Sports News and Trade Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

Favre Vikings jerseys aren't flying onto shelves

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July 3

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Any report of a mass-produced, league-approved Brett Favre Minnesota Vikings jersey is premature, an NFL spokesman said Thursday. "We wait until there is a player contract that has been approved; then we begin mass producing them," league spokesman Brian McCarthy said. "But nothing has transpired from here." First, a signed Favre contract with the Vikings would have to be delivered to the league and players union. Then, the league and union would have to approve any mass-produced official NFL jersey by Reebok. It is believed that Reebok already has prepared screens of a Favre Vikings jersey, just as it would for the teams in the Super Bowl. That way, as soon as the league approves a ..."

Jets LB Will Miss Four Games for Drug Violation

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July 3

New York Post

"Jets linebacker Calvin Pace has been suspended without pay for the team's first four regular season games for violating the NFL policy on performance-enhancing substances. Pace's suspension begins on Sept. 5, which means he will miss the season opener in Houston on Sept. 13, and he will not be eligible to return to the team's active roster until Oct. 5, following its Oct. 4 game against the Saints in New Orleans. Pace, however, will be eligible to participate in all training camp practices and preseason games. "This is a situation that resulted from an over-the-counter dietary supplement that contained a substance that I did not know violated the league's policy," Pace said in a statement. ..."

Jets' Pace suspended four games

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July 3

Bergen Record

"Jets linebacker Calvin Pace has been suspended without pay for the team's first four regular-season games of 2009 for violating the NFL policy on performance enhancing substances. According to an NFL spokesperson, Pace's suspension begins Saturday, Sept. 5. He is eligible to return to the Jets' active roster on Oct. 5 following the team's Oct. 4 game against the New Orleans Saints. Pace is eligible to participate in all preseason practices and games. "This is a situation that resulted from an over-the-counter dietary supplement that contained a substance that I did not know violated the League's policy," Pace said in a statement released by the Jets. "I am responsible for what I put into ..."

Jets LB Pace receives four-game suspension from NFL

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July 2

NFL.com

"The NFL announced that it has given Jets LB Calvin Pace a four-game suspension for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances. Pace, who ranked second on the Jets with seven sacks last season, said in a statement released by the team that a supplement was to blame for a positive drug test. "This is a situation that resulted from an over-the-counter dietary supplement that contained a substance that I did not know violated the league's policy," Pace said. "I am responsible for what I put into my body, and I should have paid closer attention to the league's guidelines. I regret that this has happened and apologize to my teammates, the entire Jets organization as well ..."

Miami Dolphins linebacker Akin Ayodele expects 'a little bit more edge' to Monday night game with New York Jets

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June 30

Trenton Times

"As Dolphins linebacker Akin Ayodele watched the long-distance verbal sparring unfold between teammate Channing Crowder and new Jets head coach Rex Ryan, he said he had to appreciate the comedy. But come Oct. 12, when the AFC East rivals meet on Monday night, Ayodele added there will be lingering effects from the exchange. "The division games are definitely special, there's a little more to it," Ayodele said Monday at Upper Montclair Country Club, where he participated in teammate Anthony Fasano's second annual charity golf tournament. "But that game itself will have a little bit more edge." The entertaining war of words through the media lasted several rounds, starting with Ryan saying he ..."

New York Giants, Jets put up Giants Stadium seats for sale

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June 29

Newark Star-Ledger

"Other than personal seat licenses, the Giants and Jets are offering a different way for their fans to hang onto their seats after Giants Stadium closes next year. The actual seats, that is, which are now being sold for $499 a pair via the teams' web sites. "We are thrilled to give fans the opportunity to bring a special piece of history into their homes," Mark Lamping, CEO of the New Meadowland Stadium Company, said in the release."

New York Jets awarded cornerback Rashad Barksdale on waivers

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June 26

Newark Star-Ledger

"The Jets were awarded cornerback Rashad Barksdale on waivers, the team announced, after he was released by the Giants last week. For Barksdale, a 6-0, 208-pound corner, the Jets will be his fourth NFL team. He was drafted in 2007 by the Philadelphia Eagles but was cut later that year and was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs, where he played six games. The Chiefs then parted ways with Barksdale, who spent last season on the Giants' practice squad. The Giants cut Barksdale to make room on the roster for Stoney Woodson, their seventh-round pick in April's NFL Draft."

