Linemates to welcome Abraham back
Sunday, August 28, 2005
BY DAVE HUTCHINSON
Star-Ledger Staff
Jets three-time Pro Bowl defensive end John Abraham will meet with his agents, Tony Agnone and Rich Rosa, today in Baltimore and will almost certainly report to camp tomorrow, according to someone with knowledge of the situation.
"John will make the final decision," the person said yesterday.
Abraham remains disappointed the Jets won't sign him to a long- term deal but wants to rejoin his teammates. He'll sign the one-year, $6.67 million franchise tender offer.
"John is excited about coming back, eventually," Abraham's close friend, defensive end Shaun Ellis, said last week. "He misses the group. We as players aren't down on him. We know it's a business thing.
"When he comes back, we'll embrace him with open arms. He's one of our brothers. Everything is good. When the time is right, he'll come back."
Despite the hard line by the Jets, the club is said to be willing to give Abraham a long-term deal if he proves this season that he can stay healthy for a full 16-game schedule, said a person who is familiar with the Jets' thinking. Abraham has missed 23 of 80 regular-season games, two playoff games and nearly all of a third.
Abraham, 27, feels he has already earned a long-term deal with three Pro Bowl selections in five seasons and his status as one of the league's premier pass-rushers.
Punter Ben Graham, a 31-year-old rookie and former Australian Football League star, has won the punting job. The Jets yesterday released veteran P Micah Knorr among seven players. Also waived were veteran T Ethan Brooks in a mild surprise, RB DeCori Birmingham, WRs Eddie Jackson and Carl Kearney, T Henry Tellis and CB Art Thomas. The Jets must cut two more players by Tuesday at 4 p.m.
On the injury front, CB Derrick Strait suffered a strain groin vs. the Giants and is day-to-day. ... DT Dewayne Robertson (fracture right hand) will likely play with a cast. ... Rookie S Andre Maddox (knee) is out for the season. ... QB Jay Fiedler, who hurt his left hand, is fine.
Rookie WR Harry Williams Jr., who was impressive before missing two weeks with a sprained knee, is expected to return to practice this week. ... S Rashad Washington (concussion) is also expected to return.
Rookie safety Kerry Rhodes continues to make plays. He helped force the end-zone fumble on a handoff by Giants QB Tim Hasselbeck to RB Mike Cloud and had a sack. He finished with five tackles and a pass defensed.
Chas Gessner, who is battling for the fifth receiver slot, didn't catch a pass against the Giants. ... The Jets are expected to search the waiver wire for help at wide receiver, offensive tackle, safety and linebacker. ... The Jets broke camp yesterday and are on a regular-season schedule.
Sunday, August 28, 2005
BY DAVE HUTCHINSON
Star-Ledger Staff
Jets three-time Pro Bowl defensive end John Abraham will meet with his agents, Tony Agnone and Rich Rosa, today in Baltimore and will almost certainly report to camp tomorrow, according to someone with knowledge of the situation.
"John will make the final decision," the person said yesterday.
Abraham remains disappointed the Jets won't sign him to a long- term deal but wants to rejoin his teammates. He'll sign the one-year, $6.67 million franchise tender offer.
"John is excited about coming back, eventually," Abraham's close friend, defensive end Shaun Ellis, said last week. "He misses the group. We as players aren't down on him. We know it's a business thing.
"When he comes back, we'll embrace him with open arms. He's one of our brothers. Everything is good. When the time is right, he'll come back."
Despite the hard line by the Jets, the club is said to be willing to give Abraham a long-term deal if he proves this season that he can stay healthy for a full 16-game schedule, said a person who is familiar with the Jets' thinking. Abraham has missed 23 of 80 regular-season games, two playoff games and nearly all of a third.
Abraham, 27, feels he has already earned a long-term deal with three Pro Bowl selections in five seasons and his status as one of the league's premier pass-rushers.
Punter Ben Graham, a 31-year-old rookie and former Australian Football League star, has won the punting job. The Jets yesterday released veteran P Micah Knorr among seven players. Also waived were veteran T Ethan Brooks in a mild surprise, RB DeCori Birmingham, WRs Eddie Jackson and Carl Kearney, T Henry Tellis and CB Art Thomas. The Jets must cut two more players by Tuesday at 4 p.m.
On the injury front, CB Derrick Strait suffered a strain groin vs. the Giants and is day-to-day. ... DT Dewayne Robertson (fracture right hand) will likely play with a cast. ... Rookie S Andre Maddox (knee) is out for the season. ... QB Jay Fiedler, who hurt his left hand, is fine.
Rookie WR Harry Williams Jr., who was impressive before missing two weeks with a sprained knee, is expected to return to practice this week. ... S Rashad Washington (concussion) is also expected to return.
Rookie safety Kerry Rhodes continues to make plays. He helped force the end-zone fumble on a handoff by Giants QB Tim Hasselbeck to RB Mike Cloud and had a sack. He finished with five tackles and a pass defensed.
Chas Gessner, who is battling for the fifth receiver slot, didn't catch a pass against the Giants. ... The Jets are expected to search the waiver wire for help at wide receiver, offensive tackle, safety and linebacker. ... The Jets broke camp yesterday and are on a regular-season schedule.
