Jets have concerns to tackle (Randy Lange) Tuesday 3/7

Jets have concerns to tackle

Tuesday, March 7, 2006

By RANDY LANGE
STAFF WRITER



Now that the Jets have about half their quarterback depth chart settled -- Chad Pennington and Brooks Bollinger are here, a veteran and possibly a draft choice are yet to come -- they need to shore up the last line of offense in front of their QBs.


The Jets' offensive line is in transition. At least Pete Kendall, Adrian Jones and Brandon Moore remain. But Kevin Mawae officially was released Sunday, two weeks after Jason Fabini was axed. The Jets need a center, a tackle and more stability than they had when they failed to adequately protect Pennington and Jay Fiedler against Jacksonville.

Doesn't Pennington know it.

"Pete brings a lot to the line, having that leadership and that veteran experience -- that's very important," Pennington said. "And we'll miss Kevin. That's what this league is all about. Sometimes players have to move on. I almost was one of those players.

"What it does is it gives a young player a chance to step up."

But where will the young players step up from? Free agency or the draft?

With Mawae's departure, center is the most obvious hole in the middle of the line, and there are a few different directions the Jets could turn.

In free agency, potential free agents in their price range could be Miami's Seth McKinney and Buffalo's Trey Teague.

In fact, Tony Wise, the Jets' new offensive line coach who will be charged with reinstituting some of that stability missing last season, was with the Dolphins for McKinney's first three seasons. McKinney is coming off surgery near his knee that cost him last year's final three games, but if his health checks out, he could be an attractive option.hmy:

However, the draft could be intriguing as well. It's premature to say the Jets covet Ohio State center Nick Mangold, but if they fall in love with Mangold's skills, there's a way they could get him, and it starts with a trade to Atlanta of defensive end John Abraham.

That should bring the Falcons' 15th pick in return. And while that may be high -- no center has gone higher since Steve Everitt to Cleveland at No. 14 in 1993 -- it's only a little higher than where Mangold is being projected.

As for tackle, many feel the Jets need to relocate Jones back to the right side and bring in a new blindside protector. Kevin Shaffer, a 2?-year starter for the Falcons, is a free agent-to-be rumored to be of interest.

And the Jets should have the opportunity to take Long Island native D'Brickashaw Ferguson with that No. 4 pick -- as long as they don't decide to spend it on quarterback Jay Cutler of Vanderbilt.

MAWAE RESPONDS: Kevin Mawae, officially released by the Jets on Sunday, said Monday in a conference call that he plans to move on to the team that gives him the best chance to win a Super Bowl, and despite being dismissed by new coach Eric Mangini and new general manager Mike Tannenbaum, said he'd like to retire as a Jet.

"I still believe I'm probably the best guy on the market. I guess people look down on 35-year-old centers who make the Pro Bowl six times," Mawae said. He said Mangini "wants smart players willing to do the little things the right way. I thought I would be one of those guys, but I didn't fit in their plans."

Several teams inquired about Mawae's availability, with one of them believed to be the Eagles.

PETE'S DEAL: Kendall's extension, according to NFL sources, is for four seasons and $11.3 million. It includes a $3.9 million signing bonus and base salaries of $1.3 million this year, $1.7 million, $2 million and in 2009, $2.4 million. Kendall's salary-cap figure this season drops from $5.2 million to $2.3 million. (THE NY POST WAS OFF ON THE $$'s)

E-mail: lange@northjersey.com

 

When it comes to the #'s, I put my faith in JI2004