Ryan Battled Dyslexia

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June 25

New York Post

"Rex Ryan has overcome a lot of hurdles en route to becoming the Jets head coach, but one of them is little known to the public. Ryan recently revealed to newyorkjets.com that he's had to deal with dyslexia, a learning disability that makes it difficult for people to acquire and process language. That has left Ryan with difficulty reading, spelling and writing. "I'll tell my players anything because I'm not ashamed that I have this," Ryan said. "It's something that I overcame. By far I'm not a perfect person and I don't have all the answers. But if I can relay a story that's happened to me or a situation that's happened in my life that I think a player possibly can benefit from, I'll be ..."

Another day, another denial regarding Brett Favre

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June 24

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Brett Favre's agent denied another report Tuesday evening that the quarterback has agreed to a contract with the Vikings. Two days after the Web site Pro Football Talk reported that a deal was in place and that the team had approved the production of Favre jerseys, WCCO-TV provided a similar report with a few minor differences, namely that the quarterback's contract includes "heavy incentives." Asked in an e-mail if there was any truth to the WCCO report, agent Bus Cook wrote one word: "Nope." Cook did not elaborate. That, however, meshes with what he told the Pioneer Press on Sunday, when asked about Pro Football Talk's report. Longtime WCCO sports anchor Mark Rosen reported that ..."

Same-old Favre older, not wiser

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June 24

Wisconsin State Journal

columnist Tom Oates

"Brad Childress has warned everyone to "stay tuned" and Brett Favre, who hates even the thought of surgery, has submitted to an operation on his sore shoulder. Not sure about you, but to me that sounds like two people headed for the same altar. That means Green Bay Packers' fans had better start figuring out how they're going to deal with Favre, arguably the greatest player in franchise history, quarterbacking the hated Minnesota Vikings for Childress. Here's my advice: Don't lose any sleep over it. At this point, who cares whether Favre quarterbacks the Vikings, the New York Jets or those guys in the Wrangler commercial? He's no longer in Green Bay and he never will be, so stop fretting ..."

Sandchez's Girl Hilary Rhoda Seen Canoodling With Sean Avery

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June 23

New York Post

"HILARY Rhoda isn't just a football fan -- she's also a hockey fan. Having dated new Jet QB Marc Sanchez (after posing with him in GQ and helping him celebrate his $50 million contract), the curvy brunette looked very cozy with Ranger Sean Avery last night at Brother Jimmy's in Murray Hill. "They were doing shots of Jack Daniels and Patron, and she had her hands on his arm as they canoodled at the corner of the bar," said our spy. "Sanchez was nowhere to be found.""

Football and Coaching's In the Blood For Ryans

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June 21

New York Post

"Occasionally in the defensive film room, Rex Ryan will grow more animated than usual. The Jets coach will give a spirited introduction to the next clip. "This is how we need to play defense," he'll tell the players. "If we play defense the way this guy did, we're going to play ball." Then he will press play and a clip of a youth league football game will be on the screen. As the players watch a diminutive defensive back make an interception, they will laugh as they realize Coach Ryan just became Proud Papa Ryan. The defensive star on the screen is his teenage son, Seth. "He's a proud dad," said linebacker Bart Scott, who played for Ryan in Baltimore and followed him to the Jets. Today, ..."

Jets join NFL trend by placing sponsorship logos on practice uniform

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June 19

New York Daily News

"Teams wearing corporate patches on their practice uniforms is the new hot trend in the NFL, and the Jets are joining the crowd. Starting in training camp, the Jets will be wearing small patches bearing the name of Atlantic Health,Â the company that purchased the naming rights to the team's $75 million training facility in Florham Park, N.J., which opened last September. Atlantic Health is a New Jersey-based health-care provider. The naming-rights deal is for 12 years. Terms of the uniform-patch agreement were undisclosed. At the league meeting in March, NFL owners voted in favor of allowing teams to turn a small piece of their practice uniforms into a corporate billboard. The Giants, ..."

