NEW YORK, N.Y. – It’s officially “Tone Time” again for the New York Jets.

Santonio Holmes signed his big contract Saturday to stay with the Jets and be the big playmaker he was for Mark Sanchez last season.

Holmes agreed to a five-year deal worth about US$50 million on Wednesday after New York made him its top priority once the free agency period began earlier this week.

New York also officially signed safety Eric Smith, kicker Nick Folk, offensive linemen Wayne Hunter and Robert Turner, as well as defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson, the team’s first-round pick, and wide receiver Jeremy Kerley, the team’s fifth-rounder.

Defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson, New York’s first-round draft pick from Temple, has agreed to a four-year deal. He said on Twitter he was headed to the team’s facility in Florham Park, N.J., to sign his contract.

Holmes, 27, was acquired last off-season from Pittsburgh and had 52 catches for 746 yards and six touchdowns for the Jets after returning from a four-game suspension to start the season. He quickly developed a rapport with Sanchez and played key roles in three straight wins with big catches late in games last season.

“Good morning NY/NJ Jets fans. On the way to putting it in writing,” Holmes tweeted Saturday. “Tone Time!”

After agreeing with Holmes, the Jets turned their attention to trying to land free agent cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha — who ended up going to Philadelphia. New York is expected to be looking at other free agents at the position, including Antonio Cromartie, who was solid a year ago in his first season with the Jets.

Finding a wide receiver to complement Holmes will also be on the agenda for New York. It appears the Jets will move on from free agent Braylon Edwards, and could be interested in Plaxico Burress, Randy Moss and Malcom Floyd, among others.

The Jets thought about bringing in Burress a few years ago, before the former Giants and Steelers star served 20 months in prison on a gun charge. Burress has visited with the Giants as well as the Steelers, his original team, during the past few days and could meet with the Jets at some point — but nothing was scheduled for Sunday.

Smith, a key backup in the secondary and a hard-hitting special teams player, signed a three-year deal. He has been with the Jets since they drafted him in the third round out of Michigan State in 2006.

“Excited to officially be a Jet again,” Smith said on Twitter. “Great players, great coaches and the BEST fans. Now on to the Super Bowl.”

Folk signed a one-year deal after going 30 of 39 on field-goal attempts last season, his first with the Jets after three years kicking for the Dallas Cowboys. He was also 2 for 3 on field goals in the post-season. He will compete with veteran kicker Nick Novak for the job.

Hunter, who filled in at right tackle when starter Damien Woody was injured late last season, signed a four-year deal. Agent Kenny Zuckerman told The Associated Press that “there was some other sincere interest from a few teams,” but Hunter chose to remain with the Jets because “Wayne and his family love the Jets organization.”

Turner, a versatile backup who can play all along the Jets’ line, was a restricted free agent who signed a one-year deal.

Wilkerson, the 30th overall pick in April, had 9 1-2 sacks last year for Temple and should immediately help the Jets as a defensive tackle or end. The six-foot-four, 315-pound Wilkerson grew up in nearby Linden, N.J.

“It’s official,” Wilkerson said on Twitter, “now im a Jet and happy to be apart of this great organization!!!!”

Kerley, the 153rd pick in the draft, signed a multiyear deal after catching 56 passes from Andy Dalton at TCU for 575 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. He won the Mountain West Conference’s special teams player of the year award his last two seasons, and will likely help fill the void left when versatile wide receiver Brad Smith signed with Buffalo.

Their signings leave only one of the Jets’ six drafts picks — third-rounder Kenrick Ellis — not under contract.

The Jets report for training camp Sunday, with their first practice at their training facility in Florham Park, N.J., on Monday.

NEW YORK (AP)—It’s officially “Tone Time” again for the New York Jets.

Santonio Holmes(notes) signed his big contract Saturday to stay with the Jets and
be the big playmaker he was for Mark Sanchez(notes) last season.

Holmes agreed to a five-year deal worth about $50 million on Wednesday after
New York made him its top priority once the free agency period began earlier
this week.

New York also officially signed safety Eric Smith(notes), kicker Nick Folk(notes),
offensive linemen Wayne Hunter(notes) and Robert Turner(notes), as well as defensive lineman
Muhammad Wilkerson(notes), the team’s first-round pick, and wide receiver Jeremy
Kerley(notes), the team’s fifth-rounder.

Defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson, New York’s first-round draft pick from
Temple, has agreed to a four-year deal. He said on Twitter he was headed to the
team’s facility in Florham Park, N.J., to sign his contract.

Holmes, 27, was acquired last offseason from Pittsburgh and had 52 catches
for 746 yards and six touchdowns for the Jets after returning from a four-game
suspension to start the season. He quickly developed a rapport with Sanchez and
played key roles in three straight wins with big catches late in games last
season.

“Good morning NY/NJ Jets fans. On the way to putting it in writing,”
Holmes tweeted Saturday. “Tone Time!”

After agreeing with Holmes, the Jets turned their attention to trying to
land free agent cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha(notes)—who ended up going to Philadelphia.
New York is expected to be looking at other free agents at the position,
including Antonio Cromartie(notes), who was solid a year ago in his first season with
the Jets.

Finding a wide receiver to complement Holmes will also be on the agenda for
New York. It appears the Jets will move on from free agent Braylon Edwards(notes), and
could be interested in Plaxico Burress(notes), Randy Moss(notes) and Malcom Floyd(notes), among
others.

The Jets thought about bringing in Burress a few years ago, before the
former Giants and Steelers star served 20 months in prison on a gun charge.
Burress has visited with the Giants as well as the Steelers, his original team,
during the past few days and could meet with the Jets at some point—but
nothing was scheduled for Sunday.

Smith, a key backup in the secondary and a hard-hitting special teams
player, signed a three-year deal. He has been with the Jets since they drafted
him in the third round out of Michigan State in 2006.

“Excited to officially be a Jet again,” Smith said on Twitter. “Great
players, great coaches and the BEST fans. Now on to the Super Bowl.”

Folk signed a one-year deal after going 30 of 39 on field-goal attempts last
season, his first with the Jets after three years kicking for the Dallas
Cowboys. He was also 2 for 3 on field goals in the postseason. He will compete
with veteran kicker Nick Novak(notes) for the job.

Hunter, who filled in at right tackle when starter Damien Woody(notes) was injured
late last season, signed a four-year deal. Agent Kenny Zuckerman told The
Associated Press that “there was some other sincere interest from a few
teams,” but Hunter chose to remain with the Jets because “Wayne and his family
love the Jets organization.”

Turner, a versatile backup who can play all along the Jets’ line, was a
restricted free agent who signed a one-year deal.

Wilkerson, the 30th overall pick in April, had 9 1/2 sacks last year for Temple
and should immediately help the Jets as a defensive tackle or end. The 6-foot-4,
315-pound Wilkerson grew up in nearby Linden, N.J.

“It’s official,” Wilkerson said on his Twitter page, “now im a Jet and
happy to be apart of this great organization!!!!”

Kerley, the 153rd pick in the draft, signed a multiyear deal after catching
56 passes from Andy Dalton(notes) at TCU for 575 yards and 10 touchdowns last season.
He won the Mountain West Conference’s special teams player of the year award his
last two seasons, and will likely help fill the void left when versatile wide
receiver Brad Smith(notes) signed with Buffalo.

Their signings leave only one of the Jets’ six drafts picks—third-rounder
Kenrick Ellis(notes)—not under contract.

The Jets report for training camp Sunday, with their first practice at their
training facility in Florham Park, N.J., on Monday.

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.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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.

Updated Jul 22, 2011 10:46 AM ET

NEW YORK (AP)

New York Jets star Braylon Edwards has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of driving while intoxicated.

His case will be closed without jail time or probation if he pays a $500 fine. He must continue in an NFL alcohol counseling program that he’s been in since October.

He also gets a six-month driver’s license suspension.

As he left the courthouse Friday, the wide receiver called it a ”fair conclusion.”

Police say they initially stopped him in Manhattan around 5 a.m. on Sept. 21 because his Land Rover’s windows were too dark.

NEW YORK — Sexy former New York Jets game-day hostess Jenn Sterger was one strike closer to a new job Wednesday after recently filming a pilot for Spike TV called “Spike’s Spare Time,” where she interviews celebrities while bowling.

“It’s probably the one sport I’m pretty awesome at,” she said. “I’ve bowled since I was six. I was in all of the youth leagues and a bunch of traveling leagues in Florida.”

Back then her average was 189, with an all-time high of 289, she said.

Sterger said it was getting easier to find work now that the furor has died down after the Brett Favre lewd-texting drama and her lengthy interview on the US network ABC, in which she denied being a “gold-digger.”

