Jets Fantasy News

Wednesday, February 8, 2012, 10:48am

It looks like Santonio Holmes will indeed be with the Jets in 2012. Holmes, whose season ended with a benching in Miami, is guaranteed $7.5 million of his $11 million 2013 salary if he still is on the Jets’ roster this morning.

That means the Jets owe the wide receiver $15.25 million of guaranteed money, an amount that means he won’t be going anywhere. The Jets have said publicly since the season ended they would keep Holmes, but parting still seemed like something the team had to consider after the way Holmes’ 2011 season went.

Thursday, January 19, 2012, 3:24pm

Jets owner Woody Johnson says WR Santonio Holmes will definitely be on Jets in 2012. "He may be one of the best players we've ever had."

Friday, January 13, 2012, 12:10pm

As much as the New York tabloids would love to run with this for months, NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora throws a pretty wet blanket on the Peyton Manning-to-the-Jets story.

“People I talk to in the league just don’t see it happening,” La Canfora told “NFL Total Access” on Thursday. “It just doesn’t add up to where (Manning) wants to be.”

Rather, general managers around the league mention teams such as the Seahawks, Cardinals and 49ers to La Canfora as possible destinations for Manning.

Sparano expected to "scale back" Jets' playbook
Thursday, January 12, 2012, 10:19am

New Jets OC Tony Sparano believes in a power-running game (how long before he's uttering the words "Ground & Pound"?) and he emphasizes pass protection with the tight ends and running backs. In other words, he's not going to leave Wayne Hunter singled up against pass-rusher Jason Babin, as outgoing OC Brian Schottenheimer did last month in Philadelphia.

Sparano's philosophy should help QB Mark Sanchez, who needs the support of a strong running attack, but it remains to be seen whether he tweaks the passing game to suit Sanchez. People in the organization felt Schottenheimer tried to make Sanchez a pocket passer and never adjusted to his strengths -- play-action bootlegs, allowing him to throw on the run.

Look for Sparano to scale back the playbook. Schottenheimer ran a high-volume offense and it overwhelmed Sanchez at times, according to sources. Sanchez also needs a quarterback coach who can help him better understand pass coverages. Too often he doesn't know how to react when his first read is covered.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012, 1:29pm

A season torn by discord and dysfunction prompted several key Jets players and members of the organization to paint a sobering picture of Mark Sanchez, a polarizing figure within the franchise’s walls.

They raised serious doubts about his ability to lead the Jets, questioning everything from his practice habits to the organization’s coddling of him to how much of a role he truly played in the team making two consecutive AFC Championship Game appearances.

They also invited the opportunity to replace Sanchez with Peyton Manning.

The consensus among players who spoke to the Daily News was that, at the very least, the Jets must sign a legitimate veteran backup to push their young quarterback.

“We have to bring in another quarterback that will make him work at practice,” said one player. “He’s lazy and content because he knows he’s not going to be benched.”

On Dec. 28, Sanchez said that he was “light years ahead” in areas such as defensive recognition, clock management and understanding of the offensive system. Six days later, general manager Mike Tannenbaum said that Sanchez’s “rate of growth isn’t where it needs to be.”

Jets hire Sparano as offensive coordinator
Wednesday, January 11, 2012, 1:23pm

The New York Jets have hired Tony Sparano as their offensive coordinator to replace Brian Schottenheimer.

The 50-year-old Sparano will be charged with improving an offense that finished 25th overall and further developing quarterback Mark Sanchez, who has been heavily criticized for not progressing as expected in his third season.

Monday, January 9, 2012, 2:17pm

Following a stellar career in the NFL that spanned 15 seasons, veteran wide receiver Derrick Mason is going to retire. "I'm done," Mason told Scout in a telephone interview "I won't be playing football. I only knew one play to play football, going all-out and having fun out there."

A two-time Pro Bowl selection, Mason caught 943 career passes for 12,061 yards and 66 touchdowns. He played for the Tennessee Titans, Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets and the Houston Texans.

Thursday, January 5, 2012, 12:52pm

For the third time in three days, GM Mike Tannenbaum endorsed Mark Sanchez, telling WFAN's Mike Francesa Wednesday that Sanchez will be the Jets' starting QB in 2012.

But the more Tannenbaum talks about Sanchez, the more I get the distinct feeling that the Jets are planning to acquire a veteran backup that could put pressure on Sanchez.

