DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Faneca Released by Jets

Not sure if this got lost in the draft madness, but Alan Faneca was released by the Jets today.

http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/news/story?id=5132584

NEW YORK -- Two years, $20 million. For a guard. Wow.

That was the final bill for Alan Faneca, who was officially released on Saturday by the New York Jets, according to league sources. The news came as no surprise, as the Jets had been trying to trade Faneca for several weeks. They found no team willing to pay his $7.5 million salary for 2010 and, when former UMass lineman Vlad Ducasse was drafted Friday night in the second round, Faneca's release became a formality.

Faneca made two Pro Bowls for the Jets, but they ended up paying him an exhorbitant amount of money. In 2008, Faneca was the centerpiece of a blockbuster free-agent class, signing a five-year, $40 million contract that included $20 million in guaranteed money. The Jets were a little concerned about his age (he's 33 now), but they felt they could get at least three productive seasons out of him.

They got two, although they felt his play had diminished. Faneca allowed 6 1/2 sacks last season, according to STATS -- an unusually high number for an interior lineman. But he still was effective as a run-blocker and was considered a team leader, instrumental in the development of linemates D'Brickashaw Ferguson and Nick Mangold.

The Jets are taking a risk, messing with the chemistry on one of the best lines in the league. But the deed is done.



So the question is, do we go after him? Yes he's 33, but he could probably still start for us for at least a year or two. No need to really go into his credentials, as we all know what he brings to the table. Not to mention, he'd certainly be a great help for Alex Mack and the new guard we just drafted, Shaun Lauvao. Put him and Tony Pashos on the right side and suddenly we aren't looking too bad.

LT: Thomas
LG: Steiny
C: Mack
RG: Faneca
RT: Pashos

I'm liking the look of that line right now. I think with the NYJ connection (Mangini was the coach when he signed with them) there is a pretty good possibility. What are your thoughts?

Not worth the money he's going to want.

I like him as a backup for a cheap contract but I'd rather not bring him in to start or play a lot. He's probably going to want way more than he's worth at this point in his career though and I'm sure someone out there will give it to him.

Basically we all agree. Sign him if the price is right but unfortunately some team is going to overpay for the name.

I don't know. It's late in the game now, and I doubt he is given a big time deal. I could see us taking him on a decent deal to give us time to develop SL. We are still in a HUGE bind at RG, and there is a real chance that SL will have to be rushed into playing because FW is so bad.


Signing a guy like Faneca for the right price as a stop gap seems like a good idea to me.........no big $$$ deal though.

chances are some team will toss some decent cash at him, but I would like to see him here if Mangini can convince him and we can get him to sign for a reasonable price.

I say sign and overpay for him. It's not my money.

Not a bad point as there is no salary cap this year.

I want nothing to do with Faneca. He still stinks from his time in the cesspool of pukesburgh and I am sick of aging vets ruining the progression of young talent. Lets see how our Guard we drafted does first.

Sign him with a nice signing bonus and a manageable contract for when the cap returns next year.

Wasn't his contract guaranteed, meaning that if the Browns picked him up and he signed for less than what the Jets were paying him, that the Jets would have to pick up the difference between the two contracts?

here is the deal on Faneca's contract

Faneca unhappy with Jets' decision By Rich Cimini
ESPNNewYork.com

When Alan Faneca signed with the New York Jets two years ago, he figured it would be the ideal place to finish his career -- a career that might land him in the Hall of Fame someday.

On Friday night, Day 2 of the NFL draft, the former Jets guard received a phone call from coach Rex Ryan, and everything changed. Faneca, a nine-time Pro Bowl selection, was fired.

Commenting for the first time since his release, Faneca expressed mixed emotions about his departure, but he did say he was "upset" with the Jets' decision to let a couple of unproven players battle for his former job.

The Jets continue to wheel and deal, and some veteran players are unhappy about it, ESPNNewYork's Rich Cimini writes. Story
"I'm not sure what I am," Faneca said Sunday afternoon in an e-mail to ESPNNewYork.com. "I'm not necessarily angry, but I did not want things to end the way they did. I'm upset with their decision. I think they made the decision that they felt was for the future of the team.

"That's fine, this is a business, but everyone wants to leave on their own terms. I'll move on and find another opportunity to play. My family and I had a great time being part of the Jets and the community and will always look at our time here and the friends we made as a great time in our lives."

