NEW YORK JETS DAILY CLIPS

March 1, 2016

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Table of Contents

ASSOCIATED PRESS ................................................................................................................................................ 1

Jets' Giacomini, Browns' Barnidge bringing football overseas (Dennis Waszak) ...................................................... 1

AP source: Jets to place franchise tag on Muhammad Wilkerson (Dennis Waszak) ................................................. 3

NEWSDAY .............................................................................................................................................................. 4

Source: Jets to put franchise tag on Muhammad Wilkerson (Kimberley Martin) ..................................................... 4

THE RECORD .......................................................................................................................................................... 4

Jets plan to use franchise tag on Wilkerson (J.P. Pelzman) ....................................................................................... 5

NEW YORK TIMES .................................................................................................................................................. 5

Jets Are Said to Be Planning on Franchise Tag for Wilkerson (Ben Shpigel) ............................................................. 5

NJ ADVANCE MEDIA .............................................................................................................................................. 6

Jets will indeed franchise tag Mo Wilkerson. Here's what it means (Darryl Slater) .................................................. 6

NFL rumors: What trade value does Muhammad Wilkerson have for Jets? (Dom Cosentino) ................................ 7

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS ........................................................................................................................................ 8

Jets like Muhammad Wilkerson — but only to a point (Manish Mehta) .................................................................. 8

NEW YORK POST .................................................................................................................................................... 8

Jets tag Muhammad Wilkerson amid fruitless talks (Brian Costello) ........................................................................ 9

ESPN NEW YORK .................................................................................................................................................... 9

Warning to Jets: Reaching for QB can be hazardous to health of franchise (Rich Cimini) ...................................... 10

Jets to place franchise tag on Muhammad Wilkerson (Rich Cimini) ....................................................................... 11

Jets' decision to tag Muhammad Wilkerson could have serious fallout (Rich Cimini) ............................................ 12

MONDAY’S SPORTS TRANSACTIONS .................................................................................................................... 12

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Jets' Giacomini, Browns' Barnidge bringing football overseas (Dennis Waszak) Associated Press February 29, 2016

http://pro32.ap.org/article/jets-giacomini-browns-barnidge-bringing-football-overseas

NEW YORK (AP) — A spirited brainstorming session over some noodles, vegetables and rice.

That's how Breno Giacomini and Gary Barnidge — a couple of ambitious NFL players intent on making a difference beyond the field — and their buddy Ahmed Awadallah came up with their mission to take American football all over the world.

"We kind of just sat down at P.F. Chang's and started talking about what was going to be our next thing to help out the community," Giacomini recalled of that game-changing dinner in Kentucky in 2011. "We didn't know sitting at that table that it was going to get this big. Not even close."

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The impassioned idea developed into American Football Without Barriers, a nonprofit organization that educates disadvantaged children in the United States and overseas about the sport.

Next stop: Egypt.

Giacomini, an offensive lineman for the New York Jets, and Barnidge, a tight end for the Cleveland Browns, are taking the field in the Middle East this week for AFWB's latest international trip after holding camps in China, Brazil and Turkey the previous three years.

"We want to build from the ground up," Barnidge said. "We don't want to be a viewer. We don't want people just watching. We want people playing the sport and enjoying it like we do."

Giacomini and Barnidge will be joined at German University in Cairo from Wednesday through Saturday by 10 other NFL players, including the recently retired Marshawn Lynch, Pittsburgh running back DeAngelo Williams, Houston offensive lineman Oday Aboushi and Miami tight end Jordan Cameron.

In conjunction with the Egyptian Federation of American Football, AFWB will have free camps — basic, junior and advanced levels — for players ages 14-25, as well as a coaching clinic led by Giacomini.

"The love of the game is definitely spreading throughout the world," Giacomini said, "and we're trying to be contributors to that wherever we go."

Barnidge and Giacomini were college teammates at the University of Louisville, and Awadallah, now a senior engineer at Yum Brands, was their classmate. All three enjoyed community work while in school and decided to take it to the next level when they established themselves in their careers.

Barnidge, selected for his first Pro Bowl, was the Browns' winner of the Walter Payton Man of the Year award this past season for his work with AFWB.

"Gary and I will be doing this for a very long time," the 30-year-old Giacomini said. "This is part of Plan B after football."

AFWB receives proposals every year from American football federations around the world to have the camp held in their country. The group sifts through the emails and discusses their needs — hotels, security and buses to transport the players — and then votes on a site.

Summer camps are also held in Malden, Massachusetts, where Giacomini was raised, and Middleburg, Florida, where Barnidge is from, and one is being added this year in Louisville, Kentucky.

The original plan hatched from that initial dinner meeting was to head to Egypt, where Awadallah was born and raised. He had a high school friend conducting basic football drills there, but the political turmoil in that country in 2013 steered the group to China instead.

