August 30, 2005 -- Saying his absence from training camp "was something I had to do," John Abraham signed his one-year, $6.67 million franchise tender late yesterday afternoon and said he can't wait to rush the passer when the Jets open the regular season on Sept. 11 in Kansas City. Abraham, "The Predator," in an interview with The Post before he reported to camp yesterday, said he hoped to be ready for third-down passing situations in the Jets' opener. "That's my personal plan," Abraham said. "I've got to see how my body's going to be at that time. Everything else is fine. Physically I'm 100 percent." Abraham, who's coming off a knee injury that ended his 2004 season after 12 games, said he had been running and lifting and doing flexibility exercises in South Carolina and has bulked up to 265 pounds "so I can take on the run a little better," he said. After he reported and met with reporters, when asked if he's stayed in shape while at home, Abraham quipped, "No, man, I've been eating Twinkies, staying out at night, everything." Turning serious, he added, "No, I've been working since the season was over with, trying to get in shape. Obviously, I had an injury last year, so I had to rehab my knee and work on my body from that point. "Hopefully I can stay healthy for 16 games this year. I think that's the only problem I've had in the NFL is just staying healthy. When I'm on the field, I've been a force and I've been a good player." Abraham's reputation has taken a beating over the last couple of years, beginning with his DWI incident in 2003 and continuing to last year when he was perceived by some who thought he was healthy enough to play in the postseason. "I've been through everything," Abraham said. "I've been called an alcoholic. I've been called a drunk. I've been called a coward for not playing because I was hurt. I've been called a guy that gets injured all the time. Anything possible, pretty much, that you all can say bad about me was said. "I don't really have anything else to look back on that I can be mad about. It's part of the game so I'm not even mad about it anymore." Abraham, who expects to practice today after taking a physical but who won't play in Thursday's preseason finale in Philadelphia, said he's not bitter over the Jets' refusal to grant him a long-term contract. "There's no love lost, no hard feelings, nothing wrong," he said. "I'm coming in with an open mind and ready to play. No grudges at all." Jets' GM Terry Bradway has publicly stated that "at some point" he hopes to lock Abraham up with a long-term deal. "Our intention all along has been to have John here for a long time," Bradway said yesterday. "We'll continue to work toward that end." Abraham has missed 13 games over the past two seasons, including last year's playoff games in San Diego and Pittsburgh with a sprained knee that his teammates and Herman Edwards know hobbled him severely. Abraham said he was not given any promises by Jets' management about whether or when a long-term deal might be offered, nor was he given any of the guarantees that RB Shaun Alexander got when the Seahawks put it in writing that they wouldn't place the franchise-player tag on him again, nor would they trade him any place he didn't approve. Asked what he would say to Jet fans, Abraham said: "It's strictly a business thing. It's not like I don't want to be with the Jets. It's something I had to do."
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (V?n0m @ Aug 30 2005, 03:27 AM)</div><div class='quotemain'>About F'n time Abraham better be 100% ready to go play week one now or im gonna be pissed. </div> I saw another story in the New York Post which was saying that Bryan Thomas will start in week 1
Pfffft. After missing all that important time last year in the playoffs, this is happening. I lost some respect for that guy.
Your not the only one mate, i sure as hell lost a lot of respect for him, as it was reported he could of played agaisnt the Steelers
Abe SignsBy Justin PaleyJets Insider.com Staff WriterAfter holding out since the Spring in hope of signing a long term deal, Jets' Pro Bowl Defensive End John Abraham finally signed his one year $6.7MM tender offer late today. He will now report to Hofstra and try to get in game shape in time for the team's opener in Kansas City on September 11.Numerous sources reported that Abraham would be at Hofstra this morning ready to practice but when he was not there, specualtion was that he might hold out another full week.Jets GM Terry Bradway was very pleased that Abraham was finally inked and says Abraham is excited to get back to work."He's interested in one thing and one thing only and that's getting back to playing football," said Bradway on Abraham. "That will be his focus and I'm excited about the tone of his voice. I know he misses his teammates. I expect him to have a real good year. We've talked to some people that knew what he was doing and I'm pretty confident that he's in the best shape he's been in physically. We understand that it's not football shape but it won't take long for him to get acclimated to that."Abraham told the media at the end of last season that he would not mind being tagged with the franchise designation but he had been holding out since the Spring in hope of a long-term deal like teammate DE Shaun Ellis received last season.In his first three years, Abraham played in 38 games, recording 31.5 sacks and was named to the Pro Bowl twice. But he has been plagued by injury problems the last two years. In 2003, Abraham played just seven games, recording six sacks before being placed on injury reserve in December with a groin injury. Last year, Abraham appeared in 12 games, making 7.5 sacks before spraining his knee against Houston. Abraham was inactive the rest of the season. Those injuries have made the Jets wary of locking up Abraham long-term.The Jets have just five practices including four full workouts left before opening day. Even if Abraham reported tomorrow, the question is how effective will Abraham be with only a week or two of practice and can he get in game shape by then. ?If