“I’m in such a better place,” she said.

As for the rumors that ABC got the interview in exchange for finding her a job, Sterger said it never happened.

“Do you see me having a show at ABC?” she said. “Nope, not at all.”

Read more: NEW YORK POST
 

Associated Press – April 2, 2011 8:34 AM ET

NEW YORK (AP) – The New York Jets say two massage therapists are overplaying their ties to the team in a lawsuit that claims they were blacklisted for objecting to randy text messages from former quarterback Brett Favre.

The Jets say in court documents that Shannon O’Toole and Christina Scavo worked a combined total of 5 days for the team.

The Jets and another massage therapist say the team wasn’t told about the women’s concerns and just took its massage business elsewhere when its training facility moved in 2008.

Favre hasn’t replied to the lawsuit. His agent didn’t immediately return a call Friday.

Scavo and O’Toole say Favre sent another woman a suggestive message about her and Scavo in 2008. The two say the Jets stopped hiring them after Scavo’s husband complained to Favre.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Updated Mar 22, 2011 1:28 AM ET

NEW YORK

New York Jets coach Rex Ryan, while making yet another guarantee that his side would win the next Super Bowl, compared himself to baseball great Babe Ruth, the New York Daily News reported Monday.

According to legend, Ruth pointed to the center-field bleachers during his at-bat in Game 3 of the 1932 World Series and on the next pitch hit a home run to exactly that point for the New York Yankees.

Ryan said he was doing the same thing by predicting the Super Bowl win.

“It’s like he had the courage to do that. I think I’ve got the courage,” Ryan said.

“Now granted, I can’t hit anywhere close to Babe Ruth and I’m not as good a coach as Babe Ruth was a player, but I still feel the same way.

“I still feel like [we will win], why wouldn’t I say it? It’s easier for me to say it because I have people with me.

“Babe Ruth had to walk up there by himself. But if everything was up to me and that we were going to win [if] I’d hit one out, I believe myself I’m going to hit it out.

“More importantly, I believe in everybody — our players, our coaches, the fan base we have established here, everybody in the organization.”

Ryan said at the start of the 2009 playoffs that the Jets should be the favorites for the title, but his team fell in the AFC title game. Then in 2010 he predicted from the start that the Jets would win the Super Bowl, but they again lost in the AFC title game.

“How am I crying wolf?” Ryan added. “We built a perennial winner. Now we’ve just got to find a way to get it done. All I want is to win two more games.”

NEW YORK — New York Jets wide receiver Braylon Edwards was in a Manhattan courtroom Monday trying to get his drunken-driving case thrown out.

His attorney, Peter J. Frankel, was going to file motions to suppress the field sobriety test from Edwards’ DUI arrest on Sept. 21.

Edwards was assessed by police to have a blood alcohol level that was roughly twice the legal limit, from breath tests administered both at the scene of the arrest and later when he was taken into custody. Frankel has already filed to suppress the second test in the event of a trial and will file a motion to suppress the first in the next few weeks.

Edwards was already on probation from a dust-up in Cleveland when New York police said they pulled him over in September because his luxury SUV’s windows were too dark. Officers said his blood-alcohol level was twice the legal limit.

He denies driving drunk. He’s challenging the basis for stopping him, the reliability of the test and other aspects of the case.

Prosecutors say his arrest was lawful, the test was fine and there’s enough evidence to support the charges. The most serious is a misdemeanor.

If Edwards is found guilty of the DUI, he could be compelled to return to Cleveland and face six months in jail for violating the terms of his probation there.

Frankel said he is having ongoing discussions with the district attorney’s department about the possibility of a plea bargain, but that no offer has been made.

Although the day was brief and mostly procedural, Frankel said Edwards is aware of the impact the outcome can have on his career. Edwards will be a free agent in the NFL under a new collective bargaining agreement.

“He understands that it’s a very important time in his life and he wants to get through this the best way he can,” Frankel said. “He’s doing all the right things.”

Edwards is due back in court on May 16.

After the appearance, Edwards said he has been in contact with both general manager Mike Tannenbaum and coach Rex Ryan.

“Just catching up more so, wasn’t anything about football,” Edwards said. “The interest is there on their side. The interest is there on my side we just got to put it together and see what happens.”

Jane McManus is a reporter and columnist for ESPNNewYork.com. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

Follow Jane McManus on Twitter: @janesports