This is not the new direction at wide receiver I had in mind.
The Jets released
Laveranues Coles on Wednesday, meaning the veteran wideout and his $6 million salary will be wiped away for the 2009 season. If you want to get technical (and I know you do), LC wasn't "released," but rather the Jets "restructured" his contract allowing him to become a free agent.
Coles is looking for a long-term deal and the Jets aren't ready to open their pocketbooks for a 31-year-old wide receiver. Both sides left open the possibility of a reunion, but I wouldn't hold my breath.
"My time with the Jets was great," Coles said. "I love the fans, my teammates
and my coaches. I always wanted to finish my career in New York, but I've always
said this is a business."
Doesn't sound like No. 87 is coming back.
If you remember, Coles and the Jets had a little contract dispute early last offseason. When the smoke cleared, Coles agreed to a
two-year, $11 million guaranteed deal in March. It's rare for anyone in the NFL to receive a guaranteed contract, but that's what the two sides agreed upon. The idea was to pay Coles $5 million in 2008 and then work out a long-term contract. At least, that was the plan. The Jets assured Coles he would get the long-term deal if he put up big numbers and stayed healthy. Coles didn't put up huge numbers (70 receptions for 850 yards and 7 touchdowns), but they were solid and he played in every game last season.
No dice.
The Jets need to upgrade the wide receiver position this season, but I didn't think they would do it by replacing Coles. LC lacks the sex appeal of most receivers in the league, but he's as tough as nails and plays hard. And those attributes are rare at the wide receiver position. Still, there's a split among Jet fans about Coles. There are those who believe he's a complainer and those who think he just speaks his mind.
I guess I fall in the latter.
Anyway, Coles is giving up a guaranteed $6 million payday with the Jets in 2009. I guess he feels he can make more on the open market. Pretty risky.
And it seems pretty risky to me that the Jets are allowing him to test the waters.
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