NY Jets Offseason: 6 Roster Moves to Watch For

 

With the 2013 NFL Draft and free agency approaching, many roster moves will be made weeks around the NFL in the coming.  Teams will look to cut and add players to their roster, starting now and accelerating as we get closer to the Draft.

The Jets will look to do the same, especially so this year because of their poor financial state.  They will cut many players, mostly highly overpaid veterans.  Here are some roster moves you should look for in the coming weeks:

Cut Bart Scott
When Rex Ryan came to New York in 2009, he and former General Manager Mike Tannenbaum made a few big name free agent acquisitions, they biggest being inside linebacker Bart Scott from the Ravens.

At the time, he was considered one of the best inside linebackers in the game, playing on one of the NFL’s most feared defenses, along with the likes of future Hall of Famers Ed Reed and Ray Lewis.

Bart Scott has lost a step or two (or five) since then, but he’s still being paid (6 yr/$48,000,000) like one of the best linebackers in the game.  Look for Rex Ryan to finally say goodbye to his beloved madbacker Bart Scott this offseason.

Cut Calvin Pace
When the Jets signed Calvin Pace away from the Cardinals before the 2008 season, they were expecting to get one of the league’s premier pass rushers.

The Jets gave him a 6 yr/$42,000,000 contract, topping a previous offer made by divisional rival Miami Dolphins.  Pace’s numbers (most importantly; sacks) have declined greatly since then.

Much has been made of the lack of a pash rush the Jets defense has been getting, and Pace’s lack of effiency as a pass rusher is a big reason for this.  Look for Pace to be cut in the coming weeks, but don’t rule out the possibility of the Jets bringing him back at a very reduced price.

Cut Sione Po’uha
During the 2011-2012 season, it seemed like Po’uha was finally starting to be recognized as one of the best 3-4 DT’s in the league. Luckily for him, he just happened to be a free agent that next offseason.

Despite the fact that Po’uha was 32 years old playing arguably the most physically demanding position in the NFL, former GM Mike Tannenbaum wrote him a 3 yr/$15,000,000 contract.

In Tannenbaum’s defense, the contract seemed to be justified by Po’uha’s level of play at the time.

This past season, Po’uha barely saw the field because of a bevy of minor injuries. Being 33 years old of the start of the 2013-2014 season, don’t expect his health to improve much.

Look for the Jets to cut Po’uha and try to resign him to a more salary cap friendly contract this offseason.

Cut Jason Smith
Jason Smith was acquired in a trade with the Rams last year. In exchange for the Rams taking terrible RT Wayne Hunter off our hands, we took Jason Smith and his ridiculous 2 yr/$14,450,000 contract.

This bloated deal makes him the twelfth-highest paid player on the Jets roster right now.  Something tells me the Jets will look to save some money here and cut Jason Smith.

He was decent in his role as a jumbo tight end/extra blocker, but the Jets simply can’t afford to give $14,450,000 to a situational player.  Look for the Jets to cut Jason Smith and attempt to sign him back for a more reasonable contract.

Cut Tim Tebow

Won’t even take time to explain this one. Tebow was aquired in a trade with Denver before last season.

Nobody really knows whose genius idea it was to trade for Tebow, but everyone can agree that Tebow has taken his last snap in New York. Tim should start learning the Canadian national anthem, it might be useful when he’s the “quarterback” of a CFL team next year.

Cut Vlad Ducasse
Big Vlad’s had enough time to develop.  With new GM John Idzik in place, the Jets won’t look as bad cutting the former second round pick out of UMass, because they can’t simply blame the move on former GM Mike Tannenbaum.

If you think spending a second round pick on Vlad wasn’t bad enough, think of how disgraceful it would be wasting a valuable roster spot on him for another year.  Goodbye Vlad.  Congrats on being the biggest Jets’ draft bust since Gholston.

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