NEW YORK JETS DAILY CLIPS

March 25, 2016

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Table of Contents

ASSOCIATED PRESS ................................................................................................................................................ 1

Jets re-sign linebacker Erin Henderson to 2-year deal (Dennis Waszak) .................................................................. 1

NEWSDAY .............................................................................................................................................................. 2

Jets sign cornerback Darryl Morris (Kimberley Martin) ............................................................................................ 2

Browns sign quarterback Robert Griffin III (Kimberley Martin) ................................................................................ 2

ESPN NEW YORK .................................................................................................................................................... 3

RG III contract with Browns hurts Jets' negotiating stance with Ryan Fitzpatrick (Rich Cimini) ............................... 3

NEW YORK POST .................................................................................................................................................... 4

Every turn of QB carousel leads Jets back to Ryan Fitzpatrick (Brian Costello) ........................................................ 4

NJ ADVANCE MEDIA .............................................................................................................................................. 5

Jets sign ex-Houston Texans cornerback Darryl Morris (Dom Cosentino) ................................................................ 5

Recapping all of Jets' moves through 3 weeks of free agency (Darryl Slater) ........................................................... 6

RG3 contract not a sign Jets are low-balling Ryan Fitzpatrick (Dom Cosentino) ....................................................... 6

RG3 to Browns: Why Jets made right move by not signing him (Darryl Slater) ........................................................ 8

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS ........................................................................................................................................ 9

Robert Griffin III signs with Browns as Jets still hope they’ll re-sign Ryan Fitzpatrick (Seth Walder) ....................... 9

Jets Mailbag: Mo Wilkerson for Mike Glennon trade speculation, Buster Skrine's role and early draft talk (Manish Mehta) ..................................................................................................................................................................... 10

Jets should offer Ryan Fitzpatrick a few more million as Robert Griffin III no longer fallback option (Manish Mehta) ..................................................................................................................................................................... 12

USA TODAY SPORTS MEDIA GROUP ..................................................................................................................... 14

Jets lose Robert Griffin III to Cleveland Browns, per report (Connor Hughes) ........................................................ 14

THURSDAY’S SPORTS TRANSACTIONS .................................................................................................................. 15

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Jets re-sign linebacker Erin Henderson to 2-year deal (Dennis Waszak) Associated Press March 24, 2016

http://www.pro32.ap.org/article/jets-re-sign-linebacker-erin-henderson-2-year-deal

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Jets have re-signed linebacker Erin Henderson to a two-year contract.

The signing Thursday gives the Jets a potential starter at inside linebacker opposite David Harris. Henderson rotated at the spot last season with Demario Davis, who recently signed with Cleveland as a free agent.

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Henderson, 29, played in every game last season after sitting out all of 2014. He had 45 total tackles on defense and also was a key contributor on special teams.

Henderson was signed by Minnesota as an undrafted free agent in 2008 out of Maryland. He became a starter in 2011, but his career was put on hold when he was cut by the Vikings after two alcohol-related arrests. After a stint in rehabilitation, Henderson worked his way back to the field and signed with the Jets last offseason.

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NEWSDAY

Jets sign cornerback Darryl Morris (Kimberley Martin) Newsday March 25, 2016

http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/jets-sign-cornerback-darryl-morris-1.11616705

The Jets on Thursday signed former Texans cornerback Darryl Morris to a one-year deal, sources confirmed to Newsday.

Morris, 25, became an unrestricted free agent after Houston chose not to make a qualifying offer. He had eight defensive tackles and seven tackles on special teams in 12 games last season.

In 2014, he recorded 30 tackles, six passes defensed and one interception in 11 games.

“It’s an honor and pleasure to have been a Houston Texans the past two seasons,” wrote the cornerback, who posted a photo on social media signing his new contract while wearing a Jets cap and shirt.

“ . . . Today I became a member of the @nyjets and I’m extremely excited about the opportunity and being a member of another outstanding organization. God bless you all!”

After going undrafted out of Texas State in 2013, Morris played for the San Francisco 49ers for a season before being claimed off waivers by the Texans in August 2014.

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Browns sign quarterback Robert Griffin III (Kimberley Martin) Newsday March 24, 2016

http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/cleveland-browns-sign-robert-griffin-iii-1.11614006

Jets fans can now cross Robert Griffin III off their lists.

The Cleveland Browns announced the signing of the former Redskins quarterback to a two-year, $15-million deal Thursday afternoon. That means the Jets have one fewer quarterback to consider.

With talks between the Jets and free agent Ryan Fitzpatrick at a standstill, members of the Jets’ front office recently hosted Griffin on a two-day visit. The meeting, however, was more for due diligence purposes because the Jets want to re-sign Fitzpatrick, 33.

But during the NFL owners’ meetings in Florida this week, coach Todd Bowles said the team won’t take a step back if it loses Fitzpatrick in free agency because “we have Plan B, C and D in place.”

Though the Jets were complimentary of Griffin, it didn’t appear as if the former Heisman Trophy winner was particularly high on their priority list. On a conference call last week, general manager Mike Maccagnan said he didn’t meet the quarterback during his recent trip to New Jersey.

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“I probably haven’t talked to him or seen him since his Baylor Pro Day four, whatever years ago,” he said.

