Mangold Latest Jet to Express Unhappiness About Contract Situation

Nick Mangold didn't feel the need to skip the New York Jets' mandatory minicamp to send a message. Unlike teammate Darrelle Revis, he didn't feel it was necessary to make a statement by feigning injury and sitting out a few plays in practice.

The All-Pro center suspects his employers already know how he feels about his contract situation, adding, "Nothing else really needs to be said or done."

In other words, he's ticked and they know it.

"It's deeply disappointing," Mangold said Tuesday after the morning practice. "I've tried to do the right thing, on and off the field. I feel it's the Jets' turn. Not having the security of an extension is bothersome."

Mangold is entering the final year of his contract, due to make $3.3 million. The Jets have yet to make a proposal for a new contract, claiming they're handcuffed by the CBA rules and the uncertain labor landscape. Mangold said last week there was a 50/50 chance he'd skip the minicamp, which would've made him subject to a fine.

Because of a personal matter not related to his contract situation, Mangold was unavailable to address the matter. But he was there Tuesday in front of his locker, calmly explaining his frustration and disappointment.

Mangold said he's still hopeful of landing a new deal by the regular season, although that's believed to be highly unlikely. The Jets have made Revis their No. 1 priority. Mangold said he'd never ask for a trade, but he indicated that not having an extension "would definitely affect our long-term relationship."

When asked to elaborate, he said, "If they let me go into the season without the security of a long-term deal, at some point I'm going to have to decide my wants and desires to be on the team."

Under the old system, Mangold would be an unrestricted free agent in 2011. In that case, the Jets would be acting with a greater sense of urgency to lock him up. But there's a chance he may only be a restricted free agent, making it easy for the Jets to retain his rights. If he does become unrestricted -- and this depends on the CBA -- the Jets can simply use the franchise tag on him.

"That," Mangold said, "would be a continuation of the disappointing I'm feeling now."

This won't become as big an issue as the Revis situation could be. Mangold is a guy that will still play, but will be unhappy about doing so without guarantees. Without Mangold the Jets have no offensive line. He is the glue that holds that unit together and he is one of the best centers in the NFL. He presence out there last year helped Mark Sanchez through the tough times last season. If they Jets don't re-up Mangold before the season or before next season, they are just about screwed.

I feel like I'm writing the same articles about these "Core Four" guys, and I pretty much am because the Jets have yet to deal with all of these guys. If the Jets intend to build a dynasty, they need to take care of their guys.

Revis, Ryan Clear the Air

All is right between Rex Ryan and Darrelle Revis, the New York Jets' coach said Wednesday.

As expected, Ryan met Tuesday night with Revis to discuss the star cornerback's highly-publicized, mini-protest Monday at minicamp. Ryan told ESPNNewYork.com Wednesday morning that he's satisfied with Revis' explanation on why he sat out a few plays at the end of the morning practice.

Ryan, in a phone interview, called it "a great talk. It's funny because, when it's a football thing, we definitely see eye to eye. He knows what I expect of him and vice versa. We definitely see eye to eye."

Revis created a firestorm by telling reporters that he asked out of practice as a way to make a statement about being unhappy with stalled contract negotiations. He also said he was lightheaded, insisting that, too, was a factor.

Ryan was somewhat evasive when asked if Revis mentioned the contract situation as a reason for sitting out.

"He told me the same thing, that he was lightheaded," Ryan said. "That was not an exaggeration. That's not who he is. He's a leader. Nobody works harder than Revis, with the exception of Mark Sanchez. That's who he is. That's what we talked about.

"The great thing is, he never has to apologize to me. Just go out, be yourself and that will be good enough for me."

Revis couldn't be reached for immediate comment, but he should be available later Wednesday at the New Meadowlands Stadium, where the Jets will close the three-day minicamp with their first practice in the new $1.6 billion facility.

On Tuesday, Revis said he wanted to meet with Ryan because "this is the beginning of stuff turning bad. We'll try to see eye to eye and do it the right way."

Revis, perhaps unwittingly, put his coach in a difficult spot Monday. Ryan found out from reporters about the protest. Some within the organization were upset that it went down that way. Revis suggested that he told secondary coach Dennis Thurman, but Thurman told ESPNNewYork.com Tuesday that Revis never mentioned anything about the sit-out being contract-related.