"Mark will be our starter," Tannenbaum said. "With that said, I think we will look at that position as a whole -- (Kevin) O'Connell, (Greg) McElroy, (Mark) Brunell -- and see if there are ways to improve the depth ... The depth at quarterback is very critical, and we look at that very closely."

In Tannenbaum-speak, that means, "We're bringing in some competition for a change."

Santonio Holmes a "cancer," per a Jets source
Tuesday, January 3, 2012, 6:50pm

The Jets’ chemistry experiment blew up on Rex Ryan. Holmes, on his best behavior in his first year with the Jets in 2010 as he played for a new contract, became toxic in the locker room after Mike Tannenbaum gave him a five-year. $45 million contract following the lockout and Ryan incredibly appointed this All-Pro distraction a team captain.

“I don’t see how he can come back,” one respected Jets veteran said.

Is that the majority opinion in the locker room?

“Yes,” the veteran said.

Holmes’ antics have been going on all year but exploded in Miami when he pouted during the game, ignored Sanchez in the huddle and infuriated his teammates.

“Go home. Go to the sidelines,” one player yelled at him.

Holmes and the player began screaming at each other in the huddle. On the next series, tackle Wayne Hunter and Holmes got into it in the huddle. Soon after, Holmes was benched by Schottenheimer. Holmes then sulked on the bench. He alienated so many players in the locker room that the Jets have to get rid of him.

“He’s a cancer. It’s like dealing with a 10-year-old,” a Jets source said Monday.

One Jets source described how Holmes undermined Sanchez last week. The struggling quarterback called a meeting Wednesday with his wide receivers. Holmes showed up but gave Sanchez a hard time.

“He went back and forth with Mark at the meeting,” the source said. “He was saying stuff like, “What am I even here for?’”

Sanchez called another meeting for Thursday. Holmes disrespected his quarterback. “He blew off Mark by not even showing up,” the source said.

Mark Sanchez will remain the Jets' starting QB in 2012
Tuesday, January 3, 2012, 10:29am

Mike Tannenbaum assures that Mark Sanchez will be the starting QB for Jets when 2012 starts. However, there will be positional tweaks.

Monday, January 2, 2012, 2:12pm

Per a source with knowledge of the situation, Santonio Holmes is due to receive a guaranteed base salary of $7.75 million in 2012. It’s fully guaranteed, for injury, skill, and salary cap.

And here’s where the decision gets even thornier. If he’s on the roster on the second day of the 2012 league year, $7.5 million of his $11 million base salary in 2013 becomes fully guaranteed, too.

And so the Jets have to decide whether to cut him loose and owe him only $7.75 million, or whether to keep him and owe him a fully guaranteed $7.75 million for 2012 and a fully guaranteed $7.5 million for 2013.

Meanwhile, the storm clouds are gathering for Holmes. An unnamed Jets player told Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News that Holmes is a “cancer,” and that playing with Holmes is “like dealing with a 10 [year] old.”

Coaching carousel: 10 names to keep an eye on
Saturday, December 31, 2011, 1:05pm

While many are now finished with their holiday shopping, some NFL owners are just about to get started. Beginning as soon as Sunday night, some NFL owners will be shopping for a new head coach to become the leader and the face of their franchise. Here are 10 names, in alphabetical order, that are likely to be on many of the shopping lists:

Broncos defensive coordinator Dennis Allen: Players consider him to be calm and charismatic, and it helps that he has learned from Saints head coach Sean Payton and Broncos head coach John Fox.

Seahawks offensive line coach Tom Cable: The Raiders have had a habit of watching some of their former head coaches, like Mike Shanahan and Jon Gruden, find success elsewhere, and Cable could do the same.

Panthers offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski: Carolina knows how in demand Chudzinski will be and will make it as tough as possible for him to the leave the Panthers.

Packers assistant head coach Winston Moss: An intense former player and current coach who has learned from some of the finest in the Raiders and Packers organizations.

Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey: After helping mold Matt Ryan into the quarterback he is, Mularkey's name has been whispered for a while now in Jacksonville.

Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer: New York might be struggling, but its red-zone offense is not, and Schottenheimer has the right pedigree and résumé to become a successful head coach.

Montreal Alouettes head coach Marc Trestman: A sleeper, off-the-chart candidate who might be able to build a champion just as he has done in the Canadian Football League.

Chargers assistant head coach Steve Wilks: His work in San Diego quietly has begun to get recognition around the league.

Vikings defensive backs coach Joe Woods: Considered to have a similar makeup to Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, who also once served as an assistant coach with the Vikings.

Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer: His players revere him and his defenses perform for him, and now the time should be here for him.