"There's a lot more football in the world than people think," said Giacomini, the son of Brazilian immigrants. "In China, they started with cone drills and now they're up to maybe 15 padded teams. In Brazil, they started on the beach and they're up to like 45 padded teams now. Same thing with Istanbul."

The players teach the campers techniques to fine-tune their football skills. One of AFWB's goals is to get a player from another country on a football scholarship in the United States.

"We almost had one kid from China get a D-III (opportunity), but he chose to go to Stanford instead for academics," Giacomini said. "That's like, 'OK, you win.'"

Added Barnidge: "They don't recruit for football internationally. They do for basketball and baseball and other sports, but they don't for football. We are trying to break that trend."

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But it isn't just about the sport for the NFL players. There's a humanitarian aspect, too, with visits to orphanages and hospitals while the players also learn about the cultures they're experiencing.

Last year in Istanbul, the group put males and females on the same field — something that doesn't happen often there, according to Giacomini.

"The girls beat the boys in a relay and that was awesome," the offensive lineman said. "They've never seen that. They were like, 'Girls don't ever win around here.' Well, they did on that day."

While in Rio de Janeiro two years ago, AFWB went to an orphanage and donated nearly 180 pairs of shoes to children there. Each one of the NFL players sat in front of them, took off the kids' old socks and shoes, washed their feet and slipped on clean, new socks and shoes for them to keep.

"It's awesome, man," Giacomini said. "All the players are like, 'Man, I just want to keep doing more stuff like this.' You want to keep these kids off the streets, but we also push education. It's just a great experience.

"If we change one kid's life, we did our job."

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AP source: Jets to place franchise tag on Muhammad Wilkerson (Dennis Waszak) Associated Press February 29, 2016

http://pro32.ap.org/article/ap-source-jets-place-franchise-tag-muhammad-wilkerson

NEW YORK (AP) — Muhammad Wilkerson is staying put — at least for now.

A person with knowledge of the team's plans told The Associated Press on Monday that the New York Jets will use the franchise tag on the Pro Bowl defensive end, keeping him from becoming a free agent.

Wilkerson, who has been seeking a long-term extension, will be paid $15.701 million for the 2016 season. He has until July 15 to reach a multiyear deal with the Jets, or he must play the season under the tag.

The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Monday because the team didn't announce the move, which was expected. Teams have until Tuesday to use the franchise or transition tag on a scheduled free agent.

General manager Mike Maccagnan said after the season the team would "absolutely" consider using the franchise tag. He remained tight-lipped on the Jets' plans last week at the NFL combine in Indianapolis, but it appeared both Wilkerson and nose tackle Damon Harrison were possible candidates for the tag.

The franchise designation is worth the average of the top five salaries at a player's position or 120 percent the value of his 2015 salary, whichever is higher. Teams secure the rights to continue negotiations with that player even as the league's free agency period begins, which this year is March 9.

It was not immediately certain if the Jets would use the exclusive tag, meaning Wilkerson is not allowed to negotiate with other teams, or non-exclusive tag, under which the defensive end can negotiate with other teams, but New York can match any offer sheet. With the non-exclusive tag, if the sides can't reach a deal and he signs with another team, New York would be compensated by receiving two first-round draft picks.

The Jets could also opt to try to trade Wilkerson to free salary cap space. Coach Todd Bowles has said he would like to re-sign Harrison, who could command big bucks as one of the top players available at his position.

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The 26-year-old Wilkerson, selected for his first Pro Bowl, had a career-high 12 sacks in Bowles' defense. He broke his lower right leg in the season finale at Buffalo, but is expected to be ready for Week 1.

Wilkerson was a first-round draft pick out of Temple in 2011. He has 36 1/2 career sacks in five seasons, along with a safety, nine forced fumbles and an interception.

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NEWSDAY

Source: Jets to put franchise tag on Muhammad Wilkerson (Kimberley Martin) Newsday February 29, 2016

http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/jets-to-put-franchise-tag-on-muhammad-wilkerson-1.11522364

Instead of getting Mo’ money, Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson is getting hit with the franchise tag.

Two sources familiar with the situation confirmed to Newsday that the Jets will tag Wilkerson by Tuesday’s 4 p.m. deadline, thereby keeping him under control for 2016.

He is scheduled to earn a fully guaranteed $15.7 million this season, the average of the five highest-paid players at his position. That salary may sound sufficient, but Wilkerson, 26, has been seeking a long-term contract extension to no avail since 2014.

Although general manager Mike Maccagnan said last week that Wilkerson and nose tackle Damon Harrison were “both options” for the designation, it was expected that the Jets would franchise Wilkerson after contract talks repeatedly stalled.

Even with the franchise tag, the Jets have until July 15 to negotiate a long-term deal with Wilkerson. After that, he would have to play under the 2016 tag amount, and the sides would have to wait until after the regular season to resume negotiations.