"I actually said, 'Is this legitimate?' " Thurman said. "He goes, 'Yeah.' Any statement he might have been trying to make, he wasn't making it as far as I was concerned. If he had another agenda, you'll have to ask him. To me, there was nothing behind it."

The two sides are trying to renegotiate Revis' contract, which has three years remaining, but they're far apart. Revis wants to be the highest-paid cornerback in the league, seeking at least $16 million a year. The Jets are believed to be offering about $10 million per year, but with no guaranteed money, sources said. Revis called that an "insult."

The non-guaranteed money is an insult. At least if they offered him $10 million a year guaranteed it would be progress. In that respect, Revis is right. But as I stated yesterday, they way he went about it is completely wrong.

It's a good thing that Revis and Ryan sat down to discuss this. If they hadn't, this could've been a nasty situation heading into training camp. Revis knows he is a team leader and needs to show that on the field. He is one of those players that could miss all of training camp and be ready for the season, but that's just not the kind of person or player he is.

Hopefully the Jets get this done quickly and then move on to securing Nick Mangold, David Harris and D'Brickashaw Ferguson. Imagine a season with an unhappy Darrelle Revis. It wouldn't be pretty.

Revis Sits Out Some Plays in Protest of Contract

New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis, upset with his contract, delivered a form of protest Monday morning in minicamp by sitting out a few plays at the end of practice.

The All-Pro cornerback, due to make $1 million this season, said the Jets' last offer was an "insult," claiming it included no guaranteed money.

"I feel the same type of way that Nick Mangold feels about it, too. As of right now, it doesn't look good. They haven't been doing nothing.

"They've sent proposals, but to me it's like an insult. You send me stuff with not-guaranteed money in the contract, that's not good. That's not a good look."

Coach Rex Ryan said he was unaware that Revis was sitting out to protest his contract. Ryan said he was told during the practice that Revis was "lightheaded." Asked if he'd be disappointed if Revis sat out a few plays to make a statement, the coach replied, "Yeah, that would disappoint me, sure." Earlier, Ryan said, "I believe Darrelle. Any player we have, when they tell you something's not right, you believe them. I believe Darrelle will be that way. If he's pulling a fast one, he's pulling a fast one."

Mangold, the Jets' Pro Bowl center, had said he was 50/50 on attending the minicamp due to his contract status but was in attendance on Monday.

Revis said general manager Mike Tannenbaum told him "face to face" that he deserved to be the highest-paid corner in the league.

"How they've been going on about it doesn't look good," Revis said.

"We'll see. It's not just me. It's Nick Mangold. It's D'Brickashaw [Ferguson]. It's David Harris. They tell us we're the core guys of this team, so why are you not treating us as one of the core guys?
Revis wants at least $16 million per year, cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha's current salary with the Oakland Raiders.

"They showed their loyalty to him," Revis said of the Raiders. "The number? That's the number. He set the bar. I feel that if I'm fighting to go over that, that's what it is."

Revis said the Jets need to take care of their own players financially.

"If you want to build a dynasty, you've got to start being loyal to some of your players around here, who's loyal to you out there on the field and go out there and play the best football they can," Revis said.

This could become a huge problem for the Jets if they don't do something about this quickly. Rumor has it that they only offered Revis $8 million guaranteed, which is a huge insult, and as we all know, half of what he wants.

He is the best player on the team and the best cornerback in the NFL and he should be paid accordingly. However, with that being said, he should not have done what he did yesterday. If you're angry about your contract, hold out. Don't set a bad example by faking an injury and not coming to practice to give 100%.

Revis is supposed to be a team captain and that is not something a team captain does. This could get ugly real quick and it could turn into another Pete Kendall situation. Here's to hoping the Jets aren't stupid and fix this quickly.

Yankees Beat Up On Astros, Move Into First Place Tie

The last time the Yankees had a piece of first place in the American League East, it was the day before Alex Rodriguez dared to jog across Dallas Braden's mound.

Since that point on April 21 in Oakland, 14 games into the season, the Yankees have feasted on cupcakes, as they did this weekend against the Houston Astros, culminating their three-game sweep with a 9-5 rain-soaked victory Sunday.

Now tied with the Tampa Bay Rays for the best record in baseball at 40-23, the Yankees face a fascinating week in which they have a World Series rematch with the teetering Philadelphia Phillies and a Subway Series rematch with the rocketing New York Mets.