Faneca, 33, didn't say where he might end up, but he figures to attract interest. The Jets owe him $5.25 million, so he probably will sign somewhere for the veterans minimum -- a bargain for a team looking for an accomplished former Super Bowl champion.

"We did a lot of great things last year on the field," Faneca said. "I guess the phrase, 'If it ain't broke, then don't fix it' doesn't apply here. I think they put a lot of faith in Cally [offensive line coach Bill Callahan], as do I. He is a great coach that they feel he can get the job done."

The Jets' offensive line was arguably the best in the league last season, as the Jets led the NFL in rushing. Faneca, D'Brickashaw Ferguson, Nick Mangold, Brandon Moore and Damien Woody started 32 consecutive games together, the longest streak in the NFL.

It'll be a two-man battle for Faneca's job between second-year backup Matt Slauson (no NFL starts) and second-round pick Vladimir Ducasse.

http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/news/story?id=5135095

and .....

Angelo: Bears might consider Faneca By Jeff Dickerson

LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Bears general manager Jerry Angelo left open the possibility of pursuing veteran offensive guard Alan Faneca, who was released by the New York Jets Saturday.

"Who would not consider Alan Faneca if you had a need at the offensive line?" Angelo said Saturday. "We'll look into some things like we did before the draft. We looked into Rob Sims, we looked into a couple of other guys and it didn't work out."

"We'll continue to look. We do like the players that we have there. I think [Bears offensive line] coach [Mike] Tice has told us in our meetings that he's comfortable with our line, but again, we'll continue to look."

Faneca, 33, signed a lucrative five-year contract with the Jets in 2008, but became expendable due to a combination of age and New York's selection of offensive lineman Vladimir Ducasse in the second round. The veteran was set to earn $7.5 million in 2010, although $5.25 million of his salary is guaranteed.

The Bears are still in the market for help at guard. Offensive coordinator Mike Martz revealed earlier in the week Frank Omiyale has moved outside to right tackle, leaving Josh Beekman, Lance Louis and Johan Asiata to battle it out at left guard.

http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/nfl/news/story?id=5133405

wow, looks like they are not considering Kevin Shaffer as a starter even with no one else at the tackle spot.

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The Jets owe him $5.25 million, so he probably will sign somewhere for the veterans minimum

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I'm not one to dwell on what a guy gets paid in the NFL... but seems to me that a guy like Faneca at the Vet minimum sounds like a solid deal..

How does a line like this sound:

Pashos, Faneca, Mack, Stienbach and Thomas......

Well, considering the Jets are going to pay him $5.25 million already, I doubt it will be money that sways his decision. He has the luxury of picking the best opportunity that presents itself. I'm just guessing Cleveland won't be on his short list of destinations.

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I'm just guessing Cleveland won't be on his short list of destinations.

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Yeah, I agree money doesn't sound like it would be a big deal to him.. and I also agree that he's gonna wanna go somewhere that has meaning..

Could be Arizona where he'd be reunited to some of his coaches from Pittsburgh.. don't know thier situation.

But I think it COULD be Cleveland. Wasn't Mangini the guy that brought him into the Jets when he was HC.. and as ammo said,, There has to be some thought that he could stick it to the Steelers as well.....,

Ahh, who am I kidding, in the end,, he'll follow the money

That's the problem D. Unless there just isn't a market for him he's not going to want to go to a rebuilding project.

Make no mistake about it though we have a crater sized whole at RG. I will not be shocked if we see the rookie start there, because FW is worthless. A guy like Faneca let's us bring him along slowly instead of rushing him.....which was my point above. Some will say Pashos will start at RG, but that leaves St. Crap starting at RT............sorry I would rather have Pork Chop starting at RG.

Hopefully the Lavuao (sp) kid is ready, because as it stands we need him sooner rather than later........problem is his technique needs help according to most of the "gurus"

I don't see Shawn L. ready until mid-season at the soonest.

Faneca for a back-loaded three year deal with all the guaranteed money this year, maybe?

