The New York Jets have re-signed unrestricted free agent DB Hank Poteat. The announcement was made by Jets’ General Manager Mike Tannenbaum.

Poteat (5-10, 195, Pittsburgh/Harrisburg, PA) returns to the Jets after appearing in all 16 games in 2007. He started nine games, recording the first two interceptions of his eight-year career in consecutive games vs. Donovan McNabb and Carson Palmer. On the year, Poteat registered a career-high 45 tackles and five pass breakups. Poteat first joined the Jets in 2006 after stints with the Steelers, Buccaneers and Patriots. He was originally drafted by the Steelers in the third round (77th overall) of the 2000 NFL Draft.

The New York Jets have announced the signing of undrafted free agent Shawn McMackin (G/Hofstra/River Vale, NJ/6-3, 287) and have waived Brett Byford (C/Nebraska/Hartselle, AL/6-3, 300) and Al Phillips (CB/Wagner/Miami, FL/5-11, 195). The announcements were made by Jets’ General Manager Mike Tannenbaum.

McMackin played guard and tackle at Hofstra University, the home of the Jets training complex, where he started for most of 2006 and 2007. He was a member of the St. Joseph’s Regional High School team that won three state championships in New Jersey.

Byford anchored the middle of the Husker offensive line in both 2006 and 2007. Byford was an honorable-mention All-Big 12 Conference pick each of the past two years.

Phillips, a three-time All-Northeast Conference cornerback at Wagner College, finished with 18 passes defended and seven interceptions in 2007. Phillips’ 17 career interceptions rank first all-time in NEC history and third all-time in Wagner history.

First Round Busts Throughout Jets History Mark Organization

On Saturday afternoon at Radio City Music Hall, the New York Jets will make their selection, the sixth overall, at approximately 4:00 pm. While this year’s crop seems deep as far as the top picks go, it is possible that Gang Green will be left with a difficult decision, depending of course on what the teams picking ahead of them do.

A defensive end or running back? A quarterback? Trade down to acquire more picks, especially the all-important, but overlooked Day Two selections?

It is imperative that general manager Mike Tannenbaum makes the right choice, especially in the first round where an impact player can be found. Coming off a 4-12 season, the Jets had visits from 30 college players who are entering the draft for interviews.

“It’s part of the process,” Tannenbaum said at the team’s Pre-Draft Press Conference last week. “We take players out to dinner. It’s just part of the evaluation process.”

Besides picking up the check, another part of that process is deciding on picking a player that is ready to contribute now or one that may need some seasoning. “We factor in those variables when we make the decision,” said Tannenbaum. “At the end of the day, we want to take the best player for us. We’re going to factor in his upside, his work ethic, his position. All those factors will go into the decision.”

Whoever the team tabs in the first round, hopefully that player will not be remembered as a bust, which can set an organization back many years. Looking back through the past 10 years, there have been some good choices (first player chosen), as well as some others that have not panned out as well.

2007 – Darrelle Revis, CB, Pittsburgh – The Jets traded up to select Revis at number 14, who ended up starting for the team and contributing all season long.

2006 – D’Brickashaw Ferguson, T, Virginia – A popular pick at the time, but Ferguson has not lived up to his billing. The jury is still out on the overall number four choice.

2005 – Mike Nugent, K, Ohio State – The Jets did not have a first round choice, and selected the diminutive placekicker 47th overall. An average kicker, at best.

2004 – Jonathan Vilma, LB, Miami – The former Pro Bowler could not adjust to head coach Eric Mangini’s 3-4 defensive system and was dealt this offseason to New Orleans for draft choices. A good choice at number 12 that would have excelled in the old scheme.

2003 – DeWayne Robertson, DT, Kentucky – A disappointment, especially after the team traded up to grab him at number four. Was traded to Denver for an undisclosed draft pick the week of the ’08 draft.

2002 - Bryan Thomas, DE, Alabama-Birmingham – After rejuvenating his career in ’06, Thomas was re-signed and then had a lousy campaign a year ago. Switching to OLB in the 3-4 system, this may be the former 22nd pick’s last season with the team if he puts out another bad effort.

