Stay Classy, San Diego?

The Jets took out a full-page ad in Sunday's Kansas City Star thanking Thomas Jones for his service to the organization. Cool. I like that.

Will the Chargers do the same for LT?

LaDainian Tomlinson: A New York Jet

Two-year deal for $5.2 million.

Sure hope the fella has gas left in the tank. I think he does.

Isn't it interesting that the two Chargers players who acquitted themselves the most poorly in the NY-SD playoff game are both now on the Jets.

Don't be surprised if Leon Washington is not a Jet next season. Why would LT be so willing to join a three-man backfield? The second-round tender makes it reasonable for a team to sign him and provides the Jets a semi-legit excuse to let him go.

It's amazing how that one innocent run play in Oakland drastically altered the futures of four running backs and multiple franchises, namely the Jets.

Mind if I get the room? L.T. is coming over...

That's right, after a night out on the town, LaDainian Tomlinson has opted to stay in New York for the night. Hmm, does he sleep in Rex or Mr. T's bed?

(If he officially signs in the next 24 hours, allow RS to apologize in advance for not "reporting" it immediately. I will be in Venice for the day and TLL will be running naked onto the field at White Hart Lane, chasing a terrified Luka Modric.)

Update (7:53 p.m....NY time)

Cimini is the man. Keep, it coming, Rich!


There's a "possibility" that LaDainian Tomlinson will make a decision tonight, according to a person close to the Tomlinson courtship -- a strong indication that the Jets will prevail over the Vikings for the future Hall-of-Fame running back.

If Tomlinson makes a decision tonight, it's hard to imagine that he'd pick the Vikings, considering he'll be breaking bread with member of the Jets' hierarchy.

(Original Post)

This from Rich Cimini of the Daily News...

Former Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson, who has spent much of the day meeting with team officials at the Jets' Florham Park headquarters, is planning to spend another night in town.

Tomlinson will have dinner this evening with GM Mike Tannenbaum and coach Rex Ryan and other Jets personnel at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J. Since there are no flights that late back to the West Coast -- LT lives in San Diego -- he will stick around for another night.

That, of course, works in the Jets' favor. Tomlinson's itinerary for tomorrow has yet to be determined. That it's open-ended means he could easily hang around a little longer in the event that he agrees to sign with the Jets.

It's believed that Tomlinson's original plan was to fly home and talk things over with his family, but as we wrote in today's paper, the Jets are putting on a full-court press and there's a chance he could decide on the Jets by tonight. Ryan, you know, is a master at the dinner table.

This appears to be a two-team race: Jets versus Vikings.

An L.T. Return to Meadowlands?

Interesting report from from ProFootballTalk via Adam Schefter.

If LaDainian Tomlinson does not sign with the Vikings during his current visit---which is unlikely considering his desire to be more than a reserve but not quite a feature back---the greatest running back of the 00's will visit the Jets on Friday.

The Jets seem like an ideal landing spot for the former Charger. The Jets have a need for a veteran back. They will be a Super Bowl contender next year (you read correctly; get used to it). And they don't have a feature back, a la AP.

But does he make sense for the Jets? I'd say yes. On the field, I don't think he's completely washed up. Despite a drastic decline in virtually every statistical category over the past three years, he's still LaDainian Tomlinson. If you give him ten carries a game and toss in a few short passes, I think he could be a solid addition. As for off the field stuff, or intangibles as they say in sports, having one of the great running backs of all-time mentoring Shonn Greene cannot be a bad thing. Right? The man has missed only three games in his nine-year career. Maybe he can teach Shonn how to man up through a rib injury in the second half of the AFC Championship game...

(Erasing image of LT on sideline, dark-visor helmet and coat on versus Pats in '07 Championship Game...)

And if he signs with the Jets, this video becomes ours!

Primary Secondary Moves

                Now guest starring Antonio Cromartie!

Much to my chagrin, the Jets acquisition of Antonio Cromartie did not receive front page headlines in Prague. Shouldn't a 25-year old football player with seven in children in five states, multiple traffic violations and an accusation of champagne bottle-throwing attract the attention of Czech people?

I guess not. Maybe if he ran up and down the streets promoting strip clubs and harassing small children at 4 a.m. he'd be of interest to them.

Nevertheless, the Jets began their secondary makeover this weekend with a pair of somewhat expected moves. It started late Thursday night when it was announced (Mike Lombardi crushed Cimini on this one) the Jets had acquired Cromartie from the Chargers for a third-round pick in 2011 (escalates to a 2 based on performance). Without taking the Rex "I am a Defensive God!" Ryan factor into consideration, Cro appears to be a younger version of Lito Sheppard: had an all-pro season early in his career but failed to sustain that momentum. He is a terrible tackler and doesn't seem like a guy who "loves football," similar to the player they rid themselves of Saturday night.

