In other expected moves, the Jets also cut linebacker Calvin Pace, safety Eric Smith and tackle Jason Smith. Just like that, the Jets created $30.7 million in cap relief. It puts them about $5.7 million under the cap.

This starts what figures to be a tumultuous offseason under new general manager John Idzik, although his predecessor, Mike Tannenbaum, was planning to make the same four cuts.

This won’t impact Darrelle Revis’ situation. The Jets had to make these moves simply to get under the cap by the start of the league year, March 12. They also waived injured tight end Josh Baker.

“Every one of these players was a major contributor to our football team,” coach Rex Ryan said Tuesday. “I was very impressed with Jason this past season while Bart, Calvin and Eric have been an instrumental part of our defense for the past four years.”

Scott wasn’t included in the Jets’ initial announcement of cuts, fueling speculation he could remain on the team at a reduced salary. His agent, Harold Lewis, said he expected to meet with team officials later this week at the scouting combine in Indianapolis to discuss Scott’s future.

The Jets apparently couldn’t wait, announcing an hour later that Scott — best known for his “Can’t Wait!” rant on ESPN after the Jets upset the Patriots in the 2010 divisional playoffs — also was a goner.

“The door is not closed with the Jets, and this allows us to really work the market as a free agent while in Indy,” Lewis said later in an e-mail to ESPNNewYork.com.

Scott was due to count $8.7 million against the cap. By cutting him, the Jets will get hit with $1.5 million in “dead” money, meaning there will be a savings of $7.2 million. He likely will be replaced by second-year linebacker Demario Davis, who became Scott’s heir apparent last year when he was drafted in the third round.

Scott was the first big acquisition of the Ryan administration, following Ryan to New York from the Baltimore Ravens.

The Jets enticed him with a six-year, $48 million contract in 2009, making him the centerpiece of the defense. Ryan and two assistant coaches took a celebrated recruiting trip to Scott’s Maryland home, showing up at midnight at the start of free agency.

Scott brought toughness and swagger to the unit, which vaulted to No. 1 in the league rankings in 2009. In four seasons with the Jets, Scott recorded 8.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and only one interception.

He became a malcontent in 2011, though, complaining about his diminished playing time, and also had several clashes with the media, once incurring a $10,000 fine for making an obscene gesture toward a news photographer.

Scott hoped for a bounce-back year, but he suffered a turf-toe injury in Week 3. He tried to play through the pain, but eventually missed a game, ending his streak of 119 consecutive games played.

Scott, Pace and Eric Smith could draw interest from the Buffalo Bills, where they’d be reunited with former Jets defensive coordinator Mike Pettine.

Pace was an every-down linebacker, but his cap charge was prohibitive — he was due to count $11.6 million. By cutting him, the Jets will get hit with $3.0 million in dead money, meaning there will be a savings of $8.6 million.

The Jets snagged Pace with a six-year, $42 million contract during free agency in 2008, one of many key additions in a blockbuster offseason. Of all the big-name acquisitions — Alan Faneca, Kris Jenkins, Damien Woody and, later, Brett Favre — Pace lasted the longest.

Pace didn’t become the pass rusher the Jets envisioned, never eclipsing eight sacks in a season. In 2012, he played in 94 percent of the defensive snaps, recording only three sacks and 42 solo tackles.

In five seasons with the Jets, Pace recorded 28 sacks and 11 forced fumbles. The Jets don’t have an obvious replacement for him, but they could draft an outside linebacker with the ninth overall pick.

Jason Smith’s release was a no-brainer considering his $12 million cap figure, which included an $11.25 million roster bonus. The Jets inherited the contract last August from the St. Louis Rams, who previously had restructured the contract to include the prohibitive bonus  virtually ensuring free agency in 2013.

The entire $12 million charge is wiped off the Jets’ cap, an enormous savings that will allow them to do business on the open market.

Smith was acquired last August in a trade with the Rams, a straight-up swap for Wayne Hunter, another right tackle who fell out of favor. Smith, the No. 2 overall pick in 2009, was used exclusively as a backup. He played in 24 percent of the offensive snaps as an extra blocker in the “jumbo” package.

Eric Smith was a valuable backup who contributed heavily on special teams. He was a situational played last season on defense, but he has started 36 games in his career. He was due to make $3 million in the final year of his contract, all of which is cleaned off the cap.

The post Bart Scott one of five Jets released appeared first on IdealCapper.

Bowers was arraigned Monday on charges of criminal possession of a weapon and posted $10,000 bond. Team officials said Tuesday they won’t comment until they have all the facts.

