Feb. 18, 2006 Home > Commentary > Spins Spins Bengals lock up Lewis; :beer: Jets sorting out star system :beer: ~ ~ ~ ProFootballWeekly.com asks associate editor Jeff Reynolds for his thoughts on the hottest topics in the NFL. Pennington to Jets: No deal According to reports, the Jets fell short in their restructured contract offer to oft-injured QB Chad Pennington, bringing to light the possibility that he?ll be released before the start of next season. Pennington, who carries a tentative $12 million cap figure that can be cut down to $7.5 million, is considered damaged goods after having surgeries in three straight seasons. Pennington had a second shoulder operation in as many years in 2005 after wrist surgery in ?03. PFW: Can the Jets turn elsewhere to solve their salary-cap issues? Reynolds: As of this writing, the Jets were nearly $21 million over the projected salary cap of $93 million for 2006. Even if the NFLPA and the league?s owners come to an agreement that extends the Collective Bargaining Agreement, an act that will stretch the leaguewide cap to more than $100 million per team, the Jets have significant payroll to slash. CB Ty Law, due an $11 million bonus on March 3, has been informed of his imminent release. But Newsday reports the Jets might also have to cut ties with C Kevin Mawae ? coming back from triceps surgery, Mawae isn?t inclined to accept a pay cut to reduce his $4.5 million cap figure ? and the team has turned to RB Curtis Martin, WR Laveranues Colts, OT Jason Fabini and OG Pete Kendall in an attempt to gain salary-cap relief. Martin?s base salary for 2006 is $6.2 million, but he?ll be 33 and suffered a knee injury that could slow him down. Part of the reason the Jets have to clear space in a hurry is the impending deadline to declare franchise players next week. The Jets have been unable to strike a long-term deal with DE John Abraham, which means he?ll be an unrestricted free agent unless he?s again designated the Jets? franchise player. Abraham allegedly wants out of New York, but, by placing the franchise tag on him, the Jets can guarantee compensation from any team who signs him. The tag could always be removed, allowing interested parties, including the Browns, Texans, Redskins and Vikings, to work out a trade to acquire Abraham. Should Pennington be granted his release, his options are somewhat limited. Yet, without a marquee passer on the market, Pennington would be one of a number of hired guns teams might bid on, in a group that could potentially include Steve McNair, Daunte Culpepper and Kerry Collins, none of whom is scheduled to be a free agent. All three have a higher value than Pennington. Even Culpepper, who suffered a season-ending knee injury on Oct. 30, would draw far more interest than Pennington. McNair, due a $50 million bonus, will either rework his deal or be traded or released, and Collins faces an uncertain future under a new coaching staff in Oakland. > http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/Commentary/Spins/2006/spins021706.htm
