Every team in NFL free agency hopes that the comings are more numerous than the goings and the Jets are
no exception. They were braced to lose two key starters, as running back LaMont Jordan was headed to Oakland and is expected to soon join the Raiders and defensive tackle Jason Ferguson was in Dallas, poised to sign with the Cowboys.
These losses were hardly shocking, as word was strong that Bill Parcells, who as coach of the Jets drafted Ferguson in the seventh round out of Georgia in 1997, coveted Ferguson. As for Jordan, he was not content to sit behind Curtis Martin for another year, and although the Jets made a substantial offer to keep him, it was never going to be enough, as Jordan wants the ball and the Raiders plan to give it to him.
Ferguson, 30, had a career-best year in 2004 with 59 tackles and 3 ½ sacks and is a solid run-stuffer. He can play in a 3-4 defensive alignment, which is what Dallas will move into this coming season. The Cowboys were also working to sign free agent guard Mario Rivera and cornerback Anthony Henry.
The Jets thought they had a fallback position with Pat Williams, a defensive tackle from the Bills who would slip nicely into the hole left by Ferguson’s departure. After initial interest, though, the Jets seem off the Williams trail, with the Vikings and Texans emerging and the two most likely suitors.
Asked about the Jets interest, Williams’ agent, Angelo Wright, said “They did, but they’ve gone back and forth with Ferguson. They were trying to get a deal, now it looks like Dallas will get the deal. Pat’s a better player. It’s almost like the Jets were willing to pay Fergy because he was there, but elsewhere they’re telling me your deal is a little better than what we were gonna give him so you better take it.”
Lance Legree, a defensive tackle who started seven games for the Giants last season at defensive end in place of injured Michael Strahan, will visit today with the Jets. His line coach with the Giants, Denny Marcin, fills that same role with the Jets and is a fan of Legree’s. The Giants have made an offer to keep Legree.
“It was fair, I guess,” said Legree’s agent, Brad Leshnock, “but not enough from keep him from seeing what’s out there.”
The Jets waived reserve cornerback Roderick Bryant.
