NEW YORK JETS DAILY CLIPS. September 6, 2015 Table of Contents

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1 NEW YORK JETS DAILY CLIPS September 6, 2015 Table of Contents ASSOCIATED PRESS... 1 Jets cut QBs Flynn, Johnson, linebacker Babin (Dennis Waszak)... 1 NEWSDAY... 3 Ryan Fitzpatrick can't be persuaded to shave his weird beard (Kimberley A. Martin)... 3 Jets cut quarterbacks Matt Flynn, Josh Johnson (Kimberley A. Martin)... 4 THE RECORD... 5 Jets: Josh Johnson, Matt Flynn among final cuts (J.P. Pelzman)... 5 NEW YORK TIMES... 6 Jets Cut 2 Quarterbacks, Leaving Rookie as Backup (Ben Shpigel)... 6 ESPN NEW YORK... 8 Jets release QB Matt Flynn, who responds with a Bloody Mary (Rich Cimini)... 8 New York Jets cut 19 players, including QBs Matt Flynn, Josh Johnson (Rich Cimini)... 9 NEW YORK POST... 9 Jets newly signed QBs both lose backup competition (Brian Costello)... 9 NJ ADVANCE MEDIA Should Jets sign tight end Brandon Bostick, who just worked out for them? (Darryl Slater) Matt Flynn, Josh Johnson among Jets' 53-man roster cuts (Dom Cosentino) Jason Babin a surprise roster cut for Jets (Dom Cosentino) Jets 53-man roster cuts: Who made it, who didn't (Darryl Slater) Analysis of Jets' 53-man roster cuts: Matt Flynn, Josh Johnson, Jason Babin, Joe Mays, Shaq Evans (Darryl Slater) Jets reduce roster to 53, but more changes likely to come (Dom Cosentino) NEW YORK DAILY NEWS In surprise move, Jets cut veteran LB Jason Babin: If they don t want me, I m sure there s 31 others that do (Seth Walder) Jets cut-down day: A running list of Gang Green s final roster cuts (Seth Walder) Height at Jets WR gives offensive coordinator Chan Gailey plenty of versatility (Manish Mehta) METRO NEW YORK Babin, Owusu and two quarterbacks cut as Jets shape roster (Kristian Dyer) SATURDAY S SPORTS TRANSACTIONS ASSOCIATED PRESS Jets cut QBs Flynn, Johnson, linebacker Babin (Dennis Waszak) 1 P a g e

2 Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) The New York Jets are down to two healthy quarterbacks. Matt Flynn and Josh Johnson were among the Jets' cuts Saturday as they pared their roster to the mandatory 53-player limit. Flynn and Johnson were signed this summer to compete for a backup role behind Ryan Fitzpatrick, who became the starter after Geno Smith had his jaw broken on Aug. 11 by a punch from then-teammate Ikemefuna Enemkpali. Smith was expected to miss at least the first four games of the regular season. The Jets' only other healthy quarterback is rookie Bryce Petty, a fourth-round pick out of Baylor. Flynn was signed on Aug. 19, but dealt with a hamstring issue for most of his short stint with the Jets before making his debut in the preseason finale against Philadelphia. He went 10 of 14 for 136 yards with two TDs and an interception, while Johnson was 7 of 12 for 82 yards and had 76 yards rushing on seven carries in his first action with New York after being signed on Aug. 27. "It'll be tough," coach Todd Bowles said that night of choosing between Flynn and Johnson. "They bring different dynamics to the game." It turned out the choice was neither, although the Jets could still re-sign one of them after Week 1 to avoid having to pay a guaranteed salary. Flynn thanked the Jets through his Twitter account, and then tweeted: "For now, it's #bloodymary time" with a photo of a cocktail garnished with celery, olives and two strips of bacon. Among the Jets' other notable cuts were veteran linebacker Jason Babin and wide receivers Chris Owusu and Walter Powell. Running back Stevan Ridley was placed on the reserve-physically unable to perform list while he continues to heal from torn knee ligaments that have kept him sidelined since last October, when he got hurt while playing for New England. He was signed by the Jets in the offseason, but did not practice or play in the preseason. Defensive end Sheldon Richardson and guard Oday Aboushi were placed on the suspended list. Richardson must sit out the first four games of the season after violating the NFL's substance abuse policy, and is facing possible additional discipline after being charged with resisting arrest in July and keeping it from the team, a violation of the personal conduct policy. Aboushi was suspended for one game, also for violating the league's substance abuse policy, after he was pulled over for a traffic violation in January and police found a small amount of marijuana in his car. Babin's release was a mild surprise after he had two sacks in 16 games last season. But he is 35, and the Jets have promising youngsters in Trevor Reilly and Lorenzo Mauldin at outside linebacker. Calvin Pace also will be back despite being 34 and missing some time toward the end of camp with a groin injury. It was believed the Jets would keep either Owusu or Powell if not both after strong camps, and their departures leave New York without a kick returner on the roster. That's a position the Jets could address Sunday when players cut on Saturday clear waivers. Wide receiver Jeremy Kerley was thought to be in some trouble after working with the backups most of the summer while second-year receiver Quincy Enunwa saw lots of time with the starters. Both made the initial roster. Shaquelle Evans, a fourth-round draft pick last year, was cut. 2 P a g e