The Jets also could trade Wilkerson for a draft pick or a player if a long-term deal can’t be reached. It’s unlikely, however, that they can find a tag-and- trade partner willing to give up enough for the deal to make sense for the Jets.

Wilkerson, a 2011 first-round pick, is coming off a season that included a career-high 12 sacks and his first Pro Bowl selection. He’s also rehabbing from a broken right leg suffered in the Week 17 loss to the Bills.

Both sides want Wilkerson to remain a Jet, so they’ll try to work out a long-term deal. The question is: At what price could he return in 2017? Wilkerson has long been hoping for an extension worth roughly $40 million in guaranteed money. But unlike last season, Maccagnan has to deal with salary-cap constraints.

The NFL Players Association announced this year’s salary-cap figure is $155.27 million per team, but the Jets have a $2,484,216 carry-over from 2015, so their adjusted number is $157,754,216. They have $21.9 million in cap space, according to Overthecap.com, but by tagging Wilkerson, that leaves only $6.2 million.

With Harrison, quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and running backs Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell eligible for free agency, expect to see the Jets make more roster moves to free cap space.

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THE RECORD

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Jets plan to use franchise tag on Wilkerson (J.P. Pelzman) The Record February 29, 2016

http://www.northjersey.com/sports/jets-plan-to-use-franchise-tag-on-wilkerson-1.1519805

The Jets plan to use the franchise tag on star defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson, according to a source, and have until 4 p.m. today to make the move official.

Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson (AP File Photo/Bill Kostroun)

Wilkerson, who would become an unrestricted free agent otherwise, has been seeking a long-term deal from the Jets since last year, but the two sides have been unable to work out an agreement.

The planned move, which has been expected, buys the Jets more time to try to reach a new deal with Wilkerson. The two sides have until July 15 to reach a long-term contract. If the sides cannot agree on a contract, Wilkerson will have to play the 2016 season for the terms of the tag offer — provided he signs it.

The NFL Players Association released the 2016 franchise-tag salary numbers Monday. As a defensive end, Wilkerson would make $15.7 million.

Wilkerson, who led the team with 12 sacks last year, underwent surgery in January to repair a fractured right fibula suffered in the season finale at Buffalo. He is expected to be ready for the start of the regular season.

The Jets could try to trade Wilkerson, but that trade partner would have to give Wilkerson a new contract and also likely would have to give the Jets a first-round draft pick to get Gang Green to make the deal.

The Jets cleared enough salary-cap space to tag Wilkerson by releasing veteran cornerback Antonio Cromartie last week, thus saving them $8 million in cap money.

General manager Mike Maccagnan had suggested last week that the Jets could place the franchise tag on Wilkerson or nose tackle Damon Harrison, another soon-to-be free agent. The impending move with Wilkerson makes it very likely that Harrison will hit the open market.

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NEW YORK TIMES

Jets Are Said to Be Planning on Franchise Tag for Wilkerson (Ben Shpigel) New York Times February 29, 2016

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/01/sports/football/muhammad-wilkerson-new-york-jets-franchise-tag.html?ref=sports&_r=0

The Jets’ contract impasse with the standout defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson, spanning years and regimes, will reach an expected stage Tuesday. The Jets intend to designate Wilkerson as their franchise player before the 4 p.m. deadline, according to a person in football with knowledge of their plans, in a maneuver that allows them to retain his rights while extending the window for brokering a longterm contract.

For two years, Wilkerson has been seeking an extension, and he and the Jets have differing views on his value. He skipped all of the team’s voluntary offseason workouts last year because he was irked by the pace of negotiations, and this latest development is sure to bother him further.

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With the franchise tag, the Jets and Wilkerson, 26, have until July 15 to reach a multiyear contract. If the sides cannot reach an agreement, Wilkerson would make $15.7 million next season and then become an unrestricted free agent in 2017.

Among General Manager Mike Maccagnan’s offseason decisions, opting to franchise Wilkerson ranks as an easy one; the Jets were not about to let one of their best defensive players explore free agency without at least positioning themselves for potential compensation.

But Maccagnan now faces the challenge of determining whether to explore trading Wilkerson, who lost some leverage in May when the Jets used the sixth overall pick on another lineman, Leonard Williams, whom they expect to blossom into a star. A deal would free up that $15.7 million, but it would not be easy to consummate: Not only must the other team be willing to meet Wilkerson’s salary demands, it must also compensate the Jets to their satisfaction, with draft picks or players.

Under the terms of the nonexclusive tag, Wilkerson will be permitted to negotiate with other teams. The Jets can match any offer, and in the event that Wilkerson signs elsewhere, they would receive two first-round picks.

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NJ ADVANCE MEDIA

Jets will indeed franchise tag Mo Wilkerson. Here's what it means (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media February 29, 2016

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2016/02/jets_will_indeed_use_franchise_tag_on_mo_wilkerson.html#incart_river_index

This comes as no surprise, but we can now confirm what had been expected for weeks: The Jets will use the franchise tag on defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson.

