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New Jersey – Jets General Manager Mike Maccagnan will be downing a lot of Latte Macchiatos from Starbucks this off-season with all the work he has to do. A lot of tough decisions in free agency . . .
Here is Part I of our look at the Jets’ list of free agents and what might happen in each case . . .
Safety Antonio Allen
They probably bring him back at the league minimum. After all, he wasn’t waived injured. He spent the season rehabbing his Achilles injury at their complex. If they weren’t interested in bringing him back, he likely would have received an injury settlement.
Defensive End Stephen Bowen
Highly unlikely he returns. He played little this past season, and will be 32 next season.
Kicker Randy Bullock
Good kicker, but Nick Folk signed a long-term deal in 2014 – four-years, $12 million, with $2.1 guaranteed. Now if Bullock doesn’t get a job elsewhere, he could be brought in as competition for training camp, but he will likely get interest elsewhere.
Guard Willie Colon
It’s not going to happen. He’s got knee issues and is going to be 33 next season. Good chance he’s working for SNY next season. Also, the Jets are loaded with young guard candidates to compete on the right side – Brian Winters, Dakota Dozier, Wesley Johnson and Jarvis Harrison. And maybe even the new guy – Sean Hickey. I don’t think Winters is a lock to start again. He needs to be a lot more consistent. Colon had a nice run in the NFL, but it’s probably the end of the line for him.
Linebacker Demario Davis
Unless they get him relatively cheap, he’s likely going to be playing elsewhere. While he takes a lot of heat for his coverage, which is average, he makes a lot of plays in run support, and will have no problem getting a job elsewhere. The Mo Wilkerson, Ryan Fitzpatrick and likely Damon Harrison contracts take precedent, so not a lot money left for Davis.
Tight End Kellen Davis
If they can get him for another one-year minimum deal. A good blocker, but a little inconsistent. I think they would want him back. When he brings his A-Game, he’s like having an extra OT.
Defensive End Leger Douzable
Will be 30 in May, but still at the top of his game. The guy is reliable, smart and durable. If they can get him back on a one-year deal for around the league minimum, they should do it. Good role player
Nose Tackle Damon Harrison
I have a different view on this one than most. If he gets a big offer elsewhere, I think the Jets need to let him walk. I wrote about this in the latest issue of Jets Confidential Magazine. While I think he’s a good player, I do think he benefited to a degree from the Jets’ terrific talent at defensive end (Wilkerson, Sheldon Richardson and Leonard Williams). They gave Damon a lot of favorable one-on-one blocking scenarios. So I don’t think they should go nuts with the contract.
January 20, 2016
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