Jets deal Dewayne Robertson to Denver
BY RICH CIMINI
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER
Thursday, April 24th 2008, 8:38 PM
Appleton/News
As they prepare to make their third top-six draft pick in six years, the Jets unloaded a disappointment from the not-too-distant past, dealing nose tackle Dewayne Robertson to the Broncos Thursday in a long-anticipated trade.
The Jets will receive an undisclosed conditional pick in 2009 for Robertson, who became expendable when they acquired Kris Jenkins last month from the Panthers. It's believed to be a late-round pick, but it could go as high as a second-rounder if Robertson reaches certain playing-time levels, according to an NFL source.
Because of Robertson's chronic knee condition and his enormous contract, it took two months to find a taker. In March, the Bengals were prepared to trade fourth- and fifth-rounders in this weekend's draft, but the deal got blown up because he failed their physical.
It left the Jets with little leverage, especially with Robertson due a $3 million roster bonus in June. He was going to be released, although the Jets did offer a reduced contract. Robertson, ill-suited to Eric Mangini's 3-4 scheme, wanted a fresh start, according to his agent, Hadley Engelhard.
Robertson, who had two years and $18 million remaining on his original Jets contract, signed a new, five-year deal with the Broncos. Curiously, the Broncos also flunked Robertson on a physical last month, according to coach Mike Shanahan, yet the two sides agreed to the parameters of a contract long before yesterday's trade.
The good news for the Jets is that Robertson's departure creates $8.4 million in salary-cap room, giving them plenty of flexibility as they head into the draft. It's virtually impossible to forecast their pick (No.6), with Nos.2 through No.5 still up in the air, but the Jets' wish list is headed by Arkansas running back Darren McFadden and Virginia defensive end Chris Long, who projects as an outside linebacker in the 3-4.
LINK
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/fo...to_denver.html
Jets deal Dewayne Robertson to Denver
Jets deal Dewayne Robertson to Denver
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