It is confirmed. Former Buffalo Bills tight end, Shawn Nelson(notes), signed with the New York Jets on October 31, 2011. This is just one of several changes to New York’s roster this week. Signing Nelson does not do much to boost Gang Green’s offense.

Shawn Nelson

The six foot, five inch, 240 pound tight end, Shawn Nelson, joined the NFL in 2009 as a fourth-round pick for the Bills. He played for Buffalo during the 2009 and 2010 seasons. On September 3, 2011, the Bills waived him. Nelson worked out with the New England Patriots before coming to New York. Shawn Nelson has a total of 20 career catches for 181 yards. Nelson was under suspension for the first four games of the 2011 season for violations of the NFL drug policy. The New York Jets website confirmed Nelson is joining the team.

While Nelson’s on field performance is acceptable, it is not great. He comes with a lot of baggage. It is unclear to this Jet’s fan why Gang Green needs another tight end when they already have Dustin Keller(notes), Matthew Mulligan(notes) and Josh Baker(notes) listed at that position. What New York really needs is a backup center. Taylor Boggs(notes) is listed on injured reserved and they just cut Colin Baxter(notes). No chance of getting Baxter off of waivers, he signed with the San Diego Chargers.

Shawn Nelson gives New York good depth at the tight end position. As a number three or four tight end he is perfectly acceptable. The Jets have good depth in the wide receiver, running back and tight end positions. Under normal circumstances this would be more than enough for quarterback Mark Sanchez(notes) to capitalize on. However, Gang Green’s offensive line is seriously lacking in the depth department. It has yet to be determined if the line can give Sanchez the protection he needs. Game 7 showed glimmers of hope, but it remains to be seen if they are consistent or not.

Did the Jets pick up a valuable player or is Shawn Nelson a problem child. Rex Ryan seems to love the challenges the “bad boys” bring. This fan is not sure that taking on a potential time bomb is what Gang Green needs at this point in the season.

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Lynda Altman grew up just outside of New York City. She has been a Jets fan all of her life and would love to see Gang Green in the Super Bowl this year. You can contact her @LdyJetsFan on Twitter.

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The New York Jets signed former
Buffalo Bills tight end Shawn Nelson, one week before the
division rivals face off at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

The Jets signed Nelson to the active roster today, team
spokesman Jared Winley said in an e-mail. American Football
Conference East division rivals, the Jets and Bills play for the
first time this season on Nov. 6 in Orchard Park, New York.

Nelson was the Bills’ fourth-round pick in the 2009
National Football League draft and played two seasons in
Buffalo, catching 20 passes for 181 yards and one touchdown. The
26-year-old missed the first four games of the 2010 season for
violating the league’s substance-abuse policy and was released
by the team in September.

The Bills (5-2) beat the Washington Redskins 23-0
yesterday, and are tied with the New England Patriots for first
place in the AFC East. The Jets (4-3), who were on their bye
week yesterday, are in third place.

Nelson hasn’t appeared in an NFL game this season.

To contact the reporter on this story:
Eben Novy-Williams in New York at
enovywilliam@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story:
Michael Sillup at
msillup@bloomberg.net

The New York Jets announced earlier this week that they cut backup center, Colin Baxter(notes), from the active squad. Manish Mehta of the Daily News stated that New York planned to sign Baxter to the practice squad if he cleared waivers. Baxter had other plans as he heads off to the San Diego Chargers.

Baxter and the Jets

It is unclear if the Jets made Colin Baxter an offer to play on the practice squad. Manish Mehta’s blog implies that Baxter chose San Diego over New York. Reality may be that the Jets never made an offer. Colin Baxter may have taken San Diego’s offer because it was the only one on the table, or maybe he was insulted by the cut.

Rookie center Colin Baxter started two games for Gang Green this season while Nick Mangold(notes) was out with an ankle injury. New York lost both games, and although you cannot blame Baxter entirely for those losses—he definitely played a part. A huge disconnect between quarterback Mark Sanchez(notes) and Colin Baxter was evident.

Baxter is back in San Diego

That’s right—Colin Baxter started the 2011 season on the San Diego Chargers roster. He signed with the Chargers on July 27, 2011, as an undrafted free agent. Baxter was later cut from the active roster and picked up on waivers by the New York Jets on September 4. Colin Baxter re-signed with the San Diego Chargers on October 26—the day after he was cut by Gang Green. Baxter will be added to San Diego’s practice squad.

Who backs up Mangold?

Right now, Taylor Boggs(notes) is listed as a center. He will be backing up starter Nick Mangold. New York has made changes to their practice squad. Offensive lineman Matt Kroul was released from the practice squad on October 25. It is expected that Kroul will be signed shortly to the active roster. He could be a possible number three center. Look for Dennis Landolt(notes) to join Gang Green after the bye week.

New York’s offensive roster looks like a revolving door recently. If they want to have a cohesive unit that plays well together—Gang Green is going to have to stop treating their offense like a fantasy team roster.

More from the Yahoo! Contributor Network

New York Jets cut Colin Baxter: A fan’s opinion

Former Bills Tight End Shawn Nelson Heading to Jets: A Fan’s Perspective

Lynda Altman grew up just outside of New York City. She has been a Jets fan all of her life and would love to see Gang Green in the Super Bowl this year. You can contact her @LdyJetsFan on Twitter.

Note: This article was written by a Yahoo! contributor. Sign up here to start publishing your own sports content.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP)—Former Alabama and New York Jets punter Greg Gantt,
who may be best known for having two punts blocked in a 17-16 loss to Auburn in
1972, has died. His sister, Patricia Gant, said Gantt died Wednesday of
complications from heart disease and diabetes.

He was 59. Gantt led the Southeastern Conference in punting for three
seasons from 1971-73 and also kicked long field goals for the Crimson Tide. He
is tied with two other kickers for the longest field goal in Cotton Bowl
history, a 50-yarder against Texas in 1973. He punted for the New York Jets in
1974 and 1975.

Patricia Gantt said at first it bothered her brother that he was possibly
best known for the two punts blocked and returned for touchdowns in the “Punt,
`Bama, Punt” game.

“He got over it. That’s what most people remembered most,” she said.

Alabama was undefeated going into the 1972 Iron Bowl and was leading 16-3 in
the fourth quarter when two Gantt punts were blocked by Auburn’s Billl Newton
and were returned for touchdowns by David Langner. Langner and Gantt had been
teammates at Woodlawn High School in Birmingham.

Gantt’s death was first reported by The Birmingham News.

After leaving the Jets, Gantt returned to Birmingham where he worked in the
recycling business.

Graveside service for Gantt will be at 1 p.m. Monday at Southern Heritage
Cemetery in Pelham.

Survivors include two sisters and two daughters.