All the boredom from this weekend will be replaced with loads of excitement, because -- dare we say it -- the drumbeat of this baseball city is about to start that June tradition of chattering about how there could be, just maybe, a real Subway Series in October.

To climb back to the top of the baseball world, the Yankees have had a lot of Supposed-To-Sweep Series. This weekend was another one.

If you were looking for deeper meaning in these three games, here it is: Yankees, good; Astros, bad.
On Sunday, Jorge Posada, catching for the first time in nearly a month, hit his second grand slam in as many days. Only two other Yankees have done that, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. In 1927 and '29, Babe Ruth hit back-to-back grand slams, while in 1937 Bill Dickey nailed belly-to-belly slams on consecutive days.

"It's pretty special," Posada said of matching his fellow catcher Dickey.

Posada didn't catch the ninth inning, but he pronounced his still-recovering fractured foot more "tired" than sore. Yankees manager Joe Girardi said he was "a little concerned" about Posada, but both felt there was a good chance Posada will play Tuesday against the Phillies -- maybe even behind the plate.

On Sunday, Phil Hughes struggled (five runs in 5 2/3 innings), but that was good enough for him to improve to 9-1 and look as if he could very well play in the All-Star Game in Anaheim near his hometown next month.

"We've seen him pitch better," said Girardi, who will manage that All-Star Game. "We've seen him go deeper into games, but he did what he needed to do."

It certainly helps that an AL East team (besides the Baltimore Orioles) versus a NL Central team is sort of like baseball's version of a D-1 school versus an NAIA one. The Astros had won eight of 10 coming in, but even their manager, Brad Mills -- who used to be Terry Francona's bench coach in Boston -- wasn't surprised with the results.

"No, I don't think that it was surprising," Mills said of the sweep.

The Yankees may need each and every one of these cupcakes. With at most two playoff spots to be divvied up between four AL East teams, these wet, long days are the ones that could be the difference in terms of the Yankees fulfilling their half of a potential October Subway Series.

On Sunday, the Yankees smashed around the Astros' bullpen. In the fifth inning, Mills -- who might have thought he was still Boston's bench coach -- apparently got confused and managed as if this were a Red Sox-Yankees series and not equivalent to the Harlem Globetrotters versus the Washington Generals. Mills kept going to his 'pen, and his relievers kept having confetti thrown in their faces.

With one out and a man on in the fifth, Mills came out to remove starting pitcher Brian Moehler. Moehler hadn't pitched that poorly, only giving up three runs. He had thrown 99 pitches, and he had allowed a solo homer to Robinson Cano in the fourth. With Cano up again, Mills made the change.
The lefty, Gustavo Chacin, came in and immediately walked Cano and, for good measure, Nick Swisher to load the bases for Posada.

Mills made another switch, turning to righty Casey Daigle. Posada drilled a 2-0 pitch over the fence for a grand slam, and the Yankees were up, 7-1.

Hughes struggled in the sixth, giving up four runs, but the game was never in doubt.

The Yankees have now concluded the JV portion of their schedule for the time being. They beat up the Indians, the Orioles and the Astros, collecting 11 wins in 13 games (mixed in with losing two of three last weekend in Toronto).

The Yankees have filled up on the cupcakes and climbed into a tie for the best record in baseball. This week, they get to reminisce about last October while thinking about what might be this coming October.

Mini Camp Starts and Everyone is There

Rex Ryan is ready to play for real -- like, right now -- but the calendar says the New York Jets have a three-day minicamp, starting Monday morning in Florham Park, N.J. The camp is mandatory, meaning all players are required to attend or else be subject to a fine.

There will be two practices Monday and two Tuesday, culminating Wednesday with an open practice in the New Meadowlands Stadium. (Fans are invited at no charge.) Think back to a year ago, when almost everything was new -- the head coach, the quarterback, the defensive system, you name it. Now it's just the stadium, along with four or five key players.

"Oh, my goodness, we're ready to play," Ryan said last week. "Literally, we could go play. Last year, we would've gotten smoked ... Right now, we actually know what we're doing. We're so much further along than we were last year."