With that said the Jets have two things working in their favor with Cro: he's in a contract year, and the Jets, in theory, play his style of defense: man-to-man coverage. I think the latter is a little overrated. Either the dude will try and be focused and in turn play very well, or he will continue fornicating with women in New York City nightclubs. The reason I think he'll be ready to go in 2010 (and probably only 2010), is because he wants, err, needs a new contract. Those Baby Mamas aren't going to leave him alone after one year. (He could take the Travis Henry route and try to sell drugs to cover alimony costs. That way he has the dough or just ends up in jail.)

The other move, which was really inevitable despite optimistic talk from both parties, was the trade of Kerry Rhodes to the Arizona Cardinals. The Jets did fairly well to get a fourth-round pick (and a 7 in '11). It would have been a major buzzkill to not have a pick in Rounds Three or Four. (Ironically, they lost their original fourth-round pick in the Lito Sheppard trade.)

 (And don't buy this crap that the Jets are trying to cut salary. The Mets have trained me to smell cheapness and Woody Johnson is not being cheap. In the next 12 months, the Jets have to give out huge extensions to Revis, Mangold, Brick, Harris, and possibly Leon, Braylon, and Cromartie. They needed to rid themselves of any players they deemed overpaid and expendable.)

Although Rhodes clearly did not fit into the Jets' defensive scheme and wasn't buying the Rex Ryan mentality, it's disappointing how many defensive players have great starts to their careers with the Jets only to leave for another team shortly thereafter. Whether is talent drop-off or money issues, the Jets have lost: James Farrior, John Abraham, Erik Coleman, Kerry Rhodes, and of course Super Bowl champion, Jonathan Vilma. (I don't think Donald Strickland's Vagina will be joining that group.)

As for what the Jets should do now...I'd say re-sign TJ. Sign a possession receiver (T.O. anyone? Seriously, T.O. I'd be OK with that if it works with FA rules), draft an animal pass rusher first round, safety second round, and a burner every round thereafter with the hopes one of them works out. And with Trader Mike at the helm, that scenario is actually possible!

Hits the Rhodes, Kerry!

Kerry got exposed as a wuss, now he's leaving town (and, presumably, that jacket)

It's been an active week indeed for (forgive me) Trader Mike. He's jettisoned (forgive me again) Thomas Jones and I think curiously, Wallace Wright, and of course traded a couple picks for Antonio Cromartie aka The Most Reproductive Player in the league.

The move today has been a long time coming. Kerry Rhodes was quite obviously a misfit in Rex Ryan's band of misfits. He may fare better in a different system, being as naturally athletic as he is, but Rhodes is anathema to the Rexy mindset. Remember when Jim Leonhard dove head first, sans helmet, into the pile for that fumble during the playoffs? Rhodes is far too intelligent for that kind of business. And that's fine, just not in this team. As for his benching, if anything, they played better without him. Eric Smith, Leonhard, and a mystery man will be just fine for 2010-11.

So, alas, the buried lede. Kerry Rhodes to Arizona for a 4th round pick this year and a 7th in 2011... probably as much for the reasons stated above as to clear moneys for the monster deals coming to D. Revis, N. Mangold, D. Ferguson, and D. Harris.

Hello, Antonio

Mike Tannenbaum is at it again. The Jets have tonight confirmed a deal for now former San Diego CB Antonio Cromartie. Gang Green will send a third round pick in 2011 (that's NOT this draft, kids) out west in exchange for the beastly Cromartie. That could become a second-rounder if he meets certain performance triggers.

The fact is: the Jets can't do anything big in FA because of these dumbass Final Four restrictions, so this was the absolute best option in finding a complement for Mr. Revis. Like Lito Sheppard, Cromartie has had some fantastic years... and some less fantastic years. Regardless, he's 25 years old, and like Sheppard before him, playing for a new contract.

Farewell, T.J.

                                          I'll miss the weekly Gun Show...

Quick trivia question for you...

Only one running back in Jets history has rushed for over 1,000 yards and 10+ touchdowns in consecutive seasons. Who is he?

Your answer: Thomas Jones.

TJ sacrificed years off his career to shoulder the load for the Jets offense this season. And when you look at the season in its entirety, he was undoubtedly the team's offensive MVP.