With Griffin now on board, the Browns likely will look to trade quarterback Josh McCown. That means the Jets — along with the Rams and Broncos — could try to pull off a trade for the veteran quarterback.

In March 2014, McCown never made it to his scheduled free-agent visit with the Jets and instead signed a two-year deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His production plummeted that season as he completed 56.3 percent of his passes and threw 11 touchdown passes and 14 interceptions. The Buccaneers released him after the season.

Nevertheless, McCown was one of the most coveted free-agent quarterbacks last offseason. The Jets were one of the teams that showed interest, meeting with him during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine. But at the time, Maccagnan, who was just months into his new job as GM, downplayed the significance of that meeting.

“I think I would say, simply, every quarterback out there we’d have an interest in,” Maccagnan said at Lucas Oil Stadium in February 2015. “We did visit with Josh here at the Combine, so we had a little chance for him to kind of feel us out and us to feel him out a little bit. That doesn’t necessarily mean that we’re actively going after him. It’s sort of an inquiry process we’re going through.”

Shortly thereafter, McCown signed a three-year deal with the Browns. The Jets ended up obtaining Fitzpatrick in a trade with the Houston Texans.

Bringing back Fitzpatrick remains the Jets’ preference. But with no set starter for the 2016 season, expect them to make another inquiry about McCown, 36, who played only eight games for the Browns last season because of a series of injuries. When healthy, he performed well, completing 67.3 percent of his passes. He threw 12 touchdown passes and four interceptions and had a quarterback rating of 93.3.

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ESPN NEW YORK

RG III contract with Browns hurts Jets' negotiating stance with Ryan Fitzpatrick (Rich Cimini) ESPN New York March 24, 2016

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/59272/rg-iii-contract-with-browns-hurts-jets-negotiating-stance-with-fitz

A few quick thoughts on how the New York Jets and Ryan Fitzpatrick are impacted by Robert Griffin III's decision to sign with the Cleveland Browns:

1. Well, the Jets can scratch Plan B off their contingency list. Or was it Plan C? Plan D? Even though the Jets met with Griffin on March 10 and 11, they never seemed serious about signing him. It was, as coach Todd Bowles called it, a "meet and greet."

2. Griffin's deal with the Browns -- a reported two years, $15 million, including $6.75 million guaranteed -- doesn't help the Jets, that's for sure. It's strengthens Fitzpatrick's negotiating position. His offer from the Jets is said to be in the Griffin ballpark, which is insulting. Fitzpatrick went 10-6 last season and threw 31 touchdowns; Griffin was active for only one game and didn't play a single snap. Are the Jets trying to run off Fitzpatrick? It sure seems like it.

3. Griffin's arrival means the Browns probably will cut or trade Josh McCown, who is due to make $4.375 million. As noted on Wednesday, the Jets see McCown, 36, as a potential replacement for Fitzpatrick. Add

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McCown to the list of seemingly expendable quarterbacks under contract, joining Colin Kaepernick, Mike Glennon and Brian Hoyer.

4. The next domino to fall could be Kaepernick. If he goes to the Denver Broncos, it'll leave Fitzpatrick without any suitors, hurting his leverage.

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NEW YORK POST

Every turn of QB carousel leads Jets back to Ryan Fitzpatrick (Brian Costello) New York Post March 24, 2016

http://nypost.com/2016/03/24/every-turn-of-qb-carousel-leads-jets-back-to-ryan-fitzpatrick/

Todd Bowles just wanted to find something to eat.

The Jets coach wandered the lobby of the Boca Raton Resort and Club, looking for lunch at the NFL owners meetings on Tuesday when a fan no older than 12 approached him outside the Lucca restaurant.

“You better bring back Ryan Fitzpatrick,” the kid said in a stern tone.

Bowles laughed and said, “We’re trying.”

“Absolutely no Geno. He stinks,” the kid said, waving his hand in front of his nose, “and no Kaepernick either.”

Bowles shook his head and said, “I think I should go out for lunch.”

Bowles fled the hotel, but there is no escape these days for the Jets from the cloud that is hanging over this offseason. The team needs to find a way to bring back Fitzpatrick at quarterback or it will have taken a giant step backward in 2016.

This week at the owners meetings the Jets tried to project an air of being fine with or without Fitzpatrick. They acknowledged they wanted him back, but also indicated they would be OK with their fallback options. This is either posturing or arrogance from the Jets leadership. I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt and choose the former, because deep down they have to know they need Fitzpatrick back.

Bowles said the Jets have Plans B, C and D if Fitzpatrick does not return. Those stand for Bad, Crappy and Disaster. And don’t even bring up Plan G – as in Geno Smith. If ol’ No. 7 jogs out of the tunnel at MetLife Stadium as the starting quarterback in September, the boos from East Rutherford will be heard from East Hampton to East Stroudsburg.

During this contract standoff, a common refrain from Jets fans has been that Fitzpatrick has nowhere else to go. I would argue that the Jets have nowhere else to go. The Browns signed Robert Griffin III on Thursday, taking that semi-attractive option and the leverage that came with it away from the Jets. Now, where do they turn?