3 Also released by the Jets were: tight ends Arthur Lynch and Wes Saxton; running back Daryl Richardson; fullback Julian Howsare; offensive linemen Charles Brown and Wesley Johnson; defensive linemen Ronald Talley and Jordan Williams; linebackers Deion Barnes, Taiwan Jones and Joe Mays; cornerback Keon Lyn; and safety Durell Eskridge. Teams can assemble up to a 10-man practice squad starting Sunday afternoon. NEWSDAY Ryan Fitzpatrick can't be persuaded to shave his weird beard (Kimberley A. Martin) Newsday Ryan Fitzpatrick continues to ignore them all. For the next five months, the Jets quarterback will bask in the glow of his trademark bushy beard -- and there's nothing his teammates or his wife can do about it. "I had a hard time growing facial hair until I was about 24. It was just patchy and it would never come in,'' the 11-year NFL veteran said after a recent practice. "And then, I don't know, something happened in Buffalo. It finally thickened up.'' After so many years of sprouting sad little wisps of hair on his chin, he's determined to let his beard be free. But only for a limited time. Like clockwork, he grows out his facial hair during the season and shaves it off in the offseason. And according to Fitzpatrick, most of his new teammates can't wait to see the beard go. "Most of them think it looks terrible,'' he said. As if on cue, second-year safety Calvin Pryor called out from a few locker stalls away: "It looks terrible, man.'' Without missing a beat, Fitzpatrick replied, smiling, "Thank you. That's what my wife says. That's what most people say, actually.'' After six teams, several starting jobs and additional backup roles, there are few things that can unnerve the Fitzpatrick. Comments about his facial appearance and his wardrobe of "random T-shirts" don't bother him in the least. Asked if he's considered other styles of facial hair, he insisted he "can't really do a goatee or the 'stache.'' "Just the beard,'' said Fitzpatrick, whom the Jets obtained in a March trade and named their starter after Geno Smith had his jaw broken by then-teammate Ikemefuna Enemkpali. "I don't know that it looks the best, but that's the look I go with. It took me so long to be able to grow one that I was proud of it when it was able to come in like it did.'' The grooming process is a time-consuming one, though. It takes three whole minutes for Fitzpatrick to get those coarse hairs in place -- and a special brush, too. "It's like a wave brush for a black dude," he said as he searched his locker in vain for his prized possession. "Mine's like a real fine, hard-bristle [brush]. 'Cause when I sleep, it gets all matted down." 3 P a g e

4 By no means is the beard a fashion statement, he said. But it does say a lot about the 32-year-old. "It is kind of who I am now, I guess," said Fitzpatrick, who threw for 2,483 yards and 17 touchdowns with eight interceptions in 12 games for Houston last year before suffering a broken leg in a Week 15 loss to the Colts. "Everybody I've played with knows me as the guy with the beard. So I think it would be kind of weird to become something else." However, his wife, Liza, would prefer to have a clean-shaven husband year-round. "She hates it," said Fitzpatrick, who wears his wedding ring at all times, including in games. "Well, she's indifferent, I guess. She's excited for it to come off." But there's at least one person who supports Fitzpatrick. "He's been told his beard looks terrible?" asked Willie Colon. "Seriously, he doesn't look good without the beard. I think he looks great with it. The beard kind of gives him character. It gives him a little flair." Colon, of course, is partial to thick, unkempt facial hair. "I have my nappy, grinding-in-camp beard," he said, smiling. But even the Bronx-born Hofstra product couldn't believe how quickly Fitzpatrick's hair has grown since he shaved off his beard during organized team activities this past spring. Said Colon: "He has a lot of hair. It grows fast." Fitzpatrick has overcome obstacles on his path to facial-hair supremacy, but he has emerged as a more confident and much hairier man. His beard has become his trademark. And the Harvard-educated father of five wouldn't want it any other way. Said Fitzpatrick: "I don't get recognized by many people when I shave it." Jets cut quarterbacks Matt Flynn, Josh Johnson (Kimberley A. Martin) Newsday The Jets are rolling the dice with Ryan Fitzpatrick and Bryce Petty in Week 1. In a surprising twist, backup quarterbacks Matt Flynn and Josh Johnson were released as the team slashed its roster to 53 before Saturday's 4 p.m. deadline. "Thanks for the opportunity #nyjets, but it looks like I am headed back home to Louisiana. Looking forward to what's next!" Flynn tweeted before posting a photo of the Bloody Mary he was getting ready to imbibe. As of now, it seems the Jets are prepared to head into the regular season with two healthy quarterbacks and Geno Smith, who is recovering from a broken jaw stemming from an Aug. 11 locker-room altercation with linebacker Ikemefuna Enemkpali. At the time, Smith was given a recovery timetable of six to 10 weeks. The latest roster moves could be a sign that he will be returning to action sooner than expected. 4 P a g e

5 Flynn made a strong case for the backup job behind Fitzpatrick after he went 4-for-10 for 136 yards with two touchdown passes and an interception in the first half of Thursday night's win over the Eagles, his only preseason action with the Jets. Johnson, who was signed on Aug. 27, played the second half of that game and finished 7-for-12 for 82 yards. He also gained 76 yards on seven carries. Had he been on their Week 1 roster, the Jets would have had to pay him his entire salary, $745,000. That wasn't the case with Flynn. Because he already had collected termination pay in 2013 (after being cut by the Oakland Raiders), he couldn't receive termination pay again from the Jets, who signed him to an $870,000 contract. The Jets could wait until Week 2 to re-sign another veteran quarterback, thereby avoiding having to pay fully guaranteed salaries. Another surprising move was the release of receivers Chris Owusu and Walter Powell (Shaq Evans also was released). All three were in competition with Jeremy Kerley for the third receiver spot behind Eric Decker and Brandon Marshall. Owusu was a standout in camp and during the preseason before suffering his fourth concussion since college during a practice last month. Powell also impressed on special teams. But despite speculation that the Jets might try to trade Kerley -- who signed a four-year, $16-million extension last season -- he is safe for now. The Jets also are in the market for a kick returner and help at tight end. Other cuts included outside linebacker Jason Babin, running back Daryl Richardson, linebackers Joe Mays, Deion Barnes and Taiwan Jones, tight ends Arthur Lynch and Wes Saxton, defensive ends Ronald Alley and Jordan Williams, offensive linemen Charles Brown and Wesley Johnson, defensive backs Durell Eskridge and Keon Lyn, and fullback Julian Howsare. The team also placed running back Stevan Ridley on the reserve/physically unable to perform (PUP) list and waived cornerback Dashaun Phillips from injured reserve. Defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson and backup guard Oday Aboushi are on the reserve/suspended list and currently do not count toward the active roster. Aboushi was suspended one regular-season game for violating the league's substance-abuse policy and Richardson, a second-time offender of the same policy, was suspended for four games. THE RECORD Jets: Josh Johnson, Matt Flynn among final cuts (J.P. Pelzman) The Record The Jets took a risk at quarterback in the 2013 opener, but it worked out for them. They might try to do the same thing this season. The Jets released veteran reserve quarterbacks Matt Flynn and Josh Johnson on Saturday as they got down to the NFL-mandated limit of 53 players, leaving them perhaps with only untested fourth-round pick Bryce Petty to back up Ryan Fitzpatrick on opening day against visiting Cleveland in one week. 5 P a g e

