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Eddie Castro's Sports: The Wrap-up

Now that the Super Bowl is over and done with, what will the Jets and Giants roster look like in the 2013-14 season? The Jets season was just one big circus, led by coach Rex Ryan. Ryan did not make any guarantees about his team making the Super Bowl as he did the previous 2 years, however his main concern for next year should be what moves does he and new general manager John Idzik need to make to get “Gang Green” back into the playoffs.

The Jets finished the season with a 6-10 record with put them nearly last in the AFC East. There are many holes coming up for Idzik to fill in such as the quarterback position. Mark Sanchez was just plain awful this past year and the Jets might look to sign a veteran QB or look to grab another quarterback in this April’s NFL Draft. Sanchez is owed $ 8.25 million dollars next year. Another player to watch out for is Darrelle Revis.

After his year was cut short due to a season-ending ACL injury, Revis is looking for a big fat extension from the Jets. Revis is still considered one of, if not the best cornerback in football. Jets management might not think so as Revis is entering the last year of his contract and is reportedly seeking a multi-year deal which will pay him roughly $16 million a year. That may be a bit more than what the Jets planned to offer him. Because the Jets are $22 million dollars over the salary cap, trading Revis may be difficult. But, if you’re going to do it, why not get a running back in return? I’m thinking Darrelle Revis for Tennessee Titan’s Chris Johnson perhaps. Just throwing it out there Mr. Idsik. The team may have to release some veteran players so they can flex their money around and acquire the pieces they so desperately need.

As for the Giants, it was a disappointing year for Eli Manning and company. After a hot 6-2 start, the “G-Men” lost 5 of their last 8 games and did not make the playoffs after winning it all in 2011. The team has started their off season house cleaning already, releasing key players such as linebacker, Michael Boley, defensive tackle Chris Canty, and even veteran running back Ahmad Bradshaw. Bradshaw was projected to make $3.75 million in 2013 and has 2 years left in his contract. Canty was going to make $6.25 million in base salary this season.

The Giants as a team were projected to be $4.7 million over the salary cap and the team had to create space to try and re-sign free agents such as Will Beatty, Stevie Brown, and Victor Cruz. It is unlikely that the team has finished revamping their roster since they want Cruz back and he wants to return to New York anyway and Hakeem Nicks is entering the final year of his contract and the team wants to keep him as well.

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So for both teams it seems like a lot of holes to fill. The Jets have to convince themselves whether Mark Sanchez is the answer long-term for the team as their quarterback. Tim Tebow appears to be on his way out of New York. According to Rex Ryan, Sanchez will be competing for the starting job this season. For the Giants, it’s simple, do whatever it takes to get back to the Super Bowl. What a sight it will be if either team can make it next year being that the big game will be played in MetLife Stadium in New Jersey in 2014. It is expected to be an interesting and active off-season for both New York teams.

Sports Notes: (Baseball) Pitchers and catchers report to spring training in a few weeks. Spring training is underway for the Mets and Yankees. (Basketball) The Brooklyn Nets head to the nation’s capital to play John Wall and the Washington Wizards. The Knicks look to continue their winning ways of late as they head to Minnesota to play Ricky Rubio and the Timberwolves.

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