NFL Rumors & Free Agent News | NFL Rumor Blog » Bart Scott

Great Scott! Jets Sign Bart

Ben Cook — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 19:30:45 +0000

Update: The Jets increased their offer by a year to clinch the deal. The final deal wound up at 6 years, $48 million.

The New York Jets have reportedly offered Ravens linebacker Bart Scott a 5 year, $40 million deal.

Scott had previously been offered a 5 year deal to stay with the Ravens but told the team late last night that he wanted to test the free agent market, and it didn’t take long for offers to start coming in.

ESPN.com is reporting that the Jets offer has been agreed to in principle by Scott’s agent and that the deal is Scott’s approval before becoming official. If Scott does end up in New York, it will be a huge blow to the Ravens defense which could lose leader Ray Lewis to free agency as well.

Jets Eyeing Pair of Ravens

Ben Cook — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 18:00:30 +0000

The New York Jets new head coach, Rex Ryan, was hailed for the imposing defense he coordinated in Baltimore. And, it just so happens that 2 of the main components of that defense, Ray Lewis and Bart Scott are set to become free agents this Friday.

Naturally, the NY Daily News is reporting that the Jets are likely to pursue Lewis but will target Scott should the bidding for Lewis shoot out of their price range.

The Jets have plenty of cap space, having released tight end Chris Baker and moving towards releasing guard Brandon Moore, and Ryan is going to be expected to drastically improve the Jets’ D.

Last year, the J-E-T-S Jets Jets Jets made a big off season splash by trading for Brett Favre from the Green Bay Packers. This year, with Favre retired (he claims for the last time) and Eric Mangini run out of town following the Jets’ second half collapse, the Gang Green need to establish their new identity.

Although he’s sure to be pricey, a Ray Lewis signing would set the tone early for Rex Ryan’s tenure, and would instantly solidify the Jets as a defense first team.

Ravens Cut McAlister

Ben Cook — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 01:11:44 +0000

The Baltimore Ravens have cut Pro Bowl corner Chris McAlister, giving them an extra $8 million in cap room.

McAlister had been with the Ravens since the team drafted him in 1999 and made the Pro Bowl in 2003, 04, and 06. However, he had missed significant time due to injury over the past two seasons and didn’t seem to fit in with new coach John Harbaugh.

The Ravens, with several high profile defensive players including Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs, and Bart Scott set to hit free agency, is in need of all the salary cap space they can get, and McAlister’s $8 million is a good start. However, with Ray Lewis openly proclaiming that he won’t be signing for the hometown discount that Suggs had suggested, the Ravens will likely be forced to make even more cuts if they hope to retain the anchors of their impressive defense.

You can read more about Baltimore’s move at over at TotalGridiron.com