6 Their roster by no means is set, as they likely will make waiver claims today on players cut by other teams. Flynn and Johnson played well in the preseason-ending victory over Philadelphia on Thursday, and the departure of both could mean one of two things. The Jets either have their eye on someone else who might get cut or already has been released, or they are planning to suit up veteran Fitzpatrick and Petty seven days from now as their two opening-day signal-callers. Projected starter Geno Smith (fractured jaw) is expected to miss at least four regular-season games. The Jets did something similar two years ago when Smith was a rookie. Smith started in the opener and played the whole way in a victory over Tampa Bay. Matt Simms of Franklin Lakes, who had yet to appear in an NFL game, served as the backup because veteran Brady Quinn had been released earlier in the week. Quinn was re-signed after opening day. If Johnson were on the roster opening day, his full salary of $745,000 for the season would be guaranteed because he is a vested veteran. However, Flynn s would not, even though he also is a vested veteran, thanks to a loophole in the CBA. He already collected termination pay in 2013 when he was on Oakland s opening-day roster and later was released, and a player cannot get that benefit twice during his NFL career. Seventeen other players were cut, including wide receivers Chris Owusu, Shaq Evans and Walt Powell. The Jets also released veteran outside linebacker Jason Babin, who had two sacks for them last season. His termination likely means the Jets expect veteran linebacker Calvin Pace (groin) to be ready to play opening day. It also means second-year linebacker Trevor Reilly has made the team, at least for now. Reilly, a seventh-round pick in 2014, had an impressive training camp. Owusu had a very impressive preseason as a receiver and Powell had a punt return for a score against the Giants on Aug. 29, and has shown flashes of being a good kickoff returner. The Jets will need to find a kickoff returner in the next few days. The Jets have only five wideouts on their roster as of now Brandon Marshall, Eric Decker, Quincy Enunwa, Jeremy Kerley and Devin Smith, still out with a rib injury suffered early in camp. Kerley hasn t practiced or played since suffering a concussion against Atlanta on Aug. 21, so perhaps these moves mean the Jets believe he will be ready to play against Cleveland. Still, they likely will be scanning the list of available wideouts over the next 24 hours as other teams make cuts. BRIEFS: Defensive end Sheldon Richardson (four games) and backup OL Oday Aboushi (one game) were placed on the suspended list. Both violated the NFL s substance-abuse policy. Not surprisingly, RB Stevan Ridley was placed on the PUP list. Ridley, still recovering from a severe knee injury suffered while he was with New England last October, will miss at least the first six games of the season. NEW YORK TIMES Jets Cut 2 Quarterbacks, Leaving Rookie as Backup (Ben Shpigel) New York Times 6 P a g e

7 The Jets released both of the veterans who had been vying for the backup quarterback job, for now leaving the rookie Bryce Petty as the only healthy option behind Ryan Fitzpatrick for next week s season opener against Cleveland. The departure of the two veterans, Josh Johnson and Matt Flynn, highlighted the Jets final round of cuts Saturday as they whittled their roster to the league-mandated 53-man limit. Both played well in their lone preseason game, Thursday against Philadelphia, but the Jets seem inclined to risk keeping Petty as a temporary backup and waiting to potentially sign another quarterback after Week 1. The quarterback cuts also raised the possibility that Geno Smith, who was expected to miss at least six weeks after sustaining a broken jaw on Aug. 11, could return sooner than anticipated. Smith has been participating in meetings and throwing lightly but, three weeks after surgery, has not been cleared for contact. Among other notable players released were receiver Shaq Evans, a fourth-round pick in 2014; inside linebacker Joe Mays; and outside linebacker Jason Babin, who became expendable after the emergence of Trevor Reilly and the third-round pick Lorenzo Mauldin. Because they ditched receivers Chris Owusu and Walter Powell, the Jets will need to identify a new kick returner. They also placed running back Stevan Ridley (knee) on the physically unable to perform list, sidelining him for six games. GIANTS CUT MCCLAIN The Giants released Jameel McClain, the team s leading tackler last year, and Henry Hynoski, a popular fullback. Another mild surprise was the release of tight end Adrien Robinson, a fourthround pick in General Manager Jerry Reese saw potential in Robinson, but Robinson did not develop into the dependable tight end the Giants have lacked in recent seasons. Robinson leaves the Giants with five career receptions. McClain signed with the Giants last year after six seasons with the Baltimore Ravens. Because of a serious injury to the starting middle linebacker Jon Beason, McClain played in every game last season and led the team with a career-high 117 tackles. Hynoski joined the team as a rookie free agent in He played in 46 regular-season games with 21 starts and was one of the few remaining players on the roster who had played in the Giants Super Bowl victory after the 2011 season. The Giants also cut the veteran wide receiver James Jones, a former Green Bay Packer whom the team signed as a free agent at the beginning of camp. BILL PENNINGTON BILLS TRIM CASSEL After losing the starting quarterback competition, Matt Cassel has also lost his job in Buffalo. He was one of five players released by the Bills. The Bills acquired Cassel, a 10-year journeyman, in an off-season trade with Minnesota. He spent the spring and summer competing for the starting job, which was eventually won by Tyrod Taylor. E J Manuel, the former starter, is the only other quarterback on Buffalo s roster. (AP) PATRIOTS PART WITH WAYNE Among the other notable players who were released were wide receiver Reggie Wayne, who was among 10 players cut by New England; Cincinnati defensive tackle Devon Still; San Diego kicker Nick Novak; Denver cornerback Tony Carter; Pittsburgh center Doug Legursky; and the former Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks, who was cut by Tennessee. Wayne, a 14-year veteran who played his entire career with Indianapolis, was signed in August by the Patriots. He is seventh in career receptions, with 1, P a g e

