Jets Sign Andre Dyson

I apologize if this has already been posted.

Jets have it covered with Dyson
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
BY DAVE HUTCHINSON
Star-Ledger Staff

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. -- Two off-seasons ago, the Jets courted cornerback Andre Dyson in free agency. They put on the hard sell but lost out to the Seattle Seahawks. Location, not money, was the deciding factor.

Dyson, who grew up in Utah and played football at the University of Utah, wanted to stay out West. He made a wise decision, helping Seattle to Super Bowl XL against the Steelers and starting in the game.

This past off-season, Dyson was on the market again after being released following an injury-filled year. The Jets came calling again and this time Dyson said yes.

"When a team wants you one year and they come back at you the next year, it makes you feel wanted," said Dyson, who signed a five-year, $11.5 million contract that included $3 million in guarantees. "You always want to go somewhere where you're wanted and needed and I feel like this was a good opportunity for me."

Dyson, 27, remained on the Jets' radar because the team has been searching for a big-time cover corner since they sent Aaron Glenn to the expansion Texans following the 2001 season. They've tried Donnie Abraham, Aaron Beasley, David Barrett and Ty Law and none of them have filled the void for any length of time.

Barrett, a two-year starter, is the only one still with the team.

Dyson, who will start alongside Barrett or second-year pro Justin Miller, was a second-round pick by Tennessee in 2001. The 5-10, 183-pounder played four seasons with the Titans, two with his older brother, Kevin. A crafty cover guy, he has notched 17 interceptions, 69 passes defended and scored five touchdowns in 72 career games, 64 starts.

This summer, Dyson is quietly having a solid camp. He rarely gets beat and has several pass breakups. He always seems to be in the right place at the right time.

"Andre has been having a really good camp," coach Eric Mangini said. "He has really made strides from when he got here. I've been really happy with where he is."

Last season, Dyson reached his peak and valley in the same game. In a Monday night matchup at Philadelphia, he had a 72-yard interception return for a touchdown and a 25-yard fumble recovery for a score. But on the fumble recovery, he sprained his left ankle.

Dyson missed the final four games of the regular season -- six total -- and was hobbled during the NFC playoffs. Then, as he was getting healthy, he suffered a strained right quad in the final practice before the Seahawks departed for Detroit for the Super Bowl.

The injury forced him to miss all but the final practice for the Super Bowl. Despite that, Dyson was allowed to start. He played most of the first half before leaving the game for good in the third quarter when his quad tightened up.

Prior to last season, Dyson had missed only two games in his career -- the first two of his rookie year with a broken toe -- because of injury.

"I was banged up, but it's the last game of the year," said Dyson, who says he has no ill feelings toward the Seahawks for releasing him. "It was frustrating to go out there and know you're not at your best. ... I had stupid injuries throughout the whole year and getting hurt a week before the Super Bowl was icing on the cake as far as how my season went last year."

Dyson says playing in the Super Bowl and playing two seasons with his brother have been the highlights of his career thus far. Kevin, a former NFL wide receiver, is four years older than Andre, who said it was bittersweet when he was first drafted by the Titans because he feared everyone would think he was drafted because of his brother.

"It was a great experience playing with my brother," Andre said. "No one can ever take that away from us. My family got to enjoy it. We almost went to the Super Bowl together (in 2002). I'll never forget those two years. I'm glad I had the opportunity to play with him."