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Laveranues Coles News & Rumors

Report: Coles plans to call Jets
March 6
New York Post
 
"Laveranues Coles, released by the Bengals yesterday, said he plans to contact the Jets to see if they want him to return. "They'll be the first team we call to see if they're interested," Coles said, according to NJ.com. The Jets wanted to re-sign Coles last offseason but the Bengals' lucrative offer of $10 million guaranteed was too good for him to pass up or the Jets to match. However, Coles had a disappointing season in Cincinnati and said he never meshed with quarterback Carson Palmer. "I didn't fit into the offense at all," Coles told writer Dave Hutchinson."
Coles guaranteed $9.75M for 2009
March 11
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"The Newark Star-Ledger reported that former New York Jets wide receiver Laveranues Coles is guaranteed $9.75 million for the 2009 season with the Bengals. The report said Coles, who signed a four-year, $27.5 million deal with the Bengals last week, received a $3 million signing bonus, a $4.7 million roster bonus, a $1.9 million base salary and a $100,000 workout bonus for 2009. Coles' base salaries will be $4.6 million in 2010, $6.4 million in 2011 and $6.4 million in 2012 with a $100,000 workout bonus each year. On Tuesday, the Bengals confirmed a visit by Green Bay Packers restricted free agent fullback John Kuhn, a 6-foot, 250-pound blocking specialist. "He had a good visit. There is"
Ex-New York Jets wide receiver Laveranues Coles gets paid in Cincinnati
March 9
The Times of Trenton
 
"The numbers are in on Laveranues Coles' contract and they are off the charts. The former Jets wide receiver and his agent, Roosevelt Barnes, gambled and won big. Coles, who walked away from a $6 million guaranteed salary in 2009, signed a four-year, $27.5 million deal with the Cincinnati Bengals that guaranteed him a whopping $9.75 million for the 2009 season. It's an unbelievable take for Coles, who at 31, isn't the player he once was."
Coles: Here for Palmer
March 5
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Laveranues Coles was introduced as the newest Bengal this morning at Paul Brown Stadium, and said the chance to play with quarterback Carson Palmer played a big role in his coming here. After talking with friends, Cole said he decided that "playing with a quarterback of (Carson's) caliber would really benefit me as a player." • Poll: Is Coles an adequate replacement for T.J.? He said he talked to Palmer before signing with the Bengals. "We had never had a really extended conversation, but the conversation went well and I was really impressed by him," Coles said. Coles will be paired with Chad Ocho Cinco, who he said is one of the best receivers in the league, if not the best receiver. He"
Laveranues Coles joins Bengals; Jets resign kicker Jay Feely
March 5
New York Daily News
 
"When Laveranues Coles parted ways last week with the Jets, he said he'd "come crawling back" if the free-agent market didn't yield a palatable contract. Ironically, he found financial happiness with an organization known for its thrift - the Bengals. Coles, who also weighed an offer from the Bills, signed Wednesday with the Bengals - a four-year, $28 million deal, according to a league source. Specifics weren't available, but he will receive more than $6 million in guarantees, the source said. That number is important because Coles, in an unusual deal with the Jets, forfeited a $6 million guarantee to have the final year of his contract voided. The Jets spurned Coles' request for a"
Coles, Bengals agree on deal
March 4
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"After losing T.J. Houshmandzadeh to the Seahawks on Monday, the Bengals hope they have found his replacement: Laveranues Coles. The Bengals and Coles have reached an agreement in principle on a four-year, $28 million contract. Both sides are still working out language and fine terms with the contract. The deal could be officially announced by the team later tonight or tomorrow morning. Coles is expected to be in town and formally introduced tomorrow. Coles will be entering his 10th season in the league. He was drafted by the Jets in the third round in 2000. He went to the Redskins in 2003 for two seasons before being traded back to the Jets. This past season he had 70 receptions for 850"
Is Laveranues Coles heading to Cleveland Browns?
February 26
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"The curious case of Laveranues Coles has some insiders in New York wondering if he's on his way to Miami or Cleveland as a free agent. The Jets' receiver forfeited a guaranteed base salary of $6 million to void the last year of his contract and become a free agent. The thinking in New York is that Coles must have something lined up to give up $6 million. The logical landing spot would be Miami, where Coles' good friend, Chad Pennington, is the starting quarterback. Coles also is a native of Jacksonville, Fla. Miami, of course, will be a lot warmer than Meadowlands, N.J., in December.. How does Cleveland fit into this equation? Coles and current Browns coach Eric Mangini were tight. When"
Jets release wide receiver Laveranues Coles
February 26
New York Daily News
 
