The New York Daily News’ Gary Myers reports this morning that Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum, presumably unwilling to start next season with a QB tandem of Kellen Clemens and Times music critic Brett Ratliff, has contacted the Broncos regarding their estranged starlet Jay Cutler.
The Jets are definitely in the Cutler Derby. They will closely monitor the situation and are prepared to put together a package when the Broncos tell them the time has arrived. “Of course the Jets want Cutler,” one source said. “Why wouldn’t they?”
The Broncos want to meet one more time with Cutler to see if they can end his feud with rookie coach Josh McDaniels before they start soliciting offers.
Tannenbaum, coach Rex Ryan and offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer were in Manhattan, Kan., last week to work out Kansas State QB Josh Freeman, who may be working his way into the top half of the first round. The Jets are picking 17th on April 25. Ryan said Sunday he liked what he saw of Freeman. Ryan also said the Jets will work out Southern Cal QB Matt Sanchez this week while he and Tannenbaum are on the West Coast for the league meetings. Sanchez has been training in Southern California. They are not spending much time on Georgia’s Matt Stafford, expected to go No. 1 to the Lions.
If nothing changes, Ryan said Kellen Clemens and Brett Ratliff will go into training camp as “1 and 1-A. Clemens may get the first snap, but then 1-A is Ratliff. This is clearly an open competition. Erik Ainge, if he comes around and lights it up, he will be in there.”