COLES A SPLITTING END
By MARK CANNIZZARO
Last updated: 2:16 am
February 26, 2009
Posted: 2:06 am
February 26, 2009
With the free-agency signing period just hours away, the Jets made a rather stunning move yesterday when they parted ways with receiver Laveranues Coles.
The Jets reached a compromise with Coles, who wanted to renegotiate his contract into a long-term deal the team wanted no part. Instead, the parties agreed on a restructured contract that allows Coles to become an unrestricted free agent at 12:01 a.m. tomorrow.
Making this move most curious is that Coles wanted this, considering he had one year remaining for a guaranteed $6 million. Had the Jets simply released Coles, they would still have owed him $6 million for 2009, even if another team were to sign him. It's believed they will save the $6 million on the salary cap with this move.
Coles will have a difficult time finding a team willing to give him a long-term deal for $6 million a year given his drop in production the last two seasons and his age (31).
Unless he re-signs with the Jets, which is possible but unlikely, look for the Dolphins, who are quarterbacked by his close friend Chad Pennington and do not have a true No. 1 receiver, to show some interest. Coles, remember, was drafted in 2000 by Bill Parcells, who is an executive with the Dolphins.
After catching at least 82 passes in five out of six seasons, Coles has had 55 and 70 receptions in the last two years.
The Jets will release right guard Brandon Moore today, according to a source close to Moore, because they don't want to pay the $7 million in guaranteed money he's due in early March if he's still on the roster.
The Jets and Moore's agent have talked about a new contract, but have not come to an agreement. So Moore will test the open market but still could end up re-signing with the Jets - something the Jets want.
Once free agency begins, look for the Jets to target cornerback, linebacker and wide receiver now that Coles is gone.
It's likely new coach Rex Ryan will take a look at some players he coached in Baltimore, including inside linebackers Ray Lewis and Bart Scott, safety Jim Leonhard and cornerback Corey Ivy.
The most unlikely to be available is Scott, who was believed to be close to re-signing with the Ravens (his first choice), possibly before hitting the open market.
Lewis' first choice is to remain in Baltimore. It's possible that unless the 33-year-old is blown away with a huge offer from the Jets, Cowboys or another team, he could give the Ravens a "hometown discount."
Leonhard, who filled in for the injured Dawan Landry last season, finished third on the Ravens with 69 tackles and had a sack and an interception for a touchdown. But with Landry slated to start again, the Ravens will not re-sign Leonhard.
Ivy, who had 52 tackles and 2½ sacks last season for the Ravens, is a Ryan favorite. The Jets are thin at cornerback, and Ivy could be a good nickel back.
The Jets could look to sign Bengals WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh, the best of the free-agent receivers, to start opposite Jerricho Cotchery.
Twelve Jets will become unrestricted free agents, including kicker Mike Nugent. He rejected a Jets offer this week and is headed for the open market. That likely gives the job to Jay Feely, who had a fantastic 2008 season filling in for Nugent, who was injured in Week 1.
mark.cannizzaro@nypost.com
http://www.nypost.com/seven/02262009/sports/jets/coles_a_splitting_end_157051.htm
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