NEW YORK -- The New York Jets restructured Laveranues Coles' contract Wednesday, allowing the veteran wide receiver to become an unrestricted free agent when the signing period begins Friday.
Coles, 31, was heading into the final year of his contract, but he was looking for a long-term deal. Because of the compromise between the sides, the Jets are off the hook for the guaranteed $6 million that Coles was due this upcoming season.
"I spoke with him today and expressed my appreciation for his contributions both on and off the field," Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum said. "This move will allow Laveranues to explore his options, and we both agreed to keep the lines of communication open."
The move comes after a series of salary dumps by the Jets, who also have cut tight end Chris Baker, defensive back David Barrett and linebackers David Bowens and Brad Kassell.
Coles immediately will become one of the top available free agents at wide receiver, joining a group led by T.J. Houshmandzadeh. Teams are allowed to begin signing free agents on Friday at 12:01 a.m. EST.
Coles caught 70 passes for 850 yards and seven touchdowns from Brett Favre last season. Coles was a third-round draft pick by New York in 2000 and played two seasons before signing as a free agent with Washington. After two years with the Redskins, Coles was traded back to the Jets before the 2005 season.
"I have had the pleasure of getting to know Laveranues since he entered the league in 2000," Tannenbaum said. "He is a fierce competitor, a great teammate and a good friend who has always given his best to the New York Jets."
Before last season, Coles threatened to sit out during the offseason program because he wanted a long-term deal, but coach Eric Mangini -- during a trip to the wide receiver's home -- convinced him to back off his demands after expressing that he was an invaluable part of the team. The Jets then had the final two years of Coles' contract -- about $11 million -- guaranteed in a good-faith move.
That would have put the Jets on the hook for his salary this season if not for the compromise.
Coles told The Newark Star-Ledger that he could still end up re-signing with the Jets.
"We didn't leave on bad terms," Coles told the newspaper. "It's not out of the question that I could come back."
A team captain in 2007, Coles also became a fan favorite during his second stint with the Jets while playing through numerous injuries in recent seasons, including at least two concussions. He had his streak of playing in 107 straight games end in November 2007 because of a concussion, and he was briefly knocked unconscious when he was leveled by Miami's Zach Thomas in December 2006. Coles also suffered a concussion early last season.
Coles, who had a career-high 91 catches in 2006, has 631 career receptions for 8,095 yards and 44 touchdowns. He struggled to click with Favre early last season when the Jets cut Coles' good friend, Chad Pennington. A few days later, Pennington was signed by the Miami Dolphins and led them to the playoffs while being voted NFL Comeback Player of the Year for the second time in the last three seasons.
Coles, who's from Jacksonville, Fla., could possibly seek a reunion with Pennington and try to sign with the Dolphins. Also, Bill Parcells, the man who drafted Coles when he was the Jets' GM, is currently the Dolphins' executive vice president of football operations.
If Coles doesn't return to the Jets, it would leave them extremely thin at wide receiver, with only Jerricho Cotchery, Brad Smith and Chansi Stuckey having played a significant number of games.
Coles, known as much for his moody behavior with the media as his toughness and grit on the field, ranks fourth in team history -- behind Don Maynard (627), Wayne Chrebet (580) and Al Toon (517) -- with 459 catches. Coles also is tied with Raymond Berry for 41st on the NFL's career list with 631 receptions.
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
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