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It’s time for free agency, and let’s take a look at what is going on with the Jets, aside from the signing of Bryan Thomas . . .
The Houston Texans cut their long-time right tackle Eric Winston on Monday. The Texans have major cap issues, and the release of Winston cleared between $4-5 million this year.
Some wondered if the Jets would be interested, since they are in the market for a right tackle to compete with Wayne Hunter (unless they can trade him).
Winston might not fit the power offensive line approach the Jets are going to use under Tony Sparano. The Texans used a zone blocking attack under Gary Kubiak (just like he used in Denver), and this relies more on finesse than power.
So while Winston is a pretty good player, he’s not a great fit for the Jets, and he will likely will sign with Miami. Not only did he play college football at “The U,” but he still lives there . . .
Speaking of the Dolphins, Miami gave promising OT Lydon Murtha a second round tag, higher than expected.
This might be the stave off the Jets.
Tony Sparano likes this guy, who was having a great camp last summer, before landing on IR with an arm injury.
We hear Murtha did a great job last summer in camp on pass rushers like Cameron Wake and Jason Taylor before getting hurt.
If the tender wasn’t so high, the Jets probably would have taken a run at him.
He is 6-7, 315 and ran a 4.9 forty at the combine . . .
The Jets interest in WR Chad Schilens makes a lot of sense.
The Jets new WR coach Sanjay Lal coached him the last four years with the Oakland Raiders.
Schilens was a seventh round pick of the Raiders in 2008 draft out of San Diego State.
It didn’t take long for the Raiders to realize they had a major steal on their hands.
In fact, by Week Nine of his rookie year, Schilens cracked the starting lineup.
Schilens hasn’t really been able to pick up on the momentum he had as a rookie due to injuries, but if he can stay healthy, this guy brings a lot to the table.
He is 6-4, 225, runs under 4.4 and has good hands. He’s also a very good run blocker . . .
According to one internet report, the have an interest in free agent safety Reggie Nelson, a former first round pick of Jacksonville, who played for Cincinnati the last two years.
Nelson is a great athlete with outstanding safety speed, but his instincts are average . . .
The Jets signed former USC center Kris O’Dowd today.
O’Dowd was considered one of the best centers in the draft last year, but went undrafted due to injury concerns. He signed with Arizona as an undrafted free agent, but didn’t make the team.
In college, he dislocated his right knee twice, and had shoulder surgery.
If he can stay healthy, this guy is a good football player, and obviously Sanchez is very comfortable with him – he was Mark’s college center . . .
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