Coles Most Likely Back for Third Stint with Jets

UPDATE: 7/30/10: 11:33PM: The Jets have officially reached a one-year agreement with Coles. He is not expecting to still be with the team once Santonio Holmes comes back from suspension after their Week 4 game.

"It's an insurance policy for them," Coles said. "Those first four games are very important for the team to get where they want to go. It's an opportunity for me to come in and see what I can still do, but there's a slim chance I'll be there after four games. There's a good chance I'll get released; it depends on how things go. They were honest and open about it. It is what it is."

As a veteran, if Coles is on the opening day roster, his base salary will be guaranteed. It's believed that he signed for the veterans' minimum, $855,000 -- which wouldn't be a bad take for training camp, plus four games.

Coles, who worked out Friday for team officials before signing, probably will be used as the No. 3 receiver behind Jerricho Cotchery and Braylon Edwards.

This will be Coles' third tour with the Jets, the team that drafted him in 2000. Asked if it'll be weird to be back in green, Coles said, "It'll be weird not having my number."

No. 87 belongs to fellow receiver David Clowney, and Coles said he will have to pick out another number.

7/29/10: 5:59PM:
A familiar face apparently is headed back to the New York Jets -- for the second time.

Free-agent wide receiver Laveranues Coles, who played with the Jets from 2000 to 2002 and 2005-08, will work out for team officials Friday at the team's headquarters in Florham Park, N.J., a league source told ESPNNewYork.com.

Barring complications, Coles is expected to sign with his former team. The Jets report to training camp Sunday in Cortland, N.Y.

With Santonio Holmes out the first four games due to a league suspension for violating the substance-abuse policy, the Jets are looking for insurance at wide receiver.

Coles would join Jerricho Cotchery, Braylon Edwards and Brad Smith as the top four receivers for the first four games.

Coles left the Jets after the 2008 season, a mutual parting in which he agreed to waive his guaranteed salary in 2009. It was risky, but he wound up signing a four-year, $28 million deal with the Cincinnati Bengals.

At 32, Coles appears to have lost a step. He produced only 43 catches for 514 yards and five touchdowns last season with the Bengals. He's also had concussion issues in the past, but he could be a good fit with the Jets because they won't ask him to be an every-down player. He always was a popular player in the locker room, well-respected for his toughness and work ethic. This signing would be a smart one for the Jets because they would get someone who is a dependable receiver while Holmes serves his suspension.

The decision to visit with Coles comes only two days after word leaked that the Jets had placed an exploratory phone call to Terrell Owens' agent. Owens wound up signing with the Bengals.
In 10 seasons, Coles has 674 catches for 8,609 yards and 49 touchdowns.