"The Jets have a new item on their offseason wish list: A starting wide receiver. Rejecting Laveranues Coles' latest request for a long-term contract extension, the Jets reached an unusual compromise Wednesday with the veteran receiver that resulted in his freedom. They granted him a fast-pass to free agency, voiding the final year of his contract. In return, Coles forfeited a guaranteed base salary of $6million from the Jets. "I'm leaving $6million on the table," he told the Daily News. "It's a roll of the dice, but I thought it would be in my best interest to try free agency." Coles, who will become a free agent at midnight, said he parted on good terms with the Jets and didn't rule out"
Coles Leaving Jets and $6 Million
February 26
New York Times
 
"Laveranues Coles had hoped to receive a long-term deal from the Jets this off-season. Instead, Coles and the team reached a compromise Wednesday that allowed him to become a free agent on Friday in exchange for walking away from a guaranteed $6 million payday this year, a team spokesman said. Coles, a 31-year-old wide receiver, spent seven of his nine N.F.L. seasons with the Jets (interrupted by a two-year stint with the Redskins), but his production has declined in recent years. He has had one 1,000-yard season in his last five years and he has sustained multiple concussions. Coles had hoped to retire as a Jet. But when he approached the team about a contract extension last off-season,"
Jets release wide receiver Laveranues Coles
February 25
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"The Jets released veteran wide receiver Laveranues Coles this afternoon -- but both sides left open the possibility of his return to the team. Coles, who was scheduled to earn a guaranteed $6 million salary for the 2009-10 season, wanted a long-term deal with the team. But when the two sides could not reach an agreement, they reached a compromise, giving Coles the right to find his own deal on the open market on the eve of free agency. "We didn't leave on bad terms,'' Coles said. "It's not out of the question that I could come back." Coles, 31, is taking a gamble , as his contract for the upcoming season was guaranteed, something unusual in the NFL. Coles, however, feels a long-term deal"
Jets to release wide receiver Laveranues Coles
February 25
New York Daily News
 
"The Jets are planning to release WR Laveranues Coles, according to a league source. The team hasn't made the announcement yet, a a source close to Coles confirmed that his release is imminent. The move doesn't come as a surprise, considering Coles is due to make $6 million - all guaranteed. It was to be the final year of his contract and Coles told the Jets he wanted a long-term deal. The Jets balked, according to the source. The Jets are on the hook for the entire salary, which will count against the cap. The cap cost will be defrayed when he lands with another team."
'W' slips past Laveranues Coles
December 22
New York Daily News
 
"One week after their miracle win over the Bills, the Jets were in position Sunday to stage another late comeback. But Laveranues Coles dropped the ball. "That's a play I should've made," Coles said after the Jets' 13-3 loss to the Seahawks. "That was the defining play of the game." Gambling on a fourth-and-2 from his own 20, Brett Favre threw a 45-yard pass to Coles, who lined up in the slot and had a step on nickel back Kelly Jennings. Coles had it, but it slipped through his hands and Jennings' hands. Incomplete. MISTAKES, MISTAKES: The Jets are getting sloppier late in the season. They committed six penalties, including a delay of game on a 45-yard FG attempt in the fourth quarter. A"
Coles not a big Favre fan
December 7
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Not everyone on the Jets is enamored of having future Hall of Famer Brett Favre as his quarterback, it seems. Laveranues Coles, in fact, sounded almost bitter at the impact Favre's arrival in New York has had on him. Listen to snippets of his conference call with Bay Area reporters: "We're in a quarterback-driven offense where he pretty much has control of everything, where before the offense was pretty much driven through me. ... I just kind of become a role player instead of a guy that teams had to prepare for." There's more: "This is his offense. When we do throw the ball, there's really no level of importance, where at one point it used to be where I was the guy ... in position to get"
Coles says loss to Denver was 'wake-up call'
December 2
Newsday
 
"The Jets spent much of last week addressing questions about their possible superiority in the AFC and the tantalizing prospect of an all-New York Super Bowl. Sunday's 34-17 home loss to the Broncos took care of that. "I'll tell you what, it's a wakeup call," said receiver Laveranues Coles, who had only two receptions Sunday - one for 4 yards, one for no gain. "Any time you get in a situation like this where you lose a ballgame, you're all hurting." Coles cited the end of the Jets' five-game winning streak as reason for everyone to look inward. "From top to bottom, again, the coaches are going to take a look at themselves and what they're doing. The players need to take a look at what"
Coles Improving, May Start For Jets
October 25
New York Post
 
