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Muhammad Wilkerson

Jets GM On Revis, Milliner, Wilkerson

March 19th, 2015 at 10:01pm CST by Zachary Links

In a chat with reporters on Thursday, Jets GM Mike Maccagnan  defended the hefty contract that he gave to cornerback Darrelle Revis this offseason, as Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com writes. Maccagnan pointed to Champ Bailey as an example of a cornerback who played at an elite level in his later years, illustrating that Revis could be capable of doing the same.

“Champ was able to play at a very high level well into his 30s,” Maccagnan said. “I kind of see Darrelle as the same status. He’s playing at a very high level, and we thought he’d be able to play at that level for a number of years going forward, so we thought it was worth the financial investment we made.”

Here’s more from Maccagnan’s chat with the press

  • When asked, Maccagnan wouldn’t guarantee cornerback Dee Milliner a spot on the opening-day roster. In was reported on Wednesday that Milliner has picked up trade interest from teams and the Jets, who have added three talented cornerbacks this offseason, don’t exactly need him. For his part, Cimini isn’t reading much into that and just sees that comment as GM-speak. The Jets, he writes, have no plans of trading the former first-round pick and they couldn’t get much of value for him anyway until he proves that he is healthy and productive.
  • Maccagnan reiterated that he would like to extend Muhammad Wilkerson, who is entering the final year of his contract, but there is no timetable for a deal.
  • Maccagnan said he had no problem throwing around big money for three cornerbacks (Revis, Antonio Cromartie, Buster Skrine) because he felt it was one of the strongest positions in free agency. At the same time, he explained made the Brandon Marshall trade, in part, because he didn’t like the value at the wide receiver position in free agency.

East Notes: Cowboys, McCloughan, Wilkerson

March 15th, 2015 at 8:40am CST by Rory Parks

After losing DeMarco Murray to the Eagles, the Cowboys will have more financial flexibility the rest of the offseason. However, Rainer Sabin of the Dallas Morning News does not believe the team will be especially aggressive during the remainder of the free agency period. Executive vice president Stephen Jones, echoing his sentiments from last season, said that the team will be “efficient” in free agency, and Sabin has no reason to doubt him.

Indeed, letting Murray go is reflective of the team’s overall philosophy, as Sabin writes in a separate piece. Although Dallas would have liked to bring Murray back, it was not going to break the bank to re-sign him, given the other needs that need to be addressed. Furthermore, the Cowboys have allowed a few of their stronger defensive contributors to depart in their renewed commitment to build through the draft and to stay away from the disappointment that often accompanies highly-lucrative contracts. And assuming they do continue their “efficient” approach to the rest of the offseason, they should be able to net several valuable compensatory selections in next year’s draft.

Now for some more links from the league’s east divisions:

  • Speaking of changing philosophies, Mike Jones of the Washington Post describes how new Washington GM Scot McCloughan has adhered to the plan he laid out at the beginning of the offseason: draft and build your own and re-sign your own, while wisely addressing any remaining gaps in free agency. Jones points out that McCloughan has made a number of solid but largely unheralded moves while staying away from the big-ticket items that would have filled a need but that would have handicapped the team’s salary cap.
  • Paul Schwartz of the New York Post writes that the Giants still have a number of first-unit spots to fill, but most of their efforts to address those needs in free agency have been thwarted. Schwartz writes that the team will likely have to wait until the draft to fill its remaining holes on the offensive line and at pass rusher, but he says the Giants must sign a starting safety, even though the most appealing options are off the board.
  • Brian Costello of the New York Post applauds what new Jets GM Mike Maccagnan has accomplished this offseason, and he looks at what Maccagnan has left to do. At this point, any moves in free agency will be necessary but low-key depth signings, and the expectation is that an extension for star defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson will get done this spring.
  • To truly make their offseason a resounding success, Gary Myers of the New York Daily News believes the Jets should do whatever it takes to land Marcus Mariota in the draft.

AFC East Notes: Pouncey, Wilkerson, Pats

February 17th, 2015 at 9:53pm CST by Zachary Links

Dolphins center Mike Pouncey, due $7.4MM in the final season of his contract, said Monday he was left with the impression that the Dolphins want to work out a multi-year deal this offseason, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald writes. “I think I’ll be a Dolphin for a long time,” Pouncey said. Pouncey wants to move back to center and he’s advocating Miami to sign a “really good veteran guard.” Specifically, he wants the Dolphins to go after impending free agent Mike Iupati. Here’s more from the AFC East..

