Rich Cimini is at it again... Laveranues Coles is one of Gang Green's veterans who wants a raise. The free-spending Jets are one of the biggest topics of discussion in the NFL, but there are two sides to every story. While they have generated excitement by acquiring four big-money players, some of the team's returning veterans are looking at the bundles of cash and wondering, "When do I get mine?" "You pay guys you don't even know, and the guys in the locker room - the guys that have your back - you don't give a damn about them," one player said Tuesday, speaking on the condition of anonymity. "It shows where the loyalty is." Free agency is a double-edged sword, and front offices always run the risk of alienating their own players. The Jets have doled out an incredible sum - $138 million in contracts, including $63 million in guarantees - causing some veterans to wonder if there will be enough salary-cap room for them to score new deals. Wide receiver Laveranues Coles and tight end Chris Baker, both with two years remaining on their current contracts, publicly expressed their desire for raises at the end of the season. Coles' situation recently turned ugly when he accused the organization of lying to him. Perhaps the most underpaid player is safety Kerry Rhodes, who is due to make only $927,000 in the final year of his contract. He can be a restricted free agent after the season. Wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery was in the same situation a year ago, and he was rewarded with a five-year, $19 million contract. The Jets are trying to negotiate a long-term extension with Rhodes, one of their top young players, but they remain far apart, sources said. The Jets' hesitancy could be costly, as the free-agent market for safeties is exploding. Former Giant Gibril Wilson signed a six-year, $39 million deal with the Raiders that includes $16 million in guarantees. Baker, coming off his best season, has $3.6 million remaining on his contract. Coles has $11 million left, and although the Jets offered to guarantee the total amount, he apparently is seeking a long-term deal with more guaranteed money. Coles has said he won't attend Eric Mangini's offseason program, which begins March 17. It may look like GM Mike Tannenbaum has abandoned his draft-and-develop approach in favor of the quick fix, but he claimed nothing has changed. He mentioned backup nose tackle Sione Pouha, who last week signed a modest, three-year extension, as an example of the organization's desire to keep its own players. "That's still our core belief and philosophy," he said. But it was overshadowed by the additions of guard Alan Faneca, tackle Damien Woody, nose tackle Kris Jenkins and linebacker Calvin Pace ($22 million guaranteed), who became one of the highest-paid defenders in the league. One Jets player said he never heard of Pace until yesterday. Another player said he was envious of linebacker Jonathan Vilma, who realized his wish to be traded. "They're getting rid of the young guys and bringing in old guys," the player said. "I don't know what they're doing."
We tried. The agent wanted alot of money considering he nevermade a probowl or is named one of the best in the league, even though the Jets know it and we know it. As for other guys wanting raises, please. For what? Baker-replaceable. Coles-banged up and has been paid well for a long time now. Coles is the guts of the O, but not a top 10 WR. They will hire his replacement this year.
Message to Jets Vets go 12 & 4 not 4 & 12 before you bitch about contracts that are being handed out to new players. This is all on them.
Baker said he wanted an extension, not big money. I believe the words were "want to finish my career as a Jet". Fuck Cimini to hell.
Well said?when is the last time you walked into your bosses office after completely failing on 12 of 16 tasks and demanded a raise? Hey Vets ? maybe if you didn?t suck as bad as you did last year, we wouldn?t have had to drop our drawers in FA and there would be some extra cash.
I can understand where these players are coming from. Granted they don't have much ground to stand on considering the fact that they sucked last year... but the FO should take care of its leaders... Coles and Rhodes specifically.
I think we'll get an extension worked out but it will cost alot more than it would have. We should have gotten it done last offseason when they started talking about it. I do agree though that he will be tagged if we cannot work out a deal.
Honestly I didn't think Baker was looking for a major payday, but just a mere extension so that he knew he could remain a Jet for life. Of course I think he has done more than enough to deserve it, if we used Baker more, he probably could be one of the best recieving TE's in the league... On the Coles situation, I still believe we should extend him, not for top reciever money but he has worked his ass off for this club, and we need to not kendalize one of our big name guys. Baker is less widely known around the league than Coles, so somebody has to get extended and it's probably going to have to be Coles. Rhodes deserves his payday and his extension, and we should do everything we can to lock him up long-term, but we have a year to get the deal done, and the Franchise tag is there to save our backsides if we can't get it done. And as I have stated before, we don't need anymore "don't screw Rhodes" "Pay Rhodes" "lock him up" threads about Rhodes, until it appears we aren't going to franchise him at all. Which Tangini, or whatever regime is here, would be incredibly stupid not to do because Rhodes is one of the top safeties in the league.
Interesting blurb in the article about Coles skipping the offseason conditioning program. Let the posturing begin...
I dont understand any players complaining about the contracts free agents get. They all know how things work and when its time for there contract to be up then its usually a large bump in pay for them. If they think there contracts are so aweful why sign them? I always liked Coles but he is starting to get on my nerves whining about 11 million over two years not being enough.
Here here. I could not have said it better. And, in truth, they barely went 4-12; it could have very easily been 3-13. Then you look at 2 out of the 3 wins were against the Dolphins and it spells an abyssmal season by anyone's standards. IMO, they only played one decent game the entire year and that was against Pittsburgh. Bottom line: Those that are complaining still have in many cases more than 1 year on their contract and they are not being paid pittens. I never thought spoiled brats played for the Jets. Disappointing, especially coming from the veteran leadership.
It's one person who Cimini got quotes from. I am sure there are more that are upset but you will find that in every locker room.
Coles has had his head wrung so many times he can't even remeber where the gym is or that he has two years left on his contract. Why would anyone consider giving him an extension?
I love Laveranues as much as anyone, but his clone lines up on the opposite side of the field and wears #89. They are almost the same player (Coles faster in his youth). So I don't see use breaking the bank on him, as much as I'd like to have him around.
Guess so. Gees, did these guys like going a weak 4-12? The way I look at it is what the Jets are doing is just like your neighbor on the block putting a new addition on the house or doing major renovations. It, in effect, increases your house's value indirectly. Translated, the new, better talent should allow the other players to play better, the team should have a much improved record in '08, and many players will have better year statistical numbers. If I were Coles, or anyone else, I would focus on the here and now; be glad your name wasn't Clarke, Clement, Dyson, McCareins or whom else; play hard football next year and even if the Jets don't or can't come up with the money than usually there is always somebody who will.
