It took just one season, but the New York Jets have seen enough of running back Chris Johnson. The Jets decided to forgo Johnson’s second-year option on the two-year $8 million contact he signed last offseason, making him a free agent.
Johnson had the worst season of his career with the Jets, splitting time in the backfield with Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell. With a new coaching staff and a $5.2 million cap number, Johnson’s days were numbered. It also didn’t help that Johnson was arrested on Jan. 10 in Florida on a second-degree misdemeanor weapons charge for open-carrying a firearm.
Last year was the first time in his seven-year career that Johnson didn’t surpass 1,000 yards. He carried the ball just 155 times for 663 yards and a touchdown but still averaged 4.3 yards per carry. As a receiver Johnson caught 24 passes for 141 yards and a score.
The Jets are also expected to let quarterback Michael Vick go after one of the worst seasons of his career, even as a back-up. Vick saw action in 10 games and completed just 52.9 percent of his passes for 604 yards, three touchdowns and two picks. His 153 yards on the ground with no touchdowns was the lowest by far of his career and he just played seven games in Philadelphia in 2013.
Reportedly the Jets haven’t shut the door on Vick and could bring him back as a back-up, depending on what they do in the draft and who else is available in free agency.
Both Johnson and Vick will likely have no trouble finding work next season, but both in likely back-up roles. It’s possible in the right situation that Johnson could rekindle the magic that gave him the moniker “CJ2k,” but Vick’s days as a starter are surely done.
Jets get hit with tampering chargers
The Jets made even more news Saturday when the tampering chargers were filed over comments owner Woody Johnson made about New England cornerback Darrelle Revis. An NFL official told ESPN that they were investigating the matter to determine if a violation occurred.
In a January news conference Johnson mentioned Revis’ name and said, “I’d love for Darrelle to come back,” before releasing a statement later saying he had “misspoke” and called Patriots owner Robert Kraft to apologize.
The NFL forbids any public or private statement of interest in another club’s player to that player’s agent or representative or to a member of the news media.”
Revis has a contract option of $20 million for 2015 with the Patriots which they will in no way want to keep, making him an unrestricted free agent.
Cowboys set Henry Melton loose
Defensive tackle Henry Melton will get to test free agency again after the Dallas Cowboys decided not to pick up the final three years of the contract he signed last offseason. The move saves the Cowboys $9 million in real money and open up $8.4 million in salary cap space.
Melton is a former Pro Bowler with the Chicago Bears in 2012, but his 2013 season ended early with an ACL tear.
Melton only started three games for Dallas, but still had a good year as a situational pass rusher, recording five sacks, two fumble recoveries, two passes defended and 11 tackles.
NFL releases rookie combine schedule
Late Friday the NFL released the rookie combine schedule. The league expects 330 prospects to attend along with scouts, coaches and personnel from all 32 NFL teams. The combine begins Tuesday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Group 1 (PK, ST, OL), Group 2 (OL), Group 3 (TE)
Tuesday, Feb. 17 – travel, registration, hospital pre-exam, orientation, interviews
Wednesday, Feb. 18 – measurements, medical examinations, media, interviews
Thursday, Feb. 19 – NFLPA meeting, psychological testing, bench press, interviews
Friday, Feb. 20 – on-field workouts (timing, stations, skill drills)
Group 4 (QB, WR), Group 5 (QB, WR), Group 6 (RB)
Wednesday, Feb. 18 – travel, registration, hospital pre-exam, orientation, interviews
Thursday, Feb. 19 – measurements, medical examinations, media, interviews
Friday, Feb. 20 – NFLPA meeting, psychological testing, bench press, interviews
Saturday, Feb. 21 – on-field workouts (timing, stations, skill drills)
Group 7 (DL), Group 8 (DL), Group 9 (LB)
Thursday, Feb. 19 – travel, registration, hospital pre-exam, orientation, interviews
Friday, Feb. 20 – measurements, medical examinations, media, interviews
Saturday, Feb. 21 – NFLPA meeting, psychological testing, bench press, interviews
Sunday, Feb. 22 – on-field workouts (timing, stations, skill drills)
Group 10 (DB), Group 11 (DB)
Friday, Feb. 20 – travel, registration, hospital pre-exam, orientation, interviews
Saturday, Feb. 21 – measurements, medical examinations, media, interviews
Sunday, Feb. 22 – NFLPA meeting, psychological testing, bench press, interviews
Monday, Feb. 23 – on-field workouts (timing, stations, skill drills)
