Wes' Update: I just received an text from ESPN that reads: "NYJ to give LB Aaron Maybin a 1st-round contract tender expected to be around $1.3 Million." In other news, now that I have ESPN's number, things are going really well. We have a date tomorrow night.
REX RYAN!!!!
Now that I have gotten that out of the way, let's talk about the Jets.
Heading into Free Agency, the Jets have about $2 Million in cap space, according to Football Outsiders. This article to which I have linked has a good paragraph that explains how they can perhaps move some money around to create some more room for them to maneuver. If you are interested, go check it out - it's good and reproducing it here would just make me sad to look at my own bank account.
Oh yeah, I forgot this: MARK SANCHEZ!!!!!!
Okay, cool, now we can talk about the Jets' offense.
So, yes, there may be a quarterback controversy a-brewing in New York. However they handle such a situation, it is in the team's best interest to patch up some holes going forward.
Essentially, the Jets need to provide weapons for Sanchez. They have done a few WR experiments the last couple of years, trying to bolster the pass game. If, in FA, they can just get it right and find that guy who can be a consistent weapon, it would do miracles for this offense.
Bringing in some competition at RB would also help. LaDainian Tomlinson isn't getting any older younger. Aaaaand, he's totally an Unrestricted Free Agent. Given the cap space issue and his age, I think that LT might need to find a new home. For the Jets, this means trying to establish a solid run game next year to compliment their legit defense.
Speaking of defense, they are pretty set in this department. That said, any team which needs to play the Patriots two times a season should always be on the lookout for DBs and pass rush guys.
Restricted Free Agents: TE Matthew Mulligan, LB Aaron Maybin, LB Jamaal Westerman, CB Marquice Cole.
Unrestricted Free Agents: QB Mark Brunell, QB Kevin O'Connell, RB LaDainian Tomlinson, WR Plaxico Burress, OL Robert Turner, DT Sione Pouha, LB Bryan Thomas, CB Donald Strickland, S Jim Leonhard, S Brodney Pool, K Nick Folk.