Jets joining the crowd, adding corporate patch on practice uniforms

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June 19

New York Daily News

"It's the hot new trend in the NFL, teams wearing corporate patches on practice uniforms, and the Jets are joining the crowd. Starting in training camp, the Jets will be wearing a small "Atlantic Health" patch, the Daily News has learned. It's the same company that purchased the naming rights to the team's $75 million training facility in Florham Park, N.J., which opened last September. The naming-rights deal is for 12 years. Terms of the uniform-patch agreement were undisclosed. At the league meeting in March, NFL owners voted in favor of allowing teams to, in essence, turn a small piece of their practice uniforms into a corporate billboard. The Giants, Broncos, Lions, Packers, Texans and ..."

Jets should forget about Plaxico

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June 17

Bergen Record

"Bringing in a figurative gunslinger for one season did not work for the Jets in 2008, when Brett Favre faltered down the stretch and the Jets tumbled out of playoff contention. So the question now is this: Would bringing in an alleged real-life gunslinger, also quite possibly for one year, end any better for the 2009 Jets? By delaying his gun-possession case until at least Sept. 23, Plaxico Burress and his representatives believe they have paved the way for him to resume his NFL career this season. But any team that signs the talented but troubled wide receiver is going to be bringing in a lot of uncertainty, not to mention someone who has played by his own rulebook throughout his NFL ..."

Sources: Troubled WR Plaxico Burress is not Jets' top target

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June 16

New York Daily News

"The Jets aren't going to pull the trigger on Plaxico Burress - at least not anytime soon. Once regarded as a leading suitor for the talented but troubled receiver, the Jets' interest has waned, according to two NFL sources. The reason wasn't immediately clear, but it likely stems from his muddled legal situation. Burress' felony gun case was adjourned Monday until Sept. 23 and, even though his agent expressed confidence his client will be signed with a team before the start of training camp in late July, many uncertainties remain - and that may have scared off the Jets. Rex Ryan refused to rule out the possibility of pursuing Burress at some point, but he spoke highly of his current ..."

Favre's Not Sure About Comeback

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June 16

New York Post

"Brett Favre still isn't sure if he's going to be playing for the Vikings this fall. Favre, a guest on the HBO premiere of "Joe Buck Live" last night, said his decision to come out of retirement again will be made primarily on how his arm feels following recent surgery on his right biceps tendon, which was performed by Dr. James Andrews. "I think first and foremost, you can't go past anything more than the arm," he said. "If it's not up to par when the time comes then I can't play. I went through it last year, but it affected me and the team. . . . I won't go through it again." Favre also defended himself against people who have criticized him for tarnishing his legacy because of the way he ..."

Jets Sign Iowa RB To Four-Year Deal

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June 16

New York Post

"The Jets yesterday agreed to terms with running back Shonn Greene, their third-round draft pick and 65th overall player chosen in the April draft. Greene signed a four-year deal that includes a $905,000 signing bonus. That makes the Jets 3-for-3 on signing their draft picks and training camp doesn't begin until July 30. The Jets last week signed No. 1 pick Mark Sanchez to a blockbuster five-year, $50 million deal. Greene, a 5-11, 235-pound power back from Iowa, rushed for 2,228 yards (5.9 yard per carry) and 22 TDs in 33 games in college. In 2008, he set school records of 1,850 yards rushing and 20 TDs, rushing for at least 100 yards in all 13 games, a Big Ten conference record. Greene is ..."

Favre finally speaks out

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June 16

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

"Former Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre broke his silence Monday evening and revealed three key points in regards to his future and his past: 1. He is considering only the Minnesota Vikings for a return in 2009 because he knows the offense so well; 2. His return hinges entirely on the health of his arm; and 3. His legacy in Green Bay should be defined by the 16 years he played there and not for his desire to play for one of the Packers' greatest rivals. Favre flew to New York on Monday to be the guest for the debut of "Joe Buck Live" on HBO and confirmed to the Fox sportscaster that he wanted to play for Vikings. "It makes perfect sense because it's an offense that I've ran for 16 ..."

