<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Jets may again slap Abraham with franchise tagTuesday, February 07, 2006BY DAVE HUTCHINSONStar-Ledger StaffThe Jets and the representatives for three-time Pro Bowl defensive end John Abraham have had no discussions on a long-term deal since the season ended and it appears the club will place the franchise tag on him for a second consecutive season, according to someone with knowledge of the situation.Such a move likely would make for a tense relationship between the club and Abraham next season, especially after GM Terry Bradway said last August he would attempt to sign Abraham to a long-term deal if the player stayed healthy and was productive over an entire 16-game schedule."We've said all along that we want John here for a long time, and that's something we'll work on," Bradway said when Abraham reported to training camp on Aug. 29 after refusing to sign his one-year, $6.67 million franchise tender offer until then.The one-year, franchise tender offer for a defensive end this season is $8.3 million. Clubs can place the franchise tag on players from Feb. 9 through Feb. 23. Should the Jets put the tag on Abraham, they will have paid him nearly $15 million over two years without having a long-term deal.Abraham's agents, Tony Agnone and Rich Rosa, were unavailable for comment yesterday. Bradway doesn't discuss contract matters."The Jets said they would take care of John if he stayed healthy but there have been no talks," said the person. "John's camp feels that the Jets have lied to him and it's personal. They feel Terry Bradway and (assistant GM) Mike Tannenbaum just don't like John. They didn't draft him, and they just don't think he's a great player and they don't want to pay him."Plus, they have all that money tied up into Chad Pennington ($22 million over the past two seasons) and he may not even pass his physical this spring. Now, they're scared to pay John."Last season, Abraham had 70 tackles, 10 1/2 sacks, six forced fumbles (all on quarterback strips) and one fumble recovery.He played in nearly 85 percent of the defensive snaps and improved his play against the run after bulking up to 265 pounds.Entering last season, Abraham hadn't played an entire 16-game schedule since 2002 and the Jets used that as leverage in not signing him to a long-term deal.Signing Abraham to a long-term deal would figure to be a priority for new head coach Eric Mangini, who is expected to employ a base 3-4 defense with the flexibility of using multiple fronts.Abraham said last season that he would skip training camp again if the Jets put the franchise tag on him and he wouldn't be happy when he reported.If the Jets slap Abraham with the franchise tag, they may try to trade him and one destination could be San Diego in a deal for quarterback Philip Rivers, especially with former Chargers quarterback coach Brian Schottenheimer having been hired as the Jets new offensive coordinator.</div>What to make of this? Expect a tag and trade of John Abraham to the highest bidder.http://www.nj.com/jets/ledger/index.ssf?/b...7780.xml&coll=1
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (JHair @ Feb 7 2006, 07:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>hahah I bet Philly would want him, they shot themselves in the foot by losing Derrick Burgess....</div>Yea, i hated that move too. Abraham would really help the defense out that has lost its luster. I would do this trade. Abraham had a good healthy season. A 1st round pick wont mean much.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (GotSkillz52 @ Feb 7 2006, 05:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (JHair @ Feb 7 2006, 07:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>hahah I bet Philly would want him, they shot themselves in the foot by losing Derrick Burgess....</div>Yea, i hated that move too. Abraham would really help the defense out that has lost its luster. I would do this trade. Abraham had a good healthy season. A 1st round pick wont mean much.</div>John Abraham is one of the best pure pass rushers in the league, but the guy isnt too great in run coverage (mainly because of his lack of size). He would definately help you guys out on getting pressure to the QB, but IMO he needs a good run-stuffing DT next to him. If he went to the Chargers in exchange for Rivers, he would have to be converted to a 3-4 Linebacker (due to his lack of size), where he would once again be a great pass rushing LB, but would only be ok or so in coverage.Personally, I would let him go to the highest bidder, if that is for the Eagles first round pick, ok. Id rather not have Phillip Rivers personally though, as ive never really been high on him as a prospect.
