Abraham muddies Jets' cap situation Friday, March 03, 2006 BY DAVE HUTCHINSON Star-Ledger Staff When the Jets squeeze under the salary cap by Sunday at 6 p.m., their work will be far from over. The representatives for defensive end John Abraham hinted yesterday that they plan to use as leverage their decision on when to sign a one-year, $8.3 million franchise tender offer that could throw the Jets' cap situation into chaos. When Abraham decides to sign the tender offer, the Jets must make the money available immediately under the cap. "There's always the possibility of that," said Tony Agnone, one of Abraham's agents, during a conference call. "We're not opening that door or closing that door. ... John isn't looking to stick it to the Jets. He just wants to do what is in his best interest (to facilitate a trade)." Advertisement Agnone and partner Rich Rosa feel Abraham won't return to the Jets, in part because the club didn't fulfill a promise to negotiate a long-term deal in good faith after Abraham played an entire 16-game schedule last season, finishing with 10 1/2 sacks and six forced fumbles (all on quarterback strips). "We feel at this point John won't be back in New York," Agnone said. Denver, which has two first-round picks (22nd and 29th overall), Washington, Houston and Cleveland are believed to be among the teams interested in Abraham. No contract talks have taken place with any team, Agnone said. The agents hope to get a deal done sooner rather than later, perhaps within the next couple of weeks. The current labor unrest has hindered trade talks because teams are uncertain of their cap situation. Once labor peace is reached, Abraham's representatives will have a clearer picture of which teams are in position to meet Abraham's price Rosa said Abraham wants a say in where he's traded. He and Agnone feel they'll have more influence on where Abraham goes if they don't sign the tender and instead use it as leverage. "For John Abraham, change would be good," Rosa said. "You get to a point in your career where there's a lack of confidence and respect on how you've been treated. John has his sights set on a brighter future somewhere else."
I doubt he will sign the tender. If he does and we don't trade him, he will have to go to all of the offseason workouts and training camp. And I am sure after the cupcake TC with Herm and the skipped camp last year, he isn't looking forward to Mangini's camp.
You totally have that right. Abraham is turning into a tamer T.O. He is burning bridges. The way he has handled this situation tells me that his wonderlic score could not have been very high. jk. Seriously, though, the guy has become an annoyance.
I love it when agents make threats. They want to screw up their relationship with teams and be assholes, they'll just have to live with it. They also act like the Jets have 50 offers coming in from him and they have many choices. What a bunch of asses.