New York Jets sign third-round pick, running back Shonn Greene

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June 15

Trenton Times

"The Jets have signed third-round pick, running back Shonn Green, the club just announced. Green, a Sicklerville native, signed a four-year deal that includes a $905,000 signing bonus. He's expected to split time in a three-headed backfield, including Thomas Jones and Leon Washington, and is the heir apparent to the veteran Jones. The Jets thought so highly of Greene that they traded up to the top of the third-round and made the former Iowa star the first selection on the second-day of the draft."

Tony Sparano won't discuss Channing Crowder-Rex Ryan barbs

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June 13

Palm Beach Post

"Linebacker Channing Crowder left the field through a side exit Friday after the first workout of the Dolphins' three-day mini-camp. That let him avoid reporters eager to ask about his recent verbal sparring with New York Jets coach Rex Ryan. Clearly, Dolphins management wants the cross-country yapping to cease. Coach Tony Sparano wouldn't even entertain questions about the barbs that have received national media attention. "Guys, this is June," Sparano said. "We're in June right now. I want to talk about what our team is doing." Asked if he had talked to the team about the Crowder-Ryan situation, Sparano said dryly, "You guys must be out of questions." Crowder last week mocked Ryan's bold ..."

Jets Receivers Say They're Fine Without Plaxico

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June 13

New York Post

"Jerricho Cotchery realizes what people are saying about him and the rest of the Jets' wide receivers. * They're not talented enough. * There's no true No. 1 receiver. * They need a game-changing presence such as Plaxico Burress. "We don't take it personal," Cotchery said during minicamp this week. "It's just something that adds to whatever you're doing, your work ethic or whatever. It's extra juice." While rookie Mark Sanchez and veteran Kellen Clemens are competing for the starting quarterback job, one major question is whom the winner will be throwing to when the season starts. Cotchery, a five-year veteran with 260 career receptions, is the only proven receiver after Laveranues Coles ..."

Team Bonding On Golf Course

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June 13

New York Post

"Team bonding has been a high priority for Rex Ryan since the moment he was brought in as the Jets head coach. Ryan promotes it every day in practices and meetings, and he's even bringing the team four hours upstate to Cortland New York at the end of July for training camp to help assure his players bond with each other away from their homes, family and friends. Ryan, however, couldn't have predicted how much the game of golf would bring much of his locker room together, but it has. There's a growing contingent of golf fanatics in the Jets' locker room -- more than a dozen and counting -- and it's become a source of bonding, with players going out together to play and trash talking about ..."

Mark Sanchez ends New York Jets minicamp on a high note

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June 12

Trenton Times

"One day after signing a five-year, $50 million contract that included $28 million guaranteed, rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez began giving the Jets a return on their investment and perhaps a sneak peek into the future. On the final drive of the Jets' three-day minicamp Thursday at Florham Park, Sanchez caught fire. Operating out of the no-huddle offense and confidently directing traffic, he completed six consecutive passes -- his final passes of the camp -- and capped the drive with a 17-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Wallace Wright on a gorgeous corner route over cornerback Dwight Lowery. Jets head coach Rex Ryan and quarterback Mark Sanchez at the end of minicamp Sanchez, the ..."

Wallace Wright impresses during New York Jets minicamp as search for wide receiver continues

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June 12

Trenton Times

"The Jets' three-day minicamp was expected to be a coming-out party for speedster David Clowney, whose performance in the preseason a year ago sparked talk that he could replace veteran Laveranues Coles. Instead, it was special teams demon Wallace Wright who caught the eye of Rex Ryan and the coaching staff, and the Jets' wide receiver position is as unsettled as it was going into minicamp. Thus, the Jets may indeed make a play for ex-Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress if he clears up his legal troubles. He has a hearing on Monday in Manhattan on his gun possession case. Clowney finished strong Thursday in the final day of the minicamp, but his play was inconsistent throughout the camp. ..."

