The Jets got three core players signed (CB Darrelle Revis, C Nick Mangold and LT D’Brickashaw Ferguson) in a climate where a lot of teams refuse to go down that road, in a recession, and with labor uncertainty.
The San Diego Chargers have two key players (WR Vincent Jackson and LT Marcus McNeill) still holding out for new deals, and both are prepared to sit out the season.
Chargers management refuses to budge.
“No one or two players is above the entire team,” Chargers owner Dean Spanos said. “It just doesn’t work that way. What if they were here and got hurt the first game? … What do you do then? Do you just give up? The ship has sailed. We’re going. There are 53 guys out there. I like our 53 guys, and I like our chances. I wish they were here. They decided not to come.”
And even with injuries at offensive tackle, the Chargers refuse to give in to McNeill’s demands.
“We’re on the streets trying to find the best guy we can possibly find unless Marcus wants to come in and sign his tender,” Spanos said. “That’s my position. And that’s not the $3.2 (million) tender. That’s the (lower tender).”
Jets fans should feel somewhat fortunate that their team was a little more flexible.