8 Still s 5-year-old daughter, Leah, overcame cancer in the past year. Still, who was a second-round pick in 2012, was also released last year, but the team offered him a chance to stay on the practice squad to keep his medical coverage for Leah. He was eventually added to the roster and played in 12 games. (AP) ESPN NEW YORK Jets release QB Matt Flynn, who responds with a Bloody Mary (Rich Cimini) ESPN New York In a mild surprise, the New York Jets' final round of cuts Saturday included quarterbacks Matt Flynn and Josh Johnson, according to sources. Both performed well in the final preseason game as they battled for what appears to be a short-term No. 2 job. For now, it leaves rookie Bryce Petty as the backup to starter Ryan Fitzpatrick. The only other quarterback on the roster is Geno Smith, who is recovering from a broken jaw. Flynn, who tweeted the news of his release, seemed to be taking the news rather well. Hey, why not? He made $60,000 (his signing bonus) for two weeks of work. Cheers! 8 P a g e

9 New York Jets cut 19 players, including QBs Matt Flynn, Josh Johnson (Rich Cimini) ESPN New York A few takeaways on the New York Jets' roster cuts on Saturday, as they trimmed the roster from 75 to 53. Most significant move: The overhyped battle for the temporary No. 2 quarterback job -- Matt Flynn versus Josh Johnson -- ended with no winner. Both players were released, a mildly surprising development because it leaves only two healthy quarterbacks -- starter Ryan Fitzpatrick and rookie Bryce Petty. Geno Smith (broken jaw) still is a few weeks away. Their current plan is to ride with Fitzpatrick and Petty until Smith is healthy. It's a calculated risk, and they know it. They didn't want to cut another player -- i.e. a lower-round draft pick that will never see the field -- for the sake of a short-term quarterback who will be cut in a month anyway. This doesn't appear to be money driven. In Flynn's case, they could've put him on the opening-day roster without having to guarantee his entire salary; the reason is because he received termination pay in the past. It was simply a football decision. They'd better hope Fitzpatrick doesn't get hurt. Youth movement: It's tough to make a roster under a new coach when you're a 30-and-over backup. Such was the case with linebackers Jason Babin, 35, and Joe Mays, 30. The Jets have an older starting group, led by David Harris, 31, and Calvin Pace, 34, so the goal is to infuse the position with young talent and develop those players to be starters in the future. One of those players is rookie Lorenzo Mauldin, a thirdround pick. Babin played 45 percent of the defensive snaps last season, but he finished with only two sacks -- and pass-rushing is his specialty. Camp injuries to Pace (groin) and Mauldin (knee) fueled speculation that Babin would make the team, but the Jets evidently believe Pace and Mauldin will be fine for the season opener. They also have second-year player Trevor Reilly in reserve. Babin, a two-time Pro Bowl selection in his prime, was due to count $1.65 million on the cap, hardly outrageous. This wasn't a financial decision; it was based on getting younger and faster. What s next: The Jets have a lot of work to do. They need a kickoff returner because they cut their top two guys, Chris Owusu and Walter Powell, both wide receivers. They may give running back Zac Stacy a chance to win the job. Wide receiver Jeremy Kerley appears safe and is the leading candidate to return punts. By releasing Owusu, Powell and Shaquelle Evans, they have only four healthy receivers -- assuming Kerley is over his concussion. They're down to two tight ends, and they will be exploring options over the next 24 hours. Ditto, center; they cut backup Wesley Johnson. They kept 11 defensive backs, but don't be surprised if Dee Milliner, recovering from wrist surgery, is placed on short-term injured reserve. The deadline is 4 p.m. Sunday. Jets moves: Placed on the reserve/suspended list: DE Sheldon Richardson (four games), G Oday Aboushi (one game). Placed on reserve/pup: RB Stevan Ridley. Released: QB Matt Flynn, QB Josh Johnson, RB Daryl Richardson, FB Julian Howsare, WR Chris Owusu, WR Shaquelle Evans, WR Walter Powell, TE Wes Saxton, TE Arthur Lynch, OT Charles Brown, C Wesley Johnson, DE Ronald Talley, DE Jordan Williams, LB Jason Babin, LB Joe Mays, LB Taiwan Jones, LB Deion Barnes, CB Keon Lyn, S Durell Eskridge. NEW YORK POST Jets newly signed QBs both lose backup competition (Brian Costello) 9 P a g e