Cleveland may try to trade veteran Josh McCown, but would you want the Jets to give up a draft pick for a quarterback with an 18-39 record who turns 37 in July? The Jets could wait until the Browns cut him and then pick him up on the cheap, but this hardly feels like an upgrade from Fitzpatrick. Brian Hoyer is a similar, albeit younger, option

There is a thought the Buccaneers could trade Mike Glennon. He has potential, but again you would be giving up a draft pick, something the Jets can’t afford to do. They are starting this draft with just six picks. They should be looking to add picks, not giving them away.

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There is the crowd that wants them to draft a quarterback. ESPN’s Todd McShay had them taking Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch in his mock draft Thursday. Lynch is most likely going to be the best quarterback available when the Jets first select at No. 20. If the Jets go this route, their quarterback room would consist of Smith, Lynch and Bryce Petty – a reject and two projects.

The Jets like Petty and are anxious to see his development this spring and summer, but he is not ready to start in their eyes.

All roads lead back to Fitzpatrick. The problem is the contract. A league source said the Jets would like to do a contract that contains incentives, but Fitzpatrick’s camp has resisted this idea. The Jets initially offered a contract in the neighborhood of $7 million per year, a lowball offer for a quarterback who threw a franchise-record 31 touchdowns last year.

Mike Maccagnan is going to have to up his offer at some point. The 2016 season depends on it. Just ask Bowles’ little friend in Florida.

As Bowles prepared to walk away, the young Jets fan put his finger to his temple and said, “Remember what I told you.”

It was nearly enough to ruin Bowles’ appetite.

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NJ ADVANCE MEDIA

Jets sign ex-Houston Texans cornerback Darryl Morris (Dom Cosentino) NJ Advance Media March 25, 2016

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2016/03/jets_sign_ex-houston_texans_cornerback_darryl_morr.html#incart_river_index

The Jets have added some free-agent depth for their secondary.

Darryl Morris, an undrafted free agent cornerback who spent the last two seasons with the Texans, announced on Instagram late Thursday night that he had signed with the Jets:

Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle was first to report that Morris had indeed signed with the Jets. A person with knowledge of the situation confirmed that detail a short time late to NJ Advance Media.

That person spoke to NJ Advance Media on the condition of anonymity.

Contract terms were not immediately available.

The 5-foot-10, 188-pound Morris was a restricted free agent who was not tendered by the Texans, which allowed him to become an unrestricted free agent.

Morris had mostly been a backup in his three NFL seasons. He began his career in 2013 with the 49ers, who signed him right after the draft as an undrafted free agent out of Texas State. Morris was waived at the end of training camp that summer before being re-signed to the practice squad and finishing the season on the active roster.

The Texans claimed Morris off waivers after the 49ers cut him at the end of camp in 2014.

Morris has made one start in his three-year NFL career, and he has one interception and seven passes defensed. He played just eight percent of the Texans' snaps last season.

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Morris reportedly has very good speed and tackling ability. He made eight tackles on defense last season, and seven more on special teams, according to theHouston Chronicle.

The Jets plan to have a competition for the starting outside cornerback spot vacated by Antonio Cromartie's release, but head coach Todd Bowles has said slot corner Buster Skrine would at least enter camp as the starter. Morris presumably will get a chance to compete for the outside and slot corner roles.

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Recapping all of Jets' moves through 3 weeks of free agency (Darryl Slater) NJ Advanced Media March 25, 2016

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2016/03/recapping_all_of_jets_moves_through_3_weeks_of_fre.html#incart_river_index

The Jets are now essentially through three weeks of free agency.

The free agency negotiating period began March 7, and the signing window opened March 9.

Here's a recap of what the Jets have done so far, as they continue to try to re-sign quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick:

SIGNED

RB Khiry Robinson (Saints), RB Matt Forte (Bears), NT Steve McLendon (Steelers), DE Jarvis Jenkins (Bears), CB Darryl Morris (Texans)

RE-SIGNED

RB Bilal Powell, TE Zach Sudfeld, TE Kellen Davis, WR Kenbrell Thompkins (restricted free agent tender), ILB Erin Henderson

CUT

CB Antonio Cromartie, WR Jeremy Kerley (signed by Lions), TE Jeff Cumberland

LOST

NT Damon Harrison (to Giants), RB Chris Ivory (to Jaguars), ILB Demario Davis (to Browns), S Antonio Allen (to Texans)

CONFIRMED FREE AGENT VISITS

• Signed with Jets: DE Jarvis Jenkins (Bears), NT Steve McLendon (Steelers)

• Signed elsewhere: LT Kelvin Beachum (Steelers) — Jaguars; CB/PR Marcus Sherels (Vikings) — Vikings; WR Rod Streater (Raiders) — Chiefs; ILB Shea McClellin (Bears) — Patriots; TE Jermaine Gresham (Cardinals) — Cardinals; WR Chris Givens (Ravens) — Eagles; TE Josh Hill (Saints)*; WR/PR Jordan Norwood (Broncos) — Broncos; QB Robert Griffin III (Washington) — Browns

• Still available: OLB Courtney Upshaw (Ravens)

*Hill, a restricted free agent, was signed to an offer sheet by the Bears. The Saints can either match it or let him sign with the Bears.