Mark Sanchez impresses Rex Ryan and Jets on final day of minicamp

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June 12

New York Daily News

"On the final drive of the final practice, the $50 million man was money. Mark Sanchez closed the Jets' three-day minicamp Thursday in Florham Park with five straight completions and a textbook touchdown pass, providing a feel-good vibe as the team scattered for a seven-week break before training camp. Rex Ryan couldn't have scripted a better ending. In a span of 18 hours, the Jets avoided a potential summer headache, signing Sanchez to the richest contract in team history, and watched the rookie quarterback give his best performance since his pre-draft workout with the Jets in March. "Wow, what a day," Ryan gushed afterward. Come July 30, when the Jets open camp in upstate Cortland, ..."

Miami Dolphins and their rivals have a rich history of talking trash

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June 12

Palm Beach Post

"Maybe Rex Ryan needs a hug and a hobby. Maybe Channing Crowder should threaten to rip off Ryan's lips. Whatever, Ryan and Crowder deserve kudos for their verbal volleys. Usually, for football entertainment in June, you have to watch the Three Cone Drill in slow-mo. But not this summer, thanks to Ryan (the Jets' new coach) and Crowder (whom the Jets' new coach has just learned is a Dolphins linebacker). X's, Rexes and ohs! Now, you're talking. Or, rather, they are. Hopefully - despite Crowder's vow to pipe down - they'll keep squawking through Oct. 12, when the teams play an anticlimactic football game. Today, inspired by the latest feud, we recount the lowest of the low blows in the ..."

The fine art of trash talking has been lost

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June 12

Miami Herald

columnist Linda Robertson

"It was more like a skirmish. Or a bit of pre-preseason one-upmanship, accompanied by lots of smiling. Ryan said the AFC East goes through New England. Crowder, feeling disrespected as the defending AFC East champion, retorted that the Jets are nothing but ''OTA champions,'' referring to meaningless practice sessions. Ryan shot back that he doesn't even know who Crowder is but that ``If I was younger, I'd probably handle him myself.'' Crowder's response: ``Oh, Lord have mercy. If he wants to be prepared, shouldn't he know the starting middle linebackers of his division rivals? ``I'd have beat the hell out of that big old joker. Or if he really wants to get retro, my daddy or my uncle could ..."

AFC East trash talking has everyone a-Twitter

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June 12

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"It's too bad that classic AFC East rivalry games took place before the Twitter age. DanTheMan: @AaronGlenn. Hey, pal, get a dog named Spike. (Hint, hint.) http://tinyurl.com/Mark Ingram6 KGunKelly: You think if I tell @TomOlivadotti a screen pass is coming, he'll stop it? Nah. Time for @Thurminator. MarkHenderson: Out on work release. Good to be free! Off to Foxboro. Hearing it may snow. Better get that plow ready! Sorry @Shula! Unfortunately, those intradivisional encounters occurred in prior, prehistoric decades. So this will have to suffice as the first official tweet heard 'round the AFC East: "we will b the best defense in the league this year!!! i feel for the offenses we are gonna ..."

Sanchez Closes Minicamp In Style

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June 12

New York Post

"One day after the Jets made a significant statement in making quarterback Mark Sanchez the highest-paid player in franchise history, Sanchez left everyone wanting more. On the final drive of the final minicamp practice, the last time the full team would be together until training camp at the end of the July, the Jets' No. 1 draft pick wowed everyone yesterday with his finest stretch of play to date. Sanchez looked commanding while completing consecutive passes to wide receiver David Clowney on that last drive and then connecting with Wallace Wright with an impressive touchdown pass. "It was the most confident I've felt," Sanchez said. "I just let myself go. My cadence and voice inflection ..."

Jets' Kris Jenkins tries a new position for a day

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June 11

Newark Star-Ledger

"The last time Kris Jenkins played defensive end was 12 years ago in preseason camp as a freshman at the University of Maryland. "And that was like for a day or two," Jenkins said. But this week at Jets minicamp, head coach Rex Ryan has occasionally moved Jenkins away from his customary nose tackle position to defensive end. All a matter of experimenting, Ryan said. "We know he can play nose tackle," Ryan said. "I also want to challenge him mentally to where he can learn all of the spots. That way, if we think we have a certain mismatch with our guy, then we'll put him in those spots." Ryan made a similar move with Haloti Ngata while in Baltimore. But he said he sees Jenkins spending ..."

