NEW YORK (AP)—Mark Brunell(notes) was cut by the New York Jets, but the
40-year-old quarterback could possibly return to the team to back up Mark
Sanchez(notes) at a reduced salary.

Brunell’s status was confirmed to The Associated Press by two people with
knowledge of the situation. They spoke on condition of anonymity because the
team hadn’t announced the move.

Releasing Brunell was among the Jets’ first moves Friday morning as the team
was in intense negotiations to try to reach an agreement with free agent
cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha(notes). Several other teams are interested in the player
considered to be this year’s top free agent.

Brunell was due $1.25 million in base salary this year. He came to the Jets
last season and served as a mentor to Sanchez. Brunell, a three-time Pro Bowl
selection in 18 NFL seasons, played in two games for New York last season and
threw for 117 yards and two touchdowns.

The Jets also cut backup quarterback Kevin O’Connell(notes), another person with
knowledge of the situation told the AP. That person also spoke on condition of
anonymity because the team hadn’t announced the move.

O’Connell spent last season on injured reserve after injuring his throwing
shoulder. Drew Willy(notes) and seventh-round pick Greg McElroy(notes), who agreed to a deal
Friday, are the other quarterbacks on the roster.

The team announced earlier Friday it had waived cornerback Will Billingsley(notes)
and guard Marlon Davis(notes). Both were signed to reserve-future contracts by the Jets
in January.

NEW YORK — Mark Brunell was cut by the New York Jets, but the 40-year-old quarterback could possibly return to the team to back up Mark Sanchez at a reduced salary.

Brunell’s status was confirmed to The Associated Press by two people with knowledge of the situation. They spoke on condition of anonymity because the team hadn’t announced the move.

Releasing Brunell was among the Jets’ first moves Friday morning as the team was in intense negotiations to try to reach an agreement with free agent cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha. Several other teams are interested in the player considered to be this year’s top free agent.

Brunell was due $1.25 million in base salary this year. He came to the Jets last season and served as a mentor to Sanchez. Brunell, a three-time Pro Bowl selection in 18 NFL seasons, played in two games for New York last season and threw for 117 yards and two touchdowns.

The Jets also cut backup quarterback Kevin O’Connell, another person with knowledge of the situation told the AP. That person also spoke on condition of anonymity because the team hadn’t announced the move.

O’Connell spent last season on injured reserve after injuring his throwing shoulder. Drew Willy and seventh-round pick Greg McElroy, who agreed to a deal Friday, are the other quarterbacks on the roster.

The team announced earlier Friday it had waived cornerback Will Billingsley and guard Marlon Davis. Both were signed to reserve-future contracts by the Jets in January.

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NEW YORK (AP)—Mark Brunell(notes) was cut by the New York Jets, but the
40-year-old quarterback could possibly return to the team to back up Mark
Sanchez(notes) at a reduced salary.

Brunell’s status was confirmed to The Associated Press by two people with
knowledge of the situation. They spoke on condition of anonymity because the
team hadn’t announced the move.

Releasing Brunell was among the Jets’ first moves Friday morning as the team
was in intense negotiations to try to reach an agreement with free agent
cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha(notes). Several other teams are interested in the player
considered to be this year’s top free agent.

Brunell was due $1.25 million in base salary this year. He came to the Jets
last season and served as a mentor to Sanchez. Brunell, a three-time Pro Bowl
selection in 18 NFL seasons, played in two games for New York last season and
threw for 117 yards and two touchdowns.

The Jets also cut backup quarterback Kevin O’Connell(notes), another person with
knowledge of the situation told the AP. That person also spoke on condition of
anonymity because the team hadn’t announced the move.

O’Connell spent last season on injured reserve after injuring his throwing
shoulder. Drew Willy(notes) and seventh-round pick Greg McElroy(notes), who agreed to a deal
Friday, are the other quarterbacks on the roster.

The team announced earlier Friday it had waived cornerback Will Billingsley(notes)
and guard Marlon Davis(notes). Both were signed to reserve-future contracts by the Jets
in January.

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — After their final practice for the AFC Championship Game, the New York Jets pronounced they’re ready to make history.

Their one-hour, 40-minute practice Friday was one of the sharpest of the season, according to several players. Wide receiver Santonio Holmes addressed the team at the start of practice, imploring his teammates to be mistake-free — just as they were in the Friday practice before last month’s victory in Pittsburgh.

Another good omen?

Although they haven’t engaged in their usual trash talk, exchanging niceties with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Jets aren’t lacking for confidence. Several players, along with coach Rex Ryan, mentioned how they’re drawing motivation from the memory of last season’s AFC title loss in Indianapolis.

“I remember the Indy game and the confetti falling down and that sick feeling we all had,” safety James Ihedigbo said. “It’s not going to happen again. It’s just not going to happen. We know this is our game to win.”

Ihedigbo said one of his Twitter followers sent a photo from the Colts’ postgame celebration — a shot of Ihedigbo, David Harris and Dwight Lowery sitting on the Jets’ bench, getting rained on by blue and white confetti.

“The look on our faces, we were devastated,” Ihedigbo said. “That’ not going to happen on Sunday. … We’re more focused than we’ve ever been. We’re more determined than we’ve ever been. We’re prepared for a dogfight, but we’re going in with the mindset to dominate.”

In terms of health, the Jets are in excellent shape. The only player who didn’t practice Friday was defensive end Shaun Ellis (knee), but he will play. Ryan said every player on the 53-man roster will be available.

They culminated an intensive week of preparation with a penalty-free practice, according to several players — a rarity. The team drills are closed to the media, but before they got under way, Holmes — a former Steeler — called his teammates together and spoke.

“He just said the last time we played them, our Friday practice was great and crisp,” guard Matt Slauson said. “He said we have to do the same exact thing — no false starts, no fumbles, no missed assignments. That alone set the tone.”

Ihedigbo said the practice was so crisp that “it was scary, one of those things where you see everything coming together before your eyes.”

Ryan said, “[The] practice was outstanding, the focus was great, as you would assume it would be with this kind of a magnitude of the team. The guys were really working out there. They’re dialed in.”

Several players said they’re taking home extra DVDs to study, also noting that position groups are staying late at the facility to put in extra study time.

The Jets will have a walk-through Saturday, followed by a pep rally at their facility that is open to the public. From there, they will fly to Pittsburgh, hoping to secure the franchise’s first trip to the Super Bowl in 42 years.

Rich Cimini covers the Jets for ESPNNewYork.com. You can follow him on Twitter.