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RG3 contract not a sign Jets are low-balling Ryan Fitzpatrick (Dom Cosentino) NJ Advance Media

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March 24, 2016

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2016/03/rg3_contract_not_a_sign_jets_are_low-balling_ryan.html#incart_river_index

Let's begin here: The Jets were never seriously interested in Robert Griffin III, the former Washington quarterback who signed with the Browns on Thursday.

Their focus is still to get a deal done with Ryan Fitzpatrick, the incumbent with whom they're at a stalemate in contract negotiations. The two sides are said to be miles apart, with Fitzpatrick reportedly wanting what the market has given other starters this offseason, while the Jets have countered with what one report characterized as "backup money."

Oh, and now look at the deal Griffin just got in Cleveland: A number of reports cited two years, $15 million, with incentives that can bring it to a max of $22 million. Like, whoa.

But the fine print, as detailed by USA Today's Tom Pelissero, reveals that Griffin's deal is basically for one year, with a team option for year two, with very little guaranteed for Griffin, at least as compared to other starting quarterbacks.

Per Pelissero, Griffin's contract has a guarantee of just $6.75 million, including $3.25 million in base salary, plus a $3.5 million signing bonus—all payable in 2016. He can also earn another $750,000 in per-game roster bonuses, plus $3.5 million in playing time, passing yards, and passer rating incentives.

So Griffin can make up to $11 million this season. But nearly a third of that money is contingent upon his performance.

And in 2017, not one penny of what's in Griffin's contract is guaranteed. Which means if Griffin flops, the Browns can cut the cord after 2016, owe him nothing, and have only the $1.75 million from his pro-rated signing bonus on the books as dead money.

Now, Griffin didn't play a snap last year. He's basically been a disaster since his rookie season, which was four years ago. The Browns are banking on his potential to reassert itself, while covering themselves on the back end if Griffin and his potential both wind up tumbling into Lake Erie.

The Browns also have the added advantage of holding the No. 2 pick in the draft, which gives them the chance to draft a quarterback of their choosing.

Fitzpatrick, meanwhile, just won 10 games for the Jets, and he threw for a team-record 31 touchdown passes last season. Surely, he's going to want far more than Griffin, and something on the order of what Sam Bradford got from the Eagles, if not the giant payday a largely unproven Brock Osweiler was given by the Texans.

Except: The Jets are bidding against themselves here. No other team is eager to pay Fitzpatrick's asking price. So why should the Jets? Understand: Fitzpatrick is the best option the Jets have at quarterback. But what they can't do is panic by caving completely to his demands. Because panic moves and overspending can set a team back if they backfire.

Consider Fitzpatrick's overall body of work: He'll be 34 in November, and he has never appeared in a playoff game in 11 career seasons. He was with four teams in the last four years, and for all of his leadership and above-average play last season, he was still a beneficiary of offensive coordinator Chan Gailey's system, a receiving tandem of Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker that was arguably the best in the league, and a strong running game.

Fitzpatrick is also the guy who threw three fourth-quarter interceptions in a de facto playoff game in the season finale.

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Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan has frequently talked about placing a value on a position and a player. The Jets have done that with Fitzpatrick. And Fitzpatrick is not the Jets' quarterback of the future. He's a placeholder. Given all of those factors, his value may not be much higher than Griffin's.

There's also no rush. The Jets' offseason program doesn't begin until April 18, and they won't take the field for organized team activities until sometime in May. Remember, too, that this is a negotiation, and that Maccagnan has talked about finding a "middle ground." Getting there will require a compromise. So neither side's current offer—however high or low it may be—necessarily has to be its final one.

If all else fails with Fitzpatrick, the Jets still have Geno Smith, who is entering a contract year. Would the Jets really want him to be The Guy again? Would they seriously entertain Josh McCown as a veteran fallback option? What about Bryce Petty? Will he be ready?

Any of those quarterbacks would come at a reasonable price. And depending on the limit the Jets want to pay versus the floor for what Fitzpatrick is willing to accept, the Jets might have to let Fitzpatrick hit the bricks.

The Jets are handling this situation like a team with a plan—a plan that must balance the long-term future of the franchise against the immediate goal of winning in 2016. They're walking a tightrope, but they still have time to get it right. Let it play out.

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RG3 to Browns: Why Jets made right move by not signing him (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media March 24, 2016

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2016/03/rg3_to_browns_why_jets_made_right_move_by_not_sign.html#incart_river_index

Robert Griffin III is packing his stuff and heading for Cleveland, now that the Browns have signed the free agent quarterback.

He had also visited with the Jets, though they never seemed seriously interested in him. Once Griffin visited the Browns, it was clear they wanted him more. So Thursday's news of Griffin to Cleveland came as no surprise.

And even though the Jets' quarterback situation remains uncertain — with Ryan Fitzpatrick still a free agent — the Jets made the right move by not signing Griffin.

Sure, Griffin might go on to excel in 2016, while Fitzpatrick could return to the Jets and flop. And then, of course, hindsight would say otherwise about the Jets passing on Griffin.

But as it stands right now, the Jets were wise to let him sign with Cleveland, for several reasons.

First, the price.

The Jets are reportedly offering Fitzpatrick about $7 million per year. That is a low offer, sure. But the perception of low or high doesn't really matter, because nobody else is currently offering Fitzpatrick the money he wants. So it makes no sense for the Jets to boost their offer. They don't have to.

