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Jets sign five-time Pro Bowl cornerback Ty Law
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Monday, November 10th 2008, 8:58 PM
Townson/AP
Ty Law (l.) gets a return stint with the Jets and another meeting with the team on which he made his name.
In a move that reeks of desperation, the Jets reached into their past - and the Patriots' past - by agreeing to a one-year contract Monday night with former Pro Bowl cornerback Ty Law, his agent confirmed.
Just in time for the Jets-Patriots showdown Thursday night in Foxborough, where the two rivals will battle for first place in the AFC East. Law, 34, in an interview with NFL.com, said he expects to play in the game at cornerback and perhaps safety.
Law picked the Jets over a handful of other teams, including the Patriots, according to his agent, Carl Poston.
The move smacks of typical Jets-Patriots gamesmanship, although Law is four years removed from New England, so it's unlikely the Jets would gain any strategic advantage.
"Ty was of the mind-set that he wanted to go to a contender, a team with a shot at the playoffs," Poston told the Daily News. "The Jets offered the best situation for him."
The two sides had been talking since the summer, said Poston, adding that things heated up about two weeks ago. Law's interest in the Jets piqued when the team traded for Brett Favre in August, according to Poston.
Law, a five-time Pro Bowl selection, played with the Patriots from 1995 to 2004. He signed a lucrative contract with the Jets and made the Pro Bowl in his only season, recording 10 interceptions. He became a salary-cap casualty, one of the first players released by Eric Mangini, who wanted to rebuild with youth.
Some within the organization felt Law was a prima donna and a bad influence on the young players. Mangini knows Law from their years together in New England, and the coach evidently is deeply concerned about his cornerback situation.
That explains the Jets' interest last week in free agent DeAngelo Hall, who wound up signing with the Commanders.
The Jets haven't found a consistent player to start opposite Darrelle Revis, who happens to be a close friend of Law. They're both from Aliquippa, Pa., where Revis grew up idolizing Law. Mangini apparently has lost confidence in rookie Dwight Lowery and nickel back Drew Coleman. Curiously, Justin Miller, once projected as a starter, is rotting on the bench.
"This is going to be different, playing Thursday night against the Patriots, matching up against my former team and the players I'm used to practicing against," Law told NFL.com.
"I know what they're going to throw at me, but I welcome the challenge. Bring it. I've got tricks for you."
Law's physical condition will be a major issue. He hasn't played since last season, when he finished up a two-year run with the Chiefs.
He's never been known as a workout warrior in the offseason, although Poston claimed that Law was "in top shape and ready to go."
With Law, the Jets added to their collection of aging players with impressive resumes.
With Law, Favre and guard Alan Faneca, they have three Hall-of-Fame-type players.
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Monday, November 10th 2008, 8:58 PM
Townson/AP
Ty Law (l.) gets a return stint with the Jets and another meeting with the team on which he made his name.
In a move that reeks of desperation, the Jets reached into their past - and the Patriots' past - by agreeing to a one-year contract Monday night with former Pro Bowl cornerback Ty Law, his agent confirmed.
Just in time for the Jets-Patriots showdown Thursday night in Foxborough, where the two rivals will battle for first place in the AFC East. Law, 34, in an interview with NFL.com, said he expects to play in the game at cornerback and perhaps safety.
Law picked the Jets over a handful of other teams, including the Patriots, according to his agent, Carl Poston.
The move smacks of typical Jets-Patriots gamesmanship, although Law is four years removed from New England, so it's unlikely the Jets would gain any strategic advantage.
"Ty was of the mind-set that he wanted to go to a contender, a team with a shot at the playoffs," Poston told the Daily News. "The Jets offered the best situation for him."
The two sides had been talking since the summer, said Poston, adding that things heated up about two weeks ago. Law's interest in the Jets piqued when the team traded for Brett Favre in August, according to Poston.
Law, a five-time Pro Bowl selection, played with the Patriots from 1995 to 2004. He signed a lucrative contract with the Jets and made the Pro Bowl in his only season, recording 10 interceptions. He became a salary-cap casualty, one of the first players released by Eric Mangini, who wanted to rebuild with youth.
Some within the organization felt Law was a prima donna and a bad influence on the young players. Mangini knows Law from their years together in New England, and the coach evidently is deeply concerned about his cornerback situation.
That explains the Jets' interest last week in free agent DeAngelo Hall, who wound up signing with the Commanders.
The Jets haven't found a consistent player to start opposite Darrelle Revis, who happens to be a close friend of Law. They're both from Aliquippa, Pa., where Revis grew up idolizing Law. Mangini apparently has lost confidence in rookie Dwight Lowery and nickel back Drew Coleman. Curiously, Justin Miller, once projected as a starter, is rotting on the bench.
"This is going to be different, playing Thursday night against the Patriots, matching up against my former team and the players I'm used to practicing against," Law told NFL.com.
"I know what they're going to throw at me, but I welcome the challenge. Bring it. I've got tricks for you."
Law's physical condition will be a major issue. He hasn't played since last season, when he finished up a two-year run with the Chiefs.
He's never been known as a workout warrior in the offseason, although Poston claimed that Law was "in top shape and ready to go."
With Law, the Jets added to their collection of aging players with impressive resumes.
With Law, Favre and guard Alan Faneca, they have three Hall-of-Fame-type players.
