Lost a little Mo-mentum

Jets standout defensive end Mo Wilkerson has a right to be agitated. This is taking a really long time to get done. It’s kind of interesting from this standpoint.

While he was labeled as “thrifty” for how he handled the Jets’ salary cap, I think if John Idzik was the Jets GM, the Mo Wilkerson deal would be done by now.

One reason he was holding back on spending like crazy in his first two years, was he knew this contract was on the horizon.

But think about what happened.

A new regime came in, and went out and spent a truckload of money on other players, before getting the Wilkerson deal done.

They went out and tried to bolster their secondary, early and often, adding Darrelle Revis, Buster Skrine, Marcus Gilchrist and Antonio Cromartie

They also traded for Brandon Marshall and sweetened his contract.

This isn’t to say there wasn’t money left for Wilkerson. There is, but not as much as I believe Idzik would have allotted for him.

And I don’t think the new brass values him on the same level as the previous regime.

I’m not saying they don’t value him. I’m just saying not on the same level.

It didn’t help him that he missed three games late last season. He lost a little “Mo”-mentum.

Wilkerson reportedly wants $40 million guaranteed. I don’t think that is outrageous.

Darrelle Revis turned 30 yesterday. He’s getting $39 million guaranteed at an age not considered particularly young for a corner. Nnamdi Asomugha signed a big money deal with the Philadelphia Eagles at that age and it didn’t work out that well. I’m not predicting that outcome for Revis and the Jets. I’m just saying, it’s risky to give a 30-year-old cornerback $39 million guaranteed.

So if Revis can get that kind of coin at his age, after a number of big contracts, why can’t Mo get that kind of money?

My position has always been – give them the same exact guarantee.

Another factor in the Wilkerson contract is the reputation of his agent Chad Wiestling. He’s a good agent, but he’s got a small firm, and doesn’t have a truckload of clients. If he gets what is perceived a bad deal for Mo, it could hurt his reputation. He needs to hit this one out of park. This is a seminal moment for Wiestling.

The regime change, and Mo missing some games last year, and getting thrown out of another (Green Bay), it seems like Wilkerson and Wiestling lost some juice.

Also the Jets overpaying Revis a little hurt them as well. It probably took some money away from Mo. As I’ve pointed out before, the Jets were probably bidding against themselves on the Revis’ front. New England wasn’t going to come near that number. Honestly, what other team was really involved? Buffalo and Kansas City? Not really. Buffalo was never involved and you saw today who Kansas City’s money was being saved for – OLB Justin Houston.

Wilkerson set himself up for a big payday. He played on a high level, kept his mouth shut and worked hard.

Pay the man.

Pay him what Revis got, or pretty darn close.

July 15, 2015

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