Jones Sits Out, Elam Re-Signs

This afternoon the Jets matched the Cleveland Brown's offer to safety Abram Elam at $1.5 million, which secures Elam will play in New York next season.


The club had signed Elam, a restricted free agent, to a one-year, $1.01 million tender before the Browns extended the offer sheet. The Jets had until Tuesday to match the offer.

Elam will battle Eric Smith in training camp to become the third safety on the depth chart, behind Kerry Rhodes and Jim Leonhard.

Last season, Elam proved that he had some potential for making big plays, by forcing three fumbles (two of these fumbles were returned for touchdowns), a long interception for a touchdown and two sacks.

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I like this move by the Jets, Elam is in no way a starter in the NFL, but a very solid back-up, and to sign him for only $1.5 million makes perfect sense. Not to mention, it keeps a solid Jets player off of Eric Mangini's roster in Cleveland.

Jets running back Thomas Jones, who is expected to want a new contract this spring, was a no-show for the second straight day at offseason work outs.

Jones probably wants a raise in pay after posting such a solid year, but he is an aging running back. Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum won't want to extend Jones' current contract, but maybe the two sides can settle on a restructured contract with more incentives.