Update II: The details of the Jets-Lions trade are in…In return for shipping the 65th overall pick to the Jets, the Lions receive the 76th (third-round), 115h (fourth-round) and 228th (seventh-round) overall picks.

Dealing up certainly seems like a king’s ransom and now the Jets are left with just one pick  (193rd overall) today. With several holes to fill on offense, the move seems quite puzzling to me. The Jets must really, really, really like Greene.

Update: Tannenbaum and Company got off to another quick start today, as they acquired the Lions’ third-round pick (65th overall). The Jets had several holes on offense to fill, specifically at tight end and wide receiver. Instead, Gang Green selected Iowa running back Shonn Greene. The selection drew a smattering of boos from the remaining diehards at the Radio City Music Hall.  

Welcome to Day Two (Rounds 3-7) of the NFL draft. Yesterday the Jets grabbed a potential franchise quarterback by trading up to fifth overall and selecting USC’s Mark Sanchez, but now the high-profile names are off the board.

General manager Mike Tannenbaum took some criticism at the end of last season for trading for quarterback Brett Favre and then dumping Chad Pennington, but he pulled off a steal yesterday. Tannenbaum not only was able to keep next year’s first-round pick, he was able to keep some picks today. The Jets have four picks today (76th, 115th, 193rd, 228).

The Jets have their new face of the franchise. Gang Green traded with the Browns to move up to fifth overall and selected USC’s Mark Sanchez. For their quarterback of the future, the Jets traded away this year’s first-round pick (17th overall), second-round pick (52nd overall), defensive end Kenyon Coleman, quarterback Brett Ratliff and safety Abram Elam.

It surely looks as though the Jets made a steal of a deal with their former head coach, Eric Mangini. Coleman was an underperforming starter on the defensive line and both Elam and Ratliff figured to be backups this season.

Sanchez only made 16 career starts in his two seasons at USC, but he should step in and be the Jets’ starter from Day One.

Greetings from Florham Park, N.J. We’ve seen three teams already come off the clock, with Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford heading to the Lions, Baylor offensive tackle Jason Smith to the Rams and LSU defensive end Tyson Jackson to the Chiefs.

The Seahawks are now on the clock. If the Seahawks choose either Wake Forest linebacker Aaron Curry or Texas Tech reciever Michael Crabtree, it will be interesting to see where USC’s Mark Sanchez drops. Eric Mangini and company could bring Sanchez to the ‘Dogpound,’ which could create a tricke-down effect.

Selecting Sanchez would leave the Browns invested heavily in three quarterbacks (Sanchez, Anderson, Quinn). The Browns would likely have to trade either Anderson or Quinn. Will the Jets come calling?

Well it’s finally here…almost. We’ve hit the eve of the NFL draft and the Jets have a New York-sized boat of questions to answer tomorrow. Does general manager Mike Tannenbaum decide to sit tight at 17th overall and fill the Jets’ recieving void with Maryland speedster Darrius Heyward-Bey or Florida’s Percy Harvin? Does he choose to beef up the team’s paper-thin tight end corps and select Oklahoma State’s Brandon Pettigrew? Does he again decide to pull the plug on Kellen Clemens’ opportunity and grab Southern California’s Mark Sanchez or Kansas State’s Josh Freeman, or spin a deal for Jason Campbell or Brady Quinn? Does he surprise everyone and continue to build upon Rex Ryan’s revamped defense? No matter what direction the Jets choose, Ryan’s first draft day figures to be filled with drama.

The most appealing move for the Jets would be to deal for Sanchez, but that opportunity will be contingent on him slipping to eighth overall (Jaguars). Sanchez would instantly give owner Woody Johnson a face to market for the team’s new stadium in 2010, yet the cost could be too heavy for the team to handle. The Jets only have six draft picks and trading into the top ten would cost them atleast two of those.

Sanchez’s performance in last year’s Rose Bowl against a dominant Penn State defense (28-35, 413 yards, four TD) is hard to ignore, however that was just one of his 16 career starts. That is not exactly a thick track record for a quarterback looking to become the face of the franchise. The discussion, of course, could turn into a moot point for the Jets if Sanchez is selected before the Jaguars’ slot or if the Redskins deliver a sweeter trade offer.

The Jets’ desire for a quarterback is certainly understandable because they currently have the most unproven tandem in the league. Clemens started just eight games in 2007 and struggled behind a pourous offensive line (five TD, ten INT) and Ratliff has never taken a snap during a regular season game. However, Gang Green’s interest in Sanchez continues to beg the question…when do the Jets finally commit to Clemens? Their romance with other quarterbacks began last August when they shipped draft picks to the Packers for Brett Favre and then continued last month when Jay Cutler begged his way out of Denver.

Clemens ran with his opportunity and performed admirably at last week’s voluntary minicamp. He’s preparing as if he will lead the Jets next season and has been in midst of praise from Ryan, who’s hoping to build a run-based offense. Will he get that chance? The clouds will likely clear tomorrow.