The Jets have until Tuesday's 4 p.m. deadline to use the tag on Wilkerson, and they are going to do it, though nothing official has been announced yet. Teams can use the franchise tag on just one player per year.

The tag will prevent Wilkerson from becoming an unrestricted free agent when the new league year begins March 9.

Tagging Wilkerson essentially lets the Jets retain his rights while continuing to negotiate a long-term contract with his agent, Chad Wiestling.

NFL Media's Kimberly Jones was first to report that the Jets will tag Wilkerson.

The franchise tag numbers are out, and the defensive end tag is worth $15.701 million. This now becomes a negotiating line for Wilkerson's contract talks.

The Jets and Wilkerson have until July 15 to iron out a long-term deal. If the sides can't agree on a contract by that deadline, Wilkerson would play on a one-year contract for the tag number in 2016.

There is also the possibility the Jets could tag and trade Wilkerson.

Presuming Wilkerson receives the non-exclusive tag, he can still negotiate with other teams, but the Jets would retain the right to match whatever offer he gets. If Wilkerson signs elsewhere, the Jets would get two first-round draft picks from that organization — a high price to pay for Wilkerson's services.

Two months until draft time.

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If Wilkerson signs his franchise tag tender immediately — which he almost certainly would not do — then he can't negotiate with other teams.

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NFL rumors: What trade value does Muhammad Wilkerson have for Jets? (Dom Cosentino) NJ Advance Media March 1, 2016

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2016/03/nfl_rumors_what_is_muhammad_wilkerson_worth_in_a_t.html#incart_river_index

Now that it's confirmed the Jets will be doing what everyone expected them to do by franchising defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson, the next issue on their docket is whether they'll try to trade him.

The tag sets Wilkerson's 2016 salaryat $15.7 million, which also becomes the baseline for negotiations toward a long-term deal, which carries a deadline of July 15.

But because the Jets have a surplus of talent along the defensive line, trading Wilkerson may be the best way for them to use those assets to their advantage. The real question is whether they can find a suitable partner willing to negotiate a suitable price.

Wilkerson could be in line for a contract worth $40 million or more in guaranteed money. The Jets have plenty of roster holes to fill—edge rusher, offensive line, inside linebacker, cornerback, running back, quarterback—and only so much money to go around because of the salary cap.

But what might a trade bring in return? That would depend on the kind of value the Jets and any potential trading partner(s) have placed on Wilkerson, and how much wiggle room there might be once both parties get to talking.

Retired general manager Bill Polian, a Hall of Famer who now works as an analyst for ESPN, said the Jets would likely try to set the market to see which teams might be potential suitors.

"It's really a two-way street," Polian told NJ Advance Media in an interview last week at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. "You look at his measurables, and you look at his body of work, you'd have to say you're talking about a No. 1 draft choice. So you start there."

Understand: This would be a negotiation. The Jets would likely start by asking for more than they're likely to receive, with the understanding that they'll likely get a counteroffer that's less than what they're hoping for. The bargaining would then proceed from there, with both sides doing all they can to leverage each other down.

Polian said it wouldn't be inconceivable for the Jets to ask for as much as two first-round picks at the beginning of any talks, just to gauge other teams' level of interest. That price is obviously prohibitive, but it would also be just an entry point.

The Raiders, for one, have an estimated $70 million in cap space—and a lot of spending to do to reach the cash spending floor mandated by the league's collective bargaining agreement. They might be willing to do a deal for Wilkerson.

But there are some mitigating factors as far as any potential return for the Jets. For one, a trading partner will likely want to sign Wilkerson for the long haul—"You wouldn't give anything for a rental, or nothing valuable anyway, let's put it that way," Polian said—and because of that the Jets might have to expect less in terms of possible compensation.

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It works to the Jets' advantage that quality defensive linemen in the prime of their careers can be in short supply. But there's also a lot of defensive line talent in this year's draft. And then where does the possible trading partner have a pick in the draft? Depending on whether it's a high choice or a pick at the end of the first round would also impact how much of a sweetener is involved.

"[A lot] depends on the individual evaluation of the acquiring team, and then it depends on how much they have to pay [Wilkerson] to get him into a long-term contract," Polian said. "And those are factors that we can't know."

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NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Jets like Muhammad Wilkerson — but only to a point (Manish Mehta) New York Daily News February 29, 2016

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/mehta-jets-muhammad-wilkerson-point-article-1.2547923

Muhammad Wilkerson’s long-term future with the Jets remains as uncertain as ever after the long expected news surfaced Monday that the team will indeed place the franchise tag on him.

Wilkerson will make $15.7 million in 2016 under the tag, but here’s the elephant in the room: The Jets remain unconvinced that he should be the centerpiece of Todd Bowles’ defense.