Five things to watch in minicamp:

1. Mangold's attendance: The All-Pro center is frustrated by the organization's lack of urgency regarding his contract. Last week he said there was a 50/50 chance he would skip the minicamp. He thought better of it and showed up.

Mangold, due to make $3.3 million in the final year of his rookie contract, is not happy. As of late last week, the Jets still hadn't started serious discussions with him, focusing their energy on Revis, who still has three years left on his deal.

2. Mark Sanchez in catch-up mode: After missing two months of the off-season program while rehabbing his surgically repaired left knee, Sanchez returned last week to team drills. His knee appears healthy and he's eager to take what he learned in the classroom, where he spent the bulk of his offseason, and apply it to the field.

Sanchez' presence means the offense is whole. He has to make up for a lot of lost time with wide receiver Santonio Holmes and running back LaDainian Tomlinson, the newest members of the offensive arsenal. And let's not forget that Sanchez never has had an offseason with wide receiver Braylon Edwards, who didn't arrive in a trade until last October.

3. Kris Jenkins' condition: The big nose tackle, who is dealing with a surgically repaired knee and excessive weight, said last week he was told by the trainers that he won't be able to participate in team drills. The Jets apparently don't want to put a 380-pound man out there on a wheel that is less than 100%, meaning he could be restricted to individual and positional drills.

"Hopefully, it will be on a very limited basis," linebacker Calvin Pace said of Jenkins' participation in minicamp. "We have to bring him back slowly. He's too valuable to take chances with."

4. Positional battles: Rookie Vladimir Ducasse (second-round pick), working with the starters since he arrived, is running ahead of second-year backup Matt Slauson at left guard. Ducasse has improved his grasp of the offense over the last two weeks, according to teammates, and it appears to be his job to lose.

At safety, former Cleveland Brown Brodney Pool is leading over Eric Smith. At kicker, Nick Folk is engaged in a tight battle against Nick Folk. He's the only placekicker in camp, making for a daily adventure because he has been all over the place -- great one day, awful the next.

5. The QB depth chart: There's only one given: Sanchez is the starter. After that, it's patchwork city. Ostensibly, veteran Kellen Clemens is No. 2, but it's believed he's simply keeping the seat warm for free agent Mark Brunell, who is likely to sign in late July. Clemens probably is a goner, so it'll be interesting to see how many reps he gets in minicamp.

Kevin O'Connell and Erik Ainge are battling for the No. 3 spot, and it appears that O'Connell has nudged ahead. The Jets kept four quarterbacks last season, but it's unlikely to happen again.

Copyright 2010 by ESPNNewYork.com and Rich Cimini

Girardi Hopes A-Rod Can Return Tuesday, Thames Goes on DL

Alex Rodriguez was not in the New York Yankees' lineup on Sunday for the second consecutive game because of a sore right hip, but the Yankees say he could return against the Philadelphia Phillies following the team's regularly scheduled day off.

"My hope is that we have him on Tuesday," said manager Joe Girardi, who was unsure if Rodriguez would be the designated hitter or third baseman when he is ready to play.

Ramiro Pena was the Yankees' starting third baseman for Sunday's game vs. the Houston Astros. He delivered a two-run single in the Yankees' 9-5 win.

Rodriguez had an MRI on Friday that revealed tendinitis in his right hip flexor. The injury is a concern for the Yankees, but Rodriguez and the team say that the groin tightness he's been feeling doesn't appear to be related to last year's hip surgery.

This hip flexor tendinitis could be a big problem for A-Rod but no one seems to think it will be, including A-Rod. It seems as though this could be customary soreness from his major surgery last February. I wouldn't be too concerned because he should be able to rebound well from a couple days off. Maybe his power numbers start to come back for him after giving the hip a little bit of a rest. 

"I think anytime you get where you're looking in that region, you're going to start thinking about what happened the year before," Girardi said on Saturday. "But being something completely different than the hip socket makes you feel a lot better."

Rodriguez left New York's 4-3 loss at Baltimore on Thursday night after one inning, hampered by tightness in his groin for the second time in a couple of days.

Girardi said Rodriguez "didn't really have a problem" until he played a 14-inning game on turf in Toronto last Saturday, which was a day game after a night game.

The three-time AL MVP is batting .290 with eight homers and 43 RBIs.

Meanwhile, 38-year-old catcher Jorge Posada was behind the plate Sunday for the first time since May 16. He hit a grand slam for the second straight day.