10 New York Post The winner of the Jets veteran backup quarterback competition is no one. The Jets released both Matt Flynn and Josh Johnson on Saturday as the team made 22 moves to trim its roster to 53. The Jets brought both Flynn and Johnson in during training camp after Geno Smith suffered a broken jaw. The team expects him to miss the first four games of the season. With Ryan Fitzpatrick as the starter, the Jets wanted a veteran to sit behind him while Smith heals. They also have rookie Bryce Petty, but the feeling is he is not ready to play yet. But the Jets must have not liked what they saw in the short tryout by the two quarterbacks, parting ways with both of them. The Jets could add a quarterback released by another team this weekend or wait until after Week 1 to sign a veteran, whose salary would then not be guaranteed. The release of both quarterbacks was the most surprising part of the Jets cut-down day, but not the only surprise. The team also cut wide receivers Chris Owusu and Walt Powell, who were thought to be competing for the sixth wide receiver spot. The Jets kept just five. Owusu and Powell were also the team s best options at kick returner, so now they probably are in the market for a return man. Another minor surprise was the release of outside linebacker Jason Babin. The 35-year-old veteran was expected to make the team despite the presence of some young up-and-coming outside linebackers like Lorenzo Mauldin and Trevor Reilly. Babin spent 2014 with the Jets in a backup role. The Jets kept 10 offensive linemen, a surprisingly large number. It would be 11 with Oday Aboushi, who made the team but is suspended for Week 1. Running back Stevan Ridley, who signed with the team in April, will begin the year on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list as he recovers from knee surgery last year. That means he will miss at least the first six games. The Jets kept all six of their draft picks from this year, including fifth-round pick Jarvis Harrison and seventh-round pick Deon Simon, both of whom look far from being able to contribute on game day yet. Of the 2014 draft class, the Idzik 12 only one was cut. Wide receiver Shaq Evans, a fourth-round pick by former general manager John Idzik last year, was waived. That leaves six members of that extra large draft class in the organization and just five on the active roster (Jace Amaro is on IR). On Sunday, the Jets can claim players waived by other teams. They appear to be in the market for a quarterback, tight end and a wide receiver/return man. The Jets also may place cornerback Dee Milliner on IR with a designation to return at 4 p.m. Sunday. Milliner injured his wrist in training camp and is expected to miss several weeks. Sheldon Richardson s four-game suspension officially begins now, so he does not count against the 53- man limit. 10 P a g e

11 Here is a list of all the cuts: QBs Matt Flynn and Josh Johnson, RBs Daryl Richardson and Julian Howsare and Ridley moved to PUP, WRs Shaq Evans, Chris Owusu and Walt Powell, TEs Arthur Lynch and Wes Saxton, OL Charles Brown and Wes Johnson with Aboushi moving to the suspended list, DL Ronald Talley and Jordan Williams with Sheldon Richardson moving to the suspended list, LBs Jason Babin, Deion Barnes, Taiwan Jones and Joe Mays, CB Keon Lyn and S Durrell Eskridge. NJ ADVANCE MEDIA Should Jets sign tight end Brandon Bostick, who just worked out for them? (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media l#incart_river The Jets on Friday held a workout for several free agents, including quarterback Matt Blanchard and tight end Brandon Bostick. Those players working out for the Jets was first reported by ESPN's Field Yates. Bostick was the most intriguing name to come out of the Jets' Friday workout, a day before the team must trim its roster to the final 53 players. The Jets have a need at tight end, because Jace Amaro just went on season-ending injured reserve with a shoulder injury. That leaves Jeff Cumberland and Kellen Davis as the Jets' primary tight ends. Cumberland isn't a significant receiving threat Amaro was expected to have a big role in the Jets' passing game and Davis is a pure blocking tight end. It seems likely that the Jets will either sign a free agent tight end this weekend, or claim somebody off waivers. The Jets' current tight ends besides Cumberland and Davis are Wes Saxton and Arthur Lynch. Saxton is an undrafted rookie, and Lynch was a fifth-round draft pick last year who has never played in an NFL game. Would Bostick be a suitable third tight end for the Jets? He was with the Packers from , after going undrafted in He is most noteworthy for misplaying a critical onside kick in last season's NFC Championship Game. The Packers cut Bostick after the season. He spent this offseason with the Vikings, who cut him at the end of last month. Bostick, who is 6-foot-3 and 245 pounds, played in 24 games (with no starts) for the Packers, all from He made nine catches (on 18 targets) for 123 yards and two touchdowns. Of all his yards, 120 came in 2013, when he made seven catches. So he doesn't have a significant history as a pass catcher in the NFL. Matt Flynn, Josh Johnson among Jets' 53-man roster cuts (Dom Cosentino) NJ Advanced Media #incart_river_mobileshort 11 P a g e

12 After Geno Smith got punched and had his jaw broken, the Jets had to decide whether to roll with Bryce Petty a raw, unproven rookie as Ryan Fitzpatrick's backup quarterback, or to pick up an experienced veteran, at least until Smith returns. Both Matt Flynn and Josh Johnson were brought in to be those veterans. But it looks like the Jets liked Petty's development enough during camp to keep him as their temporary No. 2: As they trimmed their roster down to the NFL-mandated 53 players on Saturday, the Jets cut both Flynn and Johnson. The Jets had to reduce their roster to 53 by 4 p.m. Saturday; you can see all of the Jets' cuts here. The 53- man is by no means set in stone, so expect more moves in the days head, particularly as waiver claims are made by noon Sunday. Flynn and Johnson both got their only chances in the preseason during Thursday night's win over the Eagles. Both fared well, but it wasn't enough to keep their jobs. Flynn didn't seem too broken up about it: The moves leave the Jets with three quarterbacks, at least for now: Fitzpatrick, Petty, and Smith. While Smith is still injured, he's only expected to miss the first few weeks of the season, which begins one week from Sunday against the Browns. It's a calculated risk. Petty was drafted in the fourth round out of Baylor for the future. He was not expected to contribute this season. The Jets' decision means if Fitzpatrick goes down, Petty would be their guy, though they could still add a veteran after Week 1 without having to guarantee his salary. After the Jets' Aug. 29 preseason game against the Giants, head coach Todd Bowles said Petty had a chance to make it as the No. 2. Petty did not play Thursday night against the Eagles. 12 P a g e