In fact, the organization smartly believes that Sheldon Richardson is the indispensable defensive piece to the puzzle.

The Jets were open to trading Wilkerson before last year’s draft, but no substantive discussions with interested teams (and there were interested teams) materialized. The brain trust will absolutely entertain a tag-and-trade scenario involving Wilkerson now too, but the buzz around the league is that it could be a daunting task.

I spoke to general managers and front office executives in Indianapolis during the Scouting Combine last week, who were skeptical about the Jets’ ability to execute a deal. General manager Mike Maccagnan would trade Wilkerson for a Top 10-15 pick in a heartbeat, but is there a team actually willing to part with such a valuable draft pick AND pay the Pro Bowl defensive lineman the $40-$45 million in guarantees (at least) that he wants as part of a long-term deal? It isn’t an either/or proposition.

One GM told me that he wouldn’t even part with a package of second- and third-round picks for Wilkerson, because of the large financial investment required to land the Pro Bowler this offseason. He would simply take his chances and make a run at Wilkerson if he hits the open market as an unrestricted free agent in 2017.

The logic is simple for teams that value Wilkerson’s skill set, but don’t want to dole out valuable draft pick compensation and significant money for him. Teams with ample salary cap space will likely need years to be viable contenders. By the time they are ready to consistently compete, Wilkerson, who will turn 27 this season, will be trending downward. Competitive teams that could use the defensive lineman right now simply don’t have the finances to make it happen.

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NEW YORK POST

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Jets tag Muhammad Wilkerson amid fruitless talks (Brian Costello) New York Post February 29, 2016

http://nypost.com/2016/02/29/jets-tag-muhammad-wilkerson-amid-fruitless-talks/

Get ready for Mo drama.

The Jets will place the franchise tag on star defensive end Muhammad “Mo” Wilkerson by Tuesday’s 4 p.m. deadline, according to two sources, setting up another interesting chapter in the contract negotiations between the two sides.

The move has been expected for months after talks broke down before last season on a long-term deal. The Jets met with Wilkerson’s reps at the NFL Scouting Combine last week in Indianapolis, but no progress was made. The two sides now have until July 15 to reach a contract agreement or Wilkerson will play under the tag in 2016 for $15.7 million. Wilkerson can negotiate with other teams, but the Jets have the right to match any offer. If he wound up going to the other team, the Jets would get two first-round picks. In other words, not likely.

The other possibility is the Jets now try to trade Wilkerson. Tag-and-trades are not easy, though, because the Jets would need to find a team motivated enough to meet their asking price (probably a first-round pick) and Wilkerson’s (more than $40 million guaranteed). The Jets last did a tag-and-trade 10 years ago with pass rusher John Abraham.

Why would the Jets trade their best defensive player?

It is clear the Jets have a much different view of Wilkerson’s value than he and his agent do. The sides never have been close to a deal despite trying for the last two years with two different general managers.

Trading Wilkerson also would help the Jets’ salary-cap situation. After tagging Wilkerson, the Jets have about $6 million in cap space. They are expected to make a few more moves to clear space before free agency begins March 9, but it seems unlikely they can keep Wilkerson, quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and nose tackle Damon Harrison. The odd man out right now seems to be Harrison. He probably will hit the market next week and may have played his final game as a Jet.

Long term, Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan must figure out which pieces of his defensive line he is willing to part with. Sheldon Richardson is scheduled to be a free agent in 2018, and the team just drafted Leonard Williams in the first round last year.

Parting with Wilkerson would be a bitter pill for the Jets, though. He has been one of the team’s best defensive players since he was drafted in the first round in 2011. He has been named second-team All-Pro twice and made the Pro Bowl in 2015 after recording 12 sacks. Wilkerson is a versatile player who can line up anywhere on the defensive line and is tremendous against the run. He is widely considered the second-best 3-4 defensive end in football behind Texans star J.J. Watt.

Wilkerson cannot be thrilled with the franchise tag but knew it was coming. He likely will stay away from the Jets’ offseason program for the second straight year, but he would not have been able to participate fully this year anyway after breaking his leg in the season finale in Buffalo.

If the Jets hold onto Wilkerson, they then would be back at the negotiating table next offseason. If he leaves as a free agent, they would get a compensatory draft pick in 2018, probably a third-rounder.

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Warning to Jets: Reaching for QB can be hazardous to health of franchise (Rich Cimini) ESPN New York February 29, 2016

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/58659/warning-to-jets-reaching-for-qb-can-be-harzardous-to-health-of-franchise

History has a message for the New York Jets: Don't do it, don't take the quarterback plunge with the 20th overall pick.

If they ignore the warning, there's a good chance they'll end up marching in a parade of fools.

