It’s not exactly earth-shattering news, but the Jets made a transaction today by waiving defensive tackle Simi Toeaina. He played 21 games in four seasons at the University of Oregon before the Jets invited the undrafted rookie free agent to minicamp.
Training camp is right around the corner. Rookies report July 29 and will work out at the team’s Florham Park, NJ, training facility before heading up to Cortland. Veterans report Aug. 1 for Rex Ryan’s second training camp.
It appears this was a roster clearing move for a certain 39-year-old left-handed quarterback, who can’t be signed until July 22.
Mark Brunell would provide the veteran leadership the Jets need behind Mark Sanchez. But how much does he have left? Brunell has 102 passing yards in the past 3 seasons. He has been a backup and hasn’t been called on. Will the Jets be able to determine how much he has left before it is too late? Or is he hanging on for another paycheck since he recently filed for bankruptcy protection.
On 25 June 2010, Brunell filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy, at least in part due to numerous failed real estate and other business investments[8][9][10]. It is also reported that Brunell and several of his co-investors (also former teammates) have defaulted on ‘multiple’ loans involving different properties around the country[11].
According to a Florida Times-Union report[12], Brunell listed approximately $5.5 million in assets against almost $25 million in liabilities. The liabilities are mostly in the form of personal guarantees on commercial real estate loans involving several of his limited liability corporations. The operation of 11 Whataburger franchise locations in which Brunell is involved will not be affected by the bankruptcy.