NEW YORK JETS DAILY CLIPS

March 14, 2014

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Table of Contents

NEWSDAY .............................................................................................................................................................. 1

Ex-Jet Antonio Cromartie negotiating with Cardinals (Kimberley Martin) ................................................................ 1

THE RECORD .......................................................................................................................................................... 2

Jets: Team has high expectations for Eric Decker (J.P. Pelzman) .............................................................................. 2

STAR-LEDGER ......................................................................................................................................................... 3

NFL free agency 2014: Raiders will suffer no cap hit if they cut former Jet Austin Howard after one season for poor play (Darryl Slater) ............................................................................................................................................ 3

Jets are still shopping for a top free-agent cornerback (Darryl Slater) ..................................................................... 5

NEW YORK POST .................................................................................................................................................... 6

Even after snagging Decker, Jets still looking to boost WR corps (Brian Costello) .................................................... 6

Darrelle Revis and other sports rivalry traitors (Jonathan Lehman) ......................................................................... 7

Cromartie visits Cardinals, curbing chance of Jets reunion (Brian Costello) ............................................................. 8

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS ........................................................................................................................................ 8

NY Jets agree to terms with WR Eric Decker on five-year, $36 million deal (Seth Walder) ...................................... 9

After NY Jets passed on Darrelle Revis, he bolts for Patriots in 'Benedict Arnold' move (Gary Myers) .................. 10

Darrelle Revis sought return to NY Jets, but only Rex Ryan wanted him back (Gary Myers) .................................. 12

NY Jets have private meeting with USC receiver Marqise Lee after his L.A. pro day (Manish Mehta) ................... 14

Former NY Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie visiting Arizona Cardinals (Manish Mehta) ................................... 14

NEW YORK TIMES ................................................................................................................................................ 15

Jets’ Signing Makes Waves, but Now It’s Up to Decker to Stay Afloat (Bill Pennington) ........................................ 15

WALL STREET JOURNAL ....................................................................................................................................... 16

Decker Improves Jets, but How Much? (Stu Woo) .................................................................................................. 16

ESPN NEW YORK .................................................................................................................................................. 17

What we learned on Day 3 of free agency (Rich Cimini) ......................................................................................... 17

NJ.COM ................................................................................................................................................................ 18

Free agency 2014: 10 cornerbacks still out there for the Jets (Dom Cosentino) .................................................... 18

THURSDAY’S SPORTS TRANSACTIONS .................................................................................................................. 19

NEWSDAY

Ex-Jet Antonio Cromartie negotiating with Cardinals (Kimberley Martin) Newsday March 13, 2014

http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/ex-jet-antonio-cromartie-negotiating-with-cardinals-1.7386794

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Only days after getting dumped by the Jets, Antonio Cromartie could be on the verge of finding a new home.

According to a source, the cornerback spent Thursday visiting with the Cardinals. By the evening, Arizona still was trying to figure out a way to bring Cromartie on board.

The Arizona Republic reported that Cromartie will remain in town while the Cardinals continue to negotiate with his agent, Ben Dogra.

Cromartie, who was released Sunday by the Jets in a cost-cutting move, said earlier this week that the "door's still open'' on a return to Florham Park. But it appears a reunion with his former team may be even more unlikely now.

Unfortunately for the Jets, the free-agent cornerback market is steadily shrinking.

General manager John Idzik chose not to aggressively pursue Darrelle Revis after he hit the free-agent market Wednesday following his release from Tampa Bay. Instead, Bill Belichick and the archrival Patriots quickly came to terms with the Jets' 2007 first-round pick.

It's a reported one-year, $12- million deal that includes a $20- million club option in 2015. Per the terms, New England wouldn't be able to use the franchise tag.

Although the Patriots have yet to make it official, Revis' business manager confirmed the signing via Twitter Thursday morning.

But Revis isn't the only corner no longer in play for the Jets. Vontae Davis and Alterraun Verner, two top free-agent targets at the position, signed with the Colts and Bucs, respectively. In a surprise move, the Broncos lured Aqib Talib away from New England, but the Patriots wisely countered by securing Revis, a three-time All-Pro. Yesterday, former Panther Captain Munnerlyn, also a target of the Jets, agreed to a three-year, $14.25-million deal with the Vikings.

Meanwhile, the Jets have remained quiet on the cornerback front, and Cromartie could be on the verge of striking a new deal in Arizona.

The Jets saved $9.5 million in salary-cap space by cutting the three-time Pro Bowl selection. Cromartie, who will turn 30 in April, carried a team-high $14.98-million cap number for 2014 and was due to earn a $5-million bonus. He said on ESPN Radio on Monday that the Jets never reached out to him or Dogra to negotiate a new contract.

"We didn't hear anything from them,'' Cromartie said.

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THE RECORD

Jets: Team has high expectations for Eric Decker (J.P. Pelzman) The Record March 14, 2014

http://www.northjersey.com/sports/football/jets-expect-much-of-decker-1.740882

Free-agent wide receiver Eric Decker signed with the Jets late Wednesday night after he had dined at a restaurant in Morris County with coach Rex Ryan and other team officials.

But now the question becomes, has Decker bitten off more than he can chew?

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Decker, who turns 27 on Saturday and will be entering his fifth NFL season, had 87 receptions and 11 touchdown catches last season, and 85 catches and 13 touchdowns in 2012.

But keep in mind, he was playing with future Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning in both of those seasons. He also was the beneficiary of the extra attention paid by opposing secondaries to the talented Demaryius Thomas, the Broncos’ No. 1 receiver.

With the pay raise will come increased responsibility, as the Jets certainly are paying Decker like a No. 1 receiver. The new contract reportedly is worth $36.25 million over five years, with $15 million guaranteed.

Decker struggled in the Super Bowl against Seattle’s press coverage, managing only one reception for six yards in a blowout loss. He figures to see a lot of similar looks in 2014.

He also will be playing with a second-year quarterback, Geno Smith, who endured a rocky rookie season and isn’t anywhere near as accomplished as the signal-caller whom Decker is leaving.

However, Decker told the Denver Post he "did research" on the Jets and their quarterback situation, and indicated that offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg vouched for the still-unproven Smith.

Mornhinweg "really believes in this kid," Decker said.

It will be interesting to see how Decker handles this media market. Decker is from Minnesota and starred at the University of Minnesota, so he hasn’t been in a market as big as this one.

But he and his wife, country singer Jessie James, already have their own reality show. Decker thus knows what it’s like to be in the spotlight, and he was well-liked by his Denver teammates, according to reports.

BRIEFS: The Jets made no signings Thursday, one day after signing Decker and Seattle right tackle Breno Giacomini and re-signing reserve defensive lineman Leger Douzable.

Douzable praised his defensive-line teammates on a conference call.