"It looks like Laveranues Coles is going to be physically - and mentally - able to play tomorrow afternoon when the Jets face the Chiefs at Giants Stadium. "If he's medically cleared, then he'll play," coach Eric Mangini said the Jets' No. 1 wideout, who suffered a concussion last week against the Raiders. Coles practiced fully yesterday and is listed as probable for tomorrow's game. "I'm feeling OK," Coles said. Coles has suffered three concussions in less than two years, and he said the final decision if he plays is not his. "Basically, it's the doctors' decision," Coles said. "I don't think that they would put us in a position that would jeopardize our long-term health. . . . If a guy"
Concussed WR Laveranues Coles listed as probable for Chiefs game
October 25
New York Daily News
 
"Laveranues Coles appears ready to play Sunday after he was medically cleared and practiced fully Friday. Coles, who passed neurological tests, was upgraded to probable with a low-grade concussion, according to a source. The news came one day after Eric Mangini said Coles was suffering from a concussion but did not reveal how severe it was, fueling speculation that the wide receiver would miss Sunday's game against the Chiefs. It's Coles' third head injury in 22 months. "I'm feeling OK," Coles said after practicing for the first time this week. "Right now, at this point, we're trying basically to just do what the doctors say. They went beyond their call of duty to bring in doctors and"
Jets Coles and Smith recovering from concussions, Coles expected to play Sunday
October 24
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"Jets wide receiver Laveranues Coles suffered a "mild" concussion last week against the Raiders and is expected to play on Sunday against the Chiefs barring any setbacks, according to someone with knowledge of Coles' health. That person spoke on the condition of anonymity because he's not authorized to speak for Coles or the Jets. Coles is scheduled to see a neurologist Friday and if he's given a clean bill of health, which is expected, he'll be cleared to play. Thursday, Jets coach Eric Mangini finally came clean, announcing that Coles and safety Eric Smith did, in fact, suffer concussions in last week's 16-13 overtime loss to the Raiders. Mangini, who treats injuries like nuclear secrets,"
Coles May Be Out With Concussion
October 24
New York Post
 
"Eric Mangini yesterday revealed that receiver Laveraneus Coles suffered a concussion in last week's loss to the Raiders, making his status for Sunday's game against the Chiefs uncertain. Making this more of a red-flag situation is the fact that this is the third time in less than two years that Coles has suffered a concussion. One day after not practicing at all, Coles practiced on a limited basis yesterday. Coles, who leads the Jets with 30 catches for 369 yards and 4 TDs, declined to address the injury yesterday, citing the team's policy of not discussing injuries publically. "Y'all know we're not allowed to talk anything about that type of stuff, so why would you even put me in that"
Concussion sidelines Laveranues Coles, may not play against Chiefs
October 24
New York Daily News
 
"Laveranues Coles spent only one minute, 16 seconds on the bench - nine minutes in real time - after being knocked woozy in the fourth quarter of Sunday's overtime loss to the Raiders. His quick return seemed to indicate everything was okay. It's not okay. Coles suffered a concussion, coach Eric Mangini acknowledged Thursday - the third head injury in the last 22 months for the Jets' fearless wide receiver. Mangini wouldn't rule him out for Sunday's game against the Chiefs at the Meadowlands, but Coles didn't practice for the second straight day and appears unlikely to play. Safety Eric Smith also sustained a concussion in Oakland, Mangini confirmed. That makes two concussions in three"
Jets Acknowledge Coles and Smith Sustained Concussions
October 24
New York Times
 
"Inside the Jets' locker room Thursday, Brett Favre showed Laveranues Coles how to operate a fancy, full-sized bow. But on Sunday, when the amateur archer takes aim at the Kansas City Chiefs, Favre could be without Coles, one of his favorite targets. Coach Eric Mangini confirmed that Coles sustained a concussion last Sunday against the Oakland Raiders. It was Coles's third documented head injury since late December 2006. "It's a concussion," Mangini said. Suddenly, the room was silent because Mangini says "concussion" about as often as he says "my friend, Bill Belichick." Mangini also confirmed that safety Eric Smith sustained his second concussion of the season in the game against the"
Laveranues Coles, Eric Smith recovering from concussions
October 23
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"Jets coach Eric Mangini treats injuries like nuclear secrets but he actually uttered the ``C'' word Thursday during his daily news conference. Us beat guys couldn't believe what we heard. Mangini confirmed that both wide receiver Laveranues Coles and safety Eric Smith sustained concussions in last Sunday's 16-13 overtime loss to the Raiders. On the injury report, he has them listed as having a ``head'' injury. Coles was injured in the fourth quarter but returned to the game. It's unclear when Smith was injured but he didn't return. For Coles, it's his third concussion in 22 months. Smith's situation is even more disconcerting. He suffered his second concussion in three weeks. Coles, who"
Another head case for Jets wide receiver Laveranues Coles
October 23
New York Daily News
 
