New York Jets News and Notes

By Tyson Rauch Posted On February 10, 2011

1) Jets sign kicker- On Wednesday the New York Jets announced that they have signed veteran kicker Nick Novak. Novak has played for the Redskins (2005/2006), Cardinals (2007), and Chiefs (2008), and last season was named the UFL’s Special Teams Player of the Year. This is a smart move by the Jets as their current kicker Nick Folk is scheduled to become a free agent. If Folk’s demands become too pricey, Gang Green will have to look in another direction, especially after considering all of the other potential free agents on the roster.

2) Jets ink two linebackers- On Wednesday the New York Jets announced that they have signed linebackers Brandon Long and Garrett McIntyre. Here are the player’s bios courtesy of the Jets.

Long (LB/6-3/254/Michigan State/Canton, OH) was waived by the San Francisco 49ers on August 29, 2010, after being initially signed as a free agent on April 30. He appeared in all 13 games his senior year at Michigan State, including nine starts at defensive end, where he posted career-highs of 39 tackles, 5.5 sacks and seven tackles for loss to earn All-Big Ten honorable mention.

McIntyre (LB/6-3/270/Fresno State/South Lake Tahoe, CA) spent the 2009 and 2010 seasons playing for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League where he posted 51 tackles and nine sacks. Prior to that, he played two years with the San Jose SaberCats of the Arena Football League. McIntyre was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Seattle Seahawks in 2006 and also spent portions of the 2006 preseason with the Arizona Cardinals and Tennessee Titans. As a senior in 2005, he recorded 29 tackles, seven sacks, a forced fumble and a blocked kick, earning recognition as the WAC Defensive Player of the Year.

3) Sanchez update- The New York tabloids have finally picked up on the Deadspin.com story regarding Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez and his interaction with a 17-year- old woman. As of this time Mark Sanchez has not released a statement on the report, while the Jets have refused to comment on the quarterback’s personal life.

4) Former Jet Lucas battling addiction- Former New York Jets quarterback Ray Lucas has entered a rehabilitation facility to battle his addiction to painkillers. Lucas admitted that his addiction started while playing in the NFL, and it then continued as he had to deal with neck and back injuries once his career was over.

Ray has courageously taken his story to Facebook as he chronicles his journey through treatment. The goal of his online journal is to raise attention to how the NFL treats former players that are dealing with chronic health problems. In addition Lucas is trying to raise awareness to the addiction in order to persuade other former players to get help.

I give Ray Lucas a lot of credit for not only facing his issues, but for making them public as well. Many times we as fans never understand what the players go through once their careers are over. Hopefully Ray’s journey will open some eyes to the problems former players are facing.