It's been a busy week for the New York Jets, even as a lockout looms. The team cut four veterans Monday and reportedly plans to have running back LaDainian Tomlinson return in 2011.
Gang Green also extended first- and third-round restricted free agent tenders to wide receiver Santonio Holmes and cornerback Antonio Cromartie Tuesday, two young players expected to play a part in the Jets' Super Bowl plans.
Although the defensive line was the weak link on the Jets' defense last season, the club is looking to shore up its secondary. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, former Colts All Pro safety Bob Sanders will visit the Jets.
Darrelle Revis was the best cornerback in the league in 2010, and Cromartie regularly shut down opposing team's deep threats, but there was inexperience and a lack of depth at the safety position.
Sanders, once mentioned in the same breath as Ed Reed and Troy Polamalu for his game-altering abilities, had his career derailed by injuries in recent seasons. In fact, since signing a five-year, $37 million deal in 2007, he appeared in just nine games.
Sanders, 30, has also visited Buffalo and Jacksonville.
As for his potential role with the Jets, Sanders would be a difference-maker. Jim Leonhard, whose season was ended by a leg injury just before the playoffs, had called the defensive signals and served as head coach Rex Ryan's eyes and ears on the field.
But there is more than enough room for both players on the roster. Plus, given Sanders' injury history and age, there's no guarantee that he makes it through an entire season.
If nothing else, the Jets will certainly kick the tires on Sanders. The team has taken chances on players other teams no longer have interest in. And with two consecutive trips to the AFC Championship game, Ryan and general manager Mike Tannenbaum have earned the benefit of the doubt when it comes to putting the roster together.
