The New York Jets have signed DT Kris Jenkins to a 5 year deal reportedly worth $35 million dollars.  The team sent a third and a fifth round draft pick to Carolina in exchange for the 3 time Pro Bowler.

Jenkins is expected to play Nose Tackle in Eric Mangini’s 3-4 defense, a role that he may excel in.  Though Jenkins hasn’t been the force recently that he was earlier in his career, he is larger than incumbent (and likely to be traded soon) Dewayne Robertson and has experience playing in an aggressive defense.  I wouldn’t predict that his sack totals will rise, but I do believe he is an effective upgrade who can help the Jets fortify their porous Run Defense.

There are also substantial rumors that the Jets are on the verge of signing 7 time Pro Bowl G Alan Faneca away from the Pittsburgh Steelers.  Though other teams are in the hunt, New York is reportedly the front-runner.

Faneca would represent a huge upgrade over what the Jets have now and, more importantly, would provide veteran leadership, something the team has desperately lacked.  He would bring stability to what has been a glaring weak spot for Gang Green.

 Should the Faneca signing happen, fans will likely debate the merits of bestowing upon him a huge contract versus the notion that the departed Pete Kendall could have been had for a relative song ( and might have been just as effective).  While they’re not wrong to speculate on such matters, it’s a moot point.  Kendall has as much chance of ever playing for Jets again as I do.  

Regardless of how you feel about the way his situation was handled, we should all be moving on at this point.

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