The NFL is filled with cautionary tales of quarterback-needy teams blowing first-round picks because of need and greed at the position. They reach for over-rated prospects, succumbing to temptation and pressure. The seemingly endless quest for a franchise quarterback, something the Jets know about, can trick the savviest of talent evaluators into making bad decisions.

If a quarterback is the real deal, he'll be picked in the top 10, probably the top five. If a prospect slips, there's usually a pretty good reason, but teams are willing to overlook deficiencies because they're blinded by desperation.

From 2000 to 2015, a total of 16 quarterbacks were drafted in the No. 12 to 32 range, only two of whom can be considered true franchise quarterbacks -- Aaron Rodgers and Joe Flacco. Teddy

Bridgewater shows upside, but he's not there yet. The rest of the group reads like a "Who's Who?" of busts:Johnny Manziel. EJ Manuel. Brandon Weeden. Christian Ponder. Tim Tebow. Josh Freeman. Brady Quinn. Jason Campbell. J.P. Losman. Kyle Boller. Rex Grossman. Patrick Ramsey. The last guy is Chad Pennington, whose promising career was derailed by injuries.

What were those teams thinking?

In 2005, the Green Bay Packers got lucky when Rodgers, projected as the possible No. 1 overall pick, fell to them at 24. The ghost of Lombardi was looking out for them because something like that happens only once a generation.

"To be in a situation like Green Bay years ago when they took Aaron when Brett Favre was their starter, that's obviously the ideal situation," Arizona Cardinals general manager Steve Keim said at the scouting combine. "But how many times are you sitting in the 20s when you can take a guy that you see as the future?"

The Jets could be confronted with this decision on draft day. The top prospects, Carson Wentz and Jared Goff, probably will be picked in the top 10. Wentz may have solidified himself as one of the best players in the draft with a strong combine performance. Goff was solid, remaining in the conversation. The wild card is Paxton Lynch, who received mixed reviews and could be available for the Jets.

Lynch has an intriguing skill set, with all kinds of size (6-foot-6 1/2) and athletic ability, but he was inconsistent with his accuracy at the combine, according to ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay. He also believes Lynch "plays with loud feet, and is still working through his drops. Lynch is an intriguing prospect, but he's not nearly as polished as Goff or Wentz."

That said, Lynch could rise up boards if he crushes his pro day. If not, he could be there for the Jets. Would they pick him? Based on what I'm hearing, I'd be surprised if they take a quarterback at 20, and that's probably the right call. Unless they have a strong conviction on Lynch, it's a better risk-reward decision to pass, using the pick to address a current need.

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The Jets would like to re-sign Ryan Fitzpatrick, but they're still looking for a long-term solution. Maybe it's Bryce Petty, drafted last year in the fourth round. He's a project that may or may not pan out. Like many general managers, Mike Maccagnan covets the Next Big Thing. Presumably, he's smart enough to walk away from a sucker proposition.

What about trading up? That's no bargain either. Since 2000, there have been 14 instances of a team trading up to draft a quarterback in Round 1 -- and only five of them had a winning record with their draft team. There's nothing worse than overdrafting a quarterback and paying extra to do it.

We'll see how this plays out over the next two months. Right now, the Jets would be wise to look at other positions. It hurts not to have a franchise quarterback, but it hurts more to think you have one and be wrong.

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Jets to place franchise tag on Muhammad Wilkerson (Rich Cimini) ESPN New York February 29, 2016

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/58679/jets-decision-to-tag-muhammad-wilkerson-could-have-serious-fallout

The long-running contract standoff between the New York Jets and Muhammad Wilkerson has taken an expected turn, as the team has decided to use its franchise tag on the Pro Bowl defensive end, a league source said Monday.

The Jets haven't announced their plans, but they have until 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday.

Wilkerson will receive the nonexclusive tag (worth $15.7 million), meaning he's allowed to negotiate with other teams. By rule, the Jets would receive two first-round picks as compensation if they decline to match an offer sheet.

It's highly unlikely that any team would surrender that much, but the Jets might be willing to take less in a tag-and-trade scenario. The idea of trading their top defensive player in 2015 might seem unthinkable, but the Jets haven't ruled it out because of a tight cap situation and a surplus of young defensive linemen.

The two sides have until July 15 to negotiate a long-term contract. Failing that, he will play in 2016 for the franchise tender.

"Mo is a very good player and, obviously, we'd like to have him with the organization going forward, but ... all options are on the table," general manager Mike Maccagnan said last week at the scouting combine.

The Jets have been planning for weeks, perhaps months, to use to tag on Wilkerson, as ESPN reported recently. Maccagnan floated the possibility of using the tag on highly regarded nose tackle Damon Harrison, also a pending free agent. By opting for Wilkerson, it means Harrison can negotiate with other teams starting Monday.

The Jets still are hopeful of signing Harrison to a long-term contract before then.

