I thought I would cut and paste this from my email box. It is always interesting to get the players take. I don't know if this has been posted. Mawae Speaks Out Regarding his Pending Release By Sean M. Deegan Publisher, JetsInsider.com sdeegan@jetsinsider.com March 3rd, 2006 Kevin Mawae believes unless a miracle occurs, he'll be officially and ex-Jet by Sunday. (JetsInsider.com Photo) With the NFL giving teams a three day extension to get under the salary cap late today, Jets C Kevin Mawae is still officially on the team. However, after speaking with Jets Insider.com this evening, he feels that barring a miracle, he's played his last game for Gang Green. That being said, Mawae has chosen Jets Insider.com to give an exclusive address and commentary on his situation. "To all the Jets fans on Jets Insider.com, I just want to say thank you for your commitment to the New York Jets. I have never been around so many people who love their team as much as you do! Over the past 8 years of playing in the green and white, one thing I could count on was the Jets faithful being in the stands. The word around the locker rooms is that even when the Jets are losing, the fans still come out just to boo the players. That may have been so from time to time, but the impressive thing was that you were still there! From the Monday Night Miracle to the Baltimore debacle, you have been there for your team. As a player I say thank you. I have been a regular reader of this site for a few years, and although I have never actually posted on the messageboard, I enjoy seeing what the fans are thinking, and it's awesome the amount of knowledge you have for the game! (For the most part.) I know I have made a few friends and gained a ton of fans for what I have done over the past 8 seasons, it's playing in front of fans like you that makes the game so much fun for me. I also know that there are a few fans who never really cared for me or thought of me as overrated, called me a whiner or selfish etc. To you, I appreciate your opinion, however diluted it may be. Your comments only added fuel to the passion that is already inside of me to play the greatest game on earth! Finally to clear the air on "insider reports" on my situation, I would like to say that in the 8 years I have been here, I have lived up to every aspect of my contract both in and out of season, on and off the field. When I restructured my deal 4 years ago, I thought I would retire as a New York Jet. My contract was structured in such a way to prevent a situation that I face this weekend, where I could possibly be released due to salary cap restrictions. For the record, my cap number for the 2006 season is $4.46m. My actual salary is $2.8m. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that if I am officially cut, the cap savings the NY Jets will get will only be $1.6m. Considering the fact that the team is still nearly 12 million over the cap even after my departure shows that this decision is not about money, but more about the direction management wants to take the team. I have no ill will towards Mike Tannebaum or Eric Mangini and never will. I do however take exception to those who "know the situation" and want to call me greedy, disloyal, an **hole, or whatever. I have been nothing but a team player, an encourager, and a teacher to my teammates over the years. I have never let money be a motivating factor in the way I play the game and I never will. I do believe in the value of team work, hard work, and professionalism. Unfortunately this isn't the priorities of some people. In addition, I do believe that when you sign a contract, you are giving your word to the other party that you will perform at your very best to fulfill every aspect of that word. I have done just that, and expected to continue with that goal throughout the remainder of my contract only now I face the fact that contracts and your word are only binding on one side in the NFL. With all this being said, my hope is that the fans of New York will remember the effort, hard work, dedication, and passion I have displayed over the past 8 years. I thank you for your support, I thank God for my time in New York and I thank my teammates, coaches, and management for the opportunity to ply my trade in the greatest city in America!" God bless you all, Kevin Mawae Col 3:23
Looks like Kevin thought he'd add a little soapbox material. Not a bad letter, and it's nice to see him interacting with the fans. I'll miss him, but it was bound to happen sometime. I'd prefer he not decline in his game in a Jets uniform. It sucked when it happened to Mo.
I thought it was interesting that he actually scanned forums for quiet a while. There are probably players who scan TGG whom, if their true identities were known, we would be quite surprized. I always kinda thought, why would they bother. But I guess even they have curiosity.
He is one of the few players who really takes to heart what the pulse of the team is, and is willing to (and enjoys) interacting with the fans. I appreciate his honesty and how down to earth he is.
Kevin, If you're still reading this forum you should know that I loved what you brought early on. I would always note to the fans at Skinnys (my Jet TV bar in Las Vegas) that almost everytime Curtis would break off a run more then 3/4 yards, there you were, out front or along side, bowling over LB's and DB's. You were a force. But as the years rolled on you had to face bigger and heavier DL's and we all get older. That combination and the march of time has lessened your effectiveness (but not your desire). As the oldest poster on this board (75) and a Jet watcher since the Titans, I laud what you did in Green. But I belive it's time for a change. If you were no longer capable of playing it might be a good thing to keep you as an asstistant coach for the OL, but you believe that there's another team out there that you can help. So good luck! I just want to be here when they open in 07, with a "new team" and management that hopefully will once again get us to the Big Show, and I'm not happy about waiting another 35+ years. As the oldsong goes, "Thanks for the Memories".
Yeah, it is good to know that whatever happens, it just comes down to business. It doesn't mean that the Jets have grown tired of Mawae or are unhappy with negotiaitions. They would probably be the first ones to admit that Mawae could still perform for at least a couple more years. All this ia about managing finances and nothing more. I will miss Mawae. He certainly was never a slacker. He always gave his all for the Jets. There is still a chance he could stay. A deal could be hammered out over the weekend with Mawae or the players union and the NFL could come to terms on the new cap. If the cap goes to $102 then Mawae stays, and it would not be surprizing that Mawae has already been told as such.
Mawae is a class act - I would really like to see the Jets hammer out some type of deal that is beneficial to the Jets and Kevin - probably wishful thinking.. Great player to watch throughout the years, busted his butt every single game that I can remember. And believe me, most Jets fans know the players that show up everygame.
I like Mawae and his being up front. With that being said he's known for years that contracts meant crap in the NFL. I personally think that's assinine but that's the way it is. And yes a lot of NFL teams cut players in the middle of a contract, but many players also want to renegotiate before a deal is up. So it's not just one way, and it is what it is, and he's known that for some time. I'm not going to comment on his play. He's been a great player for the Jets, but they are clearly in a rebuilding mode, especially along the OL, and it looks like he no longer fits their plans.
Anybody who thinks Mawae was not a great player is completely insane! I have 4 jerseys: Victor Green, Sean Ellis, CMart and Kevin Mawae but the Mawae jersey is the one I am most proud of.
Why does JetsInsider.com get all the hype and attention when TGG is obviously the biggest and best? It's such an inferior site to theganggreen.com... I don't get it.
If Mawae goes I hope Tann is seriously considering making a bid for LaCharles Bentley from the Saints. I hate to see Kevin leave, but when he does folks you move on. Bentley is younger, and has the same type of athletic ability that Mawae brought to the center posistion.
For this, I have no answer. I'm a TGG guy. That's where I started and that's where I'm staying. I would suggest mailing this question to Petro. He would be best qualified to answer it.
