http://www.nj.com/jets/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/1141280843135080.xml&coll=1 Mawae, Kendall on Jets' bubble Thursday, March 02, 2006 BY DAVE HUTCHINSON Star-Ledger Staff The Jets, who are $11.1 million over a salary cap that is currently projected at $94.5 million, must get under the cap by 4 p.m. today. Several veterans may be released, including either perennial Pro Bowl center Kevin Mawae or guard/center Pete Kendall. The Jets, who would be helped by a new collective bargaining agreement and increased cap number, are expected to release Mawae or Kendall but not both. They would save $1.1 million by parting ways with Mawae and $3.1 million by cutting Kendall, who they've asked to rework his deal. Mawae, a six-time Pro Bowler, is 35 years old but is still the best center on the Jets' roster. Plus, the veteran, who has been with the club since 1998, is a bit refreshed after missing the final 10 games of last season with a torn left triceps. "My guess is they're going to let him go but I don't know," said Mark Bartelstein, Mawae's agent. "Kevin would love to stay and I think he has earned that right after what he has done for that franchise. "I just want the Jets to make a decision and not leave Kevin hanging in the wind. I think he deserves that respect. I don't want to see the player hurt (in terms of finding another team)." Kendall, 32, struggled when he moved from guard to center last season to replace Mawae. If the Jets cut Mawae, Kendall would likely move to center. The Jets are expected to reach an agreement with quarterback Chad Pennington on restructuring his contract. At the moment, Pennington is scheduled to count $15 million on the Jets' cap, including a $3-million roster bonus that is due tomorrow. Talks have been progressing with Pennington and the Jets should be able to save a substantial amount of money by reworking his deal. Last week, the Jets saved $3.7 million when they restructured the contract of running back Curtis Martin, whose base salary was cut from $6.2 million to $2.5 million. Meanwhile, defensive end John Abraham hasn't signed his one-year, $8.3 million franchise tender offer yet and its almost certain hell eventually be traded.