John is here and able to play in Kansas City, he?ll be in there and have a role,? Jets head coach Herman Edwards said today. Most likely that role would be on passing downs.Abraham has been working out with a personal trainer at his home in South Carolina but certainly will not be close to game shape.It took CB Ty Law two weeks to begin full team practices after he signed on Aug. 8.Even without Abraham being here, his teammates have all been supportive and anxious to see him again. ?It brings back a playmaker, a great guy on defense and a leader,? LB Jonathan Vilma said. ?We can?t wait to have him back. We know that when he comes back it may take him a couple practices to get ready but he?ll be fine.??When he shows up, we?ll welcome him with open arms and expect him to play as he can,? C Kevin Mawae said.With Abraham holding out, DE Bryan Thomas has gotten the first team reps in his place. The Jets had high expectations for Thomas after drafting him in the first round of the 2002 NFL Draft. Thomas struggled his first two seasons, only recording 1.5 sacks in 31 games.Thomas worked hard to improve and after Abraham suffered the knee sprain against Houston last season, Thomas filled in admirably, recording 33 tackles, including 10 in the postseason. Edwards was impressed by Thomas working with defensive line coach Denny Marcin and Thomas reminds him of Shaun Ellis. ?He?s a tough, physical guy,? Edwards said.?He?s done very, very well?He?s done a good job,? Edwards said. ?He?s very physical against the run?He?s come a long way since we first drafted him.?Edwards also said that Thomas will most likely be the starter on opening day regardless of if Abraham is here.?Getting reps with the starters, that?s what?s going to make you better,? Thomas said.Thomas had a touchdown on Friday against the Giants after jumping on a loose ball in the end zone after a bad exchange from QB Tim Hasselbeck to RB Mike Cloud. Thomas gave himself the nickname, ?Touchdown Thomas,? after it and says his teammates and him have been joking about it.While it remains unclear just when Abraham will show up, Thomas has shown he can get the job done.INSIDER TIDBITS-Upon his return, Abraham announced he has changed his jersey number from #94 to #56. He had worn #94 since he was drafted. LB Sam Cowart was the last player on the active roster to wear #56. LB Dennis Haley, who had been given #56 this training camp switched to #49.-When asked how many carries RB Curtis Martin would receive Thursday, Edwards went to the dry-erase board and drew a big, ?0.? Martin has received 21 carries this preseason, one shy of the number he received last preseason. ?If you want to see him carry, watch him warm-up,? Edwards said.-Despite only one preseason game remaining, the strong safety starter is not set yet. Edwards said rookie Kerry Rhodes and Oliver Celestin are still competing for it. And with Rashad Washington back from a concussion, he is in the mix too. ?42 (Washington) had a great practice today,? Edwards said. He added that Celestin will probably start on Thursday but all three players will get a lot of playing time.-The Jets practiced special teams and individual drills in the half-hour of practice reporters were allowed to watch. Special teams coach Mike Westhoff got on WR Harry Williams, Jr. for not rushing the punter and rookie CB Justin Miller?s struggles continued as he dropped one of the kickoffs before picking it up. Edwards said that Miller appears more comfortable returning kicks and played better against the Giants than he has in the past. Edwards also said that second-year WR Jerricho Cotchery is in the mix for returning punts.INJURY REPORTEdwards did not give an official injury report but did say that FB Jerald Sowell practiced today but will sit out Thursday?s game as a precautionary measure. DT Dewayne Robertson (broken right knee) also will not play, although he is on course to start the season.-DT Dewayne Robertson (hand; knee): Out-FB Jerald Sowell (ribs): Out-CB Derrick Strait (groin): day-to-day-RB Cedric Houston (shoulder): day-to-dayThe Jets practice again tomorrow to get ready for their final pre-season match-up on Thursday against Philadelphia.
this is gona be a big help he should play his ass off this yr cause its a contract yr for him agian but since this incedent he may just wana go to another team.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (manning044 @ Aug 30 2005, 08:42 AM)</div><div class='quotemain'>this is gona be a big help he should play his ass off this yr cause its a contract yr for him agian but since this incedent he may just wana go to another team.</div> He's made it clear he wants to remain a Jet, he just wants a long term deal.The Jets made it clear that he isnt going to get a long term deal UNTIL he stays healthy for another full season.So If Abraham stays healthy, he gets his money. If not, im sure someone in the league will pay him.
I think this is the best thing the jets could of done!!he will play through pain to go through a season healthy so he will get a Big money deal and he will if he has a good a season as he can and stays healthy
Oh, good for the Jets. I thought he was going to hold out till he got a deal. Maybe until the season. But I guess he gave up, you can tell he doesn't want to risk losing the Jets.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (LawGenius @ Aug 30 2005, 09:05 AM)</div><div class='quotemain'>I think this is the best thing the jets could of done!!he will play through pain to go through a season healthy so he will get a Big money deal and he will if he has a good a season as he can and stays healthy</div> I don't agree.. he's not going to jeopardize the rest of his NFL career by playing through any tough injury because, as Venom said, someone in the league will pay him the dough.
But if he wants to stay at the jets then he should, Look what Pennington did last season, and a lot of jet fans respect him, and Abrahams injury wasnt as serious as that!!Im not saying play through a really serious injury, but if its minor, he cant winge about it and he has to get out and play
