Another day, another
flurry of activity for the Green and White.
The Jets added free agent linebacker/defensive end Calvin Pace and offensive lineman Damien Woody on Monday.
Pace had a career year in Arizona last season, tallying 98 tackles, 6 1/2 sacks, a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and an interception for the Cardinals. The former first-round pick out of Wake Forest had been a bust in the desert (38 starts in five seasons), but the Jets rewarded his solid play in 2007 with one of the largest deals ever given to a linebacker -- six years, $42 million.
Woody, another former first-round pick, spent his first five seasons as a New England Patriot. His last four seasons were in Detroit where he played primarily at guard. Gang Green plan to pencil Woody in at right tackle, replacing Anthony Clement. Woody, who has played every position along the offensive line during his career, agreed to a five year deal worth $25.5 million.
The Jets are certainly addressing major needs so far (offensive line, defensive line, pass rushing linebacker), but I'm surprised they inked Pace to one of the richest contracts in NFL history. Pace was almost signed, sealed and delivered to play for the
Miami Dolphins, but I guess the boatload of cash the Jets threw at him changed his mind. What a difference a year makes. Hopefully, Pace will live up to his monster contract and make people forget about falling through a window and tearing up his right forearm during a bye in 2005.
Woody helped lead the Patriots to two Super Bowl wins during his stay in Foxboro, but his tenure as a Lion was a disappointment. Woody began 2007 as the Lions starting right guard, but was benched after just three games. After spending three games on the inactive list, Woody worked his way back as a reserve and finished up the season at right tackle. That doesn't really give me a warm, fuzzy feeling, especially since the Lions were one of the worst offensive lines in football last year.
The Jets were also set to ship defensive lineman
Dewayne Robertson to the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday for two picks (a fourth and a fifth) in the upcoming draft, but that deal has since fallen through. The Bengals then turned and signed former Tennessee Titan
Antwan Odom. It seems like it's just a matter of time before D-Rob is moved out of New York.
The Pace signing, coupled with running back
Michael Turner bolting to the Atlanta Falcons, could also mean that the Jets are in line to draft running back Darren McFadden in April's draft.
One thing is for sure, the Jets have made this off-season more exciting than last year's regular season.
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