The New York Jets took their first steps towards the 2013 season on Tuesday, releasing a number of veteran players to get under the cap before the NFL deadline, including linebacker Bart Scott, linebacker Calvin Pace, safety Eric Smith and tackle Jason Smith, making it possible that the team could trade cornerback Darrelle Revis.
According to ESPN.com, the cuts will save the Jets at least $30 million and puts the team about $5.7 million under the cap. The moves were expected by new general manager John Idzik and head coach Rex Ryan after the season ended and the moves were expected to also be made by recently fired general manager Mike Tannenbuam if he stayed with the team. The team also waived tight end Josh Baker.
The Jets are entering an uncertain offseason and the team has been fueled by trade rumors involving cornerback Darrelle Revis. The moves were essential for the Jets, who were so high over the salary cap due to deals to Tim Tebow and the extension given to Mark Sanchez.
"Every one of these players was a major contributor to our football team," coach Rex Ryan said Tuesday according to ESPN.com. "I was very impressed with Jason this past season while Bart, Calvin and Eric have been an instrumental part of our defense for the past four years."
At first the team did not announce the cut about Scott, making the media speculate that he could remain with the team. The Jets later made the announcement, but said tgat there is a chance that he could return at a lower price.
Scott was originally set to make $8.7 million against the cap next season, but due to his deal, the Jets will save $7.2 million and will be forced to pay $1.5 million in "dead" money. Scott came over to the Jets soon after Ryan was hired, brining one of his former Baltimore Ravens players to the team.
"The door is not closed with the Jets, and this allows us to really work the market as a free agent while in Indy," Lewis said later in an e-mail to ESPNNewYork.com.
The main reason for the cut stemmed from a six-year, $48 million contract the Jets gave Scott in 2009, which at the time looked good after the linebacker helped the team have the number on ranked defense in the NFL. During his tenure with the Jets, Scott recorded 8.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and only one interception.
Things started to wane in 2011, when Scott complained publically about his playing itme and he was once fined $10,000 for making an obscene gesture towards a ohtographer. Last season Scott was disappointing for the Jets and his age started to show, as he suffered a foot injury in Week 3, forcing him to miss a game and ending his 199-consecutive games played.
The Buffalo Bills may benefit most from the cuts, as Pace, Scott and Smith could be wooed by defensive coordinator Mike Pettine, who was with the Jets last season.
The team originally signed Pace to another expensive deal at six-years and $42 million from the Arizona Cardinals in 2008 and he outlasted players like Alan Faneca, Kris Jenkins and Damien Woody, who were all signed in the same class.
During his time with the Jets, Pace was solid early, but his production fell off in 2012 and he finished with 28 sacks and 11 forced fumbles in his New York career. Smith was an easy cut, as the team had barely any ties to him before this season and he also cost $12 million against the cap since he was a former first round draft pick.
The deals give the Jets some flexibility heading into the draft and opens up a number of options if the team decides to trade star cornerback Darrelle Revis, considered the best cover corner in the league. Revis is rehabbing an ACL injury and although the team has expressed reluctance to pay him one of the highest salaries in the NFL, the cornerback wants to remain with the team.
"If I do get traded, I'm not going to sit here and pout and cry," Revis said to ESPN.com, "but I've told them numerous times that I want to be here, so it's up to them and management what they want to do."