Griffin, meanwhile, reportedly got a two-year contract from Cleveland with a base value of $15 million, including $6.75 million guaranteed. Why in the world would the Jets pay Griffin — who hasn't done squat in recent years — that kind of money when they're offering Fitzpatrick similar coin?

Yes, we know Griffin, 26, has an age advantage over Fitzpatrick, 33, even though Fitzpatrick is coming off a career year.

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But remember, nobody knows if Griffin can be a consistently successful NFL starter. He's not a sure thing. Far from it. Which is why the Browns still likely will draft a quarterback at No. 2 and have him compete against Griffin.

In his rookie year, 2012, Griffin threw 20 touchdowns and five interceptions, while also running for seven touchdowns. He didn't play at all last year, as Washington replaced him with Kirk Cousins. In between, from 2013-14, Griffin struggled with injuries and threw 20 touchdowns and 18 picks, plus one rushing score.

He looked like a quarterback who couldn't counter the adjustments that NFL defenses had made to him.

The Jets, despite their hole at quarterback, didn't need to make the knee-jerk decision of giving an injury-prone retread like Griffin a $15 million contract.

The bottom line remains: Fitzpatrick's non-Jets options for 2016 are extremely limited, as they've been for a couple weeks now. Yes, there is some risk that the Jets could lose Fitzpatrick to, say, the Broncos. But not at the price Fitzpatrick wants. The Jets can continue to wait it out with Fitzpatrick.

Regardless of whether the Broncos land Colin Kaepernick in a trade, it still seems likely — as it always has — that Fitzpatrick will return to the Jets in 2016.

In the meantime, the Jets are wise to formulate fallback plans — and that's what they're doing. (Josh McCown, anyone?)

But they don't need to rashly act on those plans, just to get a quarterback into their building. Yes, it's late in free agency, but nobody is playing a game Sunday.

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NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Robert Griffin III signs with Browns as Jets still hope they’ll re-sign Ryan Fitzpatrick (Seth Walder) New York Daily News March 24, 2016

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/rg3-signs-browns-jets-hope-re-sign-fitz-article-1.2576444

Scratch one backup plan off the board.

While the Jets continue to hope they’ll re-sign Ryan Fitzpatrick, Robert Griffin III officially signed a two-year, $15.75 million deal with the Cleveland Browns.

The deal reportedly includes a $3.5 million signing bonus and a $3.25 million guaranteed contract in 2016, according to ESPN. Griffin recently visited the Jets.

The Jets are in a contract standoff with Fitzpatrick, and Todd Bowles recently said the Jets “have plans B, C and D in place as well.” He wouldn’t say what those quarterback alternatives were, but Griffin probably figured to be one of the options considering the team had brought him in for a visit.

“This isn’t about me, to be honest with you. I just want to go out and help this team win football games,” Griffin said during a conference call. “I believe in what Coach (Hue Jackson) is preaching. I believe in (Offensive coordinator) Pep Hamilton and what they plan to do.”

There’s been plenty of speculation that Cleveland − which released troubled QB Johnny Manziel this month − could draft either Carson Wentz or Jared Goff with the No. 2 overall pick. Despite signing RGIII, that would still seem to be a good possibility given that Griffin is no sure thing.

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Jackson said Griffin would “compete” with the other quarterbacks on the team.

With the door closing on one quarterback alternative for the Jets, another may have opened. It’s possible that Cleveland could look to trade or release veteran Josh McCown now that they have signed Griffin, so the Jets could see him as another possible backup plan. However, that is not a particularly appealing option: McCown, 36, is a journeyman backup who is a combined 2-17 in his last two seasons.

Two weeks into free agency, Fitzpatrick remains unsigned. He and the Jets have been far apart in negotiations to bring the well-liked veteran back to New York.

Though the Jets won 10 games with Fitzpatrick last season, it doesn’t look likely that another team will offer the thickly-bearded QB more than Gang Green. Bowles has said that Fitzpatrick would be the starter if he returns to the Jets.

After being drafted with the second overall pick in 2012 and leading Washington to the postseason in his rookie season, Griffin tore his ACL in a playoff loss to the Seahawks, and never seemed to be fully healthy after. Eventually, he fell out of favor with the coaching staff and did not play last season. Washington cut Griffin on March 7, two days before his $16 million option for 2016 would have become guaranteed.

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Jets Mailbag: Mo Wilkerson for Mike Glennon trade speculation, Buster Skrine's role and early draft talk (Manish Mehta) New York Daily News March 24, 2016

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/mehta-jets-mailbag-mo-wilkerson-qb-glennon-trade-talk-article-1.2576427

This week’s Jets mailbag features an intriguing quarterback option, a cornerback dilemma, an organizational fumble, a food comparison and much more.

Any chance the Jets can trade Mo Wilkerson for Bucs QB Mike Glennon? - Cheryl barnett ?@cbarn24

I’ve said it before and will say it again: Mike Maccagnan would be the happiest man on Earth if he could trade Wilkerson for, say, a Top 15 pick in the upcoming draft. He would no longer need his beloved coffee to get through the day: He would be on a natural rush for weeks, months or maybe even years.

