Jets Targeting Kitna

[HoosierCat]

Per my local paper, the NJ Star-Ledger. He's their No. 1 target; if they can't get him they will go after Patrick Ramsey, the report says. An unnamed team source said that they expect the Jets to move quickly to get Jon, saying "the Jets are interested and it could happen expeditiously."

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

Wonder if there is any chance of a sign and trade for a certain defenseman who wants out of NY?

Not sure if I'd really like that or not, but I wonder if it could happen?

[bengalboomer7]

Even in the Jets case, he's just keeping the seat warm for a year

[HoosierCat]

Wonder if there is any chance of a sign and trade for a certain defenseman who wants out of NY?

Not sure if I'd really like that or not, but I wonder if it could happen?

Not involving Kit, since he's a UFA. In any event, (unconfirmed) word this morning via pft is that the Jets have agreed to a deal with Denver, swapping Abraham for the Broncos' second 1st round pick (no. 29). See the "you be the GM thread," I pasted the story there.

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

Wonder if there is any chance of a sign and trade for a certain defenseman who wants out of NY?

Not sure if I'd really like that or not, but I wonder if it could happen?

This isn't the NBA. He's unrestricted and the Bengals aren't allowed to sign him for more than any other team.

[derekshank]

I'd be sad if that's the case... because I'm sure Kitna will take the opportunity to start... even if it is only for a year. It sure would be a shame watching him get killed out there every week though.

If he goes though... there are plenty of QB's out there we can get. Kitna would be my first choice... just because I like him, and he knows the system. But if he goes, he goes. Nothing to panic about here.

[ShulaSteakhouse]

I still wish they'd go after someone like Jamie Martin at QB.

Let him and Johnson fight it out for the 2nd spot.

But, with Carson here regardless, not sure what FA QB is going to want to come here, more likely a draft pick, and the Bengals' have too much dead weight $ tied up in crap like Thorton, Smith, James, Herring, and Robinson.

[BengalChamps]

Even in the Jets case, he's just keeping the seat warm for a year

Still, he would rather have 1 year starting than have a perpetual backup situation. I think this is bad news for the Bengals. We will survive without him, but he would do an adequate job for reasonable pay here. With Carson's contract, we have a lot of cap space tied up in the QB position. We cant afford a high priced backup. Im a big Kitna supporter and I would be sad if he left.

[schweinhart]

I can't see Kitna playing ahead of Pennington if he doesn't get cut with his $12 mill cap hit. Not sure why the Jets would target Kit ahead of Ramsey since Ramsey has more playing future ahead of him.

But if the Jets are looking to draft a QB with #4, who better to have play for a year while the pick learns than Kitna.

[oldschooler]

Here is the article...

Mawae could be cut; Jets target QB Kitna

Friday, March 03, 2006

BY DAVE HUTCHINSON

Star-Ledger Staff

The extension of the NFL's salary-cap compliance deadline yesterday will only temporarily extend the Jets career of center Kevin Mawae, one of the team's most popular and productive players.

Mawae, a six-time Pro Bowler who missed most of last season with a triceps injury, will be released in the coming days, according to numerous people with knowledge of the team's off-season plans.

The release of Mawae, 35, is just one move the team is contemplating.

The Jets want to keep quarterback Chad Pennington, but according to numerous people with the knowledge of the team's thinking, they are still pursuing other quarterbacks to serve as a competitor -- or a replacement -- for Pennington.

Those options include:

Pursuing Bengals quarterback Jon Kitna, who will be a free agent once the signing period begins Monday at 12:01 a.m.

Drafting Vanderbilt quarterback Jay Cutler with the fourth pick overall in the April 29 draft.

Dealing for Redskins quarterback Patrick Ramsey, whom the Jets feel they can get for a mid- to late-round draft pick.

But Kitna, 33, appears to be the top priority.

Entering his 10th year in the league, Kitna has served as a mentor to Carson Palmer since the 2003 season, handling himself with class after the Bengals drafted Palmer with the first pick overall that year. Palmer has repeatedly praised Kitna for the way he handled the situation and has credited him for much of his success.

In 2003, Kitna, 6-2, 225 pounds, started all 16 games while Palmer sat, and he had a career year. Kitna set career highs in completions (324), passing yards (3,591), touchdown passes (26), completion percentage (62.3) and passer rating (87.4).

He was voted the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year as the Bengals went from 2-14 in 2002 to 8-8 in 2003. The following year, Kitna took a seat behind Palmer. Again, he handled himself like a pro.

Last season, Kitna completed 17 of 29 passes for 99 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions as Palmer's understudy. He relieved an injured Palmer in an AFC divisional playoff loss to the Steelers.

Several other teams, including the Baltimore Ravens, are also rumored to be interested in pursuing Kitna. He makes sense for the Jets because he's a proven player who can serve as a hold-the-fort guy until the Jets get their quarterback of the future in place, plus he won't break the bank. Furthermore, the Jets won't have to give up anything to acquire him, and Kitna could play right away.

Cutler has tremendous arm strength, but many feel he still needs work on his fundamentals and is at least a year away. He would likely sit as a rookie.

