Optimist Prime: A Look at the Jets Free Agents

Despite his Jets failing him once again in the AFC Championship Game, Russell is back with another Optimist Prime post on his team. Even though there's a Super Bowl still to be played, Russell is looking ahead to the off-season and free agency. Here is how he sees the Jets off-season shaping out:

Tough decisions coming for Mike Tannenbaum and Woody Johnson (Star-Ledger)

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It has been a tough week for Optimist Prime. He took the jets loss in the AFC championship game hard, not leaving his room and feasting on gallons of Ben and Jerry’s Phish Food ice cream. While he’s put on some pounds Optimist is, well, optimistic about the Jets chances next year, but it will be a tough offseason for sure. The Jets have 18 total free agents, and will need many of them back if they want to make another run at the Lombardi trophy. Here’s a list of the free agents…

UNRESTRICTED	RESTRICTED  (If There is A Salary Cap This Season)
Shaun Ellis	David Harris
Steve Weatherford	Nick Folk
Brodney Pool	James Ihedigbo
Tony Richardson	Robert Turner
Braylon Edwards
Santonio Holmes
Wayne Hunter
Trevor Pryce
Antonio Cromartie
Lance Laury
Eric Smith
Brad Smith
Drew Coleman
Kellen Clemens

Now there are a couple of variables in determining how many of these players the Jets will be able to keep. The new collective bargaining agreement will put a salary cap in place and owners have already said that it will be lower than the one that was in place prior to this year (in 2007 it was around $127 million). This will make it tougher for the Jets to re-sign all of their important pieces especially if Holmes, Edwards, Harris and Cromartie all ask for big money.

Also under old CBA rules a team that makes it to a championship game must release a player in order to sign a free agent. The final four teams will not be permitted to negotiate or sign any unrestricted free agent to a player contract unless he is cut from his team or originally belonged to the team that is trying to sign (or re-sign) him.

With this in mind here is a rundown of who the Jets must keep, and who they can let go…

MUST KEEP

David Harris- GM Mike Tannenbaum already said keeping him was one of their highest priorities, as it should be. Harris was one of the best players on the Jets defense and anchors a great group of LBs along with Scott, Thomas, and Pace. Harris had 99 tackles in the regular season, and was a major key to the Jets run defense. Harris’s rookie contract was set to pay him $550,000 this year, and you can bet he will want a more expensive contract. The Jets could either apply the franchise tag on him or sign him to a long-term deal, but he will be a Jet next season.

Santonio Holmes-Considering that they may not be able to keep Holmes, Edwards, and Cromartie, Santonio is definitely the highest priority. Holmes was Sanchez’s biggest threat and made game winning plays against Denver, Detroit, Cleveland and Houston. Holmes had big touchdown catches in the playoffs as well and out of all the receivers he is the one they most need to keep.

Brad Smith-Smith won’t ask for as much money as some of the other high profile names, and the Jets need Mr. Everything. Smith can return kickoffs, punts, and run the wildcat and the Jets need his versatility.

NEED TO KEEP, BUT MAY HAVE TO LET GO

Braylon Edwards- Again this all depends on what the salary cap will be. Edwards came up big against the Colts and along with Holmes, created a very good group of receivers. Keeping both WRs is key to the Jets offseason and Braylon had a great 2010 with 904 receiving yards. If they can resign Harris to a deal Mike Tannenbaum may consider putting the franchise tag on Edwards, to ensure he'll be a Jet in 2011-12

Antonio Cromartie- After a shaky start Cro stepped up towards the end of the regular season and in the playoffs. He is an upgrade at CB from last season and depending on the salary cap, will be another top priority for Gang Green.

RETIRING??

Tony Richardson- At 38 years old he could call it quits, and the Jets have been grooming John Conner to take his spot. Even if he doesn’t retire the Jets will have no issues resigning him.

Shaun Ellis- Shaun will be 34 before the start of the jets season and may not have many, if any years left. If he stays then the jets will easily be able to resign him.

Trevor Pryce-36 years old, not a huge factor for the Jets future.

REPLACEABLE

Brodney Pool- Came from Cleveland didn’t play that much, normally in nickel packages, easily replaceable.

Wayne Hunter- RT on a very good offensive line. Damien Woody got hurt and Hunter was used as a replacement plus extra blocker in the playoffs. Probably not a permanent solution at Right Tackle.

Eric Smith- Heavy hitter, not great in coverage, but will probably be resigned. Smith played a bigger role when Jim Leonhard was put on injured reserve, and won’t ask for a huge contract.

Drew Coleman- Backup corner with a nice pick against the Steelers, but there probably isn’t much room for him considering Sophomore Kyle Wilson will play a bigger role next season.

James Ihedigbo-Very solid special teams player, not a huge priority for the Jets but should be resigned ahead of most of the Jets free agents in the secondary.

Robert Turner- Backup at Center and Right Guard again not a player who played a huge role but won’t be asking for a big contract and should easily be resigned.

GONE

Kellen Clemens- Will probably go somewhere else where he may have a chance to compete for time. Only played against the Bills week 17 and has no chance of getting time at QB with the Jets.

Nick Folk- Whenever he was on the field, it was a stressful time for Jets fans. Scary to watch him kick field goals, and the Jets will go elsewhere this offseason.

Lance Laury- Who??? Made 12 tackles this year, played sparingly and is basically a non-factor.

WILL BE A JET

Steve Weatherford- Definitely a very solid punter. No real problems with him and he should be resigned.