Parcells Era Only A MemoryESPN is reporting that the Jets have released center Kevin Mawae. Unless I am forgetting someone, the releases of Mawae, Jason Fabini and Jerald Sowell, along with the retirements of Vinny Testaverde and Wayne Chrebet, mean that only Curtis Martin remains from the Bill Parcells era. Parcells did draft Chad Pennington, John Abraham and Shaun Ellis in 2000.
I am not happy about the Mawae release. While he is 35 years old and may not be among the best few centers in the NFL anymore, he was still a very effective player and a team leader.
ESPN also reports that the Jets and Chad Pennington are negotiating over a one year deal worth between $3 million and $4 million. That report makes no sense, since a one year deal would have severe salary cap ramifications, resulting in a $15 million salary cap hit. It's frustrating how ignorant people who cover football are about the cap. I really should go work for the Jets as Mike Tannenbaum's replacement as salary cap guru. I'm the only person I know who understands the cap.
Finally, ESPN also reports that the Raiders will release QB Kerry Collins. The Jets apparently have no interest in Collins, but he is a durable quarterback with a strong arm who was good enough to get the Giants to the Super Bowl.
UPDATE: The NFL has extended the start of the league year to Monday, with talks over a new collective bargaining agreement to resume. As a result, the Pennington and Mawae situations will remain unresolved until Sunday night. Indeed, all of today's player cuts are now void, and those players can be brought back by their original teams.
Unfortunately, by deciding to cut Mawae today, the Jets may have already burned their bridges with him, by making it clear that he's not wanted by the new Tanginibaum regime.
posted on 3/02/2006
