Neither Laveranues Coles nor Dewayne Robertson were at the Jets' complex today as the voluntary offseason workouts began today. Not a big surprise, but still noteworthy.
Coles has been asking for a long-term extension on his current contract, which has two years and $11 million left on it. The Jets have reportedly offered to guarantee all of that money, but Coles is lookin for something that will allow him to finish his career as a Jet (or finish his Jets career). He has not been granted permission to shop a trade with other teams.
Robertson was very nearly traded to the Bengals earlier this month and is inching closer to becoming a Denver Bronco via trade with that organization. However, he remains a Jet for now. He's just a Jet who isn't taking part in the workouts. If the Broncos deal falls through, it'll be interesting to see where this goes.
Now, remember, these workouts are voluntary. There's nothing the Jets can really do about this. Once the minicamps and training camp comes around, however, players can start to be fined for missing practices and meetings and other events. You remember all of the nuances of that situation from last year, right?
One item of note is that Chad Pennington was at the workouts today. It's no secret Chad wants to be a starter in the league and it's also no secret that he hasn't been named the starter here (then again, neither has anyone else). If Pennington is trying to coax a trade to another QB-hungry team, which many suspect he is, he's not using these workouts as leverage.
Comments (9)
Nice job on NFLN Rock.
Listen, i know Coles is a generally a good guy and has overcome a lot in his life to be a team and community leader. But what i don't understand is this new culture of pro athlethes wanting to be paid a higher salary before their contracts have expired. And then if the team refuses, and chooses to honor the terms of the contract, the player does something disruptive, like in the case of Cloes not show for work-outs. Coles has been productive as a Jet but this is the saem player who left the team as an unrestricted free agent for bigger bucks in Washington. He hasn't been loyal to the franchise, so why, especially after an injury plagued year where his production down, should the team now give him a big pay day?
As well, let's speak the truth here, as much as Coles is a gamer, he is not a franchise (the way he wants to be paid) receiver. With his guts and pretty good hands, if he were four inches taller, he would make the Jets' quarterbacks look a lot better. The Jets already have a very good number two reciever in Jerricho Cotchery. I think what they should do is either trade Coles or work something out but to be truthful I wouldn't mind going into the season with Cotchery, no Coles and a couple of rookie receivers who are at least 6'2". Anyone who scoffs at that should remember how well Hofstra's Marques Colston did his rookie year . A few names to look at: Limas Sweed, James Hardy, Malcolm Kelly and Adarius Bowman.
Marcello you bring up a lot of good points, unfortunately that's the ugly culture of todays athlete, it's all about money and no loyalty. There's a buzz that the Jets may give into Coles and his new contract request. I hope this isn't true, although I really like Coles he is on the downside as a player and he's had a history of concussions, which could end a players career or cause him to miss significant time after one hit. The bad thing is that at this point I'm not sure how much the Jets could get for Coles in a trade. I think Jacksonville was interested a couple months ago, but they've filled there WR needs and remember the Raiders only got a 4th round pick for Randy Moss just last year. Regardless of what happens the Jets better not drag this thing out like they did with Kendall, either give Coles what he wants or move on, no need for another distraction in camp this year. Hopefully this whole Robertson situation gets worked out soon too and while they're at it give Kerry Rhodes a new deal.
Not positive, but I think coles left for washington as a restricted free agent when the 'matching' contract the jets drew up was declined by the league because it didn't really match; coles at the time was on the record as wanting to stay a jet and with pennington. That said, I'm completely with you regarding Coles. He's been my favorite jets receiver because of his toughness and grit, which seems to magically disappear when it comes to practice. I can see his argument that tough practices wear down a player's longevity... but if the jets are following through, as reported, with an extension/new contract so he can retire as a jet, I don't want to hear a peep out of him--not even a whisper--about the tough practices. PS: Jets... extend rhodes and baker... two guys who are toughing it out and who are truly the core of this team in my view. maybe baker has griped a bit, but it's because he wants to win and contribute. you need guys like that.
PPS: btw... Jets: do what's right by the players and they'll do right by you. Safeguard players' futures and livelihoods and take into consideration the number of former players with early-onset dementia, depression, post-concussion syndrome and whatnot... You can have tough practices without popping their heads off. When is the league going to get that new helmet?
BW, that's not correct - Coles got a $13M signing bonus that the Jets weren't going to touch. Morton was the one the Jets tried to keep, but an arbitrator (and Skins season ticket holder, no less!) ruled they did not match the contract terms.
And Morton wanted to go to Wash - they promised (but did not keep) more carries as an RB the Jets were giving him.
I think Bradway just tried to save face with that move, but ended up looking even more incompetent. What a disaster as GM he was.
DCJ: thanks for the info. I never heard that about the arbitrator... at least we've moved on in the kick return game.
Just another disastrous move by Bradway. I can remember it being reported locally before the ruling, and even the Redskins media wondered why Bradway didn't move to have the arbitrator recuse himself.
Actually, you are both sort of right. TB did not negotiate with Coles and said that he thought he'd let the market set the price. Coles was tendered and then went out to see what the market was for his services. Because TB would not make him an offer. Coles said at that time that he loved Chad and the Jets. When he got the offer from the Skins he thought the Jets would match and TB's response was that they did not expect an offer that high. In addition, Coles did not have the highest tender on him, which if he had the Skins would not have signed him.
When he left he then voiced his displeasure at the organization because they failed to negotiate with him. I can't blame him for that. You don't want your boss to say go look for a job and then we'll give you a raise if it is not too much greater.
Morton's offer was signed, but the Jets did not match it 100%. In addition the arbitrator was a Skins fan and Morton himself advocated against the Jets matching.
The whole mess back in the day for both players could have been avoided if TB worked 5 days a week and negotiated instead of spending 3 days a week at home in AC.