Jets can hit ground running in free agency

Locking up Mark Sanchez for five years and knowing that Peyton Manning is taking his talents elsewhere might be a blessing in disguise for the Jets as they head into free agency.

Think back to late July, when the Jets flirted with cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha once free agency began a few days after the lockout was lifted. That dream of teaming Asomugha with All-Pro Darrelle Revis had them thinking of a potentially fearsome duo.

Without knowing exactly how things were going to work out with Asomugha, the Jets weren't in a position to quickly start filling other holes in their roster.

If they didn't land Asomugha, they were going to bring back special-teams ace and key offensive player Brad Smith. But he didn't feel like waiting around to see what kind of deal he could get from the Jets and agreed to a four-year, $15-million contract with the Bills.

So now that they're out of the Manning derby, the Jets can turn their complete attention to scouring the market for talent to improve that 8-8 roster. It probably starts with finding someone to back up the franchise quarterback to whom they handed a three-year, $40.5-million extension Friday night.

General manager Mike Tannenbaum has said the Jets' quarterback corps probably will look a little different this year.

Mark Brunell, 41, and unproven Kevin O'Connell were the backup options last season. Tannenbaum said he expects Greg McElroy -- who missed the 2011 season with a thumb injury -- to be back. But the Jets are going to need someone with veteran knowledge to be the No. 2, though Tannenbaum doesn't think it's necessary to push Sanchez in his fourth season.

"Mark doesn't need anybody to motivate him to be great," he said. "Mark wants to be great. That's who he is and that's the guy we drafted.

"Mark and every other player is held accountable by how well they play, and ultimately playing time is dictated by coach [Rex] Ryan. All our players are held accountable, and it's all about who gives us [the best] chance to win."

Showing that commitment to Sanchez by handing him that extension might scare off some veteran quarterbacks. Still, Tannenbaum doesn't think his new pact will dissuade a quarterback from joining the Jets.

"In terms of attracting other potential backup quarterbacks, every situation is different or speaks for itself as it relates to how that player may or may not have other opportunities," he said. "But with that said, and we've said this publicly now for a number of weeks, we feel really good about Mark as our starting quarterback.

"That's because the player and the person is really what we drafted: A highly competitive, highly talented person [for whom] winning football games is really important. And I don't think it matters who the backup quarterback is. That's Mark's DNA."

Defensively, the Jets will have some decisions to make, beginning with their secondary. Jim Leonhard, whose season ended prematurely for the second straight year -- this time because of a knee injury -- is a free agent. Brodney Pool, the other member of their three-headed-safety look, also is a free agent.

Upgrading the linebacking corps could be a priority, given that Bart Scott's days with the team are done and Bryan Thomas is rehabbing a torn ACL entering free agency.

With last year's third-round pick, Kenrick Ellis, not ready, the Jets likely will try to bring back ultra-reliable nose tackle Sione Pouha if both sides can agree on the particulars.