Idea of signing Plaxico Burress catching on fast with Jets

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June 11

New York Daily News

"Brash Rex Ryan doesn't do coy too often, but he's taking that approach, publicly anyway, with regard to the Jets' interest in Plaxico Burress. In his locker room, though, the feeling is loud and clear: Get him if you can. Several veteran leaders said they would enthusiastically welcome the talented but disgraced wide receiver, suggesting he could be the missing piece for a potential championship run. "We've got a strong locker room and a strong locker room can deal with, quote-unquote, guys like that," tackle Damien Woody said ' at the Jets' minicamp in Florham Park. "I don't see any problem bringing in a guy like Plaxico." Said former Eagles cornerback Lito Sheppard, who faced Burress ..."

Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland gets serious about Ryan-Crowder tiff

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June 11

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"Rex Ryan and Channing Crowder seem to be enjoying their very public war of words, but the Miami Dolphins' front office is another story. Asked Wednesday night about the back and forth between the Jets' first-year head coach and the Dolphins' equally outspoken linebacker, Miami Dolphins General Manager Jeff Ireland was succinct and serious. "It's about playing football, that's what I know," Ireland said after watching batting practice before the Florida Marlins Get your Marlins Tickets now!- St. Louis Cardinals game. "It's about playing football." Has he or the team talked with Crowder yet about calming things down? "That's a clubhouse thing," Ireland said. "I'll deal with that myself." The ..."

Quarterback Inks Record Deal With Jets

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June 11

New York Post

"The Jets avoided a major summer headache when they signed quarterback Mark Sanchez yesterday. Sanchez, the new face of the franchise, the Jets' No. 1 draft pick and the fifth player selected overall, agreed to a five-year deal worth about $50 million that includes $28 million in guaranteed money, according to an NFL source. It's believed that, if Sanchez reaches some certain incentives, the deal could escalate to $60 million. This deal makes Sanchez the highest paid player in Jets history. The Jets' last two first-round draft picks, CB Darrell Revis in 2007 and LB Vernon Gholston in 2008, held out into training camp and set themselves back. Gholston, in fact, never really caught up. ..."

Jets reach contract agreement with rookie QB Mark Sanchez

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June 11

New York Daily News

"A 22-year-old quarterback, still three months away from his first NFL pass, owns the distinction of being the highest-paid player in Jets history. Former USC star Mark Sanchez hit the jackpot Wednesday with a five-year contract that includes $28 million in guarantees - a team record. The bare-bones amount of the deal is $44.5 million, although the true value, based on easily attainable incentives, is $50.5 million, sources said. Instead of GQ, Sanchez's next magazine spread might be Forbes. The contract can max out at $60 million, but Sanchez would have to play at a Tom Brady/Peyton Manning level and lead the Jets to multiple Super Bowls to hit that plateau, sources said. Sanchez didn't ..."

The war of words between Jets coach Rex Ryan and Dolphins LB Channing Crowder continues

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June 11

New York Daily News

"The verbal ping-pong match between Rex Ryan and Dolphins LB Channing Crowder continued Wednesday, adding more fuel to the Jets-Dolphins rivalry. Imagine this: Trash talking in June. Between a coach and an opposing player. It doesn't get better than that. Crowder, speaking to the Miami Herald, fired back Tuesday at Ryan, who earlier in the day pretended he never heard of Crowder - but took a few shots at him anyway. "Oh, Lord have mercy," Crowder said. "What's wrong with him? Now he's talking about preparation? We play them twice this year. If he wants to be prepared, shouldn't he know the starting middle linebackers of his division rival?" Crowder scoffed at Ryan's comment about how he'd ..."

Jets re-sign punter Reggie Hodges, release punter Eric Wilbur

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June 10

Newark Star-Ledger

"After watching a pair of kicks by punter Eric Wilbur sail into the crowd -- with one even hitting a glass door to the team's $75-million Florham Park complex building on Tuesday afternoon, the Jets released Wilbur Wednesday morning and re-signed punter Reggie Hodges. The Jets punters -- Wilbur and rookie T.J. Conley -- have been frustratingly inconsistent this offseason and the opening day punter may still not be on the roster. Last season, Hodges averaged 42.8 yards on 44 punts but was prone to a shank in a big spot. He was cut in April. The club's decision to re-sign him in proof of their desperation."

