Content available exclusively for subscribers
As you know by now, it was announced by ESPN’s Adam Schefter that running back Chris Johnson visited the Jets today in Florham Park . . .
When will he make a decision?
“When the Titans cut running back Chris Johnson, the initial expectation was that he’d sign by the middle of last week,” wrote Mike Florio of NBC Sports.
It was his initial expectation, and now he’s making it into a general initial expectation. He’s the one who wrote it.
But I digress.
It’s pretty clear what is going on here.
Johnson is now dealing with the reality of what the market represents for him, as a 28-year-old running back with over 1,700 carries. There isn’t a huge demand.
He’s not going to get big bucks, and there aren’t a lot of suitors.
We all know what happened today. Rex charmed the sox off of him.
Rex is like a great college recruiter in free agency. He’s a superstar on free agent visits.
“I always wanted to play for Rex Ryan,” Mike Vick said after he signed.
But while the Jets have interest, they aren’t going to overpay. I think were a looking at a Vick-type deal.
John Idzik does a nice job of letting the market come to him.
I know this frustrates some fans, but honestly, who did they miss out on early in free agency who is that great?
I know Dimitri Patterson’s not a sexy name, but you talk to people around the league, and there isn’t a huge difference between him and Dominique Rogers-Cromartie.
Willie McGinest, one of many people with Patriots connections at NFL Network (we cover this problem in the latest issue of Jets Confidential) was critical of the Jets’ approach in free agency.
“The Jets need to stop being cautious and go get some players,” said McGinest, who played for a team that historically has been cautious in free agency.
The Jets have signed a starting receiver (Eric Decker), a starting right tackle (Breno Giacomini), a starting corner (Patterson), retained a starting right guard (Willie Colon), a starting outside linebacker (Calvin Pace) and a terrific placekicker (Nick Folk). And Johnson could be on the way.
And it’s far from over.
Charlie Casserly, on the same panel as McGinest, put it best by adding, “Let’s see where they are in September.”
Casserly is right. It’s ridiculous to rip the Jets right now.
Honestly, the proof is in the pudding – let’s see how the roster looks in September. Let’s see if it’s a winning formula once the games start. Blasting teams now is just foolish . . .
One other item on today’s menu.
Manish Mehta reported the Jets are going back to Cortland this summer for training camp.
I looked into this.
What I found out is that they are going, but will spend less time there than in the past, perhaps cut off a week from their time up there. I hear they could be up being there for 2 1/2 weeks this summer.
April 15, 2014
Premium will return by 9:30 pm on Wednesday