"It has been a blessing to play with those guys," he said. "I feel like we are going to be the best D-line in the league this year."

Kicker Nick Folk, re-signed to a four-year deal Tuesday, said on a conference call that he didn’t mind that the Jets placed the franchise tag on him last month.

"I think they just wanted to make sure," Folk said, "with all the frenzy that went on the first day of free agency that nothing crazy happened.

"They wanted to make sure that something would get done and I’m happy it did."

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STAR-LEDGER

NFL free agency 2014: Raiders will suffer no cap hit if they cut former Jet Austin Howard after one season for poor play (Darryl Slater) Star-Ledger March 13, 2014

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2014/03/nfl_free_agency_2014_raiders_will_suffer_no_cap_hit_if_they_cut_former_jet_austin_howard_after_one_s.html

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Former Jets right tackle Austin Howard will actually receive $11.8 million in guaranteed earnings from his new contract with the Raiders, according to a league source, rather than the $15 million that was initially reported.

The deal is for five years and $30 million, and Howard agreed to it just after midnight Wednesday, shortly after the free agency signing period began. Later Wednesday, the Jets agreed to terms – still undisclosed – with Seattle’s right tackle, Breno Giacomini.

Howard’s base salary ($2.9 million) for 2014 is fully guaranteed. He also will receive a $5 million roster bonus for 2014, on Saturday. His 2015 base salary ($3.9 million) is completely guaranteed if an injury is the reason the Raiders decide to cut him. It becomes fully guaranteed, no matter what, on the seventh day of the 2015 league year next March. Howard is set to earn the rest of his roster bonus ($3 million in addition to that aforementioned $5 million) on the fifth day of the 2015 league year.

OK, so what does this all mean?

Howard is guaranteed to get $8 million out of the deal – his 2014 base salary and roster bonus, plus a $100,000 workout bonus. (He gets a $100,000 workout bonus every year of the deal.)

But if the Raiders decide to cut Howard for poor on-field performances before the fifth day of the 2015 league year, they do not owe him his $3.9 million base salary, his $3 million roster bonus or his $100,000 workout bonus for 2015, and he would not count any more money toward their salary cap.

The $15 million guaranteed money figure comes from the fact that Howard stands to likely get the $7 million for 2015, since it would be guaranteed next March, in addition to the $8 million he will get this year.

The $11.8 million figure is arrived at when you add Howard’s $2.9 million base salary for 2014, his $5 million roster bonus for 2014 and his $3.9 million base salary for 2015, since that figure was guaranteed, in the event that injury is the reason the Raiders cut him, at the time of the contract signing, according to the official wording of the deal.

It is mostly semantics. The bottom line: Howard will get $15 million out of this deal if he plays two seasons for the Raiders. If they cut him after one season because of dreadfully poor performances (this seems unlikely), he gets $8 million.

Either way, it is not chump change, especially considering Howard played last season on a one-year contract – a $2.023 million restricted free agent tender.

This is technically a five-year deal, but if the Raiders don’t like what they see out of Howard after one or even two years, they can get off the hook for no cap ramifications in either case. Of course, Howard does seem to be progressing well in his career. He had his best season in 2013, his second as a starter, and will turn just 27 years old later this month.

Howard’s yearly base salaries will be $2.9 million, $3.9 million, $4.4 million, $4.9 million and $5.4 million. His yearly cap charges (factoring in his base salary, roster bonuses for the first two years and workout bonuses) will be $8 million, $7 million, $4.5 million, $5 million and $5.5 million.

But since the NFL does not have guaranteed contracts, the last few years of a contract rarely matter if there is no guaranteed money involved, as is the case with Howard, since all the guaranteed money is on the front end, in terms of cap impact.

Still, Howard publicly expressed pleasure with the deal on his Twitter page. He bid a fond and classy farewell to the Jets, while candidly noting that the decision to leave was not easy, but was “made for us,” with regard to “value and worth.”

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Jets are still shopping for a top free-agent cornerback (Darryl Slater) Star-Ledger March 13, 2014

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2014/03/jets_are_still_shopping_for_a_top_free-agent_cornerback.html

The Jets have a desperate need for a No. 1 cornerback, a need they created when they cut Antonio Cromartie to save salary-cap space.

From a monetary standpoint, it was a completely logical move. Cromartie was scheduled to count $14.98 million against the Jets cap in 2014, a number far too high for a player who struggled last season and turns 30 next month.

Cromartie will now count $5.48 million against the Jets’ 2014 cap in dead money. All the Jets had to do once they cut Cromartie was find an elite cornerback to replace him.

But free agency has not progressed quite that simply for the Jets.

They were unable to get one elite corner when Vontae Davis re-signed with the Colts. Then Alterraun Verner picked the Bucs. Aqib Talib went to Denver. And Darrelle Revis, the former Jet whom Jets brass showed no interest in bringing back for a second stint, took Talib’s spot in New England.

Thursday, a pair of cornerbacks disappeared from free agency’s shelves when Carolina’s Captain Munnerlyn agreed to sign with Minnesota and Seattle’s Brandon Browner agreed to join Revis in New England, according to NFL Network. Browner’s agent later flatly denied to Pro Football Talk that a deal is done. Minnesota was Munnerlyn’s first visit of free agency, and he had one set up with the Jets, according to the Charlotte Observer.

Cromartie said in a radio interview earlier this week that both he and the Jets had left the door open for him to perhaps return under a more modest contract. But he also said the Jets made no effort, before cutting him, to arrange such a scenario.

Cromartie did some shopping of his own Thursday, when he visited the Arizona Cardinals, according to a league source.

Absent the possibility of Cromartie returning, the Jets’ next option could be pursuing his cousin, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who was left without a team when the Broncos signed Talib. The Jets have already signed one Broncos player: Eric Decker on Wednesday night, when he immediately became their best receiver. His deal is reportedly for five years and $36.25 million, with $15 million in guaranteed pay.

The Jets on Wednesday also agreed to terms with right tackle Austin Howard’s replacement, Seattle’s Breno Giacomini.

Howard, who left for the Raiders, does not technically have $15 million in guaranteed money in his five-year $30 million contract, as previously reported. He is guaranteed to get $8 million in salary and bonuses for this season, according to a league source.

But if he performs poorly, the Raiders can cut him after this season with no hit to their salary cap. If Howard makes it into next summer on the Raiders’ roster he will get $7 million more in guaranteed pay, which is where the $15 million figure came from.

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The Jets’ kicker, Nick Folk, is also on another one-year contract, even though he has a four-year $12 million deal. Folk’s only guaranteed pay is a $2.1 million roster bonus this year, though he probably also will get his $1.5 million base salary for 2014, unless something goes completely haywire. If he kicks poorly this season, the Jets can cut him for no cap hit.