13 Smith is now three weeks into an injury with an expected timetable for return of six to 10 weeks; general manager Mike Maccagnan has suggested Smith could miss the first four games of the regular season. The Jets were never going to cut Smith, but their only other option would be to place him on short-term injured reserve, a designation that would keep him from practicing for the season's first six weeks, and from playing at all in the first eight weeks. The Jets could still bring a veteran like Johnson or Flynn (or someone else) back after Week 1. Johnson was only due to make $745,000, according to ESPN's Rich Cimini, but as Cimini also noted, that money would have been guaranteed had Johnson been on the Week 1 roster. Flynn's $870,000 would not have been guaranteed because he had already collected termination pay after being cut by the Raiders two years ago. Vested veterans on a team's Week 1 roster are only eligible for termination pay once in their careers. Jason Babin a surprise roster cut for Jets (Dom Cosentino) NJ Advance Media ncart_river_mobileshort After Jason Babin didn't play in the Jets' preseason finale Thursday night against the Eagles, he seemed fairly confident that, even if he were to get cut this weekend, he'd have no trouble landing somewhere else. "I don't worry about what I don't control," Babin said after the game. "But I am not at all concerned about my abilities to rush the passer or do any other things they need me to do. I can get the job done in a very effective way. So I'm not concerned, either way." The 35-year-old Babin now has to look elsewhere. The Jets made him one of their final cuts in advance of Saturday's 4 p.m. deadline a surprise, considering Babin had been the team's only experienced backup outside linebacker throughout training camp. In addition to cutting Babin, the Jets kept Lorenzo Mauldin and Trevor Reilly as backups to starters Calvin Pace and Quinton Coples. They also kept Jamari Lattimore and Erin Henderson as backups to Demario Davis and David Harris on the inside. Henderson had missed the last three weeks with a sprained knee, but the former Viking has a ton of upside. Veteran Joe Mays, who had a solid game against the Eagles Thursday night, was among the linebackers cut. Same with undrafted free agents Deion Barnes and Taiwan Jones. Per Pro Football Focus, Babin had three sacks, 27 hurries, and seven quarterback hits in his lone season with the Jets last year, when he played 45 percent of the defensive snaps. Mauldin, a rookie drafted in the third round, has been out since Aug. 23 with a sprained knee, but he's expected to be back soon, and he's being groomed as the SAM linebacker behind Pace. Reilly, a 2014 seventh-round pick, had made the team last year but played little. If he indeed makes the cut, he will have had enough of an impression on the new coaching staff to stick around as Coples' understudy at rush linebacker. The Jets have approximately $5.5 million in salary-cap space, according to NFLPA records, but cutting Babin has few cap consequences. Babin was due to earn $1.35 million this season, but that money was 13 P a g e

14 not guaranteed. He was scheduled to count $1,628,315 against the cap, so the Jets saved just $278,315 by cutting him. Jets 53-man roster cuts: Who made it, who didn't (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media The Jets on Saturday announced their 53-man roster. Or, at least, the 53-man roster as it stands right now. (Click here for analysis of the roster.) Remember, the Jets could make waiver claims/free agent signings this weekend that would alter this list. So not everybody who "made it" will stick. Plus, some cut players could/will be re-signed to the Jets' practice squad. The 10-member practice squad will be determined Sunday, along with waiver claims. The Jets on Saturday cut 19 players, placed two on the suspended list (defensive end Sheldon Richardson and offensive guard Oday Aboushi), and put one (running back Stevan Ridley) on the physically unable to perform list. That got them from 75 to 53. As it stands right now (emphasis on that), here's a full position-by-position rundown of the Jets' 53-man roster: QUARTERBACKS (3) Retained: Geno Smith, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Bryce Petty Cut: Matt Flynn, Josh Johnson Already cut: Jake Heaps RUNNING BACKS (4) Retained: Chris Ivory, Bilal Powell, Zac Stacy, Tommy Bohanon (fullback) PUP: Stevan Ridley Cut: Daryl Richardson, Julian Howsare (fullback) WIDE RECEIVERS (5) Retained: Eric Decker, Brandon Marshall, Jeremy Kerley, Devin Smith, Quincy Enunwa Cut: Walter Powell, Shaq Evans, Chris Owusu Already cut: T.J. Graham, DeVier Posey, Austin Hill, Saalim Hakim, Jonathon Rumph TIGHT ENDS (2) Retained: Jeff Cumberland, Kellen Davis Injured reserve: Jace Amaro, Zach Sudfeld Cut: Wes Saxton, Arthur Lynch Already cut: Steve Maneri, Matt LaCosse OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (10) 14 P a g e