  • New Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan has a meeting with Muhammad Wilkerson‘s agent on his schedule for this week in Indianapolis, writes Rich Cimini of ESPN New York. Wilkerson is heading into the final year of his contract and is extension-eligible, so while the two sides probably won’t reach an agreement this week – and may not even exchange figures – they’ll touch base with an eye toward getting something done eventually.
  • If Danny Amendola is cut by the Patriots, Chris Gasper of CSNNE.com doesn’t think they should turn to Wes Welker to replace him. Getting Welker back now, he says, would be adding him a year or two late at this point. The wide receiver has suffered multiple concussions over the course of his career and it appears that they have taken a toll.
  • Legendary offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia has returned to work for the Patriots on a temporary basis through the end of the 2015 draft, a source tells Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald. Scarnecchia also helped the Patriots last year around this time.

Luke Adams contributed to this post.

New York Notes: Thomas, Wilkerson, Jones

February 13th, 2015 at 1:27pm CST by Luke Adams

For the first time in more than 10 years, both the Jets and Giants had losing records in the same season in 2014, so there’s plenty of work to be done in the Big Apple this offseason. Let’s check in on a few Friday notes on the NFL’s two New York teams, starting with the AFC squad….

  • It sounds as if Eric Decker, who has been recruiting his former Denver teammate for the better part of a year, isn’t the only member of the Jets interested in bringing Demaryius Thomas to New York. Matt Miller of Bleacher Report hears from a “very credible” source that the Jets intend to “roll out the red carpet” for Thomas if the Broncos don’t place the franchise tag on him. I expect it to be a moot point, since I’d be shocked if Denver allows its star wideout to reach the open market.
  • The Jets have benefited from top-notch defensive line play on the cheap for the last couple seasons, but that’s about to change, writes Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com. The team figures to explore a contract extension with Muhammad Wilkerson this offseason, and the deals for J.J. Watt and Robert Quinn mean Wilkerson’s market is probably set in the $12-14MM per year range. Outside of potentially extending Wilkerson, the Jets’ priority on the defensive line this winter should be bolstering their depth in free agency, says Cimini.
  • The Giants were able to add the CFL’s Offensive Lineman of the Year to their offseason roster and didn’t have to assume any risk to do it, per Jordan Raanan of NJ.com. Raanan reports that Brett Jones‘ three-year contract with the G-Men is for the minimum salary and doesn’t include any guaranteed money.

Jets Notes: Wilkerson, Geno, Harvin

January 31st, 2015 at 6:00pm CST by Zachary Links

Can the Jets pair one former Broncos star receiver with another this offseason? It’s hard to say how things will play out, but Eric Decker is giving it a try by recruiting former teammate Demaryius Thomas. “I’ve been pushing for the entire year now,” Decker said on Friday. Of course, Thomas might not even reach the open market, but it’s a tantalizing possibility for the Jets who are years removed from having a strong receiving core with multiple stars. Here’s the latest on Gang Green..

  • Jets owner Woody Johnson said that the staff will be at the team’s headquarters in Florham Park, New Jersey on Tuesday, according to Brian Costello of the New York Post (on Twitter). At that point, he says, the scouts and front office executives will start laying out the plan for the offseason then.
  • At that point, Johnson says the Jets will discuss Muhammad Wilkerson‘s contract situation (link). Gang Green will also consider all of their options at quarterback and every other position on the field. Wilkerson has been pushing for a long-term deal for some time now, but he claims that he’s staying patient through the ongoing process. Recently, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com wrote that it would be surprising to see the Temple product play out his fifth-year option.
  • Jets quarterback Geno Smith is looking forward to getting back to work and he hopes that wide receiver Percy Harvin will be there to join him, as Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com writes. “I would love for Percy to come back,” Smith told reporters. “Obviously, I can’t make that decision, but in my short time with him, he’s been a great teammate. He’s obviously a dynamic player and I’d love to see what he can do in this new offense.” Harvin is under contract through 2018, but his (non-guaranteed) salary of $10.5MM could prove to be too much for the Jets. If the Jets keep him, they’ll also have to forfeit a fourth-round pick rather than a sixth-round choice.
  • Coach Todd Bowles still isn’t tipping his hand on the quarterback situation, as Cimini writes. “We haven’t even gotten that far,” he said. “It’s early in the stages. I’m pretty sure a lot of decisions will be made, coming in the near future.”