"Just about any deal that anyone’s got, you have got to go out and perform and make sure that you’re holding your end of the bargain up," said Folk, who made $795,000 last year. "I’d like to play for a long time in New York."

A lower-profile signing, backup defensive lineman Leger Douzable, also spoke to reporters Thursday after he reportedly re-signed for a $1 million contract, including a $150,000 signing bonus, a raise from the $715,000 he made last year with the Jets.

"I feel like we’re going to be the best d-line in the league this year," Douzable said.

NEW YORK POST

Even after snagging Decker, Jets still looking to boost WR corps (Brian Costello) New York Post March 13, 2014

http://nypost.com/2014/03/13/even-after-snagging-decker-jets-still-looking-to-boost-wr-corps/

Eric Decker put the pen to paper Thursday, officially signing his contract with the Jets hours after agreeing to the deal.

The Jets addressed their most glaring hole, signing the top wide receiver on the free-agent market. But is it enough to help jump-start an offense that was ranked 31st in the NFL in passing in 2013?

Most people believe Decker is a No. 2 receiver, but the Jets needed to upgrade the position any way possible, and they did that by signing Decker.

“At the end of the day, they had a lot of money to spend and they had to get somebody, obviously,” NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger said. “What they have there just isn’t sufficient. The big thing is whether he can make that jump to a No. 1 and be the guy — the Dez Bryant, the [Larry] Fitzgerald, be that guy. It doesn’t really matter because they need help. The draft is going to supply more help. I just think it’s a good starting point.”

The Jets plan on adding more receivers through free agency and May’s draft. But Decker will need to be a go-to guy for Geno Smith this season no matter whom else they add. The Jets signed Decker to a five-year, $36.25 million contract with $15 million guaranteed, a reasonable deal.

Decker comes with a nice résumé. He had 87 catches for 1,288 yards and 11 touchdowns last season. In 2012, he had 85 catches for 1,064 yards and 13 touchdowns. The man throwing Decker all of those passes was Peyton Manning, so there is a question of whether he can thrive away from Denver.

“I think Decker is a good No.2 receiver,” ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said. “If you’re asking more than that, maybe you’re expecting too much. He was in the perfect scenario certainly in Denver with Peyton last year, when you think about what he was able to do numbers-wise. When he was at Minnesota, I had a second-, third-round grade on him when he came out. I liked him coming out of Minnesota as a 2, not a 1.”

Pro Football Focus, which rates players based on film study, had him as their 11th-best wide receiver in 2013.

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Whether or not he is a true No. 1, the Jets are better on offense by adding him. No one on the Jets had half as many catches as Decker last season. Jeremy Kerley led the team with 43 receptions. The Jets had just 13 passing touchdowns last season, two more than Decker alone in Denver.

“Geno Smith needs some help,” former Jets coach and current ESPN analyst Herm Edwards said. “He can’t do it by himself. We know they’re going to have a good running game. They always have a solid defense.

“Coach Ryan preaches defense there, but you have to help the quarterback. This team only had 13 touchdown passes. Remember, this is a passing league. This is not back in the ’30s and the ’40s. This is a league where you’ve got to air the football out. You have to throw to score. You have to run to win.”

Edwards said he didn’t think Decker has top-receiver talent.

“Eric Decker, he’s a good No. 2. I don’t think he’s a No. 1,” he said. “They’ve got to tighten up that position, as well as the tight end, to help this young quarterback.”

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Darrelle Revis and other sports rivalry traitors (Jonathan Lehman) New York Post March 13, 2014

http://nypost.com/2014/03/13/darrelle-revis-and-other-sports-rivalry-traitors/

Darrelle Revis become the NFL’s best defensive player during his time with the New York Jets, the marquee player on a swaggering defense that led the team to two consecutive AFC title games. In 2012, in an interview on “SportsCenter,” Revis even referred to Patriots mastermind Bill Belichick as a “jerk.”

So it was jarring Wednesday night when Revis — after a one-year pit stop in Tampa — agreed to join New England on what was announced Thursday as a two-year, $30 million contract.

With that turncoat move, Revis joins the roster of spotlight athletes (and coaches) to switch their allegiances from one team to its most bitter rival. Here are some of the strangest examples:

Wade Boggs

Red Sox (1982-92), Yankees (1993-97)

Deion Sanders

49ers (1994), Cowboys (1995-99)

Darryl Strawberry

Mets (1983-1990), Yankees (1995-99)

Dennis Rodman

Pistons (1986-93), Bulls (1995-98)

Bill Parcells

Patriots (1993-96), Jets (1997-99)

Curtis Martin

Patriots (1995-97), Jets (1998-2005)

Roger Clemens

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Red Sox (1984-96), Yankees (1999-2003, 2007)

Bill Belichick

Jets (1997-99), Patriots (2000-present)

Tom Glavine

Braves (1987-2002, 2008), Mets (2003-07)

Johnny Damon

Red Sox (2002-05), Yankees (2006-09)

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Cromartie visits Cardinals, curbing chance of Jets reunion (Brian Costello) New York Post March 13, 2014

http://nypost.com/2014/03/13/cromartie-visits-cardinals-lessening-chance-of-jets-reunion/

Put those talks of any reunion between the Jets and former cornerback Antonio Cromartie on hold.

Cromartie visited the Cardinals on Thursday, according to a source. The Jets released Cromartie on Sunday, but both sides left open the chance he could return on a lesser contract. The feeling at the time was it was unlikely because the Jets had their sights set on other free-agent cornerbacks.

But the Jets missed out on their top two free agent targets — Vontae Davis, who re-signed with the Colts, and Alterraun Verner, who signed with the Buccaneers.

They also passed on bringing back Darrelle Revis, letting him sign with the Patriots.

Cromartie, who will turn 30 next month, struggled last season but was dealing with a right hip injury. If he signs with the Cardinals they could have a strong pairing with him and Patrick Peterson.

The free-agent cornerback market is dwindling. Captain Munnerlyn, who had a visit scheduled with the Jets, signed with the Vikings on Thursday.

Cromartie, his cousin Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Walter Thurmond III are the top remaining cornerbacks.

The Jets remain interested in free-agent tight end Brandon Pettigrew and would like to sign him, according to a source, but nothing was imminent as of Thursday night.

The Jets also have shown some interest in free agent Ed Dickson, but he is likely a fall back, if they don’t land Pettigrew.

Backup defensive lineman Leger Douzable re-signed with the Jets on a one-year deal. In a conference call with reporters, he said he had other offers but wanted to remain a part of the Jets defensive line, a unit he feels is ready to be the best in the NFL.

“It is a great group of guys,” Douzable said. “We all work hard every day in [the classroom] and on the field. You can see that we really work well together. It has been a blessing to play with those guys. I feel like we are going to be the best d-line in the league this year.”