The Yankees also called up outfielder Chad Huffman, who is starting in right field, and put Nick Swisher at DH. Reserve outfielder Marcus Thames was placed on the DL because of a lingering hamstring injury.

Since June 2, when Posada came off the DL after fracturing his foot, he has only been the DH. Girardi said Posada would mix DH-ing with catching going forward. The manager would not detail how he planned to divide Posada's time.

Thames said he has been receiving treatment on the hamstring for about a week, but it worsened on Saturday. He felt like he was running in "slow motion."

"It's a mild strain," said Thames, who thinks he will be able to come off the DL in two weeks.

Huffman has had a roller-coaster year. He was let go by the Padres and then picked up by the Yankees in April and sent to Scranton-Wilkes Barre, where he was batting .279 with five homers and 22 RBIs. "You have to keep yourself even-keeled," he said.

The 25-year-old Huffman, from Missouri City, Texas -- which is outside of Houston -- was excited to be making his big-league debut against the Astros. He said after he found out Saturday night, a large contigent of his family made the trip from Houston. Huffman can play the corner outfield spots and first base.

Jets Want Sanchez to Be Quicker After Taking Snap

Now that his surgically repaired knee is healed and he’s back on the field, Mark Sanchez can concentrate on cleaning up some mechanical glitches. One area he’ll be focusing on is his takeaway from center. It seems like an easy skill – get the snap and drop back – but the coaching staff is trying to improve two aspects of his takeaway.

1. The first step – Sanchez needs to be “a little more explosive in his first step away from center,” offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer said. “We want him to be more balanced his stance, drop his (butt) and explode away from center.” Why? Because they want Sanchez to be quicker into his drop back, achieving the proper depth a split-second sooner than usual. That will help his field vision. Remember, Sanchez is only 6-2, not a statuesque pocket passer, so he can’t see over the rush like others can.

2. The blind spot – When he pulls away from center, Sanchez, like many right-handed quarterbacks, tends to keep his hips and shoulders closed, facing to the right. “It’s hard to see what’s going on to your left,” Schottenheimer said. “That’s why, in our quick, three-step passing game, he wasn’t as accurate to the left as he should’ve been.”

That’s an understatement. According to stats from the Elias Sports Bureau, Sanchez threw 13 interceptions and only one touchdown on passes to the “left sideline” and “left side.” It’s not known how many of those picks came on three-step drops, but you get the idea.

Imagine what it would have been like if the Jets could have eliminated his throws to the left. Thats obviously a joke, but you see what I'm saying. They would have been better and Sanchez would have thrown under ten interceptions on the season. Imagine what working on this will do for him come the start of the regular season!

During his down time, Sanchez studied cut-ups of every pass from last season. The coaching staff made the corrections, and now he’s on the field, trying to fix what he learned in the classroom.

Sanchez Says He's Ready to Go for Jets OTAs on Monday

On the final play of a five-set drill, Jerricho Cotchery sailed past Darrelle Revis on the left sideline, Mark Sanchez let it rip and Cotchery brought the ball in.

Sanchez, who couldn't pivot without thinking about his knee last season, ran up the field to meet Cotchery and give him an enthusiastic high-five.

"I was ready to chest-bump him I just didn't want to scare our trainer," joked Sanchez.

The New York Jets quarterback didn't even wear a knee brace Thursday as he took part in team drills for the second straight OTA at the Florham Park training facility. His first full practice was on Tuesday, when players said he looked crisp. For Sanchez, who underwent surgery on his left knee three months ago, it means he will reach his goal of playing in the mandatory minicamp starting Monday.

Congratulating Cotchery was an end to this part of the journey back.

"From Tuesday to today, two really good days, personally and as a team," Sanchez said. "That was just a culmination of all those emotions and all that study time back when I had my leg as big as a basketball, and I'm sitting in the meetings going over film and my eyes are like bleeding from watching film because these coaches can grind it for so long. And then we have a chance to have it all come together. It felt almost like a game.

"It felt really good."

It may be June, and the OTA is hardly a playoff scenario, but with contract issues swirling around the Jets, Sanchez's progress brings a little sunlight into the locker room. Without a clearly defined backup plan -- Kevin O'Connell has leaped Erik Ainge and seemed to be challenging Kellen Clemens in the backup QB rotation -- the Jets need their No. 1 quarterback healthy and ready to go. Sanchez said if it had been a game rather than an OTA, he would have been ready.