Ramsey, a former first-round pick, is expendable in Washington. The Redskins have veteran Mark Brunell as their starter and drafted a quarterback, Jason Campbell, in the first round last season.

Ramsey also would not count much under the cap.

The Jets, who are trying to get under the projected $94.5 million cap, have until 6 p.m. Sunday to make a decision on Pennington.

The team saved only $1.1 million on the cap by cutting Mawae. Guard/center Pete Kendall, who was also on the bubble, will likely start at center next season, although he struggled at the position when replacing an injured Mawae last season.

The cap is expected to increase to $105 million if a new Collective Bargaining Agreement is reached, and that could change the Jets' plans in terms of the players they release and retain.

In other NFL news ...

The Seattle Seahawks cut cornerback Andre Dyson and linebacker Jamie Sharper and got more time to work on a new contract for NFL MVP Shaun Alexander.

The cuts saved the Seahawks over $6.7 million against the league's $94.5 million salary cap for 2006 and left them about $13 million below the cap for now. The room could be key to the team's hopes for re-signing Alexander and other key veterans like wide receiver Joe Jurevicius, Pro Bowl fullback Mack Strong or sack leader Rocky Bernard. All are potential free agents....

The Tennessee Titans decided to pay a $1 million fee that will keep quarterback Steve McNair with the team this season but allow him to become a free agent after 2006. The Titans' move means the team won't have to pay a $50 million option that would have extended McNair's contract through 2009, the quarterback's agent said. Still, McNair will take up more than a quarter of the team's salary-cap space....

The Carolina Panthers released linebacker Brandon Short, saving nearly $2 million, and safety Mike Minter finalized a restructure of his contract that gave Carolina a $1.7 million cushion.... The Oakland Raiders made three moves saving the team more than $12 million in salary-cap room for next season. The team cut defensive lineman Ted Washington, offensive lineman Ron Stone and defensive back Denard Walker.... The Kansas City Chiefs cut cornerbacks Eric Warfield and Dexter McCleon and linebackers Shawn Barber and Gary Stills.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

http://www.nj.com/jets/ledger/index.ssf?/b...4730.xml&coll=1

An article from the Cincinnati Post...

Kitna craves starting job

By Kevin Goheen

Post staff reporter

Despite the uncertainty of the NFL's labor situation, Bengals backup quarterback Kitna is anxious to see what free agency holds for him.

And while the Bengals have expressed a desire to re-sign Kitna as insurance behind starter Carson Palmer, Kitna isn't so sure that could happen.

"I feel like I've been led since the middle of the season, by God, to go to free agency and see what's out there for me," Kitna said. "Historically, things for quarterbacks get done quickly. They can happen within the first two weeks of free agency.

"I honestly believe (the Bengals) are looking to go in another direction."

Kitna is set to become an unrestricted free agent at 12:01 Monday morning after the NFL and the NFL Players Association on Thursday agreed to push back the start of the league's business calendar 72 hours in order to take another shot at extending their collective bargaining agreement.

Kitna played in three games last season before taking over in the playoff loss against Pittsburgh two offensive plays into the game. After Palmer was knocked out of the game with tears in his left knee to the ACL and MCL, Kitna led the Bengals to scores on their first three possessions and a 17-14 halftime advantage. Both he and the entire team faltered in the second half.

Kitna completed 24 of 40 passes against the Steelers for 197 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Kitna, signed as an unrestricted free agent from Seattle in 2001, started 46 games for the Bengals, including taking every snap in 2003 when he won NFL Comeback Player of the Year honors.

Kitna will be entering his 10th season in 2006 and he wants the opportunity to start again after backing Palmer up the last two seasons. He entered the league as an undrafted free agent from Central Washington, a tiny NAIA school, and played 39 games with 33 starts for the Seahawks from 1997-2000.

After San Diego's Drew Brees, Kitna will be among the top quarterbacks available in free agency. Given the shortage of quality quarterbacks around the NFL, Kitna should find a market for his services. He's not planning on just going anywhere, however.

"If I don't find something I like, it doesn't make sense to me to continue to move my family around the country," Kitna said. "If the CBA causes too many problems for me and my family, I won't have a problem leaving the game behind. Football isn't the end-all of my life."

http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/ar...16/1022/RSS0302

[ArmyBengal]

I guess if he just "HAS" to start, he will be gone. As stated already, sad to see him go just so he can start for a year and that year will not be a pretty one by any stretch of the imagination.

WHODEY !!!

[HoosierCat]

I can't see Kitna playing ahead of Pennington if he doesn't get cut with his $12 mill cap hit. Not sure why the Jets would target Kit ahead of Ramsey since Ramsey has more playing future ahead of him.

But if the Jets are looking to draft a QB with #4, who better to have play for a year while the pick learns than Kitna.

The feeling up here now seems to be that Penny will stay; there was even talk yesterday of him caving completely and signing the $1 million + loads of incentives deal that the Jets originally proposed, tho the whole CBA thing may have put events on hold for now. Penny & Condon also had proposed a reduction $3-4 million (with incentives to get back to his original number) as well. But it looks to me like he'll be a Jet.