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NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

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NY Jets agree to terms with WR Eric Decker on five-year, $36 million deal (Seth Walder) New York Daily News March 13, 2014

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/jets-agree-mammoth-deal-wr-decker-article-1.1719982

It wasn't quite like signing Darrelle Revis, but the Jets closed on a big free agent of their own late Wednesday night: former Broncos wide receiver Eric Decker.

Slow-acting GM John Idzik finally pounced on arguably the best free agent at the Jets’ greatest position of need, with the receiver agreeing to terms. Decker will sign a five-year, $36.25 million deal with the Jets with $15 million guaranteed, according to a source.

The Jets entered free agency period with plenty of cap room — nearly $40 million — so it was no surprise that they were able to land a big fish, although they weren’t linked to Decker until early Wednesday. The Jets actually picked up two free agents on the day, also adding tackle Breno Giacomini from the Seahawks to replace Austin Howard, who went to Oakland.

Decker’s true value is up for debate because of the quarterback he has played with the last two seasons: Peyton Manning. He put up gaudy numbers (87 receptions, 1,288 yards and 11 touchdowns) with Denver last year, but by moving to the Jets, he is jumping from a future Hall of Fame QB to Geno Smith, a second-year player coming off a trying rookie season.

“I did research. I didn’t go into our meeting today blind,” Decker told the Denver Post. “When you go from a Hall of Fame quarterback no one else, no matter who it is, can be on the same level. Talking to the offensive coordinator Marty (Mornhinweg), who has had a good track record in San Francisco and Philadelphia, he really believes in this kid.

“When you look at the statistics, yeah he got off to a slow start, but he was hurt early on and he finished the season strong,” the receiver added of Smith. “He improved all season long in a tough market. That’s pretty impressive.”

Before Manning joined the Broncos, Decker was still productive — 44 catches for 612 yards and eight touchdowns — in 2011 when Tim Tebow was the quarterback for the majority of Denver’s season. But on the biggest stage, Decker was a huge disappointment. The entire Broncos squad struggled in its Super Bowl beatdown at the hands of the Seahawks last month, but Decker’s one reception for six yards at MetLife Stadium was a dismal showing.

“I hope Decker gets out of the building before Idzik gets talked into overpaying for him,” one Jets source said, hours before the receiver agreed to terms.

The Jets will pay an average of $7.25 million annually to Decker, just over a million more per year than Golden Tate will get from the Lions after signing with them for a reported $31 million over five years.

The Jets have also expressed real interest in Packers free agent receiver James Jones, according to a source. Jones caught 59 passes for 817 yards and three touchdowns in 14 games last season.

Giacomini, 28, started at right tackle for the Seahawks last season but missed seven games due to knee surgery.

He returned for the final six regular-season games and the playoffs. He overlapped with Idzik in Seattle for two seasons. Another Seahawk, cornerback Brandon Browner, has drawn interest from Gang Green, according to a source, although it’s unlikely he’ll be a Jet.

IN RESERVE

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Meanwhile, the Jets re-signed reserve defensive lineman Leger Douzable on Wednesday, according to a source. Free agent offensive lineman Vladimir Ducasse has a visit scheduled with the Vikings, according to a source.

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After NY Jets passed on Darrelle Revis, he bolts for Patriots in 'Benedict Arnold' move (Gary Myers) New York Daily News March 14, 2014

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/myers-revis-sought-return-jets-rex-wanted-back-article-1.1720586

The dislike for the Patriots is so intense inside Jets headquarters that Darrelle Revis is now being compared to one of the most despicable characters in American history.

Even though the Jets rejected overtures from Revis for a return to Revis Island, his decision to defect to the hated Patriots, of all teams, after the Bucs cut him prompted one key member of the Jets organization to make a startling — and damning — comparison Thursday.

In an attempt to put into perspective how the Jets feel about Revis joining forces with the enemy, the source said, “Jets fans look at him as Benedict Arnold.”

A member of the Revis camp responded, “Since day one Jets fans absolutely know the truth about what has transpired.”

OK, so perhaps Revis’ decision to play in New England after the Jets were not interested doesn’t quite put him on the same level as Benedict Arnold, or even a traitor, for that matter.

Arnold decided in the middle of the Revolutionary War to switch from the Americans to the British, which meant he chose the losing team. Revis chose the red, white and blue of the Patriots, very American, and is pretty much guaranteed to be on a playoff team.

It has made Jets Nation green with envy. If the Jets couldn’t have Revis, then New England is the last place they wanted him to go. What was wrong with Cleveland, they are surely wondering.

But what was he supposed to do? He wanted to come back, the Jets didn’t want him, so he shouldn’t go to New England because it would damage his Jets legacy? He made the best deal for himself. He went to the Patriots to play for Bill Belichick and with Tom Brady, a combination that gives him an excellent chance to win the Super Bowl, a much better move than the one made by Benedict Arnold.

After Revis was shipped last April to the Bucs, he claimed Jets GM John Idzik lied to him when he said he wouldn’t trade him. Revis’ name-calling apparently was a lot harder for Woody Johnson and Idzik to forget than it was for Belichick to dismiss any hard feelings after Revis called him a “jerk” two years ago when he was still with the Jets.

“The thing that bothered me is Revis never said a nice word about the Jets,” the Jets source said Thursday. “When guys are leaving, when Antonio Cromartie was leaving, he said he loved the Jets. Revis certainly won’t go down as the greatest player in Jets history. There’s got to be loyalty there. Jets fans in particular are loyal.”

It’s only March, but the Jets-Patriots Border War is already red hot. Revis was a Patriot for not even 24 hours before the first zingers were directed at him from his old home.

Revis’ return to MetLife Stadium with the Bucs for the opener last season had an intense buildup, so you can imagine what Patriots Week will be like around here before New England comes to town. There’s a

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pretty good chance, I would think, Revis is treated as warmly as Belichick when he runs on the field at MetLife in 2014.

A source told the Daily News that when Revis knew the Bucs were getting rid of him, he compiled a wish list of where he would like to relocate based on non-economic reasons. The Jets were first. The Patriots were second.

The Jets were made aware of Revis’ desire to return, but they were not one of the more than 20 teams that expressed interest in signing him. He never was in a position to compare offers from the Jets and Patriots because Idzik never called Revis’ agents. There was no interest, there was no offer.

Revis did not hold an auction. Once the Patriots made it clear they wanted him and what they were willing to pay, his agents didn’t ask for offers from any of the other teams that had contacted them.

Johnson, who ordered Idzik to trade Revis last year, clearly did not have the desire to do business with Revis again after going through two bitter holdouts. Johnson and Idzik never discussed a Revis reunion, although Rex Ryan wanted to bring him back. Revis was never brought up in any of the Jet meetings.

