denverdan Posted February 10, 2005 Share Posted February 10, 2005 http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/story/279411p-239398c.html Testaverde would be happy to Jet back home BY RICH CIMINI DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER Vinny Testaverde Let the quarterback speculation begin. With Chad Pennington recuperating from rotator-cuff surgery, the Jets almost certainly will acquire a veteran backup just in case their $64 million man isn't ready for training camp in July. One of the most recognizable names on the free-agent market will be Vinny Testaverde and he isn't opposed to a return engagement with the Jets. "Now that (Paul) Hackett is gone, it makes an awful lot of sense," Testaverde's agent, Mike Azzarelli, said yesterday. "Under the right circumstances, he'd love to go back to New York. From our end of the equation, it would be something to look at." Testaverde, who played with the Jets from 1998 to 2003, was released last June and signed a one-year contract with the Cowboys. Although he never said so publicly, Testaverde wasn't a Hackett fan. But now the Jets have a new offensive coordinator, Mike Heimerdinger, who can't be comfortable with the current state of his depth chart. The Jets are "cautiously optimistic" that Pennington will be ready for camp, according to Herman Edwards, but there is no guarantee. After all, the surgery, performed Tuesday by Dr. James Andrews, was more invasive than the anticipated arthroscopy. An incision was required to repair a completely torn supraspinatus muscle, one of four components to the rotator cuff. Unspecified damage to the back of the shoulder was also addressed and a bone spur was removed. Heimerdinger faces the prospect of conducting spring and early-summer minicamps with Brooks Bollinger (nine career attempts) and Ricky Ray (zero) as his top passers. The Jets are evaluating the market, plotting their strategy. It would make sense to sign a quarterback well before training camp, giving him the chance to learn the playbook. The free agency period begins March 2. The quarterback pool will include several players who might be willing to serve as an insurance policy, including Testaverde, Gus Frerotte, Kelly Holcomb and Doug Johnson, who played under Heimerdinger in Tennessee. Testaverde, 41, compiled a 76.4 passer rating in 15 starts last season for the Cowboys. It has been speculated that Bill Parcells may pursue his former Patriots quarterback, Drew Bledsoe, who could be released by the Bills. The list of options for the Jets is expected to grow, with Jay Fiedler (Dolphins), Jeff Garcia (Browns), Brad Johnson (Bucs) and Kurt Warner (Giants) all likely to be salary-cap casualties. TAG, ABRAHAM'S IT: Confirming weeks of speculation, the Jets reportedly notified John Abraham yesterday that they intend to make him their "franchise" player, effectively removing him from the free agent market. The franchise tender for a defensive end is $6.7 million. It means that, barring a contract agreement before March2, RB LaMont Jordan will be an unrestricted free agent. STILL JETTING: Acting Gov. Richard J. Codey met for the first time with the Jets on Wednesday and asked them to stay in New Jersey, while his chief counsel met with the Giants in an attempt to iron out a deal on a new stadium. While appreciative of Codey's concern, the Jets said they are committed to building their own stadium in New York, said George Zoffinger, the chief executive of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfujskins Posted February 10, 2005 Share Posted February 10, 2005 Well SH*T..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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