2001- Santana Moss, WR, Miami – The fast, but small wideout has had a nice career for the Jets and later the Redskins, enough to justify his number 16 pick.

2000 – Shaun Ellis, DE, Tennessee – Similar to Thomas, Ellis was re-signed after performing at a high level, but came back down to earth in 2007. He was chosen 12th, the first of four first round picks the Jets had that year (John Abraham, Chad Pennngton and Anthony Becht being the other three).

1999 – Randy Thomas, G, Mississippi State – With no first round pick, the big lineman was chosen with the 57th choice overall in Round 2. He has been a starter throughout, first with the Jets and later with Washington after signing with the ‘Skins as a free agent.

1998 – Dorian Boose, DE, Washington State – Another second round choice, 56th overall. Did not make an impact and disappeared without many people noticing.

So what does all of this tell us for Saturday? Nothing and everything. The pick may be lauded at the time, such as Ferguson and Robertson were. The Jets have the following players still on their roster from the above 10 drafts: Revis, Ferguson, Nugent, Thomas and Ellis. Revis is the only one who is making a difference on the field, and he has only done it for his rookie season. He needs to keep doing what he did a year ago and build on that.

There is no such thing as a sure thing or a safe pick. Seeing who has come and gone in the past decade prove that.

The New York Jets have traded DT Dewayne Robertson to the Denver Broncos for an undisclosed draft pick. The Jets also waived the following players: RB Alvin Banks, CB Manny Collins, LB Jerry Mackey, and WR Shaine Smith. The announcements were made by Jets’ General Manager Mike Tannenbaum.

Robertson (6-1, 310, Kentucky) started 75 games for the Jets in five seasons, compiling 319 total tackles, 14.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. In 2007, Robertson started 15 games, registering 74 tackles and four sacks. Robertson was the Jets first selection, fourth overall, in the 2003 NFL Draft.

Banks (5-10, 225, James Madison), who was added to the Jets practice squad Dec. 9, was first signed by the Jets on May 12 as an undrafted rookie free agent and was waived on Sept. 1. He rushed for 11 yards on five carries during the preseason. He finished his career third in James Madison history in rushing yards (2,694) and rushing attempts (551), fifth in rushing touchdowns (28) and had 11 career 100-yard rushing games.

Collins (5-10, 190, Rutgers) was added to the Jets practice squad Dec. 19. He was originally signed by the Jets as an undrafted rookie free agent on Aug. 2, waived on Sept. 1, signed to the Jets practice squad on Sept. 3, released on Oct. 10, re-signed to the practice squad on Nov. 13 and released on Nov. 29. He recorded 68 tackles, two interceptions and four fumble recoveries during four seasons at Rutgers.

Mackey (6-1, 233, Syracuse) who was added to the Jets practice squad Dec. 9, signed with the Jets on Aug. 4 before being traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Aug. 21 for an undisclosed draft pick. He was waived by the Buccaneers on Sept. 1, signed to the Jets practice squad on Oct. 4 and released on Oct. 29. He played four years at Syracuse, recording 202 tackles (106 solo), three sacks, one interception and one fumble recovery. The Freeport, NY, native earned All-Nassau County and All-Long Island honors as a senior at Freeport HS and is a great nephew of NFL Hall-of-Famer John Mackey.

Smith (6-2, 189, Hofstra), who was added to the Jets practice squad Dec. 9, originally signed with the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted rookie free agent on May 10 and was waived on Aug. 31. He played two seasons at Hofstra University, recording 61 catches for 951 yards and nine touchdowns after transferring from Nassau (NY) Community College. As a senior, he caught 60 passes for 951 yards and nine touchdowns and recorded four 100-yard games.

The New York Jets have signed free agent TE Bubba Franks. The announcement was made by Jets’ General Manager Mike Tannenbaum.