Revis signed a two-year, $32 million deal with the Patriots that is essentially a one-year deal for $12 million guaranteed. There is a $20 million option for 2015 that the Patriots surely will not exercise. The second year was designed to lower Revis’ cap charge to $7 million in 2014.

“We knew, everybody knew, that he was going to want north of $10 million for this season,” the Jets source said. “We weren’t going to pay a corner that. That was pretty obvious. Would we have liked to have him play here again? Sure, for $2 million.”

When Revis shows up at MetLife this season, he’ll be in a Patriots uniform, even if some may think he should be dressed as Benedict Arnold.

DARRELLE DOLLARS

If the Patriots don’t exercise the option on Revis — clearly they won’t — they can’t use the franchise tag or transition tag and Revis will be a free agent. If Belichick wants to keep Revis and he wants to stay, they can work out a new deal before or after he becomes a free agent next year.

Here’s the breakdown of Revis’ contract with the Patriots:

2014: $10 million signing bonus payable in installments between now and October; $1.5 million guaranteed salary; $500,000 roster bonus paid in equal installments for each game ($33,333 per game) up to 15 he is on the active roster. Salary cap charge: $7 million

2015: $12 million option bonus to be exercised by the final day of the 2014 league year next March and payable in installments from April until October; $7.5 million base salary; $500,000 roster bonus paid in equal installments for each game ($33,333 per game) up to 15 he is on the active roster. Salary cap charge: $25 million. If the Patriots don’t exercise the option, they can’t use the franchise tag or transition tag and Revis will be a free agent.

Clearly, the Patriots will not exercise the option. If they did, the $25 million cap hit would be suffocating. If Belichick wants to keep Revis and he wants to stay, they can work out a new deal before or after he becomes a free agent next year.

Even though Revis took a $4 million pay cut from what he was due to make in Tampa, there is no need to be holding any benefits for him.

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Money has always been a key issue with Revis and is the reason the Jets traded him and didn’t want him back. One thing about him: Money does follow him. He has made $57 million over the last four seasons and adding in the $12 million he will get from New England in 2014, that’s $69 million in five years.

He is still the highest paid corner in the NFL. If he has an All-Pro season and the Patriots win the Super Bowl, he will cash in big next year, especially if young corners Richard Sherman, Patrick Peterson and Joe Haden sign new deals to drive up the market.

BYE BYE, BLUE

Justin Tuck was one of those players I thought would retire as a Giant, just like his mentor, Michael Strahan. He was a two-time Super Bowl champ, a leader in the locker room and entrenched in the community. But signing with the Raiders, the most dysfunctional team in the league, surely indicates he didn’t have any other viable options. It’s not easy to turn down a two-year, $11 million deal... Chip Kelly is going to have some fun working RB Darren Sproles into his offense. The Eagles gave up a fifth-round pick to the Saints to get him on Thursday. He will be a nice change-of-pace back from LeSean McCoy. “Darren Sproles is an unbelievable offensive weapon,” Kelly said... I like the Jets’ signing of WR Eric Decker, but now they must draft a receiver in the first round who can potentially grow into the No. 1 role... The Jets had interest in DE DeMarcus Ware after he was released by the Cowboys. But they never had a chance; he was on a flight to Denver the morning after he was cut and signed before he left the building.

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Darrelle Revis sought return to NY Jets, but only Rex Ryan wanted him back (Gary Myers) New York Daily News March 13, 2014

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/myers-revis-sought-return-jets-rex-wanted-back-article-1.1720586

Darrelle Revis compiled a wish list of the teams he wanted to sign with once he knew the Bucs were going to release him.

Here was the top of his Revis Island relocation list:

1.Jets

2. Patriots

Despite Revis’ two contentious holdouts in his six years with the Jets and then GM John Idzik execution of Woody Johnson's order to trade him last March, Revis very much wanted to come back to New York, a source insisted Thursday, one day after Revis agreed to a one-year fully guaranteed $12 million deal with the Patriots.

He let it be known during the process that he would “love” to return to the Jets, according to the source. This was not an issue of creating a bidding war with the Patriots or raising false expectations for Jets fans or making Johnson or Idzik look bad, the source told the Daily News.

Revis truly wanted to come back. Instead, the Jets let him head up to Foxborough without a fight.

There was only one problem. Rex Ryan was the only one in the Jets’ hierarchy who wanted to execute a plan to create Revis 2.0. His bosses, Johnson and Idzik, were not on board. When the Bucs released Revis at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, teams began checking in with Revis' camp. They never heard from Idzik or anybody from the Jets in a position to make a deal. Ryan continued to be the lone voice advocating a Revis reunion.

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Revis’ wish list, acquired by the Daily News, was based on non-economic factors. But he never was in a position to compare offers from his two top teams, because the Jets never got involved. In all, more than 20 teams — including the Giants — checked in with Revis' agents, but Revis did not hold an auction. Once Revis knew the Jets were not players, he made up his mind to sign with the Patriots — it was extremely enticing to play for Bill Belichick and play with Tom Brady — and the financial details of the deal were quickly worked out. His agents didn’t ask for offers from any of other teams that had contacted them.

It is not the Patriots’ way to spend $12 million on any player other than Brady, but after losing Aqib Talib to the Broncos on Tuesday night (he signed a six-year $57 million deal with $26 million guaranteed), Belichick was in the market for an elite corner. Belichick knows all about Revis and Revis knows all about Belichick. They did not even speak before Revis agreed to terms.

The Jets clearly had no interest in doing business with Revis again. He had a long rookie holdout and then in 2010 missed all of training camp before signing a four-year, $46 million deal on the Monday prior to the season opener. The Jets traded Revis a year ago, with one year left on his deal, not wanting to get stuck in another negotiation, especially because his contract didn’t allow them to use the franchise tag.

Even with all their cap room — the Jets were $40 million under at the start of free agency — Johnson and Idzik were not about to allocate big dollars to Revis, even though they had to be aware they were risking him signing with the Patriots, the team the Jets love to hate.

Revis’ deal with New England contains a mechanism to spread the $12 million cap charge over more than one year. That way Revis does not count for that money on the Patriots 2014 cap, which would be nine percent of the $133 million total. The contract also prohibits the Patriots from using the franchise or transition tag on Revis following this season. That means Revis will be an unrestricted free agent in 2015.

Belichick, of course, could try and sign Revis to a long-term deal before he hits free agency one year from now, but there is nothing in the contract where an extension automatically kicks in.