The Jets could grab a cap casualty later this offseason (Marc Bulger?) but Clemens opportunity will likely depend on the Jets’ pickings tomorrow. If Sanchez or Freeman is available, will the Jets come calling? Gang Green’s war room is already filled will questions and the answers are soon to pour out.

When Kellen Clemens and Brett Ratliff learned that the Broncos had traded the face of their franchise, quarterback Jay Cutler, to the Bears, both Jets quarterbacks must have taken a huge sigh of relief. At this point last season, Clemens was thrust into a open quarterback competition with Chad Pennington but the opportunity to become a full-time starter ended on the eve of the Jets’ preseason opener. General manager Mike Tannenbaum pulled the trigger on a blockbuster trade with the Packers for Brett Favre and Clemens was once again handed the clipboard. Clemens had only eight starts under his belt (2-6 record) and had tossed twice as many interceptions (ten) as touchdowns (five), yet he had still shown flashes that he could lead the team’s sputtering offense.

Tannenbaum could have easily closed the door on Clemens’ future with the Jets had he been able to orchestrate his second blockbuster trade for a star quarterback in as many years, but the Bears beat him to the punch. The Jets could still draft a young quarterback in April’s NFL draft (Josh Freeman?) or sign an underacheiving veteran (Byron Leftwich? JP Losman?) but the road appears open for Clemens and Ratliff to take over as the starter. While a deal for Cutler would have landed the Jets a franchise quarterback and possibly the strongest arm in the league, sometimes the best deals are those you don’t make.

There is no doubt that Cutler is more talented than Clemens and Ratliff, but there’s more to being a quarterback than just throwing touchdown passes. Quarterbacks are supposed to be leaders in the locker room and Cutler’s recent antics with the Broncos portrayed him as a whiny diva. Several Jets took offense to Cutler’s repeated trash talking in a 34-17 loss to the Broncos last November and bringing that fiery attitude into the locker room could have been trouble from the start.

“A lot of guys don’t like that,” cornerback Darrelle Revis said yesterday of Cutler’s trash talking. “If he would come here, I think [teammates] would question him a lot about that.”

Cutler didn’t exactly receive a ringing endorsement within the Jets’ locker room, as most players, including wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery, sounded eager about giving Clemens and Ratliff a chance to start.

“I have a bunch of confidence in those guys. I’ve been watching them work since they have been here. Those guys have been preparing like starters. Definitely, playing behind Brett [Favre] you know you are not going to get a chance to play at all,” Cotchery said. “[Favre] played I don’t know how many consecutive games, but those guys still prepared like they had a chance to play and you can respect that.”

Cutler would certainly make some friends at Florham Park, N.J. after tossing towndown passes and leading the Jets to victories, but his me-first attitude would grow old after losses. Quarterbacks have to become leaders, especially in New York, where the spotlight would be centered on Cutler every week.

While Cutler is still just 25 years old and has both a 4,000 yard passing season and a Pro-Bowl appearance on his resume, the Broncos’ asking price was enormous. The Broncos cannot be blamed for asking the moon for a franchise quarterback who has yet to reach his prime, but bringing aboard Cutler’s whiny attitude was too much of a risk. The Bears shipped their first (18th overall) and third round picks in this year’s draft, their first round pick in next year’s draft, plus quarterback Kyle Orton. The Jets could have surrendered their 2009 first round pick (17th overall) but there were rumblings that Denver also asked for cornerback Darrelle Revis or linebacker David Harris. Quarterbacks with Cutler’s abilities come around very sparingly, but defense helps win championships. Head coach Rex Ryan envisioned building a dominant, ball-hawking defense from the moment he accepted the job in January and dealing either Revis or Harris would have set the Jets back. Revis has already developed into one of the league’s true shutdown corners, which are almost as difficult to find as a polished quarterback.

Cutler could very well lead the Bears to the playoffs in the weak NFC North next season, but would it deal a black eye on Tannenbaum’s regime? It will likely depend on the play at the quarterback position next year for the Jets. Clemens could prove to be a capable starter or the same signal-caller who was fairly inaccurate during his opening audition in 2007. Ratliff could prove that his strong preseason last year was a true portrayal of his abilities, or he could show that his league-leading passer rating (122.5) was simply a matter of feasting on second-string defenses. Either way, it’s time to find out.

The Jets may still target Freeman at 17th overall in April’s draft, but it’s now important to keep an eye on the Broncos, who hold both the and 12th and 18th overall picks. The Broncos obviously would not have been in play for a quarterback had they kept Cutler, but with Orton and Chris Simms on their depth chart, their plans have likely changed. With the extra draft picks acquired, they could jump the Jets and trade up for either Southern California’s Mark Sanchez or Freeman.

Clemens and Ratliff will likely keep an eye on the proceedings, but barring a late surprise, they remain the Jets’ top options. Surely all good things come to those who wait.

Update: NFL Network’s Adam Schefter is now reporting that the Jets reached an agreement with Jim Leonhard on a three-year deal.