I'm just guessing, but I would say the Jets are looking to do what the Bengals are: get someone who can start the season and let the injured No. 1 work back in slowly. If Kit gets hot, great, if not they work Penny back in.

As to Cutler, I think they'd be better served taking D'Brick (and if reports about an Abraham trade are true someone like Mangold late in the first) and rebuild the o-line. They just pretty much cut everyone but Pete Kendall.

[Spain]

Out of the leauge next year. Kitna is a system guy with a noodle arm. They willl eat him up in new york.

[HairOnFire]

"I feel like I've been led since the middle of the season, by God, to go to free agency and see what's out there for me," Kitna said.

And God said...

"Flee thee from the rivered city o' swine. Depart with all possible haste to the city of newer York, and when there always wear that hat that I like. You know, the red one with the cross on it. My kid loves the publicity, and I get royalties. Oh, and whilst in newer Yorktown endeavor to be docile while ye keepeth warm the seat of the chosen one who will replace thee. You will know him by his shaggy hair, and his need of a heavenly haircut. So take heed my unfavored child, and do not unpacketh thy bags, for the Spanish peanut is correct. The scribes of the newer York are vipers who will consume your flesh and mocketh your noodle-like appendage. You will be sorely tested. So keep your faith, cherish it and hold it close to your heart, and again....always remember to wear the hat."

[derekshank]

"I feel like I've been led since the middle of the season, by God, to go to free agency and see what's out there for me," Kitna said.

And God said...

"Flee thee from the rivered city o' swine. Depart with all possible haste to the city of newer York, and when there always wear that hat that I like. You know, the red one with the cross on it. My kid loves the publicity, and I get royalties. Oh, and whilst in newer Yorktown endeavor to be docile while ye keepeth warm the seat of the chosen one who will replace thee. You will know him by his shaggy hair, and his need of a heavenly haircut. So take heed my unfavored child, and do not unpacketh thy bags, for the Spanish peanut is correct. The scribes of the newer York are vipers who will consume your flesh and mocketh your noodle-like appendage. You will be sorely tested. So keep your faith, cherish it and hold it close to your heart, and again....always remember to wear the hat."

- this is cynicism at its most amusing

[bengalboomer7]

Someone is just asking to be smyted

Hair, your that guy that God gets back by turning your kid retarded cause you made fun of retarded kids all your life

(Disclaimer : I am not calling anyone's children retarded, wishing them retarded, or even insinuating any retardation in anyone's family. You gotta put a warning label on everything these days)

[turningpoint]

Wonder if there is any chance of a sign and trade for a certain defenseman who wants out of NY?

Not sure if I'd really like that or not, but I wonder if it could happen?

why would they give us a probowl DE for a qb that they could get for the same price in 3 days anyways?

not to mention they'd be giving up a shot at a 1st round pick.

[Stripes]

So Kitna might end up tutoring both recent USC Heisman quarterbacks? Cool beans for him. Count me as one that would expect him to struggle as a Jet, and as one that would call him much better advised to stay here as a backup... even if God disagrees.

[ArmyBengal]

Sounds like he's getting paid to be a QB, when he's really viewed as a QB coach, as many have stated on here many times. Coach'em up Jon, then take a seat !!!

WHODEY !!!

[BengalByTheBay]

Count me as one that remains completely shocked that Kitna would top any team's FA wish list. I'll believe it when I see it.

Thomas.

[membengal]

"I feel like I've been led since the middle of the season, by God, to go to free agency and see what's out there for me," Kitna said.

And God said...

"Flee thee from the rivered city o' swine. Depart with all possible haste to the city of newer York, and when there always wear that hat that I like. You know, the red one with the cross on it. My kid loves the publicity, and I get royalties. Oh, and whilst in newer Yorktown endeavor to be docile while ye keepeth warm the seat of the chosen one who will replace thee. You will know him by his shaggy hair, and his need of a heavenly haircut. So take heed my unfavored child, and do not unpacketh thy bags, for the Spanish peanut is correct. The scribes of the newer York are vipers who will consume your flesh and mocketh your noodle-like appendage. You will be sorely tested. So keep your faith, cherish it and hold it close to your heart, and again....always remember to wear the hat."

Funniest thing I have read in days. Anywhere.

[cincy9275]

i like kitna and wish him well . but he is on his last leg and has been very unimpressive the last 2 seasons. we need a guy that can come in a game and win not a guy that takes 5-6 starts to get his rythme down . but then again some of the names on the Bengals site scare the s**t out of me . hell if those are the guys we have to pick from give krenzel a shot . i know a lot fans are skeptical but the guy knows how to play football and win games and not counting the fact the man is very very smart .

[combatbengal]

Jet's, please do us a favor and take Kitna. This guy sucks. We could of beaten the Steelers, but the real Kitna came out in the second 1/2 of the game. Kitna is a smart guy, who helped Palmer out a great deal. However, he can't win for us. Yea he was rusty coming into the game, but then he's paid to be ready to start at any time. In my opinion, he didn't earn his pay check that day!

[andybren]

Do we get to play the Jets next year? Please...

[Whur CHad At?]

Do we get to play the Jets next year? Please...

We don't play them next year I don't think.