Jets Notes: Idzik, Wolf, Casserly, Wilkerson

December 28th, 2014 at 6:16pm CST by Rob DiRe

The Jets have an 8 A.M. meeting scheduled for tomorrow, reports Brian Costello of the New York Post (via Twitter). Any changes the team plans on making should be announced by that time.

Here is a look at some of those potential changes and the fallout that will come from them:

  • While John Idzik seems like a very good bet to be fired now that the Jets’ season is over, he has left his successor in a position to succeed, writes Seth Walder of the New York Daily News. The next general manager will take over a team that will be flushed with cap space, and the job could actually be an attractive situation for a potential candidate.
  • Former Packers’ general manager Ron Wolf will be joining Charlie Casserly on the Jets’ staff as a consultant, confirms Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com (via Twitter). Wolf and Casserly will assist Woody Johnson in the search for the next general manager and head coach.
  • Casserly could be interested in Vikings’ George Paton as a candidate for the general manager job, writes Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News (via Twitter).
  • One of the first orders of business for the Jets’ next general manager will be to begin negotiations with Muhammad Wilkerson on a long-term contract, writes Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports (via Twitter). La Canfora says it would be unlikely that he plays out his fifth-year option.

Jets Notes: Casserly, Wolf, Wilkerson

December 23rd, 2014 at 9:40pm CST by Luke Adams

With the Dolphins now out of the playoff picture, the Jets can’t even play the role of spoiler in Week 17, so the other drama remaining in 2014 for the team is determining draft position for 2015, and figuring out whether the franchise will be looking for a new general manager and head coach. Here’s the latest on the AFC East’s cellar dwellers:

  • If the Jets decide to move on from general manager John Idzik at season’s end, Charley Casserly is expected to be one of the two consultants spearheading the search for a new GM and head coach, tweets Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. In a second tweet, Mehta adds that Bill Parcells won’t be the second consultant involved in the process.
  • Abert Breer of the NFL Network has more details on the Jets’ potential consultants, reporting (via Twitter) that the team has approached Ron Wolf about a consultant role. Wolf, who worked for the Jets before going to Green Bay in 1991, also served as a consultant for the Raiders and Chargers in recent years. According to Breer (via Twitter), Wolf would work with Casserly if he comes aboard, as the club looks to “chart a course” going forward.
  • Peter King of The MMQB.com (Twitter link) suggests owner Woody Johnson should look into Eric DeCosta (Ravens), Chris Ballard (Chiefs), Ryan Pace (Saints), and Scott Pioli (Falcons) as possible football decision-makers.
  • Defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson expected to have a new deal in place with the Jets by now, but isn’t upset that it hasn’t happened yet, writes Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com. “No, I’m not disappointed,” Wilkerson said. “I mean, I thought it would be done, but it wasn’t, so, hey, it is what it is. I’m patiently waiting. If it happens, it happens.” Wilkerson is currently under contract through the 2015 season, via his fifth-year option.

Jets Notes: Harvin, Wilkerson, Mariota

December 13th, 2014 at 8:56am CST by Rob DiRe

When the Jets traded for Percy Harvin earlier this season, it was unclear whether the team planned to retain him going forward past 2014. In addition to a base salary of more then $10MM, the team would also owe Seattle a fourth-round pick if they decided to keep the playmaker on the roster in 2015, as opposed to a sixth-round pick if they decided to move on from him.

If Harvin gets a say in it, he would like to stay with the Jets, writes George Willis of the New York Post. “I feel at home here. I’m comfortable with all the players,” Harvin said Friday. “I like the vibe around here.”

