Source: WR Coles could be back with Jets in 2010
Cincinnati Bengals receiver Laveranues Coles (11) catches an 11-yard touchdown pass against New York Jets cornerback Dwight Lowery (21). (January 9, 2010) Credit: AP
The Jets are on the verge of bringing back an old friend - again.
Laveranues Coles, who originally was drafted by the Jets and had two stints with the organization, is scheduled to work out for the team today, according to a league source. If all goes well, the Jets are expected to sign the 32-year-old wide receiver to a one-year contract for the veteran's minimum, in Coles' case $860,000.
With Santonio Holmes suspended for the season's first four games for violating the league's substance-abuse policy, the Jets appear to be turning to Coles for a bit of insurance. Coles' arrival would add to a stable of wide receivers that already includes Holmes, Braylon Edwards, Jerricho Cotchery, Brad Smith and David Clowney, as well as tight end Dustin Keller.
Drafted in 2000, Coles spent three seasons with the Jets before signing a seven-year, $35-million deal with the Redskins in 2003. He returned to the Jets in 2005 for four seasons before asking for his release after the 2008 campaign.
Coles felt he could get a better deal on the open market than the $6-million guaranteed salary he was due in 2009, and the Jets granted his wish and let him go. He signed a four-year, $28-million deal with the Bengals to help replace departed free agent T.J. Houshmandzadeh.
But Coles, who has a history of concussions, didn't exactly flourish in his one season with the Bengals. He played in all 16 regular-season games, starting 13, and caught 43 passes for 514 yards and five touchdowns. He also caught six passes for 48 yards and a touchdown in the Jets' 24-14 AFC wild-card victory over the Bengals in Cincinnati.
Roster moves. Rookie RB Joe McKnight failed his conditioning test and was placed on the active/non- football injury list. McKnight can come off the list once he passes the test. QB Erik Ainge is on the football/non-football illness list with an undisclosed ailment. The Jets also signed free agent safety Emmanuel Cook and waived LB Ezra Butler.