LT: Thomas
LG: Steinbach
C: Mack
RG: Faneca ( he can play multiple positions) or Womack
RT: Pashos ( has not played guard)

Back-ups:

Guard: Lauvao
Guard/ Tackle: Womack or ?
Tackle: St. Clair
Center: Ghaiciuc

I would like, no, love Reindeer to beat out St. E-Clair in camp. Reindeer looks like a stud on video.Long arms and agile, but raw. I would also like to see a better back-up center.

Could be you have it right,, No way to know for sure until he signs somewhere.., if he signs with let's say,, Buffalo or Detroit or even us, then it's the money

It's hard to tell where he'd go.

It would be great to have him here in Cleveland, as that would give us a Top 5 Starting O-Line in the league, IMO.

However, it wouldn't help us in the long term. We need to start planning for Steinbach's replacement and our RG and ROT for the future. If our Rookie Guard can step up by next season, then great, which would leave us with only a LG and ROT need.

J/C

Ideally a rookie lineman will start and be good immediately.
In reality it may take a year or two. Is Steinbach's eventual replacement on the team now? How about our eventual RT?

I don't think getting Faneca for a three year deal ,that may only be a two year job anyway, would hinder anyone's development.

We should land this one if we can cut the salary WAAAAAAY down. We have quite a hole at one guard, and God bless us, the wrong right tackle IMO. So some inside running help is needed. Is the price set for now if no takers? Or is Faneca starting over?

Faneca to the Cardinals and his old Steeler coaches.

It goes back to what I posted earlier......we would have had to pay 3x that. Alan is getting long in the tooth, and wants a chance to play for a contender.........we are a rebuilding team and to get an aging vet on the cheap who has options just isn't going to happen. Those type of guys know they don't have long left, and want to win...........right now we can't offer that.

Faneca has won his Super Bowl. At this point, he wants money.

In that case, here's my deal,...$ XXX.XX this year, and THREE times that IF you get us TO a Super Bowl.

Perform and get paid.

My understanding is that the Jets are going to pay Fanaca $5.45 millions dollars this year. The team he signs with pays their portion and the Jets cover the rest. No matter what any team offers him, he will be paid that salary unless someone offers more than $5.45 mil. So it's not about money if my understanding of the situation is correct. There are certainly no guarantees about that.

ESPN.com

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Faneca, released by the New York Jets last weekend, will receive a $300,000 signing bonus and $100,000 workout bonus, the source told Schefter. The $2.5 million base salary is fully guaranteed. He's also set to earn $5.25 million and a $118,000 workout bonus from the Jets. His total compensation is nearly $8 million for the season.

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All the news outlets are reporting the Jets owe him 5 million plus on guaranteed money for this season whether he played or signed with a team or not.

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The Jets parted ways Saturday with Faneca, one of the leaders of a unit that paved the way for the league's top-rushing offense, even though he was owed $5.2 million in guaranteed salary this year. New York selected University of Massachusetts lineman Vladimir Ducasse in the second round of the draft, and he'll compete with Matt Slauson for Faneca's old spot.

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From an SI article

and of course from your buddy Florio.

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Alan Faneca lands in Arizona
Posted by Mike Florio on April 27, 2010 7:19 PM ET
fanecax.jpgThe Alan Faneca free-agency tour lasted only three days, and it didn't turn out nearly as well as it did in 2008, when he signed a five-year, $40 million deal with the Jets. Still, Faneca quickly has landed a new gig, with the Cardinals. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Faneca agreed to terms on a one-year, $2.5 million deal, which includes a $300,000 signing bonus and a $100,000 workout bonus.

Some had speculated that he'd be willing to take a one-year deal for the veteran minimum, since he's already getting $5.25 million in guaranteed base salary from the Jets. But if he wanted to take the veteran minimum, he could have accepted whatever the Jets were offering to pay him over and above the $5.25 million he's getting from them regardless of whether he's on the team in 2010. Presumably, his agent shopped the Jets' best offer quietly to other teams before opting to draw a line in the sand.

Other teams that reportedly were interested in Faneca included the Bears and the Texans. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Saturday that Faneca's former team wasn't looking to bring him back; it's not surprising, given that things ended between the two sides in somewhat ugly fashion.

But he'll have a partial Pittsburgh reunion in Arizona; former Steelers offensive line coach Russ Grimm has the same job with the Cardinals.

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Given his connection to the coaching staff down there,, it makes perfect sense..... Good luck