15 Retained: D'Brickashaw Ferguson, James Carpenter, Nick Mangold, Willie Colon, Breno Giacomini, Brent Qvale, Brian Winters, Ben Ijalana, Jarvis Harrison, Dakota Dozier Suspended: Oday Aboushi Cut: Wesley Johnson, Charles Brown Already cut: James Brewer, Dalton Freeman DEFENSIVE LINEMEN (7) Retained: Damon Harrison, Muhammad Wilkerson, Leger Douzable, Leonard Williams, T.J. Barnes, Stephen Bowen, Deon Simon Suspended: Sheldon Richardson Injured reserve: Davon Walls, Kevin Vickerson Cut: Ronald Talley, Jordan Williams LINEBACKERS (8) Retained: David Harris, Demario Davis, Calvin Pace, Quinton Coples, Lorenzo Mauldin, Erin Henderson, Jamari Lattimore, Trevor Reilly Cut: Deion Barnes, Taiwan Jones, Joe Mays, Jason Babin Already cut: Bryan Johnson SAFETIES (4) Retained: Calvin Pryor, Marcus Gilchrist, Rontez Miles, Jaiquawn Jarrett Injured reserve: Antonio Allen Cut: Durell Eskridge CORNERBACKS (7) Retained: Darrelle Revis, Antonio Cromartie, Buster Skrine, Dexter McDougle, Darrin Walls, Marcus Williams, Dee Milliner (could be placed on short-term IR Sunday) Cut: Keon Lyn, Dashaun Phillips (off injured reserve) Already cut: Curtis Brown, Javier Arenas, Keith Lewis SPECIAL TEAMS (3) Retained: Nick Folk, Ryan Quigley, Tanner Purdum Already cut: Jacob Schum Analysis of Jets' 53-man roster cuts: Matt Flynn, Josh Johnson, Jason Babin, Joe Mays, Shaq Evans (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media man_roster_cuts.html#incart_river_mobileshort 15 P a g e

16 Now that the Jets have announced their 53-man roster (as it stands right now), let's break it down by position, and analyze the decisions and what they mean for this team going forward. Here goes: QUARTERBACKS (3) Retained: Geno Smith, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Bryce Petty Cut: Josh Johnson, Matt Flynn Already cut: Jake Heaps Analysis: Well, this was something of a surprise. It looks like the Jets are going to roll the dice for Week 1 and go with Petty (a rookie project player) as Fitzpatrick's backup. If Flynn had been on the Week 1 roster, his entire 2015 salary would not have been guaranteed. But if Johnson was on the roster then, his entire salary would have been guaranteed. It looks like the numbers game squeezed Flynn out (or the Jets' coaches just didn't think he was any good). But in terms of the numbers, the Jets had injuries at other positions (like cornerback) to account for which meant extra players needed to be retained. After Week 1, the Jets could always pick up a backup quarterback whose 2015 salary isn't guaranteed. (Matt Cassel? He was cut by the Bills on Saturday. Or the Jets could bring back Johnson.) That guy would be a rental until Smith is healthy enough to return from his broken jaw just as Flynn or Johnson would've been a rental if either guy made the roster on Saturday. Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan has said he expects Smith to miss about the first four games. The Jets have their bye week after their fourth game. Will Smith be ready for the fifth game? RUNNING BACKS (4) Retained: Chris Ivory, Bilal Powell, Zac Stacy, Tommy Bohanon (fullback) PUP: Stevan Ridley Cut: Daryl Richardson, Julian Howsare (fullback) Analysis: No stunners at this position. Ridley starting on the physically unable to perform list means he'll miss at least the Jets' first six games. So Stacy was retained, as the third running back. Bohanon had gotten enough use recently to make it appear likely he would be retained and he was. WIDE RECEIVERS (5) Retained: Eric Decker, Brandon Marshall, Jeremy Kerley, Devin Smith, Quincy Enunwa Cut: Walter Powell, Shaq Evans, Chris Owusu Already cut: T.J. Graham, DeVier Posey, Austin Hill, Saalim Hakim, Jonathon Rumph Analysis: A bit odd that the Jets retained just five receivers, since Smith (broken ribs) likely won't be ready for Week 1, and Kerley is recovering from a concussion. He's on his way back from that. We aren't surprised at all that Kerley was retained. Evans could wind up on the practice squad, presuming he passes through waivers. The practice squad will be established Sunday afternoon. A tertiary issue: Who is going to return kickoffs for the Jets? Powell and Owusu had been doing it. TIGHT ENDS (2) Retained: Jeff Cumberland, Kellen Davis Injured reserve: Jace Amaro, Zach Sudfeld Cut: Wes Saxton, Arthur Lynch 16 P a g e

17 Already cut: Steve Maneri, Matt LaCosse Analysis: It seems extremely unlikely that the Jets will start the season with two tight ends on the roster. Expect them to get a free agent like Brandon Bostick (who had a workout for them on Friday) or a waiver claim guy like Joseph Fauria, who was cut by the Lions on Saturday. The Jets are sixth in line for waiver claims, because that process follows the draft order. OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (10) Retained: D'Brickashaw Ferguson, James Carpenter, Nick Mangold, Willie Colon, Breno Giacomini, Brent Qvale, Brian Winters, Ben Ijalana, Jarvis Harrison, Dakota Dozier Suspended: Oday Aboushi Cut: Wesley Johnson, Charles Brown Already cut: James Brewer, Dalton Freeman Analysis: The Jets might not keep 10 linemen. They really have 11 right now. Remember, the roster isn't settled. Things likely will change Sunday. For the time being, they retained Aboushi, who will miss the opener (substance abuse suspension). He had gotten work lately as the backup left guard. The Jets have a lot of backup guards right now: Qvale, Winters, Harrison, Dozier, and Aboushi. Qvale is also a backup tackle, on the right side. And Ijalana is nursing a sprained knee. Could the Jets try to sneak Harrison or Dozier onto their practice squad? The Jets also opted to not keep a true backup center, because they cut Johnson and Freeman. The Jets would be in big trouble if Mangold got hurt, regardless. DEFENSIVE LINEMEN (7) Retained: Damon Harrison, Muhammad Wilkerson, Leger Douzable, Leonard Williams, T.J. Barnes, Stephen Bowen, Deon Simon Suspended: Sheldon Richardson Injured reserve: Davon Walls, Kevin Vickerson Cut: Ronald Talley, Jordan Williams Analysis: Bowen made it as a backup end over Talley. The Jets retained all six of their 2015 draft picks, including Simon, a seventh-round pick. He seems like a prime practice squad candidate, because the Jets already have two nose tackles (Harrison and Barnes). LINEBACKERS (8) Retained: David Harris, Demario Davis, Calvin Pace, Quinton Coples, Lorenzo Mauldin, Erin Henderson, Jamari Lattimore, Trevor Reilly Cut: Deion Barnes, Taiwan Jones, Joe Mays, Jason Babin Already cut: Bryan Johnson Analysis: The Jets opted to go younger here, by cutting Babin, a 35-year-old 12th-year veteran who had sounded confident that he'd make the team. Babin's salary this season would've been $1.35 million. Now, he'll count just $125,000 in dead money against the Jets' 2015 cap. Reilly absolutely deserved to make the roster. He figures to be a situational pass rusher. He could be Pace's backup for the opener, at strong-side linebacker, if Mauldin's sprained knee isn't healthy. SAFETIES (4) Retained: Calvin Pryor, Marcus Gilchrist, Rontez Miles, Jaiquawn Jarrett 17 P a g e

