Jet linebacker Mo Lewis, in the final year of his four-year, $8.24 million contract, said yesterday that getting a new deal done is the least of his concerns.
“Right now, I’m not thinking about no contract,” said Lewis, who earned his first Pro Bowl honor last season. “What’s going to happen is going to happen. I see the big picture. We came close [to the Super Bowl] last year, but I want to get there.
“I’m thinking of the team, not about me. I want to get that ring on my finger. The only thing on my mind is the big dance. If they want to do something, they’ll do it. If it’s not happening, it’s not happening. It’s the last thing on my mind.”
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The Jets have made a low, one-year offer of a little more than $500,000 to unsigned RG Matt O’Dwyer, who’s been burned by the free-agent process and by poor advice from his agent, Tom Condon.
O’Dwyer, who earned $463,800 in base salary in 1998, was told by Condon that he’d make some $3 million per season on the open market. Condon advised O’Dwyer to turn down a four-year, $8.8 million deal the Jets were offering, and now O’Dwyer will be lucky to find a buyer of his services for half of what the Jets offered.
The Jets haven’t closed the door on O’Dwyer returning, though the nameplate on his vacant locker has been removed.
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Former Giant, Patriot and Jet guard William Roberts is working with the team as an intern assistant coach. Roberts, who’s slated to help with the offensive line at least through training camp this summer, said yesterday that he’d like to stick with coaching and remain with the Jets beyond camp.
The only Jet not practicing is LB Chad Cascadden, who had toe surgery in the offseason and isn’t ready yet.
Parcells said he and Keith Byars have an agreement that could bring Byars back if there’s a need at fullback after training camp.