Wilkerson, who played last season for the amount of his fifth-year option ($7 million), has been seeking an extension for more than a year. Frustrated by the lack of progress, he skipped the voluntary portion of last offseason.

His leverage was hurt last spring, when the Jets chose defensive end Leonard Williams with the sixth overall pick in the draft. Williams joined a talented group that included former first-rounder Sheldon Richardson, whose rookie deal expires after the 2016 season.

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It'll be difficult to keep Wilkerson and Harrison together with Richardson and Williams, but "it's not outside the realm of possibility," Maccagnan said.

Wilkerson, who led the Jets with a career-high 12 sacks last season, is recovering from a surgically repaired broken leg, suffered in the final game. He probably will miss the entire offseason, but he tweeted recently that he's ahead of schedule in his rehab.

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Jets' decision to tag Muhammad Wilkerson could have serious fallout (Rich Cimini) ESPN New York February 29, 2016

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/58679/jets-decision-to-tag-muhammad-wilkerson-could-have-serious-fallout

As of Monday afternoon, the New York Jets hadn't announced their intentions for the franchise tag (they have until 4 p.m. Tuesday), but they've decided to use it on Pro Bowl defensive end Muhammad

Wilkerson, a league source said. A few takeaways:

1. It was the right decision. It was the only decision.

2. Wilkerson won't be happy -- he'll probably skip the offseason conditioning program again -- but he knew this was coming. The two sides have until July 15 to hammer out a long-term deal. Failing that, he'll make $15.7 million in 2016. But ...

3. The franchise tag doesn't tie Wilkerson to the Jets for the 2016 season. I believe they will explore the possibility of a tag-and-trade, looking to see if they can find a deal that would justify trading their top defensive player from 2015. Good luck with that. Even though he's one of the top free agents, it'll be hard to find a team willing to meet his asking price (figure north of $40 million in guarantees) and compensate the Jets with an attractive pick and/or players. The bigger question is ...

4. Why even consider a tag-and-trade? Well, the team has cap issues and moving Wilkerson would free up the $15.7 million. The Jets already have a lot of resources invested in the defensive line, and they'll have to pour more into it to retain Damon Harrison, a pending free agent. In my opinion, it would be an ill-advised decision to trade Wilkerson. He's only 26, one of the top defensive linemen in the NFL. The idea is to keep good players, not send them packing.

5. The player most affected is Harrison. Barring a contract extension, Big Snacks will be permitted to negotiate with other teams, starting next Monday, during the NFL's "legal tampering" period for free agents. The prospect of that happening can't be a good feeling for the Jets, who very much want to retain their big man in the middle. General manager Mike Maccagnan floated the possibility last week of using the tag on Harrison, but that was just a negotiating ploy to create the illusion of leverage. Privately, Maccagnan had been telling people for months the plan was to tag Wilkerson. Now his job is to make sure he doesn't lose Harrison, who would have many suitors on the open market.

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MONDAY’S SPORTS TRANSACTIONS

BASEBALL Major League Baseball

OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF BASEBALL — Suspended Texas 1B Trever Adams (Frisco-Texas), Toronto RHP Andrew Case (Vancouver-NWL), Cleveland RHP Jordan Dunatov (Arizona League Indians) and free agent RHP Dan Urbina 50 games each for violations of baseball's minor league drug program.

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American League

BOSTON RED SOX — Agreed to terms with OF David Murphy on a minor league contract.

TEXAS RANGERS — Agreed to terms with INF/OF Ian Desmond on a one-year contract. Placed RHP Tanner Scheppers on the 60-day DL, retroactive to Feb. 18. Named Steve Mintz manager of Hickory (SAL), Brian Shouse pitching coach for Frisco (Texas) and Joey Seaver pitching coach for Spokane (NWL).

National League

ATLANTA BRAVES — Named Andruw Jones special assistant to baseball operations.

National Basketball Association

MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES — Recalled F Jarell Martin from Iowa (NBADL).

MIAMI HEAT — Waived G Beno Udrih.

SAN ANTONIO SPURS — Waived G Ray McCallum. Signed G Andre Miller.

FOOTBALL National Football League

CHICAGO BEARS — Placed the franchise tag on WR Alshon Jeffery.

MIAMI DOLPHINS — Signed DL Cleyon Laing.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS — Agreed to terms with QB Tom Brady on a two-year contract extension.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS — Released WR Marques Colston.

OAKLAND RAIDERS — Signed P Marquette King to a long-term contract extension.

HOCKEY National Hockey League

ANAHEIM DUCKS — Acquired F Jamie McGinn from Buffalo for a conditional third-round draft pick. Acquired F Brandon Pirri from Florida for a 2016 sixth-round draft pick. Traded LW Patrick Maroon to Edmonton for a 2016 fourth-round pick and D Martin Gernat.

