Green Machine

Sheppard trade official

The Jets just made the official announcement of the Lito Sheppard trade. The Jets get the seven-year veteran CB from Philadelphia, and the Eagles get a fifth-round pick from the Jets this April and a conditional pick that could be as high as a No. 2 in 2010.

Moore happy to be back

The Jets officially announced the re-signing of RG Brandon Moore today, and also made him available on a conference call. Here are some of the highlights:

Although he admitted he thought the chances of him returning to the Jets after being released two days ago were 'pretty slim,' he noted that 'it didn't end on bad terms.'

He said he wasn't bothered by the fact that the Jets courted and almost signed Pittsburgh's Chris Kemoeatu before coming back to him. 'I understand the business side of it. At the end of the day, I ended up with the team I wanted to be with.'

He said he's happy to have financial security. He had said earlier this week [and rightfully so] that he had been playing above his contract. 'It feels good to finally put it to rest. My family can relax. This is where I wanted to be. Hopefully, I can end my career here.'

On for the first time in his career, being on a line on which all five starters are returning: 'That stuff goes a long way. I feel really excited about it.'

On new coach Rex Ryan: 'He's a great motivator [and] a straightforward football coach through and through. He's bringing a dynamic to this team I feel was really needed, the motivation, the passion. Guys really feed off that.'

Obviously, milquetoast former coach Eric Mangini didn't bring those kind of things.

 

  

Jets closing in on Sheppard trade

The NFL Network is reporting that the Jets have agreed on a trade for Philadelphia CB Lito Sheppard in which they would ship the Eagles a fifth-round pick in the April draft plus a conditional pick in next year's draft, depending upon how Sheppard plays in 2009. It's believed he will be in Florham Park on Saturday to take his physical, at which time the deal will be official.

RCB has been a trouble spot for the Jets and Rex Ryan and Mike Tannenbaum obviously want to fill it. 

Moore returns, believe it or not

In perhaps the most shocking development of all today, RG Brandon Moore, released yesterday, has re-signed with the Jets, according to an NFL source. The Jets were rebuffed earlier today by Pittsburgh's Chris Kemoeatu, who decided to remain with the Steelers. Moore's deal is for four years, $16 million and includes $10 million guaranteed.

Hey, give the Jets credit for correcting a mistake. The continuity on the offensive line will remain intact, which is huge. 

Scott deal finally done

OK, it's finally over. Bart Scott is an ILB for the NYJ. To get him, the Jets had to give him an extra year, so they signed him for $48 million over six years, according to an NFL source. That's because the Ravens got back into the bidding and offered $42 million over five years.

But, obviously, Rex Ryan and the Jets REALLY wanted Scott in green.

Bidding war for Scott

It's high-stakes poker between the Ravens and the Jets as Baltimore has upped the ante, offering ILB Bart Scott $42 million over five years, according to an NFL source. That tops the $40 million over five years for which the Jets were prepared to sign Scott.

Too early to tell how this will go, but the Jets already have lost out on Pittsburgh G Chris Kemoeatu today, as he re-signed with the Steelers for less money. He got $20 million over five years, with about $6 million guaranteed. It's believed the Jets were offering $16.6 over four seasons with approximately $7 million guaranteed.  

Jets and Scott have agreement in principle

The Jets and free agent ILB Bart Scott have agreed, in principle to a five-year deal, according to an NFL source and multiple reports. The contract is awaiting Scott's signature.

They are also getting closer to signing Pittsburgh UFA Chris Kemoeatu, a 344-pound guard who would replace Brandon Moore, who was released yesterday.

Baker now a Patriot

TE Chris Baker has reached an agreement with New England, according to nfl.com. Baker became a free agent because he had been released by the Jets. The Jets had hoped to re-sign him, but C-Bake decided to go elsewhere.

I can't say I blame him, considering the Jets negotiated a contract extension with him last fall but obviously didn't want to pay him. Baker, a combo tight end who can catch AND block, should be a good fit with the Pats. And if you're wondering, no, the Jets can't bring back Jason Pociask, at least not right now. He was cut from New England's practice squad last year but was signed as a street free agent by Tampa Bay after the season.

BTW, this is another case of how the Brett Favre trade keeps on giving, as the Jets would still have Pociask if they didn't have to keep Bubba Franks, who was clearly outplayed by Pociask in training camp. But the Jets had to keep Franks so he could translate the offense to former Packer teammate Favre. Now they only have one TE on the roster, Dustin Keller.

Interesting quote from Baker on the Jets-Pats rivalry, before the Jets faced New England on a Thursday night last November: 'Any time [there's] a team that has your number, you're not going to like them very much. Obviously they don't like us. I don't think they really respect us.'

 

Jets close to landing Scott

The Jets are 'close' to landing Baltimore ILB Bart Scott, who became an unrestricted free agent at 12:01 a.m. today. Negotiations are ongoing this morning, from what I understand, and a deal could be done today. nationalfootballpost.com is reporting that it's already done, but I'm told that's not true--yet.

Scott's agent, Harold Lewis, told me in an e-mail that Scott still 'has to make the final decision,' but it shouldn't take too much selling from the Jets. Scott is a Rex Ryan disciple and would be playing in the same defense, schematically. Plus, he can't help but be impressed by the Jets' state-of-the-art facility when he visits today.

The 28-year-old Scott would give the Jets a tremendous, relatively young inside linebacking tandem on their 3-4, as David Harris will be entering his third year in 2009.

League sources also indicate that the Jets are aggressively going after Pittsburgh guard Chris Kemoeatu, also a UFA. I guess this explains why they let Brandon Moore go yesterday. My guess would be that new coach Rex Ryan, whose former team played Pittsburgh thrice last season, believes Kemoeatu would be an upgrade over Moore. Interesting, although I still don't like the fact they forfeited having continuity on the O-line.

Adam Schefter of the NFL Network is reporting UFA CB Corey Ivy [another Raven] also will be visiting the Jets today. Ivy's been a backup, but I wonder if Ryan thinks he can plug the ongoing hole at RCB. We'll see.

Also heard the Jets are going after Manny Ramirez now that he spurned LA's latest offer--OK, I'm just kidding on that one.

Richardson re-signs

Unrestricted free agent FB Tony Richardson has re-signed with the Jets, according to the NFL Network. This was expected and is a good move for the Jets, as even though Richardson was 36 last season, he played much younger. He keeps himself in tip-top condition with a rigorous off-season program and is a pro's pro. It's good that he will be back.

Still waiting for some Bart Scott news. . .