Ultimately, this was an easy decision for Revis. The attraction to play in New England is obvious: Belichick is the best coach in the league, Brady, even though he’s going into his 15th season, is still an elite quarterback, and Revis picked a team that he knows is a legitimate Super Bowl contender every year. He also is very familiar with the Patriots and Foxborough after playing against them in the AFC East. Belichick also needs load up on talent around Brady with his quarterback turning 37 by the start of the season.

Revis was due to make $16 million this season in Tampa. At $12 million, he's still the top paid cornerback in the NFL, based on average. If he has an All-Pro season and helps the Patriots win the Super Bowl, he could be in line for another big contract, especially if young corners Richard Sherman, Patrick Peterson and Joe Haden sign new deals surpassing $12 million.

Money has always been a key issue with Revis and is the reason the Jets traded him and didn’t want him back. One thing about him: Money does follow him. He has made $57 million over the last four seasons and adding in the $12 million he will get from New England, that's $69 million in five years.

The Jets are still in the market for a corner to start opposite Dee Milliner after releasing Antonio Cromartie on Sunday. Their two top free agent cornerback targets signed elsewhere: Alterraun Verner (Bucs) and Vontae Davis (Colts). They can try to bring back Cromartie at reduced dollars or try to sign free agent Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who will not be going back to the Broncos after they signed Talib.

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They could have solved their cornerback need by signing Revis, but there was no real outcry from the front office to land him.

Rex Ryan’s was the lone voice in the room.

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NY Jets have private meeting with USC receiver Marqise Lee after his L.A. pro day (Manish Mehta) New York Daily News March 13, 2014

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/jets-private-meeting-usc-wr-marqise-lee-article-1.1720452

The Jets made an important first step to upgrading its offensive skill positions by signing free agent wide receiver Eric Decker to a lucrative five-year deal Wednesday night, but there’s likely more to come.

The Jets may add another wideout in free agency, but general manager John Idzik’s best hope of landing a cornerstone player at the position will be in the draft in May. To that end, the organization has shown significant interest in USC receiver Marqise Lee.

The Daily News has learned that Lee, the 2012 Biletnikoff Award winner, met privately with some high-level Jets personnel before and after his Pro Day in Los Angeles Wednesday, a good indication that the team will seriously consider him with the No. 18 overall pick.

The 6-0, 195-pound Lee is regarded as one of the best run-after-the-catch receivers with inside-outside skills in the draft. He also provides a dimension in the kick-return game.

The Jets, of course, are in the process of revamping the receiving corps to help Geno Smith in his second season. Lee’s skillset could help replace the void left by Santonio Holmes, who was released earlier this week.

Rex Ryan and Idzik have left little doubt that improving pass-catchers is one of the team’s priorities in free agency and the draft. Texas A&M’s Mike Evans, Florida State’s Kelvin Benjamin, LSU’s Odell Beckham and Oregon State’s Brandin Cooks are also intriguing options.

Lee followed his breakout season in 2012 (1,721 yards, 14 TDs) with a junior year sprinkled with a couple nagging leg injuries that led to 791 yards and 4 TDs. Reports from USC’s Pro Day suggested that Lee looked good in positional drills.

"I'd give myself a B+," Lee told reporters Wednesday. "I'm just trying to get fully up to par to the Marqise that people want me to get back to."

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Former NY Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie visiting Arizona Cardinals (Manish Mehta) New York Daily News March 14, 2014

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/cromartie-visiting-cardinals-article-1.1720772

Four days after the Jets released Antonio Cromartie in a cost-cutting move, the three-time Pro Bowl cornerback is exploring options.

The Daily News has learned that Cromartie is visiting the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday. Cromartie said earlier in the week that “the door’s still open” for a return to the Jets, but the smart money is that he’ll wind up elsewhere. Other teams are also expected to be interested in the athletic Cromartie.

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The Cardinals are an intriguing option for Cromartie, who could team with star cornerback Patrick Peterson to form one of the better cornerback tandems in the league.

Cromartie, who had 13 interceptions in four seasons with the Jets, made back-to-back Pro Bowls for Rex Ryan’s team. He played his best after Darrelle Revis was injured early in the 2012 season.

The Jets cleared $9.5 million off the 2014 salary cap by releasing Cromartie, who played with a nagging hip injury last season.

SANDERS SCHEDULING CONFLICT

Steelers free-agent wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders was set to visit the Jets on Friday before a scheduling conflict prompted a change. No new date has been set. Sanders, who has already made a trip to Jacksonsville and Tampa, will visit the Chiefs on Friday.

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NEW YORK TIMES

Jets’ Signing Makes Waves, but Now It’s Up to Decker to Stay Afloat (Bill Pennington) New York Times March 13, 2014

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/14/sports/football/jets-signing-makes-waves-but-now-its-up-to-decker-to-stay-afloat.html?ref=football&_r=0

John Idzik, the Jets’ general manager, has finally dipped his toe into the free agency waters, and even if his first big splash turns out to be an overpriced belly-flop, it is unlikely that anyone will ever view it as his fault.

With the 31st-ranked offense in the N.F.L., the Jets had to take a run at the best available wide receiver on the market, and that was Eric Decker, a former Denver Bronco, who signed a five-year, $36.25 million contract.

Decker immediately improves the Jets. He makes Geno Smith, or whoever ends up playing quarterback for the Jets, a more confident passer just by putting on a uniform. Decker allows the Jets to focus on other draft-day needs, like another wide receiver. Decker, at an opportune time, soothes the off-season psyche of the perennially wounded Jets fan.

Decker even brings with him a country-music-singing wife who joins him in a reality TV show, and, let’s face it, if there is a team that needs more behind-the-scenes drama, it is the Jets. Joking aside, the Jets have the money, and they went and got their man.

And yet there is something classically Jets-like about the deal because it comes with subtle nagging questions. It would be too harsh to label them red flags, but Jets fans might want to be mildly wary.

It starts with this thought: If the gurus operating the top-ranked offense in the N.F.L. thought Decker was essential to their unit’s remaining the best in the league, wouldn’t they have found a way to keep him? Denver is a team that wins because of its offense, a team with a Hall of Fame quarterback in Peyton Manning, who only has one or two years left. If Decker is truly an elite receiver, wouldn’t Denver have maneuvered its finances to keep him in the fold?

Instead, Denver never made Decker a contract offer.

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Perhaps the Broncos, and they ought to know, viewed Decker as a high quality No. 2 receiver. Maybe they saw him more like a 1A receiver — better than your usual No. 2 but not quite a No. 1, and, therefore, not worth jumping through every hoop to sign.

One thing is certain, these are questions that will be answered over and over next season. Because unlike in Denver, Decker is going to see double coverage on most plays. Unlike in Denver, there will not be a Pro Bowl receiver like Demaryius Thomas on the other side of the formation drawing most of the defense’s attention. Unlike in Denver, Decker is going to have to block — a lot. Unlike in Denver, Decker will not be playing with a quarterback whose skill set is virtually unparalleled. Every pass is not going to come out rapidly after a two-step drop. Every pass will not be on the money. Every pass will not follow a mystifying sequence of audibles that confuse the defense and inhibit the aggressiveness of the secondary.