Maccagnan recently said that the Jets are not actively pursuing a trade involving Wilkerson, but let’s get real for a moment. They have done their homework on the matter and simply don’t know of a team willing to pay that price to trade for Wilkerson.

Frankly, it still makes sense to trade Wilkerson for a package (second-round pick + late-round pick) at this point. It’ll be more valuable than the compensatory pick that the team would get if Wilkerson walks as a free agent after the season.

A Wilkerson-for-Glennon scenario makes for great discussion, doesn’t it?

The Jets still want to retain Ryan Fitzpatrick, but they’re considering alternate options if the veteran doesn’t return. The team has done their due diligence on available signal callers, including the Bucs’ backup. Tampa Bay head coach Dirk Koetter all but admitted that Glennon, who won’t see the light of day for the Bucs unless Jameis Winston gets injured, can be had in a trade.

The feeling around the league is that the Bucs don’t have to get a first-round pick in return for Glennon, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract. Would the Jets be willing to dole out a second-rounder

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for Glennon? A third-rounder is a no-brainer for a player, who can start right away and have a chance to be your long-term answer at quarterback.

Could the Jets dodge giving up any premium draft picks if they dangle Wilkerson? The biggest stumbling block, of course, would be Tampa’s willingness to pay Wilkerson the $40+ million in guarantees that he desires in a long-term deal. Remember, the Bucs gave defensive tackle Gerald McCoy a 7-year, $95.2 million extension two years ago. Upon first glance, it seems that ponying up big-time loot for another defensive lineman would be unlikely.

Ira from Staten Island chimes in: Erin Henderson was a nice signing and Lorenzo Mauldin will get a chance to start. I still think they need to draft a linebacker in Round 1 or best available OT. Your thoughts?

You don’t want to force the issue with your first-round pick, but the Jets absolutely need to get a speed edge rusher. Mauldin flashed last year, but Todd Bowles desperately wants somebody to create consistent havoc off the edge. (There’s a reason why the team had interest in Olivier Vernon during free agency).

There’s no debating that the Jets need to replenish both tackle spots. The top two tackles in this draft, Mississippi State’s Laremy Tunsil and Notre Dame’s Ronnie Stanley, will be long gone. Offensive line coach Steve Marshall was at Michigan State Pro Day recently to check out Jack Conklin. Ohio State’s Taylor Decker is also considered a quality prospect, but do the Jets believe that either of them is worth the No. 20 pick?

Do you think Buster Skrine is likely to remain the Week 1 starting corner opposite Darrelle Revis? - Nate ?@NATES_CHILLER

Todd Bowles said this week that Skrine will start on the outside, which makes sense in a vacuum because he’s the second-best corner on the roster. However, Bowles might be able to maximize his cornerback talent at his disposal by sliding Skrine into the slot and starting Marcus Williams on the outside. Skrine is the more versatile player, but he’s also a better pure corner.

So, Bowles does an interesting choice to make. He would best utilize his top three corners by playing Williams on the outside and Skrine on the inside. I’m thinking if Williams proves in camp and the preseason that he can consistently handle the load on the outside, then Bowles will ultimately slide Skrine inside. Otherwise, Bowles needs to find a slot corner that he can trust.

Right now, the player that he trusts the most in that role is Skrine ... by a mile.

Could they restructure bricks contract for a better cap number? Get that 14m down to 8m. - Steve Mello ?@Melloman28

D’Brickashaw Ferguson has a $14.1 million cap charge for the upcoming season, which is obviously too high for a 32-year-old player with declining skills. His cash number for 2016 is more than $10 million ($8.625 base salary, $1 training camp completion bonus, $750K workout bonus).

The Jets, frankly, have handled this situation with one of the most respected players in the Woody Johnson era so poorly.

The team obviously either wants Ferguson to take a pay cut or simply release him (which would clear about $9 million of cap space), yet has not communicated with Ferguson this offseason (as of Wednesday).

Meanwhile, they brought in free-agent left tackle Kelvin Beachum for a visit and have made cryptic public comments with qualifiers (“right now” he’s on the team) that is simply bad form. Nobody would blame the organization for wanting to move on from a highly paid aging player, but the manner in which this has been handled by the team is inexcusable.

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Mike Maccagnan and Todd Bowles are better than that.

Could you see the Jets using 1st-round pick on a quarterback or do you believe they will draft best player available? - nick dep ?@nickdep17

First and foremost, let’s making something clear: Every team claims to take the “best player available” draft approach, but the reality is that some draft for need from start to finish.

That being said, I believe the Jets will take the top player on their board at No. 20. I can’t say for certain that will be the case for each of other their five draft picks though. (In fact, I would bet the farm that it will NOT be the case).

If a quarterback is atop their rankings when they’re on the clock in the first round, they’ll take him. It’s that simple. Of course, nobody on One Jets Drive will divulge their board before the draft, so we’ll have to wait and see.

The bottom line is that the Jets need to find a franchise quarterback. Newsflash, I know. They will never win a Super Bowl until they find the long-term answer at the game’s most pivotal position. Mike Maccagnan did a quality job last year, but he needs to deliver in this draft. Woody Johnson hired him for his scouting background. Well, now it’s time to prove that he can pick players.