Compared to bland Eric Mangini, Rex Ryan already Jets' best Buddy

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June 10

New York Daily News

columnist Gary Myers

"Eric Mangini created such a tense and uncomfortable work environment that when things started to go bad for the Jets in December and he couldn't immediately get it fixed, the players did not have his back. He ran an ultra-paranoid and secretive operation that suffocated the entire organization, starting with the guy who owns the team. Now, should Rex Ryan have won a game or two before he started trash-talking Bill Belichick last week? Yeah, maybe. But after three years of the beyond-bland Mangini, and 40 years since the Jets won their only Super Bowl, it's not a bad thing that Ryan is giving his team a personality and a swagger. Of course, he will get fired in a couple of years if he ..."

Favre's agent won't say if Vikings' pursuit of him has slowed

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June 10

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Brett Favre's agent declined to comment to the Pioneer Press on a report Tuesday evening that the Vikings have temporarily suspended pursuit of the veteran after Favre failed to report to organized team activities this week, as coach Brad Childress had "mandated." ESPN.com reported that, according to team and NFL sources, Vikings vice president of football operations Rob Brzezinski informed Favre's agent, Bus Cook, of the decision. But there remains the possibility that the Vikings could eventually sign Favre, according to the report. The Vikings encouraged Favre to continue his rehabilitation in the wake of his arthroscopic surgery last month to repair a torn tendon in his throwing arm. ..."

Leon Wants 'Fair' Deal

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June 10

New York Post

"Leon Washington, unhappy with his contract situation, in comments yesterday kept waffling between his loyalty to the Jets and doing what he feels he has to do to get a new deal. The running back hinted that he may skip training camp in July if he doesn't get a new contract. Washington, who skipped three weeks of the Jets' organized team activities (OTAs) to make a statement about his disdain over his expected salary of $535,000 in 2009, the final year of his contract,kept using the words "fair market value." But, he also conceded to returning to the team last week because he couldn't stand staying away. "I guess I shouldn't say this but I was missing it ... a lot," Washington said. He said ..."

Jets Coach Ryan Talks A Big Game

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June 10

New York Post

"The father sat quietly in the back of the room watching his son in action and surely felt like he was looking at himself in the mirror some 20 years ago. Buddy Ryan, making a guest appearance at the Jets minicamp his son Rex conducted yesterday, seemed on the verge of beaming as he watched a younger -- but no less brash -- version of himself work a room full of reporters. Much like his dad did when leading teams to Super Bowls and inventing defensive schemes that are still the rage in the NFL today, Rex Ryan doesn't back down. He backs it up. And yesterday, a week after stating that he's "not here to kiss Bill Belichick's rings," Ryan not only backed up his bravado, but he kicked it up a ..."

Leon Washington wants `fair-market value'' from the New York Jets

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June 9

Newark Star-Ledger

"It wasn't hard to figure out Jets running back Leon Washington's battle cry during contract negotiations with the club. During his first interview with the media since returning from a three-week boycott of voluntary workouts last Monday because he's unhappy with his contract, Washington said nearly a dozen times that he wants ``fair-market value'' on a new contract. And the fourth-year pro hinted that if he doesn't get ``fair-market value,'' he may well be a no-show for training camp, which begins July 31 at SUNY Cortland in upstate New York. Nothing much has changed since his walkout, Washington said, but he wanted to make a ``good faith'' move and return to workouts. Washington, a Pro ..."

Jets' Leon Washington here ... for now

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June 9

Bergen Record

"Jets' unhappy running back/kick returner Leon Washington, who ended his three-week boycott of voluntary activities June 1, was in attendance today at mandatory mini-camp. But it's possible he won't be at training camp next month if he doesn't get a contract extension before then. Washington, entering the final season of a four-year contract that will pay him $535,000 in 2009, said repeatedly that he is looking for "fair market value." It's believed that he wants around $6 million per year, while the Jets' offer is believed to be in the range of $3 million per year. When asked if he might not show up for the beginning of training camp if a new deal isn't in place by then, Washington ..."