ARIZONA COYOTES — Acquired F Sergei Plotnikov from Pittsburgh for F Matthias Plachta and a conditional 2017 seventh-round draft pick. Acquired F Alex Tanguay, F Conner Bleackley and D Kyle Wood from Colorado for F Mikkel Boedker. Acquired F Matia Marcantuoni from Pittsburgh for F Dustin Jeffrey, F Dan O'Donoghue and D James Melindy. Recalled F Craig Cunningham from Springfield (AHL). Assigned F Tyler Gaudet to Springfield.

CALGARY FLAMES — Traded RW David Jones to Minnesota for G Niklas Backstrom and a 2016 sixth-round draft pick.

CAROLINA HURRICANES — Acquired F Anthony Camara, a 2016 third-round draft pick and a 2017 fifth-round draft pick from Boston for D John-Michael Liles. Recalled D Ryan Murphy and Fs Brock McGinn and Derek Ryan from Charlotte (AHL).

CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS — Acquired G Drew MacIntyre from Carolina for D Dennis Robertson and assigned MacIntyre to Rockford (AHL). Acquired F Tim Jackman and 2017 seventh-round draft pick from Anaheim for F Corey Tropp and reassigned Jackman to San Diego (AHL).

COLORADO AVALANCHE — Reassigned G Reto Berra to San Antonio. Acquired F Taylor Beck from the New York Islanders for C Marc-Andre Cliche.

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DALLAS STARS — Acquired D Kris Russell from Calgary for D Jyrki Jokipakka, F Brett Pollock and a conditional 2016 second-round draft pick.

DETROIT RED WINGS — Recalled G Jared Coreau from Grand Rapids (AHL).

EDMONTON OILERS — Claimed F Adam Cracknell off waivers from Vancouver and D Adam Pardy off waivers from Winnipeg. Re-signed D Brandon Davidson and G Laurent Brossoit to two-year contract extensions.

LOS ANGELES KINGS — Traded RW Scott Sabourin to Minnesota for C Brett Sutter.

MINNESOTA WILD — Traded LW Michael Keranen to Ottawa for D Conor Allen. Activated D Jonas Brodin from injured reserve. Assigned D Christian Folin Iowa (AHL).

MONTREAL CANADIENS — Claimed RW Mike Brown off waivers from San Jose.

NASHVILLE PREDATORS — Acquired D Corey Potter from Arizona for future considerations and assigned him to Norfolk (AHL).

NEW JERSEY DEVILS — Traded D Eric Gelinas to Colorado for a 2017 third-round draft pick. Recalled F Stefan Matteau from Albany (AHL) and traded him to Montreal for F Devante Smith-Pelly. Acquired a 2016 fourth-round draft pick and a 2017 second-round draft pick from Boston for RW Lee Stempniak. Recalled F Joseph Blandisi, F Reid Boucher and D Damon Severson from Albany (AHL). Claimed D David Warsofsky off waivers from Pittsburgh.

NEW YORK ISLANDERS — Acquired Shane Prince and a 2016 seventh-round draft pick from Ottawa for a 2016 third-round draft pick.

TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING — Reassigned D Matt Taormina to Syracuse (AHL).

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS — Recalled C William Nylander, RW Kasperi Kapanen and F Nikita Soshinkov from Toronto (AHL). Loaned Fs Mark Arcobello, Brendan Leipsic and Josh Leivo to Toronto.

American Hockey League

CHARLOTTE CHECKERS — Acquired G John Muse from Texas for future considerations.

MILWAUKEE ADMIRALS — Signed D Jimmy Oligny to a two-year contract extension through the 2017-18 season.

SOCCER

U.S. SOCCER FEDERATION — Elected Carlos Cordeiro vice president. Reconfirmed Donna Shalala as an independent director.

Major League Soccer

FC DALLAS — Signed G Ryan Herman and M Timo Pitter.

LA GALAXY — Waived D Dan Gargan and F Ignacio Maganto.

NEW YORK RED BULLS — Waived M Mael Corboz.

North American Soccer League

NEW YORK COSMOS — Signed D-M Gabriel Farfan.

COLLEGE

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SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE — Fined Vanderbilt $100,000 after fans stormed the court following the Commodores' 74-62 victory over Kentucky on Feb. 27.

CHATTANOOGA — Named Adam Ross offensive line coach and John Srofe video coordinator and defensive quality control assistant for football program. Added the additional title of recruiting coordinator to corners and dimes coach Rod West.

CONNECTICUT — Named Dave Benedict athletic director.

HAMLINE — Announced the resignation of football coach Chad Rogosheske to accept the same position at Capital.

LA SALLE — Named Bill Bradshaw interim director of intercollegiate athletics and recreation.

MISSOURI — Announced sophomore F D'Angelo Allen has left the men's basketball team and plans to transfer at the end of the season.

TENNESSEE TECH — Announced the retirement of Jim Davis, women's basketball coach.

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