Leonard Williams landed in his lap last season. Devin Smith was a nonfactor as a rookie due to myriad reasons, including injuries. Lorenzo Mauldin showed some promise. Bryce Petty is a project.

Maccagnan only has six picks as of right now. He’s going to have to make them count.

Describe the top 3 players on offense and defense as food. - Jets Are My Forte ?@Volcanick1

This is easily the most unusual question I’ve ever received. Let’s give it a try though:

Brandon Marshall: Fiber One Chocolate Chip cookies

Eric Decker: Trail Mix

Ryan Fitzpatrick (assuming he returns): Broccoli

Sheldon Richardson: Pizza

Mo Wilkerson: Sour Patch Kids

Darrelle Revis: Coconuts

Is Derrick Henry still in the conversation of being drafted (despite) the RB acquisitions? - JETS (10-6) ?@SidelineStories

It doesn’t make much sense. Matt Forte, Bilal Powell and Khiry Robinson will be the backfield trio that the Jets go with for at least this upcoming season. The brain trust believes that you can land quality ball carries later in the draft anyway, so I can’t imagine them taking one in the first couple rounds.

If the Heisman Trophy winner somehow slides to the late rounds (he won’t) – and the value becomes too good – then it’s possible. Just don’t bet on it.

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Jets should offer Ryan Fitzpatrick a few more million as Robert Griffin III no longer fallback option (Manish Mehta) New York Daily News March 24, 2016

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http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/mehta-jets-give-fitz-rg3-fallback-article-1.2576841

The Jets’ flirtation with Robert Griffin III officially ended Thursday when the lightning-rod quarterback signed a two-year deal with the Browns, leaving Mike Maccagnan & Co. with one less workable option if Ryan Fitzpatrick bolts.

The chances of Fitzpatrick leaving, of course, are slim given the current quarterback landscape around the league, but Griffin would have been an acceptable fallback choice with upside.

Todd Bowles’ claim this week that the Jets had “plans B, C and D in place” in the event they needed a new signal caller should be amended now that one of his options is off the market.

Griffin’s visit to One Jets Drive two weeks ago was initially believed to be nothing more than a leverage play during the ongoing Fitzpatrick contract saga, but the team’s brain trust came away thoroughly — and surprisingly — impressed with Washington’s golden boy-turned-afterthought.

Maccagnan and Bowles recently admitted that Griffin, marginalized by the franchise that once treated him like the King of the World, made a favorable impression during his brief encounter with the team’s decision makers that included an exploratory dinner.

“He didn’t have any excuses,” Bowles said of Griffin’s take on his failed tenure in Washington. “He didn’t badmouth anybody. He just wants to play and get better… He understood what happened. He took it in stride and he moved forward.”

The Jets will have to do the same now that Griffin is off the table. The brain trust made it clear to Griffin that they value Fitzpatrick’s locker room presence and chemistry with his offensive supporting cast, according to sources. They told Griffin that they didn’t want to lose that dynamic for an aging win-now team.

The Jets were fully aware that Griffin would almost certainly sign elsewhere rather than wait for a resolution on Fitzpatrick. The Jets never made Griffin an offer. They would have considered him if Fitzpatrick were out of the picture, but their leverage over Fitzpatrick hasn’t significantly changed.

No team has offered a no-questions-asked starting job and more money than the Jets to this point.

Maccagnan is taking a firm stance. He’s well aware that the Jets offer is significantly less than market value for starting signal callers ($16 million/year), but fully confident that nobody will top the package that he has on the table. The sensible approach at this point would be to up the offer as a good faith gesture to Fitzpatrick. The quarterback’s camp surely realizes that he won’t reach the $16 million neighborhood, but a happy medium can be achieved.

So, how much should the Jets move off their current offer? Give Fitzpatrick, who saved Maccagnan and Bowles from boarding the GenoCoaster last year, a few more million. What’s a few extra million bucks between friends, anyway?

The Jets alternatives, frankly, stink.

Griffin’s signing in Cleveland makes 36-year-old Josh McCown expendable if that gets your juices flowing. (It likely doesn’t).

McCown, who is 18-39 as a starter, has won only two of his last 19 starts (no, that’s not a typo) in the past two seasons. By all accounts, he’s a great locker room guy and teammate. Brandon Marshall raved about McCown during their two years as teammates in Chicago. Marshall had 31 catches for 486 yards and two touchdowns in McCown’s five starts in 2013. The Jets met with McCown at the Scouting Combine last year before trading for Fitzpatrick, so there will likely be interest this time around too.

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Texans’ Brian Hoyer, who was on the Jets’ radar last year too, is also a consideration, but it’s hard to forget Hoyer’s horrific four-interception playoff performance in the Texans’ shutout loss a few months ago.

Buccaneers backup Mike Glennon offers the most upside. The Jets have done their due diligence with all possible quarterback options, including Glennon, who didn’t see the light of day behind Jameis Winston last season. Tampa Bay isn’t going to get a first-round pick from anyone, but would they deal Glennon, who has 29 touchdowns and 15 interceptions in 18 career starts, for a third-rounder?

Professional prevaricator Chip Kelly insisted this week that Colin Kaepernick won’t be released before his 2016 salary becomes guaranteed on April 1, but if the athletic quarterback does hit the open market, he’d offer upside and draw plenty of interest.