Other than that, welcome to New York.

That’s the new reality for Decker, and this show goes like this: He will be treated like a true No. 1, and he will have to prove he deserves the designation without a lot of help. He need not save the offense single-handedly, but he is the big target now, and there will be no hiding. Take it as an omen if you wish, but the last time he played at MetLife Stadium, in Super Bowl XLVIII, the Seattle Seahawks got in Decker’s face, lining up repeatedly in press coverage. They banged him early. He had one catch for 6 yards.

Decker, to his credit, seems to be aware of where he came from and where he has landed.

“When you go from a Hall of Fame quarterback, no one else — no matter who it is — can be on the same level,” he told The Denver Post Wednesday. Speaking of Smith, he said: “He improved all season long in a tough market. That’s pretty impressive.”

It may all turn out just fine. Jets fans may someday look back on Decker’s signing as a turning point, a minor leap of faith they had to take that put the team on the path to the promised land. At 6-foot-3, Decker has the size every team covets and 7 of the 11 touchdowns he scored last season came when Denver was inside the 20-yard line. If Smith has read that statistic, he is sleeping better already.

But this being the Jets, there is always room for a little late-night anxiety. Idzik jumped into the free agency pool headfirst and came out with the best wide receiver he could grab.

And then, who crawled out of the free agency pool at roughly the same time with his arm around Bill Belichick? The former Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis.

And so the intensity of the Jets-Patriots rivalry goes up another notch. The Jets got better at receiver, and the Patriots got better at covering receivers. So there’s another thing to worry about.

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WALL STREET JOURNAL

Decker Improves Jets, but How Much? (Stu Woo) Wall Street Journal March 13, 2014

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303730804579437592047024708?mod=WSJ_NY_Sports_LEFTTopStories&mg=reno64-wsj&url=http%3A%2F%2Fonline.wsj.com%2Farticle%2FSB10001424052702303730804579437592047024708.html%3Fmod%3DWSJ_NY_Sports_LEFTTopStories

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For Jets fans, hope turned to dread and finally settled into to uncertain optimism in a span of just eight hours on Wednesday, as the team took two major steps toward improving its 2014 roster. There will be no Darrelle Revis to help the Jets return to the playoffs next season, but at least there will be a marquee receiver in the green and white to help Geno Smith move the team's offense.

The roller-coaster got moving on Wednesday afternoon when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers cut Revis, the former Jet cornerback who earned a Pro-Bowl selection in his only year with Tampa Bay despite recovering from knee surgery. A reunion was possible, even likely—a source close to Revis on Wednesday said the cornerback had loved playing for head coach Rex Ryan and never wanted to leave New York. If that were true, then surely, whatever happened, Revis wouldn't wind up in New England.

But just hours later, it was reported that he had indeed signed with the Patriots.

Three hours after the Revis signing came down, the Jets announced they had reached agreements with two free agents fresh off Super Bowl appearances: wide receiver Eric Decker and right tackle Breno Giacomini.

Decker, who turns 27 Saturday, was one of the prized players in NFL free agency and, so far, is the biggest signing of general manager John Idzik's one-year tenure with the Jets. Decker set career highs last season with 87 receptions and 1,288 receiving yards for a Broncos team, led by Peyton Manning, that set NFL records for offensive production.

Whether Decker, who reportedly inked a five-year contract with $15 million guaranteed, can replicate his success in Denver is no certainty. His production literally doubled when Manning, one of the best quarterbacks in league history, joined the Broncos for the 2012 season. And Decker wasn't the team's No. 1 receiver, so he often didn't face the opposing defense's best cornerback. Now he heads to a team with a second-year quarterback in Geno Smith who was one of the league's worst passers last season.

That said, the Jets didn't score nearly enough last year, and need all the help they can get in that department. Their top receiver last season, Jeremy Kerley, caught just 43 passes for 523 yards and three touchdowns. Idzik has said that the Jets would focus on improving their skill positions in the off-season, and Decker certainly fits that description.

His new teammate, Giacomini, spent three seasons in Seattle and will replace right tackle Austin Howard, who decamped for the Oakland Raiders on Wednesday. The Jets also announced this week that they re-signed Nick Folk, one of the league's best kickers last year, to a multi-year deal, and that they had re-signed defensive lineman Leger Douzable.

Decker and Revis will likely go head-to-head in two regular-season games this season. Fans who can't wait to get a glimpse of Decker before the season begins can catch him and his wife, country-music singer Jessie James, in an E! Network reality show called "Eric & Jessie: Game On."

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ESPN NEW YORK

What we learned on Day 3 of free agency (Rich Cimini) ESPN New York March 14, 2014

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/jets/post/_/id/36543/what-we-learned-on-day-3-of-free-agency

A few takeaways on a quiet day for the New York Jets:

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1. Is there a plan at cornerback?: The most alarming development so far is the gaping hole at cornerback. The Jets have yet to replace Antonio Cromartie, who is on an overnight visit with the Arizona Cardinals. The Jets have watched as five top corners, including that guy Revis, signed with other teams. On Thursday, Captain Munnerlyn, who was on the Jets' radar, signed a three-year, $14.25 million contract with the Minnesota Vikings. Rex Ryan, whose defensive scheme is predicated on man-to-man coverage on the perimeter, has to be feeling a bit nervous. If the Jets had to play today, the starters would be Dee Milliner and Kyle Wilson. What about a Cromartie reunion? The Jets didn't try to renegotiate before cutting him -- telling. Their best bet might be Cromartie's talented, but enigmatic cousin, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.

2. Shrinking market: Things have settled down after two days of crazy spending around the league. Now it's a buyer's market, and there are bargains to be had. Of course, the true difference makers are all gone. The Jets continue to talk with Brandon Pettigrew, whom one AFC scout described as "an average to better-than-average starting Y tight end" -- meaning a conventional, in-line tight end. They also remain interested in wide receiver James Jones, another complementary player. The've also been linked to wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders. Let's see if John the Deliberate (Idzik, that is) can find some good values in the second wave.

3. All hands on Decker: It's official: Eric Decker signed his five-year, $36.25 million contract, which includes a guaranteed $15 million in the first two years.

4. Scout's take on Breno: Former Seattle Seahawks right tackle Breno Giacomini, whom the Jets signed to replace Austin Howard, is a bit of a mystery man. An AFC personnel executive assessed him this way: "He's a serviceable starter. He can function, but he's not a world beater. He just does his job." Asked to compare Giacomini to Howard, the executive said, "(Giacomini) is a little different. He has a different body build and more movement skills. He's not as strong or heavy bodied. He's a better foot athlete, with less power. He's a little stiff, but competes."