Original: The Jets thought they had Bart Scott wrapped up last Friday before the Ravens swept in and matched the Jets’ initial five-year, $40 million offer. Negotiations between Scott and the two teams intensified throughout the afternoon, but the free-agent linebacker ultimately decided that New York was the place to be.

Could the Jets now be traveling down the same road with free-agent safety Jim Leonhard?

After reports earlier today stated that Leonhard had verbally agreed to sign with the Jets, foxsports.com is now reporting that the Broncos have made a late push to sign the former Raven. Leonhard is now “reconsidering” his agreement.

Leonhard could still end up with the Jets after all is said and done, but it shows you how much verbal agreements mean.

After making a splash early in free agency by signing linebacker Bart Scott and guard Brandon Moore, the Jets welcomed safety Jim Leonhard in for a visit. The former Raven has been high on the team’s wishlist and would provide the team a youthful boost in the secondary and as a kick returner. However, the National Football Post is reporting that Leonhard left the Jets’ facility in Florham Park, NJ, today without signing a contract.

Leonhard’s move does not rule out the possibility of him signing with the Jets, but it does not bode well for the team. Generally teams like to lock up players with contracts before they walk out the exit.

The National Football Post lists the Eagles as a potential suitor for Leonhard. Pro Bowl safety Brian Dawkins signed a five-year contract with the Broncos yesterday.

Well it appears the Jets will have to wait a bit longer to find Brandon Moore’s replacment. Chris Kemoeatu has spurned the Jets’ contract offer to re-sign with the Steelers, according to the Daily News.

Kemoeatu appeared bound for the Jets earlier this afternoon, but the Steelers reportedly agreed to retain him with a five-year, $20 million deal.

Today the Jets continued to reshuffle their roster as they released wide receiver Laveranues Coles. Prior to last season Coles was guaranteed the final two years on his contract ($11 million), meaning the Jets could still be on the hook for a portion of Coles’ $6 million salary this season if he signs with another team. Coles battled a thigh injury in training camp last season but still had a relatively productive year, recording 70 catches for 850 yards and seven touchdowns.

According to Dave Hutchinson of the Star Ledger, Coles said he and the Jets “didn’t leave on bad terms” and that a return to the Jets is “not out of the question.”

While Coles is set to become a free agent when the signing period begins 12:01 a.m. Friday, the Jets now have another significant hole to fill on offense. The team already released its best blocking tight end in Chris Baker and their reluctance to pay Brandon Moore his $7 million roster bonus in early March may leave the team without its most consistent offensive lineman. These moves came weeks after quarterback Brett Favre told the team that he was retiring for good this time.

The Jets’ roster purge has created some cap space (around $26 million) for the team to work with, but the offense may need just as much re-tooling as the defense. Coles’ departure leaves Jerricho Cotchery (71 catches, 858 yards, five TD in 2008) as the team’s only proven wide receiver. The coaching staff remains high on second-year wideout David Clowney, but he has only one career reception. Brad Smith and Chansi Stuckey are also expected to return next season. The Jets have not been named among the teams showing early interest in marquee free agent TJ Houshmandzadeh, but they could turn to April’s NFL Draft to pluck a young receiver. Missouri’s Jeremy Maclin, Maryland’s Darris Heyward-Bey, Florida’s Percy Harvin, North Carolina’s Hakeem Nicks and Rutger’s Kenny Britt are among the names to watch.

Head coach Rex Ryan has said that he envisions the team using an “all-weather” offense based on a powerful running game, but with the unit’s two best run blockers likely gone, moving the football on the ground will not be easy. If the team does release Moore, they could slide right tackle Damien Woody over to guard and put Wayne Hunter or Robert Turner at tackle, but neither lineman is proven. Fullback Tony Richardson also remains unsigned.

On top of all the turnover in the Jets’ offense, who will be the starting quarterback in 2009? Ryan’s attack-happy defensive scheme may grab the Jets some victories next season, but they will not be winning much if they cannot score. There are a lot of questions on the Jets’ offense to be answered.

Today the Jets continued clearing cap space, as they released tight end Chris Baker. Baker signed a three-year extension last September and was due $9 million in guaranteed money over the next three seasons if he remained on the roster. With Dustin Keller’s emergence during his rookie season, the team’s decision to say goodbye to Baker came as no surprise.

The seven-year veteran set career highs in receptions (41) and receiving yards (409) in 2007, but he struggled last season to repeat his success. Baker recorded only only 21 catches for 194 yards and failed to reach the endzone for the first time since his first full season (2003). The Jets could still re-sign Baker, but he will first test free agency.

While his low production would suggest that the Jets hand the reigns over to Keller, losing Baker’s blocking abilities could be costly. Head coach Rex Ryan plans to feature an all-weather offense based around a power run attack in which having a polished blocking tight end will be imperative. Keller will provide the Jets a surehanded receiver, but he remains inconsistent as a blocker.

If Baker remains unsigned weeks from now, the Jets should come calling again. Then again, only if he chooses to take a pay cut.