halcyon
03-03-2005, 10:42 AM
Donīt know if this has been posted......
Jets lose Jordan to Raiders, Ferguson to Cowboys
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By RICH CIMINI
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New York Daily News
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NEW YORK - The Jets began the free-agent signing period on Wednesday the same way their season ended in Pittsburgh - with two big misses.
In the span of maybe three hours, they lost nose tackle Jason Ferguson to the Cowboys and running back LaMont Jordan to the Raiders, according to multiple NFL sources.
Also Wednesday night, there was word that the Santana Moss-for-Laveranues Coles trade talks with the Redskins are back on. The stumbling block remains Coles' asking price on a new contract.
The Jets made competitive offers to Jordan and Ferguson, holding out hope they could entice their top two free agents into re-signing. They valued Jordan so much they were willing to upset their salary structure to retain him, offering him starter's money - about $3 million per year.
Jordan, who spent four seasons as Curtis Martin's occasionally disgruntled understudy, agreed in principle to a five-year, $27.5 million contract to be the Raiders' featured back, a source said. It has $15 million in guaranteed money, including a $7 million signing bonus. He arrived Wednesday in Oakland, about the same time former Vikings receiver Randy Moss was being introduced to the media.
Anticipating Jordan's departure, the Jets moved quickly, bringing in the Chiefs' Derrick Blaylock for a free-agent visit Wednesday night. Blaylock, 25, would be an ideal replacement for Jordan. Playing behind Priest Holmes, he rushed for 539 yards and eight touchdowns last season. He also caught 25 passes. The Texans and Bucs also are interested in Blaylock.
The Jets knew it was going to be hard to keep Jordan, but they were stung by the loss of Ferguson, who signed a five-year, $21.5 million contract that includes a $9 million signing bonus. It's believed the Jets offered $4 million a year, including an $8 million signing bonus. They felt they couldn't go any higher, considering the other three starters - John Abraham, Shaun Ellis and Dewayne Robertson - are among the highest-paid linemen in the league. It would've thrown their salary cap out of whack.
Ferguson, 30, coming off one of his best seasons (3 1/2 sacks), was the object of a 24-hour tug-of-war between the Jets and his old coach, Bill Parcells. Ferguson appeared to be leaning toward the Cowboys on Wednesday morning when he flew on Jerry Jones' private jet to Dallas. As the day wore on, the talks slowed, fueling speculation that Parcells and Jones were butting heads and couldn't agree on a price for Ferguson. Suddenly, the Jets appeared back in the picture, according to several league insiders. Ferguson wanted to fly home to Memphis to weigh the offers with his wife - word has it that he got as far as the airplane hangar - but he was implored by Jones to stick around. He spent the night in Dallas.
Replacing Ferguson, the Jets' best run stuffer, will be difficult. They brought in the Texans' Seth Payne on Wednesday for a visit, but he wound up re-signing with Houston. The best available tackle, ex-Bill Pat Williams, signed with the Vikings.
The free-agent market drops off after Williams, with the Bengals' Tony Williams and the Vikings' Chris Hovan among the next tier of players.
BRYANT CUT: In a surprise, the Jets waived CB Roderick Bryant. He appeared in 12 games as a rookie last season.
Jets lose Jordan to Raiders, Ferguson to Cowboys
http://www.dfw.com/images/common/spacer.gif
By RICH CIMINI
http://www.dfw.com/images/common/spacer.gif
New York Daily News
http://www.dfw.com/images/common/spacer.gif
NEW YORK - The Jets began the free-agent signing period on Wednesday the same way their season ended in Pittsburgh - with two big misses.
In the span of maybe three hours, they lost nose tackle Jason Ferguson to the Cowboys and running back LaMont Jordan to the Raiders, according to multiple NFL sources.
Also Wednesday night, there was word that the Santana Moss-for-Laveranues Coles trade talks with the Redskins are back on. The stumbling block remains Coles' asking price on a new contract.
The Jets made competitive offers to Jordan and Ferguson, holding out hope they could entice their top two free agents into re-signing. They valued Jordan so much they were willing to upset their salary structure to retain him, offering him starter's money - about $3 million per year.
Jordan, who spent four seasons as Curtis Martin's occasionally disgruntled understudy, agreed in principle to a five-year, $27.5 million contract to be the Raiders' featured back, a source said. It has $15 million in guaranteed money, including a $7 million signing bonus. He arrived Wednesday in Oakland, about the same time former Vikings receiver Randy Moss was being introduced to the media.
Anticipating Jordan's departure, the Jets moved quickly, bringing in the Chiefs' Derrick Blaylock for a free-agent visit Wednesday night. Blaylock, 25, would be an ideal replacement for Jordan. Playing behind Priest Holmes, he rushed for 539 yards and eight touchdowns last season. He also caught 25 passes. The Texans and Bucs also are interested in Blaylock.
The Jets knew it was going to be hard to keep Jordan, but they were stung by the loss of Ferguson, who signed a five-year, $21.5 million contract that includes a $9 million signing bonus. It's believed the Jets offered $4 million a year, including an $8 million signing bonus. They felt they couldn't go any higher, considering the other three starters - John Abraham, Shaun Ellis and Dewayne Robertson - are among the highest-paid linemen in the league. It would've thrown their salary cap out of whack.
Ferguson, 30, coming off one of his best seasons (3 1/2 sacks), was the object of a 24-hour tug-of-war between the Jets and his old coach, Bill Parcells. Ferguson appeared to be leaning toward the Cowboys on Wednesday morning when he flew on Jerry Jones' private jet to Dallas. As the day wore on, the talks slowed, fueling speculation that Parcells and Jones were butting heads and couldn't agree on a price for Ferguson. Suddenly, the Jets appeared back in the picture, according to several league insiders. Ferguson wanted to fly home to Memphis to weigh the offers with his wife - word has it that he got as far as the airplane hangar - but he was implored by Jones to stick around. He spent the night in Dallas.
Replacing Ferguson, the Jets' best run stuffer, will be difficult. They brought in the Texans' Seth Payne on Wednesday for a visit, but he wound up re-signing with Houston. The best available tackle, ex-Bill Pat Williams, signed with the Vikings.
The free-agent market drops off after Williams, with the Bengals' Tony Williams and the Vikings' Chris Hovan among the next tier of players.
BRYANT CUT: In a surprise, the Jets waived CB Roderick Bryant. He appeared in 12 games as a rookie last season.