The-Hogs.net - Washington Football Discussion, Redskins to Commanders Era

Jets' Bid to Overtake the Patriots Is Flagging
By DAVE ANDERSON

FREE from salary-cap restrictions and in partnership with six real estate developers, the Jets' owner, Woody Johnson, submitted a $720 million bid yesterday for the rights to the site of a proposed $1.7 billion stadium on the Far West Side. But will it be enough?

TransGas Energy Systems' bid was $1 billion, although its structure might not impress the Metropolitan Transportation Authority board. Cablevision, which planned a housing development called Hudson Gardens, improved its original $600 million bid, but by how much was unknown.

With a bid to the 2010 Super Bowl and perhaps the 2012 Olympics riding on the construction of a Jets stadium, the M.T.A. is expected to announce the winner at its March 31 board meeting. Approval from the state's Public Authority Control Board is also needed.

But with all the controversy over the stadium, what about the team that the Jets will present for the 2005 season?

Considering the players that departed so far in the free-agency free-for-all compared with those who have signed, the Jets' current roster is not as solid as it was when it produced a 10-6 record last season and earned a playoff victory over San Diego.

LaMont Jordan, the dependable backup to running back Curtis Martin, jumped to the Oakland Raiders for many more millions than the Jets could afford under the salary cap. To replace him, the Jets signed Derrick Blaylock, who had been Priest Holmes's capable backup in Kansas City.

In a swap of wide receivers, the Jets reacquired Laveranues Coles from the Redskins in a trade for Santana Moss. Needing a backup for quarterback Chad Pennington, they signed Jay Fiedler, the former Dolphins starter. He represents an upgrade over the former No. 2, Quincy Carter, who enrolled in a drug-rehabilitation program late last season.

But the Jets have been weakened by the departure of offensive tackle Kareem McKenzie (to the Giants), defensive tackle Jason Ferguson (to the Cowboys) and tight end Anthony Becht (to the Buccaneers).

To replace Ferguson, the Jets signed defensive tackle Lance Legree (from the Giants).

Two questions also hover over the Jets:

How completely has Pennington recovered from rotator-cuff surgery on his throwing shoulder, and how seriously will John Abraham pursue the multimillion dollar offers he is likely to attract as a franchise defensive end about to test the market as a restricted free agent?

Although the Jets have the right to match another club's offer to Abraham, they would be compensated with two first-round choices if they let him go. But they would be losing one of pro football's most feared pass rushers.

Like it or not, whatever the Jets do or don't do between now and training camp in July will be measured against the makeup of the New England Patriots, the reigning two-time Super Bowl champions who are on a 32-2 roll since early in the 2003 season. Until the Jets can challenge the Patriots, they are doomed to be no better than a second-place team in the American Football Conference East, and no better than a possible wild card in the playoffs.

The Patriots quietly added cornerback Duane Starks (from the Cardinals) and wide receiver/kick returner Tim Dwight (from the Chargers), but the return of Tedy Bruschi, the Pro Bowl inside linebacker who is the soul of their defense, is uncertain.

Bruschi was hospitalized on Feb. 16 with what was described as a mild stroke. Since then, the Patriots have considered his medical condition a personal matter, not a team matter. He is controlling the information on his future. When Stacey James, the Patriots' executive director of media relations, visited him and asked him what he wanted to say, Bruschi told him:

"I'm not ready yet. This isn't a knee injury."

This mild stroke is much more serious, not only to cope with, but to recover from. And if Bruschi can't rejoin the Patriots, they will be without one of their best big-game players - the linebacker who always seemed to force a turnover against Peyton Manning just when the Indianapolis Colts thought they were about to score a touchdown.

Bruschi's absence would be a severe loss to the Patriots in their drive to be the first team to win three straight Super Bowls.

Despite adding Starks and Dwight, the Patriots released two longtime dependables - wide receiver/cornerback Troy Brown, who might be re-signed, and cornerback Ty Law, who planned to talk to the Jets after his recent visits to the Chiefs and the Steelers.

The Patriots also lost wide receiver David Patten, guard Joe Andruzzi, offensive lineman Adrian Klemm and the third-string quarterback Jim Miller, signed by the Giants as the backup to Eli Manning.

Wisely, the Patriots put a franchise stamp on Adam Vinatieri, pro football's best kicker, to accompany their celebrated core - quarterback Tom Brady, running back Corey Dillon, wide receiver Deion Branch, defensive tackle Richard Seymour, defensive end Willie McGinest and safety Rodney Harrison.

And ensconced in Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Mass., for many years to come, the Patriots know the status of their stadium future. The Jets don't.