He may not have meant what LT meant to Chargers fans, or even what Brian Westbrook meant to Eagles fans, but he was universally liked and appreciated by Jets supporters, and because of that, his impending release is very unfortunate.

In his three years with Gang Green, Jones amassed 3,833 yards and 28 touchdowns and most impressively, lost only fumble. He played in all 48 games and rarely voiced displeasure with the team's often questionable play-calling.

When he reached the end zone only twice in his maiden campaign with the team, he said he needed to get better, not the 4-12 team around him. This year, with their best offensive player out for the season, a struggling rookie quarterback, and unproven commodity sitting behind him on the bench, Jones had a career year.

As Shonn Greene began pilfering carries away from Jones at the end of the season, TJ remained the consummate professional, supporting the man whom he knew was ultimately going to cost him money this off-season.
Beyond the emotions though lay football questions. Will Leon be 100% for the start of the season. And if he is, will he be Leon? Can Shonn Greene handle a start running back's workload? More importantly, can he hold onto the football?

If you didn't notice, the above uncertainties were what made TJ so reliable. He was always healthy and never lost the ball. He was a rock, in every sense of the football term.

So why didn't the Jets exercise his $6 million option in an uncapped year? Well, in theory, the Jets still have a budget, so to pay a potential third-string running back that amount of money is a big hit. The Jets will sign another running back, likely a veteran, but he won't require that large a paycheck. In a perfect world the Jets would re-sign TJ to a one-year deal at a more reasonable price, but at age 31, Jones is looking for one last payday. He is coming off a career year after all.

The lasting memory of TJ will always be the fourth-and-1 from the Chargers 29, the Jets needing three feet to advance to the AFC Championship Game. Jones earned that fateful yard (and more), sealing the most important Jets win of the past 41 years.

He will be missed.
____________________________________________________________
Oh, and yeah, told ya so.

Ryan Miller is currently the best goalie in the world. It's just a shame he couldn't get the gold medal to validate that title.

What an incredible two weeks of hockey, though. Just goes to show you what happens when Gary Bettman doesn't have control of the situation; talent and excitement flow.

Although the NHL would never contract 8-10 teams to improve the level of play, Olympic hockey shows you how captivating the sport can be at its highest level. That's why people love the NHL Playoffs. The Panthers, Thrashers, Blue Jackets, Lightning, Hurricanes, Predators (hopefully), Coyotes (damn it!) aren't there to ruin it. The casual fan starts to pay attention in Round Two, has his interested piqued in the Conference Finals (can we just fast-forward to Pens-Caps, Blackhawks-Sharks already??), and is finally hooked by the time they award Lord Stanley's Cup.

Unfortunately, everyone who watched the sport the past 14 days won't be seen or heard from until late May.

You're Going the Wrong Way!

   Jim Marshall must have spent way too much time in England...

Sorry about no Weekly Thoughts. I was exploring the extraordinarily fine city of London. Perhaps the closest thing I've ever experienced to New York City...other than the whole driving on the wrong side of the road thing.

Brits are kind of like Americans from that respect. We know we're a little better and cooler than everyone, but in case you forget, here's a reminder: We're going to drive in the wrong lane and steer the car from the passenger's seat. Deal with it.

It's OK, though. There's no justifiable reason for Uncle Sam natives to measure temperature, height and mass differently. But we do. Because we can.

How does this relate to the Jets? Funny you ask.

(Searching for clever answer...)

(Searching...)

I guess it doesn't. February 8-23 are the only days on the Gregorian calendar where nothing happens in the NFL universe. Literally nothing. The Scouting Combine starts on Feb. 24. Free agency Mar. 5. Mini camps soon thereafter.

But for these 16 dormant days, it's all about the Olympic hockey. Don't doubt Team USA, folks. Despite a dearth of big goal-scorers or the lack of a shutdown defenseman, they have what no other team has: the best goalie in the world (as of right now). Both Brodeur and Luongo hit the break slumping, Henrik hasn't been The King this year, and Miikka Kiprusoff is...too Finnish. 

Canada will fold under the homeland pressure. Russia stubbornly took too many KHL players. And Sweden is old.

This is still a Jets blog, don't worry. You typed in the right URL. And if you're confused as to why I opted to discuss Olympic hockey instead of Mets spring training during my short football-free window, here's why.

I hope I can fail as miserably as Omar Minaya, the rest of Mets front office, and the team's training staff has over the past four years and still be employed.

No wonder Adam Rubin asked Jeff Wilpon for career advice.

Ewwwwwww.

What's with the Flyers jersey, Rex? Not cool.

Also, should we be concerned Rex has no belly button?