Contract middle ground way to go

Florham Park – Dan checks in from Jets Country with a helping of Website Whispers from baggy day. Let’s jump into it . . .

It looks like the Jets are going to extend Rex Ryan’s contract by one year.

That is the perfect compromise.

I know Ryan wants a longer extension, but this deal makes the most sense.

Think about it – the Jets have missed the playoffs three years in a row.

While that isn’t all Ryan’s fault, as Bill Parcells always said, “You are what your record is.”

So if Ryan comes back next year and let’s say the Jets go 4-12, how ridiculous would a long-term deal look?

So adding just a year to his current deal, which was set to expire after next season, is the way to go.

Now I would have just let him coach under that one-year deal,  I understand why the Jets want to add a year – it will eliminate a major distraction, the media asking Ryan and his players non-stop questions about his future.

So the current plan to add a year to Rex’s deal, while it’s not exactly what he’s looking for, is a good compromise . . .

Garrett McIntyre is 29 years-old, but he’s a restricted free agent this off-season.

So the Jets can just tag and keep him around.

That seems old for a restricted free agent.

Usually by that age, in the NFL, you are free to go where you want without restrictions.

But remember, this guy didn’t get into the league until 2011.

Prior to that, he was bouncing around the Arena League and the CFL.

So he wrapped up just his third year in the NFL in 2013.

I think the Jets bring him back on a one-year deal.

He’s not a star, but he’s solid, smart role player, and they are very thin at OLB right now.

Though they will get back Antwan Barnes next year from a knee injury, which will help.

The Jets’ defensive line play was superb this year, and this benefitted OLB Calvin Pace (pictured above) a great deal.

Pace finished the year with 10 sacks.

So often, because of all the double teams that Mo Wilkerson, Sheldon Richardson and Damon Harrison drew, Pace was unblocked, or drew a favorable blocking matchup (like a back or tight end), and this helped the linebacker put up some good numbers.

Can you imagine what Barnes could have done this year with his 4.4 speed playing alongside this defensive line?

He could have had a terrific year.

The Jets are excited to have him back next year . . .

Running back John Griffin, who broke his leg in the preseason, says he’s 100 percent healed . . .

Ed Reed says he wants to play another season, though he didn’t rule out retirement.

“There is always that possibility,” Reed said about retirement.

Reed looks like he can still play in a limited role. He finished his Jets season with three interceptions and four defensed passes.

But while he can still play, he should probably walk away.

He has admitted he has suffered some memory loss from playing football, so for the sake of his mental health, this might be a good time to walk into the sunset . . .

Zach Sudfeld has two years left on his contract . . .

Nick Folk had an outstanding season for the Jets kicking field goals, connecting on 33 of 36, which is a 91.7 percentage, which is awfully impressive.

What was the key?

“I’m not overkilling balls,” said Folk . . .

December 30, 2013

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