Here are some other notes about the Jets as they ready themselves for what their fans would hope will be an active offseason:

  • Defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson is still dealing with a toe injury that forced him to miss the last two games, but he shouldn’t try to rush back until he is fully healthy, according to Willis. With the team sitting at 2-11 with no chance of the playoffs, the best thing Wilkerson can do for himself and for the team is to be healthy and receive his extension to stay with the Jets long term.
  • The biggest move the Jets can make this offseason would be to find their franchise quarterback, and the best place to do that would be in the 2015 NFL Draft. If things break right that player could be tonight’s Heisman favorite, Marcus Mariota of Oregon, according to Burt Hubbuch of the Post. “If the Jets like me and it happens that they take me, I’ll be the best Jet I can be and play my heart out for them,” said Mariota. “I’ll do whatever it takes to win games. I would love to play for them.” Mariota is notlikely to officially decide to forego his senior season until after his season is over.
  • The Jets’ offseason will be an active one, and Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com addresses a number of issues in his mailbag this morning. He writes that while the Jets may be interested in Bill Cowher as a head coach, Cowher would be a better candidate for the Giants. He also states that he would be surprised of general manager John Idzik survives with the team after only two short years.

 

AFC East Links: Wilkerson, Dolphins, Pats

October 23rd, 2014 at 4:58pm CST by Luke Adams

As we look forward to a showdown of the AFC West’s leaders tonight, let’s shift our focus to the other side of the conference and round up a few items from out of the AFC East….

  • While the Jets recently locked up wide receiver Jeremy Kerley through 2018, defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson is the more notable extension candidate on the roster. However, Jason Cole of Bleacher Report suggests that because the Jets can keep Wilkerson under control at a relatively affordable price through 2016 due to his fifth-year option and the franchise tag, the team may not be willing to offer significant guaranteed money at this point.
  • The Dolphins could use a power running back, some help at linebacker, and a gunner on special teams, but it’s unclear if they’ll be buyers or sellers at the trade deadline, if they’re even active at all, writes Omar Kelly of the South Florida Sun Sentinel. If the Dolphins do decide to make a move, defensive lineman Jared Odrick looks like their most plausible trade chip, in Kelly’s view.
  • Rookie running back David Fluellen and former Tampa Bay defensive end Scott Solomon had workouts with the Patriots this week, according to Mike Reiss of ESPN.com (via Twitter).
  • Patriots director of player personnel Nick Caserio is one of five NFL executives identified by Greg Gabriel of the National Football Post as potential general manager candidates this offseason.

Jets Notes: Holmes, Amaro, Vick

September 20th, 2014 at 9:53am CST by Ben Levine

Bears wideout Santonio Holmes will be making his return to New York this weekend, but it won’t be your typical homecoming. The former Jets standout told Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times that he hasn’t heard from one of his former teammates this week, so he won’t be shaking any of their hands following the game.

Members of the Jets organization understand where Holmes is coming from. In fact, defensive coordinator Dennis Thuman expects the player to be angry.

“He probably has a little revenge on his mind,” Thuman said (via Brian Lewis of the New York Post). “We know who he is and what they’re going to come and try to do. [But] we can’t get caught up in the one-on-one part of it.”

Bears quarterback Jay Cutler is also aware of Holmes’ extra motivation:

“He doesn’t need to say much. We know what happened with him there and how important this game is to him,” said Cutler. “At the same token, it’s another game for us, and we can’t get wrapped up in that.

“He hasn’t said anything to ruffle anybody’s feathers yet [in Chicago]. He has been in early, he stays late. He has had to catch up with everybody else in learning this offense, and I thought he has done an incredible job. He communicated with me of what he likes, what he doesn’t like. He gets in games and he just does exactly what we want him to do.’’

Let’s see what else is going on in the Big Apple…

  • Rookie tight end Jace Amaro has only played 30 percent of his team’s snaps, and ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini speculates that the lack of use could be because Amaro doesn’t have a solid grasp on the offense. Cimini also suggest that offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg could still be trying to distinguish the rookie’s “niche.”
  • Cimini believes the team’s two best trade options are quarterback Michael Vick and nose tackle Damon Harrison.
  • When asked about the prospect of acquiring a cornerback, Cimini says the Jets would need to give up a “premium” draft pick.
  • According to Mike Mazzeo of ESPNNewYork.com, a pair of Jets were fined for unnecessary roughness in their loss to the Packers: Muhammad Wilkerson ($20K) and Sheldon Richardson ($8,268).
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