a rookie, why not now?

Nick Folk-K: Folk is too inconsistent and my guess is that the Jets really regret not bringing back Jay Feely. Though he started the year strong, Folk hit a mid season stretch that had Jets fans turning over stones to find John Hall. It's too early to see who is available, but is there anybody Jets fans wouldn't take?

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