18 Injured reserve: Antonio Allen Cut: Durell Eskridge Analysis: This position went as we expected. The No. 4 safety spot was Miles' to lose after Allen tore his Achilles tendon in training camp. Miles went out and played well in the preseason. Credit to him. But Jarrett seemingly remains the primary backup safety. He knows both the strong and free safety spots. CORNERBACKS (7) Retained: Darrelle Revis, Antonio Cromartie, Buster Skrine, Dexter McDougle, Darrin Walls, Marcus Williams, Dee Milliner (could be placed on short-term IR Sunday) Cut: Keon Lyn, Dashaun Phillips (off injured reserve) Already cut: Curtis Brown, Javier Arenas, Keith Lewis Analysis: The Jets could still place Milliner (wrist) on short-term injured reserve. They have to wait until Sunday to do that. The move would sideline him for the Jets' first seven games. (That appears to be past his recovery window, but the Jets can use short-term IR to stash him, and free up a roster spot.) For now, though, Milliner is on the 53. The real question is: Will he remain there past Sunday? SPECIAL TEAMS (3) Retained: Nick Folk, Ryan Quigley, Tanner Purdum Already cut: Jacob Schum Analysis: This group was already set before Saturday's cuts. Jets reduce roster to 53, but more changes likely to come (Dom Cosentino) NJ Advance Media #incart_river_mobileshort The Jets got down to the NFL-mandated 53-player limit on Saturday, but they're likely not finished pruning their roster around the edges. The makeup of the 53-man is still very much in flux, as waiver claims can be made by noon Sunday, the practice squad gets set after 1 p.m. Sunday, and other moves get sorted out to fill out spots that may still need to be addressed. Such as: 1. Quarterback. Both Matt Flynn and Josh Johnson were among Saturday's cuts, which means the Jets have just two healthy quarterbacks (Ryan Fitzpatrick, Bryce Petty). Quarterbacks cut by other teams Matt Cassel of the Bills, for example could still be an option. But if the Jets still want to add another veteran because they feel Petty is not ready, they would likely do it after Week 1, when they wouldn't have to guarantee that quarterback's salary. Remember, the only reason the Jets need another veteran quarterback is because Geno Smith is out with a broken jaw. But Smith, who is on the 53, is expected to be healthy again in a few more weeks, so they could also just roll with Petty as their No. 2 till then. It's risky, but it keeps them from having four quarterbacks eating up roster spots. 18 P a g e

19 2. Wide receiver/kickoff returner. The Jets elected to keep just five wide receivers, including two who are injured: Devin Smith (broken ribs) and Jeremy Kerley (concussion). But by cutting Chris Owusu and Walter Powell, they also don't have a reliable kickoff returner. (Kerley, who ought not to be out much longer, can return punts.) Owusu is not practice-squad eligible, so perhaps the Jets will bring him back after the waiver wire/practice squad dust settles. Powell could get claimed on waivers, but he also could wind up on the practice squad. Another option would be to put in a waiver claim for a wideout/kickoff returner who gets cut on Saturday. 3. Tight end. With Wes Saxton and Arthur Lynch both among the final cuts, and with Jace Amaro (shoulder) on season-ending injured reserve, the Jets have just two tight ends at the moment. Quincy Enunwa, one of their wideouts, is a hybrid who can play H-back and block from the slot or on the outside, but Enunwa hasn't lined up with his hand on the ground all summer. A waiver claim the Lions cut Joseph Fauria on Saturday, and the Jets had former Packers tight end Brandon Bostick in for a workout on Friday seems to be a logical option. Waiver claims are done according to draft order, so the Jets are sixth in line. 4. Short-term injured reserve. After 4 p.m. Sunday, all teams are permitted to place one player from their 53-man roster on short-term injured reserve, which would free up a roster spot for someone else. A player on short-term IR cannot practice for six weeks and can't play until after Week 8. He also must be seriously injured. Two possible candidates are wideout Devin Smith (broken ribs) and cornerback Dee Milliner (wrist). NEW YORK DAILY NEWS In surprise move, Jets cut veteran LB Jason Babin: If they don t want me, I m sure there s 31 others that do (Seth Walder) New York Daily News Veteran outside linebacker Jason Babin didn t see his release coming. Babin, 35, was among the Jets cuts on Saturday as the team whittled down its roster to 53 players, according to a source. On Thursday after Gang Green s preseason win over the Eagles, Babin said he was not concerned about cut day. If they don t want me, I m sure there s 31 others that do if it comes down to that, Babin told the News Thursday. I ll be fishing. It s possible this may not be the end of the line for the outside linebacker. Babin was useful last season as a situational pass rusher. The Jets exercised a $250,000 option on Babin in February. Jets cut-down day: A running list of Gang Green s final roster cuts (Seth Walder) New York Daily News P a g e