"I'm playing," Sanchez said. "I'm in, let's go."

All that study helped, in Jets coach Rex Ryan's opinion. He said his quarterback is no longer a clueless rookie who needed a cheat sheet to keep all the plays straight during a game.

"To see how far Mark's come, the grasp of the offense -- he's just not calling plays anymore. He understands what we want," Ryan said.

Sanchez agreed that this offseason feels completely different.

"I just feel so much more comfortable I feel good and ready to go mentally where last year my head was spinning."

He said the best part is that, for the first time in months his knee feels better, literally better than new. The worry he had when he had to cut or pivot on the field has evaporated.

"Now it's gone, this thing is solid," Sanchez said.

But let's all agree on one thing first: this is fantastic news for the Jets. Sanchez might just be the biggest piece to the puzzle for the Jets and without his presence out there, they for sure will not make it to the Super Bowl.

I'm sure Rex and the rest of the staff will still make him take it easy for a little bit longer, but at least he's progressing nicely and learning. Let's go Jets!

Revis Rejects Jets Offer But Will Still Attend Mini-Camp

New York Jets star cornerback Darrelle Revis, commenting for the first time since skipping a voluntary practice last week due to stalled contract negotiations, said Thursday that he received an increased offer from the club. But he rejected the offer, indicating the two sides remain far apart.

Nevertheless, Revis said he's planning to attend next week's mandatory minicamp. If not, he'd be subject to a team fine.

Revis, who has three years remaining on his rookie contract, was adamant about being the highest-paid cornerback in the league. That title belongs to Oakland Raiders star Nnamdi Asomugha, who is entering the second year of a three-year, $45.3 million contract.

"Right now, I'm being patient," Revis said after practice, his second since his one-day boycott. "I'm not mad about anything. I'm here. I want to be here."

At the same time, Revis declined to comment on whether he would hold out if an extension can't be reached by the start of training camp. There is language in his contract that would void his guaranteed money ($20 million through 2012) if he skips training camp. He wouldn't lose the amount, just the guarantee.

Mangold 50-50 for Mini-Camp

Darrelle Revis has returned, but Nick Mangold is still unsure how he will manifest his unhappiness over his own contract. The Jets' Pro Bowl center is considering staying home during the team's mandatory minicamp, which starts Monday.

"We'll put it at 50-50. You never know," Mangold said. "Got to get through the weekend and make out decision on Sunday."

His negotiations are no where near as far along as the ones that Revis, team's Pro Bowl cornerback, is currently embroiled in. Mangold described it as "dead air" and wants to have a little more to go on from the Jets before attending the minicamp.

Mangold and Revis are two of four players, tabbed the Core Four, that the Jets are negotiating with this offseason. Linebacker David Harris and offensive lineman D'Brickashaw Ferguson are the other two. All were drafted by the Jets.

Mangold is set to make $3.3 million this season, the last in a five-year rookie deal.

Revis Rejoins Jets for Next-to-Last OTA Session

Darrelle Revis returned to the New York Jets' practice field Tuesday morning, but he still doesn't have a new contract -- and the two sides remain far apart in negotiations, according to league sources.

The star cornerback, who has three years remaining on his contract but wants to be the highest-paid player at his position, is upset by the lack of progress on a new deal and made his feelings known by skipping the previous practice, last Thursday. It was his first offseason absence. Because the organized team activity sessions are voluntary, no-shows can't be fined.

Revis decided to return as a good-faith gesture with the hope of kick-starting negotiations, but it's unclear if that will be the case. Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum has said he's willing to renegotiate the contract as long as it's "within reason." Revis told ESPNNewYork.com last month that he was promised a new deal by the front office.

The Jets' offseason program is almost over. The final voluntary practice is Thursday (open to the media), followed by a three-day minicamp beginning Monday. Because the minicamp is mandatory, Revis would be fined if he doesn't show. Revis wasn't available Tuesday because the practice was closed to the media.

Revis is on record as saying he wants to be the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL, seeking to eclipse Nnamdi Asomugha's current deal with the Oakland Raiders. Asomugha is making $16.5 million in the second year of a three-year, $45.3 million contract. Revis is believed asking for at least $16 million per year.