The Jets simply don’t have many appealing options right now. Neither does Fitzpatrick.

They share this reality: They need each other.

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USA TODAY SPORTS MEDIA GROUP

Jets lose Robert Griffin III to Cleveland Browns, per report (Connor Hughes) USA Today Sports Media Group March 24, 2016

http://jetswire.usatoday.com/2016/03/24/jets-lose-robert-griffin-iii-to-cleveland-browns-per-report/

The Jets had expressed interest in Robert Griffin III as a contingency plan incase they didn’t re-sign Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Three weeks after the opening day of the new league year, things have changed slightly. While Fitzpatrick is still unsigned, RGIII is no longer an insurance policy.

According to a report from ESPN, Griffin is expected to reach a deal with the Browns by the end of the day.

Just a week into free agency, the Jets hosted Griffin for a two-day visit. During that time, the former ‘Rookie of the Year’ toured the Jets facility, had dinner with head coach Todd Bowles and met others in the Jets organization.

Bowles, GM Mike Maccagnan and owner Woody Johnson all said it was a “good visit,” but no deal was imminent, nor had the team discussed any contract.

“I really hadn’t talked or seen him since his Baylor Pro Day whatever years ago,” Maccagnan said. “Robert Griffin was a player we looked at, but our focus primarily is to get something worked out with Ryan.

“It was more of a meet-and-greet situation where we could interact with him face-to-face.”

The Jets didn’t remain in close contact with Griffin after the visit, and the quarterback thus made his way to Cleveland. The Browns reportedly came away impressed, so much so that they are now bringing him to, presumably, be the team’s starter.

With Griffin soon to be off the market, that leaves the Jets looking for additional contingency plans. The team has been tied to the 49ersColin Kaepernick, although that was a bit more of a smokescreen and reports have indicated the team was never truly interest in the San Francisco quarterback.

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The Jets have also been linked the Texans Brian Hoyer, who could be made available via trade. With Griffin signing in Cleveland, that could also open up the possibility to trade for Josh McCown, who was the Browns starter a year ago.

Then, obviously, the Jets could also just bring back Fitzpatrick.

Either way, and whatever the Jets decide to do, the team is down on one of their backup plans. Although, Bowles did say the team had a few more.

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THURSDAY’S SPORTS TRANSACTIONS

BASEBALL

American League

BOSTON RED SOX — Optioned RHP Heath Hembree and LHPs Brian Johnson and Henry Owens to Pawtucket (IL). Reassigned OF Ryan LaMarre, RHP Roman Mendez and 1B Sam Travis to their minor league camp.

National League

PITTSBURGH PIRATES — Reassigned RHPs Wilfredo Boscan and Guido Knudson to their minor league camp.

SAN DIEGO PADRES — Granted RHP Casey Janssen his release.

American Association

FARGO-MOORHEAD REDHAWKS — Signed RHP Dixon Llorens.

GARY SOUTHSHORE RAILCATS — Traded OF Jonathan D. Jones to New Britain for future considerations.

WICHITA WINGNUTS — Sold the contract of LHP Alex Sogard to the Baltimore (AL).

Can-Am League

NEW JERSEY JACKALS — Signed INF Mitch Morales.

SUSSEX COUNTY MINERS — Signed LHP Francisco Rodriguez.

FOOTBALL

National Football League

ALANTA FALCONS — Re-signed LB Philip Wheeler to a one-year contract.

CHICAGO BEARS — Agreed to terms with WR Deonte Thompson on a one-year contract.

CLEVELAND BROWNS — Signed QB Robert Griffin III.

NEW YORK JETS — Re-signed LB Erin Henderson to a two-year contract.

Arena Football League

ORLANDO PREDATORS — Added QB Chase Cartwright to the roster.

PORTLAND STEEL — Named Brian Dancel director of communications.

HOCKEY

National Hockey League

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NHL — Suspended Columbus F Jared Boll four games for a blind-side hit against Philadelphia F Pierre-Edouard Bellemare during a March 22 game.

CAROLINA HURRICANES — Recalled F Brody Sutter from Charlotte (AHL).

American Hockey League

ALBANY DEVILS — Signed F Justin Crandall to a professional tryout agreement.

BRIDGEPORT SOUND TIGERS — Signed D Luke Juha and D Parker Wotherspoon to amateur tryout contracts. Released D Graeme McCormack from his ATO.

ECHL

SOUTH CAROLINA STINGRAYS — Announced F Caleb Herbert has reassigned to the team from Hershey (AHL). Signed G Jimmy Kruger to an amateur tryout agreement.

MOTORSPORTS

NASCAR — Fined driver Danica Patrick $20,000 by NASCAR for walking near the race track after a crash and placed her on probation for four races. Fined driver Kyle Busch $10,000 for failing to meet media obligations at California and placed him on probation through April 27.

SOCCER

Major League Soccer

SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC — Signed F Herculez Gomez.

COLLEGE

ARIZONA STATE — Announced senior F Savon Goodman is leaving the men’s basketball program and will be eligible immediately as a graduate transfer.

DAYTON — Named Erik Frazier, Jr. wide receivers coach and Tee Overman linebackers coach.

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