The Jets signed kicker Ross Martin as an undrafted free agent this year and he’ll be given every chance to beat out Nick Folk because he would be much cheaper, Brian Costello of the New York Post writes. The team would like to shed Folk’s $3.3MM salary cap figure in 2016, but his booming leg on kickoffs and field goals could still give him a leg up over the Duke product.
The big question is: Will Folk’s leg still pack that pop after a quad injury shortened his 2015 season? Right now, Costello writes that the Jets expect the veteran to rebound from his quad injury and return to his usual reliable self.
Here’s more from the AFC East:
- Kiko Alonso headlines a group of notable Dolphins players who are entering contract years, James Walker of ESPN.com writes. Alonso looked like a budding star in his rookie year with the Bills, but he now finds himself on his third team in four years and has little certainty as he looks ahead to the open market. However, Alonso has a great opportunity to rebuild his value as Miami’s starting middle linebacker and should have all the motivation he needs to succeed. Walker also spotlights outside linebacker Jelani Jenkins, tight end Jordan Cameron, and wide receiver Kenny Stills as walk-year players who need to prove themselves this season.
- Are the Jets a quarterback away from being a Super Bowl contender? Mike Reiss of ESPN.com counts himself as an early believe in coach Todd Bowles and feels that the Jets would be among the league’s best if they had a legitimate QB. Reiss points out that the Jets managed to split their two showdowns against the Patriots last year and they would have secured a playoff berth had they beat the Bills in the final game of the season. To play devil’s advocate, I would point out that Ryan Fitzpatrick enjoyed a career year and played like a top 10 QB in 2015. The Jets could certainly benefit from a “legitimate” quarterback and there’s no guarantee that Fitzpatrick could reprise his performance if he re-signs, but one could argue that this hypothetical already played out last season.
- Last night, we rounded up news out of the AFC, including news on the Bills‘ stadium situation and an item on Jets free agent pickup Steve McLendon.