Franks (6-6, 265, University of Miami), whose given name is Daniel Lamont Franks, joins the Jets after eight seasons with Green Bay. He has played in 114 games, starting 94, and has recorded 256 receptions for 2,300 yards and 32 touchdowns. His career totals for receptions and touchdowns rank second among tight ends in Packers’ history, while his yardage total stands fifth. He earned three consecutive Pro Bowl berths, appearing from 2001-03. Originally selected by Green Bay in the first round (14th overall) of the 2000 NFL draft, he played in 82 regular season games and six postseason contests before missing his first NFL game in 2005.

The New York Jets have released T Anthony Clement and signed free agent CB Andre Woolfork. The announcements were made by Jets General Manager Mike Tannenbaum.

Clement, a 10-year NFL veteran, originally signed with the Jets as an unrestricted free agent on April 19, 2006. In two seasons, he started all 33 games he played at right tackle, including one postseason contest in 2006. For his career he has played in 128 games with 108 starts.

Woolfork (6-2, 197, Oklahoma), who was originally selected in the first round (28th overall) of the 2003 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans, joins the Jets after being out of football in 2007. In four seasons with Tennessee, Woolfork played in 39 games and made 11 starts. He totaled 94 tackles, three interceptions, 18 passes defensed, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

The New York Jets have signed unrestricted free agents LB Calvin Pace from the Arizona Cardinals and OL Damien Woody from the Detroit Lions. The announcements were made by Jets General Manager Mike Tannenbaum.

Pace (6-4, 270, Wake Forest), originally selected 18th overall in the 2003 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals, has played in 67 games in his NFL career, making 38 starts. In five seasons with the Cardinals, he totaled 186 tackles, 14 sacks and 11 passes defensed. In 2007, his first season as a linebacker in a 3-4 defense, Pace started all 16 games and recorded 106 tackles, 6.5 sacks, six passes defensed, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and one interception. He started all 16 games for the second time in his career and established career highs in tackles, sacks, interceptions, passes defensed and fumble recoveries.

“Calvin is an intelligent, young player who has been productive as an outside linebacker in the 3-4 alignment,” said Jets Head Coach Eric Mangini. “He has been effective with his hand on and off the ground. I found him to be an impressive young man and our coaches are looking forward to working with him.”

“Calvin is a versatile player that has demonstrated the ability to handle the demands of being an outside linebacker,” said Tannenbaum. “We believe that his skills will translate well to what we are trying to accomplish defensively.”

Woody (6-3, 335, Boston College), has started 121-of-128 regular season games at three different positions along the offensive line, contributing at center, guard and tackle. He has also started in four postseason games, including Super Bowl XXXVI. Originally drafted in the first round (17th overall) in the 1999 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots, Woody earned Pro Bowl honors following the 2002 season.

“Damien is a versatile player that has experience at a number of positions,” said Mangini. “I spent four seasons with Damien in New England and know that he is a diligent performer with a good work ethic.”

“Damien Woody provides us with a big, experienced offensive lineman that has position flexibility,” said Tannenbaum. “He played in the AFC East for the first five years of his career and we feel he is a good fit for our team.”

“I’m ecstatic to be with the Jets. I am familiar with Eric Mangini and Brian Daboll and it feels good to be reunited with them,” said Woody. “I am looking forward to returning to the AFC East and contributing to this team.”

With the addition of Pace and Woody, the New York Jets have now signed four players since the free agency period began on February 29. The team has also signed guard Alan Faneca as an unrestricted free agent from the Pittsburgh Steelers and acquired defensive tackle Kris Jenkins in a trade with the Carolina Panthers.

The New York Jets have signed unrestricted free agents LB Calvin Pace from the Arizona Cardinals and OL Damien Woody from the Detroit Lions. The announcements were made by Jets General Manager Mike Tannenbaum.

Pace (6-4, 270, Wake Forest), originally selected 18th overall in the 2003 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals, has played in 67 games in his NFL career, making 38 starts. In five seasons with the Cardinals, he totaled 186 tackles, 14 sacks and 11 passes defensed. In 2007, his first season as a linebacker in a 3-4 defense, Pace started all 16 games and recorded 106 tackles, 6.5 sacks, six passes defensed, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and one interception. He started all 16 games for the second time in his career and established career highs in tackles, sacks, interceptions, passes defensed and fumble recoveries.