"I think that is fair," Revis told ESPNNewYork.com's Ohm Youngmisuk on May 21. "This is nothing behind closed doors [like] I am fighting against the Jets and they are fighting against me. I have talked to Coach [Rex] Ryan and [general manager Mike] Tannenbaum himself and they believe I should be the highest-paid player at my position. They understand that and I understand that. It is something that is going to get done. The Jets are family to me."

At that time, Revis said the Jets promised him he'd get a new deal before training camp.

"These are not my words," he said. "These are the Jets' words. They promised that it was going to get done before training camp. If it happens, it happens. If it don't, it don't and then there are other situations that have to come upon it."

Revis has a strong case because his own coach, Rex Ryan, has said many times that Revis is the best cornerback in the league. But the Jets, like many teams, regard the Asomugha contract as outlandish.

Complicating matters is the uncertainty regarding the collective bargaining agreement. Tannenbaum has said it's difficult to renegotiate because the league doesn't have a system in place for the future.

The Jets' All-Pro cornerback already has made an above-market salary over his first three years (a total of $15 million), but his salary drops to $1 million this season. His six-year contract voids after the season, but the Jets can buy back 2011 and 2012 for a total of $20 million -- all guaranteed.

However, the complicated contract reportedly contains language that makes the $20 million non-guaranteed if he skips a mandatory practice.

Even at $21 million over the next three years, Revis is underpaid based on the market. After Asomugha, the next-highest average is $10 million a year, belonging to Nate Clements of the San Francisco 49ers.

Revis is one of several Jets looking for contract extensions. Center Nick Mangold and linebacker David Harris are entering their final season, and Mangold has said he wants a new deal by the start of the regular season. Neither player has skipped any voluntary workouts.

Mangold has said he and his agent discussed sitting out of OTAs, but decided against it. Mangold said last week that Revis is the team's priority, but others await.

"It should be very interesting to see how it pans out and how they manage it all," Mangold said, adding that he has not ruled out the possibility of holding out during training camp if his own deal is not reworked.

Yankees Take High School SS Culver with First Round Pick

The New York Yankees drew some surprised reactions by taking prep shortstop Chris "Cito" Culver in the first round when the Northeast area scouts were telling ESPN MLB Insider Keith Law all spring he was a third-or fourth-rounder. The Yankees see Culver as a shortstop with a chance to hit for average and some power, and he has a plus arm, but there are mixed opinions on whether or not he's going to stay at short. 

 

On the flip side, the Yankees had Culver on their Area Code Games team last summer, working out at Yankee Stadium and probably knew him as a player and as a person better than any other team could have.

Culver can play shortstop and pitch. The Yankees see him as a shortstop, though. This means he could one day replace Derek Jeter.

But that day likely won't be soon, because Culver -- who is from Rochester, N.Y. -- is only 17 years old.

He has reportedly already committed to the University of Maryland, but Yankee green could cause him to change his mind.

Here is what the Yankees had to say about him:

Culver, listed at 6 feet, 172 pounds, batted .561 (37-for-66) with 10 doubles, five triples, nine home runs, 38 RBI and 20 walks in 22 regular season games this past season as a high school senior, according to his school's Web site. He also had a .933 fielding percentage, committing just eight errors in 120 total chances, helping lead his school to the Monroe County Division title. Named his team's most valuable player in each of the last three seasons, Culver was also a three-time all-county selection and an Under Armour All-American.
 

Baseball America rated the shortstop as the third-best prospect out of the state of New York. Under his high school bio page, Culver lists his favorite baseball team as the New York Yankees and one of his favorite baseball players as Derek Jeter.

"We were able to draft a very athletic kid who can play a good shortstop," said Damon Oppenheimer, Yankees Vice President of Amateur Scouting. "He has a plus arm, is a solid runner and is an excellent hitter. He's a player we are happy to have. It was an easy decision for us."

 

Culver is just the second shortstop drafted by the Yankees (C.J. Henry in 2005) in the first round since the club selected Derek Jeter with the sixth overall pick in the 1992 First-Year Player Draft.

 

Culver's plus arm, totaled with his potential to hit for average with a little bit of power is an asset to any team if he can remain at shortstop. It will be very interesting to see his development if he signs with the Yankees.