Rex Ryan and the New York Jets stand by their brash talk

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June 9

Newark Star-Ledger

"The Jets rushed to the defense of coach Rex Ryan today in the wake of his comment about not coming here to ``kiss Bill Belichick's rings,'' and Dolphins linebacker Channing Crowder's crack that Ryan ``is going absolutely nuts'' and his remark that the boastful Jets are the ``OTA Super Bowl winner.'' And Ryan, asked about his remarks for the first time, didn't back down from his tough talk and shot back at anybody who didn't like his words. And linebacker Bart Scott had his coaches' back. ``Who said that?'' asked Scott, when told of Crowder's remarks. ``Who's Crowder? See, I never even heard of the guy. Can I get a bio? You have to give me some personnel reports before you throw names out. ..."

Report: Brett Favre recently had arthroscopic surgery on right shoulder

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June 8

New York Daily News

"Brett Favre said he retired from the Jets largely because he was unwilling to have surgery on his injured throwing arm. Apparently Favre no longer wants to stay retired. Two sources told ESPN's Chris Mortensen and Ed Werder that the former Jets quarterback recently had arthroscopic surgery on the partially torn biceps tendon in his throwing arm that plagued him at the end of last season. Favre has not committed to playing because his throwing shoulder is not fully healed. Favre reportedly had surgery sometime last month. If his shoulder shows significant improvement, he is expected to join the Vikings. Bus Cook, Favre's agent, did not confirm or deny the surgery. "That's a ..."

Report: Favre has surgery on shoulder

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June 8

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

"Former Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre has undergone shoulder surgery with the intention of un-retiring again to make a comeback for a 19th season in the NFL, according to a report. ESPN reported Sunday that Favre went ahead with the arthroscopic surgery necessary to repair his injured passing shoulder. The exact date of the surgery was not known, but it was believed Favre had the surgery in the last week or in late May. ESPN cited unnamed sources; Favre has not made any public comments recently as speculation of his return has surfaced since the draft. It is believed that Favre's sole purpose in releasing the partially torn biceps tendon surgically, when other methods did not ..."

No Right Way To Pick Winning Coach

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June 7

New York Post

columnist Mike Vaccaro

"THE stories emanating from Florham Park, N.J., are all stuffed with sunshine now, and with happiness, and with optimism. Depending on who you listen to, Rex Ryan is either Jay Leno with a clipboard or Jerry Seinfeld with a headset. He is engaging. He is funny. He is loose. He is not paralyzed by paranoia. He is -- wait for it -- a "players' coach." On the one hand, it is completely refreshing to see Ryan work, and to hear him speak, and to realize it really is humanly possible to attain the job of head coach in the NFL without making football seem more complicated than astrophysics, and more important than global warming. There are a thousand reasons to root for Ryan, maybe a million if ..."

Jets coach Rex Ryan making headlines in June ... but can he make them when it matters?

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June 6

Trenton Times

"Jets coach Rex Ryan has been talking smack from the moment he was named head coach. It's great copy. Ryan's comment on Wednesday about how he didn't come here to "kiss Bill Belichick's rings'' is refreshing in a league where many head coaches are afraid to say anything controversial. And his line about visiting the White House in the next couple of years was an absolute classic. Both lines have surely made the rounds in New England and will likely appear on the Patriots' bulletin board leading up to a Week 2 clash at the Meadowlands between the teams - if the ever-confident Ryan doesn't provide new material. Belichick doesn't miss a trick. But Ryan, whose defense certainly walked the walk ..."

Clemens is making rival Sanchez feel at home

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June 6

Newsday

columnist Bob Glauber

"Kellen Clemens and Mark Sanchez will do everything possible to win the job as the Jets' starting quarterback, with one notable exception: As competitive as they will be on the field, both will do everything possible to support one another during their duel for the No. 1 spot. You read right. Barring a dramatic change of heart from either player, this will be as respectful a competition as you could ever envision. This despite the fact that anger and disappointment occasionally bubble to the surface for Clemens, the presumptive starter before the Jets pulled off the blockbuster draft-day trade for Sanchez. Call it Clemens' version of paying it forward, a lesson learned from former teammate ..."

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