Dave Hutchinson of the Star Ledger is reporting that safety Kerry Rhodes, Cornerbacks Lito Sheppard and Donald Strickland might not return next season. It makes sense since Rhodes and Sheppard were benched at different times throughout the season and they both have large cap numbers. Strickland just couldn’t stay healthy, at times he played very well but was banged up all year long.
Rex Ryan would be smart to check recent Jets history to make sure he can avoid the Pete Kendall mistake. That is cutting a player and not replacing him with a more talented player. Here are some other updates from the article on NJ.com:
- K Jay Feely, an unrestricted free agent, says he hopes to return to the club.
- LB Vernon Gholston’s future with the team is uncertain even though the team still owes him nearly $11 million in guaranteed money. Gholston has no sacks in 29 career games. Some in the organization are ready to move on, especially if 2010 is an uncapped year and the club can absorb the salary cap hit.
- Five assistant coaches didn’t have their contracts renewed: assistant special teams coach Kevin O’Dea, assistant defensive backs coach Doug Plank, assistant quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo, pass-rushing consultant Chuck Smith and quality control/defense coach Brian Smith. Chuck Smith will become defensive line coach at the University of Tennessee.
- QB Kellen Clemens, a restricted free agent, strongly hinted he won’t be back. ‘‘I’m not at the point yet where I want to say I’m just a career backup and that’s all I want to do,’’ he said.
The off season waits for no man. On Sunday Jet Nation was thinking Super Bowl, on Tuesday we are talking about the roster for next season. You can discuss this in our New York Jets message board.