Every offseason a team loses or decides against retaining certain players, for one reason or another, and they move on to another team or retire. We are going to take a look at some of the subtractions from this past offseason, set out their destinations, and give insight as to how their loss/subtraction may impact the Jets.
CB Antonio Cromartie: Cromartie re-signed with the Jets last season after playing for Todd Bowles’ defense in Arizona during the 2015 campaign. Cromartie, often bothered by leg and hip injuries, and maligned for inability to make open-field tackles, was a bit of a disappointment last season. The “Batman and Robin” aspect of the Revis-Cromartie duo proved to be…shall we say, a step slower than we remember the tandem. Cromartie became a cap-casualty in an effort to free up space for other necessary pieces. Cromartie remains an unsigned Free Agent and has said he is open to returning to NY at a reduced price; it remains to be seen if the feeling is mutual.
TE Jeff Cumberland: TE Jeff Cumberland, who was once referred to as “the perfect Tight End” by Cris Collinsworth, proved to be anything but that in his time with the Jets. Serving mostly as a blocker last season, Cumberland reeled in less than 10 catches (as the entire position amassed eight total receptions in 2016) and proved to be an odd-man-out in the Bowles/Gailey offense. Still, a TE with his size could find work as a second or third stringer somewhere else. 2014 Second Round TE Jace Amaro should slot back in as the starting TE in 2016.
WR Jeremy Kerley: Kerley was often under appreciated during his Jets tenure, doing a lot of the little things the team required and often playing out of position to fill a need. Unfortunately for Kerley, he was surpassed on the depth chart last season by WR Quincy Enunwa, Devin Smith, and Kenbrell Thompkins, and never recovered. His usage was the lowest of his career and he was relegated to mostly punt returns, ahem, fair catches, earning him the nickname “Fair Catch Kerley”.
LB Demario Davis: Davis, a former third rounder, fell out of favor midway through the season with Todd Bowles and Co. which was disappointing as Davis had been in the process of being groomed as David Harris’ replacement and seemingly fell off in terms of development. The Jets chose not to retain him, as he signed with the Cleveland Browns. Davis, a physical/atheltic specimen, still may have a good career ahead of him, it just will not be in New York.
LT D’Brickishaw Ferguson: The biggest loss by far of the offseason, Ferguson decided to retire while healthy and playing at a high-level. Ferguson decided to leave money on the table for the only franchise he played for, and went out the ultimate, consummate professional. In the wake of Ferguson’s departure the Jets traded for LT Ryan Clady, who is Pro-Bowl talent.