According to authorities, Bowers was arrested at LaGuardia Airport as he was about to board a U.S. Airways flight to Raleigh, N.C. The .40-caliber weapon was found during a search of his carry-on bag.

Efforts to reach his attorney were unsuccessful.

Bowers played college football for Clemson and was selected by the Buccaneers in the 2011 NFL draft.

Former New York Giants receiver Plaxico Burress was arrested on the same charge after he accidentally shot himself in a nightclub in 2008. He eventually served time in prison.

The post Da’Quan Bowers arrested at airport appeared first on IdealCapper.

Spielman refused Friday to comment specifically on contracts. He said team officials, as always, will meet next week at the NFL scouting combine with the agents for every player. He declined to address the possibility of negotiating a new deal for Harvin.

Harvin will enter the final year of his contract in 2013.

After spraining his left ankle in November, Harvin was placed on injured reserve in December. He didn’t return to the team’s facility until his exit physical in January, but Spielman said Harvin has been cleared for full activity.

The post Vikings: Percy Harvin won’t be dealt appeared first on IdealCapper.

After interviewing four candidates, the Jets have decided to expand their search for a new general manager. New York will interview three new candidates Thursday, including former Chicago Bears GM Jerry Angelo, according to league sources.

Angelo, who was fired from his post in Chicago after the 2011 season, is the only known candidate with experience as a GM. He was the Bears’ GM for 11 years, compiling an 87-73 record and building the team that reached Super Bowl XLI.

The Jets also will meet with Miami Dolphins assistant GM Brian Gaine and Pittsburgh Steelers director of football and business administration Omar Kahn, sources said.

The Jets have reached out to no fewer than 12 potential candidates, and that number is expected to grow. They’re expected to conduct more interviews on Friday, which means the search probably will continue into next week.

The Jets clearly were not blown away by any of their original four candidates, prompting team officials to cast a wider net. The franchise is under intense pressure to make the right choice.

Not only did the Jets stumble to a 6-10 record, but they’ve been lampooned since the end of the season. They’ve provided plenty of tabloid fodder, with Rex Ryan’s well-chronicled getaway to the Bahamas, his infamous tattoo and the clumsy, eight-day delay before their season-ending news conference — a violation of the NFL media policy.

Owner Woody Johnson still wants Ryan to be a major presence in the organization. That became apparent Tuesday at their joint news conference. Despite the losing season, Johnson gave an effusive vote of confidence to Ryan, also revealing that Ryan will be involved in the latter stages of the GM search.

Johnson confirmed that Ryan is part of the package, meaning the next GM has to retain the coach for at least one season. Johnson said he hasn’t received any negative backlash from potential candidates.

“I really haven’t had any reaction, no,” he said. “I think everybody feels like they’re pretty fortunate to have Rex because of what they know. They know he’s a good coach and you can’t always say that. It takes one of the uncertainties out of the equation.”

Not everyone feels the same way.

“It’s an absolute recipe for disaster,” said a longtime GM, speaking on the condition of anonymity. “It’s a marriage by proxy.”

Amid the Jets’ recent embarrassing headlines, they’re still looking for a GM. Consider their odyssey:

Two landed other GM jobs: Former Atlanta Falcons director of player personnel Dave Caldwell was hired by the Jacksonville Jaguars and former Indianapolis Colts vice president of football operations Tom Telesco landed the San Diego Chargers’ GM job.

One declined an interview (Baltimore Ravens assistant GM Eric DeCosta); one canceled his interview (former Cleveland Browns GM Tom Heckert); and one postponed to pursue other options (Green Bay Packers director of football operations John Dorsey).

49ers director of player personnel Tom Gamble was considered the early favorite, but his interview didn’t go as well as expected, according to league sources. Caldwell became the next hot name — he was invited back for a second interview — but league sources suspect he used the Jets as leverage against the Jaguars.

The Jets also met with New York Giants director of college scouting Marc Ross and their top in-house candidate, Scott Cohen, who served as Tannenbaum’s assistant GM for five years. People close to the organization believe owner Woody Johnson will give strong consideration to Cohen because he’s already familiar with Ryan.

The Jets’ job would be a homecoming for Gaine, who will meet with team officials later this week. He grew up in Pearl River, N.Y., attended Don Bosco Prep in New Jersey, played briefly on the Jets’ practice squad and became a scout under Bill Parcells. He followed Parcells to the Dallas Cowboys and Dolphins, ascending to the front office.

Gaine was a practice-squad tight end for the Jets and Giants. Former Jets teammates Wayne Chrebet, Marvin Jones and Anthony Becht gave their endorsements, tweeting that Gaine would be an excellent choice.

The post Jets to interview Jerry Angelo appeared first on IdealCapper.