5. No movement on the QB front: It's quiet, almost too quiet. One noteworthy development: Former St. Louis Rams backup Kellen Clemens, an ex-Jet, signed with the San Diego Chargers. St. Louis could be a potential landing spot for Mark Sanchez, whose first coordinator with the Jets, Brian Schottenheimer, runs the Rams' offense. The Jets have until March 25 to make a decision on Sanchez.

6. Quote of the day: Leger Douzable, a relatively anoymous backup defensive lineman, spoke to reporters to comment on re-signing with the Jets. "I feel like we are going to be the best D-line in the league this year," he said. Sounds like he's excited to be sticking around.

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NJ.COM

Free agency 2014: 10 cornerbacks still out there for the Jets (Dom Cosentino) NJ.com March 14, 2014

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2014/03/free_agency_2014_10_cornerbacks_stillout_there_for_the_jets.html

The Jets parted ways with Antonio Cromartie just days before before his $5 million roster bonus came due, and they no doubt have a plan in place to replace him. But three days into free agency, some of the biggest names on the market for cornerbacks—Alterraun Verner, Vontae Davis, Aqib Talib, Captain Munnerlyn, some dude named Revis—have already been scooped up by other teams. So what's left?

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Plenty.

This was a deep market for corners, so even though many of the items locked behind the glass have all been bought, there are still a number of quality options for sale behind the counter. Some seem to be much better than others, but none are going to force general manager John Idzik to bust his budget.

Let's take a peek, shall we?

10. Cortland Finnegan, Rams

His two seasons in St. Louis have been widely panned as terrible. Stock has fallen dramatically since he was with the Titans.

9. Chris Cook, Vikings

The kind of big, physical corner the Jets like, but has a history of off-field problems.

8. Carlos Rogers, 49ers

His skills have been declining of late, so maybe not the best option for the Jets.

7. Champ Bailey, Broncos

Man, he didn't look so great in the Super Bowl, did he? Bailey's had a wonderful career, but he'll be 36 in June.

6. Brandon Browner, Seahawks

Must serve a four-game suspension to start season and is still slated to visit several teams not named the Jets.

5. Tarell Brown, 49ers

Injuries toward the end of the season cost him a starting job. Pro Football Focus called him a "capable number two."

4. Charles Tillman, Bears

Slowed by age (he just turned 33) and coming off a triceps injury, Tillman doesn't seem to be what the Jets are looking for.

3. Walter Thurmond, Seahawks

Has skills to play press coverage. Would Jets hold last season's four-game suspension for substance abuse against him?

2. Antonio Cromartie, Jets

Cro's still available! He visited the Cardinals on Thursday, but still no deal, so ... maybe?

1. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Broncos

Cro's cousin rebounded in a big way after a disastrous two seasons with the Eagles.

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THURSDAY’S SPORTS TRANSACTIONS

Associated Press March 14, 2014

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http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=news/news/fates-fortunes.htm BASEBALL Boston Red Sox - Optioned pitchers Anthony Ranaudo and Alex Wilson, infielder Garin Cecchini, and outfielders Bryce Brentz and Alex Hassan to Pawtucket (Int.); reassigned pitchers Matt Barnes, Miguel Celestino, Noe Ramirez and Henry Owens, catcher Blake Swihart, and infielders Heiker Meneses and Travis Shaw to minor league camp. St. Louis Cardinals - Optioned pitcher Eric Fornataro, catcher Audry Perez and outfielder Oscar Taveras to Memphis (PCL). San Diego Padres - Optioned pitcher Keyvius Sampson to El Paso (PCL); optioned outfielder Rymer Liriano to San Antonio (Texas); assigned pitcher Leonel Campos and infielder Jonathan Galvez to minor league camp. San Francisco Giants - Named Jeffrey Leonard community ambassador. Washington Nationals - Optioned outfielder Michael Taylor and pitcher Matt Purke to Harrisburg (Eastern); reassinged pitchers Clay Hensley, Josh Roenicke, Daniel Stange and Danny Rosenbaum to minor league camp. BASKETBALL NBA - Fined Washington Wizards guard John Wall $15,000 for directing inappropriate comments towards the officials. FOOTBALL Arizona Cardinals - Signed wide receiver Ted Ginn, Jr. to a three-year contract; agreed to terms with linebacker Matt Shaughnessy on a two-year contract; released linebacker Dontay Moch. Buffalo Bills - Re-signed tight end Scott Chandler. Carolina Panthers - Released wide receiver Steve Smith. Chicago Bears - Agreed to terms with defensive end Willie Young on a three- year contract and wide receiver Domenik Hixon on a one-year deal. Cincinnati Bengals - Released linebacker James Harrison. Cleveland Browns - Signed tight end Jim Dray. Dallas Cowboys - Signed linebacker Will Herring. Detroit Lions - Signed defensive end Darryl Tapp. Green Bay Packers - Re-signed linebacker Mike Neal and tight end Andrew Quarless. Houston Texans - Re-signed tight end Garrett Graham. Indianapolis Colts - Signed center Phil Costa. Jacksonville Jaguars - Agreed to terms with defensive tackle Ziggy Hood; signed defensive end Chris Clemons; re-signed defensive end Jason Babin. Minnesota Vikings - Signed cornerback Captain Munnerlyn. New York Jets - Signed wide receiver Eric Decker. Oakland Raiders - Signed defensive end Justin Tuck; signed linebacker LaMarr Woodley. Philadelphia Eagles - Acquired running back Darren Sproles from the New Orleans Saints in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft; signed cornerback Nolan Carroll. San Diego Chargers - Signed linebacker Kavell Conner to a three-year contract; agreed to terms with quarterback Kellen Clemens, cornerback Brandon Ghee and linebacker Reggie Walker on two-year contracts. Saskatchewan Roughriders (CFL) - Extended the contract of head coach Corey Chamblin through the 2017 season. St. Louis Rams - Agreed to terms with offensive lineman Rodger Saffold on a five-year contract. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Signed offensive lineman Anthony Collins; released offensive tackle Donald Penn.

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Tennessee Titans - Agreed to terms with quarterback Charlie Whitehurst on a multi-year contract. Washington Redskins - Signed defensive end Clifton Geathers; re-signed wide receiver Santana Moss. HOCKEY Philadelphia Flyers - Assigned goaltender Cal Heeter and forward Chris VandeVelde to Adirondack (AHL). Washington Capitals - Re-signed defenseman Dmitry Orlov to a two-year contract extension. COLLEGE Rice - Announced the resignation of head men's basketball coach Ben Braun.

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