The saga is complete.
The Jets guaranteed the final two years of
Laveranues Coles' $11 million deal Friday, thus ending a potentially long-standing feud. This really goes to show how fragile an NFL contract is. In most circles a contract, by its very definition, is guaranteed. But not in the wacky, crazy world of the National Football League. That's why I don't usually go off the deep end when a football player wants to rework his contract. He's always one play away from selling insurance or driving a truck for a living.
Unofficially, the Jets have assured Coles that he'll get the long-term deal he was looking for if he stays healthy and puts up big numbers next year. If those conditions don't happen, LC will be given permission to seek a trade. Again, these stipulations seem silly to me, but if No. 87 is happy then so am I.
This agreement also shows that the Gotham Green have learned a thing or two from the Pete Kendall debacle. Kendall's departure ripped holes in the offensive line and locker room which were never repaired and if Coles was taken out of the picture, it could have been equally damaging to the team. Coles will never be considered one of the top receivers in the league, but pound for pound, he may be one of the toughest. And even though he may be a bit unorthodox as a leader, the entire squad respects and looks up to him.
And I'm glad he'll be wearing the Green and White again in 2008.
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