http://www.nypost.com/sports/jets/63133.htm March 15, 2006 -- There was a dramatic chain reaction involving quarterbacks in the NFL yesterday - one that might lead to the Jets landing the best QB in the draft, USC's Matt Leinart. First, the Dolphins traded a second-round draft pick to Minnesota for Daunte Culpepper. Second, the Saints signed Drew Brees to a six-year deal worth some $60 million. The Saints' huge investment in Brees now opens the door for the Jets, with the No. 4 overall pick in the draft, to possibly trade up to New Orleans' No. 2 spot and draft Leinart - who previously was thought to be the Saints' top choice. Meanwhile yesterday, the Lions signed Jon Kitna (who visited the Jets on Monday) to a four-year contract and gave him between $3 million and $4 million to sign. Then the Redskins agreed to terms with Todd Collins, making him their third quarterback. That, you might have thought, opened the door for the Jets and Redskins to consummate a trade for Patrick Ramsey, bringing him to New York to compete with Chad Pennington for the starting job. Throw that logic out the window. According to multiple sources who are familiar with the negotiations between the Jets and Redskins, Washington is still asking an excessive price for Ramsey. "They [the Jets and Redskins] thought they had a deal done, but the Redskins are asking too much," one source told The Post yesterday. This seems ridiculous, considering the lack of leverage the Redskins have with regard to Ramsey. Everyone in the NFL knows the Redskins have no interest in retaining Ramsey, who has failed twice to hold down the starter's job. Now that the Redskins have a veteran backup replacement in Collins, there's no way Washington wants to swallow the $1.69 million remaining on the final year of Ramsey's contract. One source characterized the Ramsey camp as being frustrated, saying, "The kid isn't worth that much [what the Redskins are asking]. Look at what Culpepper was traded for." Washington initially had pie-in-the-sky hopes of getting a first-day draft pick for Ramsey, perhaps a No. 2 or No. 3 pick. There was talk a week ago about the trade parameters being a fifth-round pick and a possible conditional pick in the 2007 draft that would hinge on whether Ramsey won the starting job and played well. Of late, word has circulated that the Jets are offering a seventh-round pick and possibly a 2007 conditional pick for him. At this point, neither side has much leverage. The Redskins don't want Ramsey and the Jets would like to acquire him, but not for a lot of money. The stalemate is sure to budge shortly as level heads prevail. The Jets added a defensive end, signing former Steeler Kimo von Oelhoffen to a $9.2 million, three-year deal. The Jets were believed to have hosted Denver DT Monsanto Pope. The team also was visited by Steelers TE Jerame Tuman, Chargers WR Antonio Chatman and Titans LB Brad Kassell. The Jets are mulling their options on a number of players who have visited recently, including New England T Tom Ashworth, Dallas TE Dan Campbell, Tennessee LT Brad Hopkins, New England WR/returner Tim Dwight and S Tebucky Jones. Former Jets C Kevin Mawae was signed yesterday by the Titans. The Jets' franchised and disgruntled DE John Abraham is believed to be mulling a lower asking price, in light of the lukewarm response he's gotten from a handful of interested suitors. mark.cannizzaro@nypost.com