“Calvin is an intelligent, young player who has been productive as an outside linebacker in the 3-4 alignment,” said Jets Head Coach Eric Mangini. “He has been effective with his hand on and off the ground. I found him to be an impressive young man and our coaches are looking forward to working with him.”

“Calvin is a versatile player that has demonstrated the ability to handle the demands of being an outside linebacker,” said Tannenbaum. “We believe that his skills will translate well to what we are trying to accomplish defensively.”

Woody (6-3, 335, Boston College), has started 121-of-128 regular season games at three different positions along the offensive line, contributing at center, guard and tackle. He has also started in four postseason games, including Super Bowl XXXVI. Originally drafted in the first round (17th overall) in the 1999 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots, Woody earned Pro Bowl honors following the 2002 season.

“Damien is a versatile player that has experience at a number of positions,” said Mangini. “I spent four seasons with Damien in New England and know that he is a diligent performer with a good work ethic.”

“Damien Woody provides us with a big, experienced offensive lineman that has position flexibility,” said Tannenbaum. “He played in the AFC East for the first five years of his career and we feel he is a good fit for our team.”

“I’m ecstatic to be with the Jets. I am familiar with Eric Mangini and Brian Daboll and it feels good to be reunited with them,” said Woody. “I am looking forward to returning to the AFC East and contributing to this team.”

With the addition of Pace and Woody, the New York Jets have now signed four players since the free agency period began on February 29. The team has also signed guard Alan Faneca as an unrestricted free agent from the Pittsburgh Steelers and acquired defensive tackle Kris Jenkins in a trade with the Carolina Panthers.

The New York Jets have signed unrestricted free agent LG Alan Faneca. The announcement was made by Jets General Manager Mike Tannenbaum.

“Alan is regarded as one of the best offensive lineman in the NFL and we are fortunate to add him to our roster,” Tannenbaum said. “We made our interest in him known from the beginning of free agency. In addition to Alan’s production on the field, we were just as impressed with the intangibles that he brings to the locker room as well as to the community.”

“Alan has consistently played at a high level throughout his career,” said New York Jets Head Coach Eric Mangini. “He is a conscientious performer who is smart, physical and excels at playing in space. He enjoys playing the game and will be a source of leadership and toughness. I enjoyed spending time with him and am excited about the attributes that he brings to our team.”

Faneca (6-5, 307, Louisiana State), who spent 10 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, has played in 158 games in his NFL career (of a possible 160 games), starting 153. He has also started 11 postseason games, including Pittsburgh’s victory over Seattle in Super Bowl XL.

The 26th overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft is a five-time All-Pro and has been elected to seven consecutive Pro Bowls. In his career, the guard has helped two Steelers running backs, Jerome Bettis and Willie Parker, earn Pro Bowl berths, with Bettis gaining over 1,000 yards four times and Parker three times.

The New York Jets announced today that they have traded LB Jonathan Vilma to the New Orleans Saints for an undisclosed draft choice. The announcement was made by Jets’ General Manager Mike Tannenbaum.

“Jonathan has been a diligent, productive performer throughout his tenure with the Jets,” said Tannenbaum. “I appreciate all of his contributions to the organization, both on and off the field, and am confident that he will be an asset to the Saints.”

“Jonathan is a student of the game who is always prepared and more than willing to help his teammates,” said Jets’ Head Coach Eric Mangini. “I am grateful for his efforts and wish him well as he continues his career in New Orleans.”

Vilma (6-1, 230, Miami), was originally selected by the Jets in the first round (12th overall) of the 2004 NFL Draft. He started the first seven games of the 2007 season before being placed on Injured Reserve on October 27 after he contributed 39 tackles and two passes defensed.

The team leader with 116 stops in 2006, Vilma became the first Jets’ linebacker since Kyle Clifton (1984-86) to surpass 100 tackles in his first three NFL seasons. During his four seasons with the Jets, Vilma started 53-of-55 games he played and accumulated 460 tackles, 2.5 sacks, three fumble recoveries, five forced fumbles and 14 passes defensed.