"For the third time in 22 months, Jets WR Laveranues Coles is dealing with a head injury. Coles, shaken up when his helmet crashed into the turf in the fourth quarter of Sunday's overtime loss to the Raiders, didn't practice Wednesday. The team didn't call it a concussion, using a vague description - "head" - on the injury report. Eric Mangini didn't confirm or deny that Coles had suffered a concussion, saying, "We don't take any chances with any of those things. They have to be medically cleared." didn't confirm or deny that Coles had suffered a concussion, saying, "We don't take any chances with any of those things. They have to be medically cleared." Coles was allowed to return to the"
Coles 'Happy' With Brett
September 29
New York Post
 
"After catching his third touchdown of the second quarter yesterday - the exclamation point in the JetsNew York Jets ' 56-35 statement against Arizona - Laveranues ColesLaveranues Coles went to Brett Favre and gave the future Hall of Famer both the ball and thanks for the career day they both unleashed on the Cardinals. "He deserved it. Our offense has taken a lot of criticism because we haven't been as explosive as people thought we were going to be," said Coles, who set a career-high for touchdowns in one game and fell one TD shy of the Jets mark. "I had the football in my hand and it meant a lot to me to go back and give the football to a legend and say, 'Look, thanks so much for"
Jets Expecting Coles To Heat Up
September 20
New York Post
 
"Though Laveranues Coles is off to a slow start with his new quarterback, Brian Schottenheimer insists he's not worried about Coles and Brett Favre. Through two games, Coles hasn't scored a touchdown or had a major impact. But yesterday Schottenheimer, the Jets' offensive coordinator, expressed his confidence in the duo. "They're going to be fine," he said. "And it's still early. "And there's no need for us to get too concerned." It has been only two games, and Coles was at least more productive with Favre in Week 2 than in Week 1. In the season opener against Miami, Coles was nearly invisible - one catch, five yards. Last week against New England, he caught three passes for 72 yards,"
Jets Wide Receiver Still Not In Synch With Favre
September 12
New York Post
 
"For Laveranues Coles, there appears to be no joy in Jetville. The departure of Chad Pennington seems to still be weighing on Coles, who while speaking to reporters yesterday sounded joyless compared to the usual jovial, joking, give-and-take vibe he gives off to those who cover the team. There's a distinct lack of enthusiasm in the voice of Coles, who was extremely upset when the Jets released Pennington once Brett Favre was acquired. This much should be made clear: Coles does not have a problem with Favre. He merely misses Pennington, his close friend, and appears still to be trying to come to terms with that departure. With the Jets facing their archrivals, the Patriots, Sunday in their"
Reunion For Buddies Pennington, Coles
September 7
New York Post
 
"They will meet sometime before the game today at Dolphins Stadium and there will be an embrace. Chad Pennington and Jets wide receiver Laveranues Coles developed a special bond as friends and teammates while together with the Jets - a bond so strong that Pennington's release in August upset Coles so much he's refused to speak to reporters since. "We have a good relationship. We always have," Pennington said. "I've been able to talk to him while it was happening and even after. We've always had good conversations, and I'm one of his biggest fans." Asked about Coles' reaction to him being released and replaced by Brett Favre , Pennington said, "He's an emotional being. That's what makes him"
Limping Laveranues Sits
August 14
New York Post
 
"Toward the end of morning practice yesterday, Laveranues Coles Laveranues Coles was limping a little bit after a deep but incomplete pass. It didn't appear serious, but the Jet wideout didn't practice during yesterday's second session. * Eric Mangini said that Brett Favre won't play more during the preseason than normal despite the fact that he's learning a new team. Said Mangini, "We'll follow the same pattern that we've had." Shaun Ellis Shaun Ellis is out with a hand injury, but Mangini said, "I'm not sure of the exact timetable, but I don't think it's going to be leading into the season or anything like that." * Favre isn't exactly a fan of the days during the week between games. "I"
Favre Stokes Coles
August 14
New York Post
 columnist Steve Serby
"Laveranues Coles still can't bring himself to talk about the whacking of his favorite quarterback and dear friend Chad Pennington. And so yesterday morning, Brett Favre, who is trying to make 52 new friends as quickly as he can, put a symbolic arm around Coles' shoulder and attempted to ease the pain. "I had a little talk with him today," Favre said yesterday. "I said, 'I heard you're not talking to the media.' I said, 'I understand you don't want to say anything good about me. That's OK.' " Favre smiled slightly here and there was some laughter around the interview tent. "[Coles] said, 'No, it's not that, it's not that.' And I obviously was joking with that, but . . . "I said, 'Look, I'm"