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Notes, thoughts and observations on the Jets and the NFL:

1. Money sleeps. Potentially alarming news for the Jets: The management council informed teams last week at the league meetings that the salary cap probably will remain relatively flat over the next three years, according to ESPN's John Clayton. The current cap is $120.6 million and, despite soaring revenues, the projected increase is only $1 million by 2015. The Jets already have several huge contracts on their cap and the biggest one of them all is looming in 2013 -- CB Darrelle Revis, who has two years left on his deal. Revis is in line for the biggest contract in history for a defensive player. Prediction: Headaches, lots of headaches. This is why the Jets need to score big in the draft; it's the most cost-efficient way to build a team.

2. Money matters. While on the subject of the cap, the Jets had $7.6 million in space as of Friday, according to ProFootballTalk.com. QB Tim Tebow is counting $2.572 million on the cap, rather hefty for a backup. Approximately $5 million will go to the draft picks, leaving them some money for free agents. The Jets' plan is to wait until after the draft to sign a veteran receiver, with Braylon Edwards on their radar.

3. Te for two. Tebow's running ability could change the way the Jets approach two-point conversions. He had two rushing two-point conversions last season, tying Danny Woodhead and Danny Ware for most in the NFL, according to ESPN Stats & Information. Tebow was the QB for four two-point conversion attempts, the only failure on a pass play. Two of three successes came on option plays (Tebow kept one, handed off another) and the other was on a QB draw.

4. Timsanity. Based on stats, you'd have to say that teams started to figure out how to stop Tebow's running by the end of last season. In his first six starts, he averaged 5.9 yards per carry. In his last five starts, it dropped to 4.7.

5. Living on the edge. You may not agree with all of Mike Tannenbaum's personnel moves, but you have to admit, the man is a fearless GM. Think of all the bold moves he's made -- Brett Favre, Santonio Holmes, Plaxico Burress, Edwards and, of course, Tebow. Tannenbaum's managerial style contradicts his conservative persona.

6. If at first ... It's mind-boggling to think how many draft picks the Jets have used in recent years on quarterbacks. 2006: Drafted Kellen Clemens in the second round; 2008: Traded a third-round pick for Favre; 2009: Traded first- and second-round picks to move up for Mark Sanchez; 2011: Drafted Greg McElroy in the seventh round; 2012: Traded a fourth-round pick for Tebow. To recap, that's a 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7 -- basically, the guts of an entire draft.

7. Heavy hitters. Rex Ryan believes recently-signed S LaRon Landry will make a major impact. "Wait until you see this dude on the field," he said. "As impressive as he looks, put the tape on and see if he’s not knocking the tar out of people. I mean, you put this guy between Bart (Scott) and David Harris … oh, I can’t wait to see these dudes on the field. There’s gonna be some collisions out there."

8. Cajun Tuna? Sorry, but the idea of Bill Parcells coaching the Saints just has a bad feel. He's a brilliant coach, but the situation would have a substitute-teacher feel to it. I asked former Jets great Curtis Martin about a possible return by his mentor, and he said, "Whatever makes him happy; he's earned it. I really don't have an opinion one way or the other ... Unlike me, football has been the majority of Bill's life. He has a different connection to it than I do." If Parcells returns, he'd have to wait another five years to be eligible for the Hall of Fame. By the way, Parcells already has accepted Martin's invitation to present him at the Hall-of-Fame induction ceremony in August.

9. Poker face. Colts owner Jim Irsay said they haven't decided whether it will be Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin III with the first pick in the draft. He said it's "up in the air." Don't believe him; it's Luck all the way. He's been fascinated by Luck for more than a year, before he ever thought he'd have a chance to pick him.

10. QB III. Don't be surprised if the first three picks are quarterbacks -- Luck, RG3 and Ryan Tannehill. The Vikings won't take him with the third pick, but some desperate team (the Dolphins come to mind) will give up the store to move up ahead of the Browns (fourth), who also could be in the QB market. It's amazing how teams will reach for a quarterback.

Hall-of-Fame inductee Curtis Martin was in a grocery store near his Long Island home about a week ago when a fellow shopper approached and asked, “What do you think of Tim Tebow?”

For the record, Martin likes the trade and, unlike outspoken Hall of Famer Joe Namath, this former Jets great believes it will have a positive impact on incumbent quarterback Mark Sanchez.

“Tebow will be good for Mark; he’ll bring the best out of him,” Martin told ESPNNewYork.com Saturday, adding that he has been stopped by many Jets fans wanting to know his take on the trade that has everyone buzzing. “Competition is a good thing. No matter who you are, you need competition.”

The Jets have emphasized that it’s not a quarterback competition, that Tebow is the backup, but he will see playing time in a wildcat package – and that has fueled talk of a quarterback controversy.

Martin agreed, saying “it’s hard not to have a controversy with two high-profile guys like Sanchez and Tim Tebow.” But he expressed confidence the team and the two players will manage the distractions.

“I like Tebow,” Martin said. “Certain players have the ability to get things done, and he’s definitely one of those guys. I don’t know how he gets it done, but he finds a way. There’s a mystique about Tim Tebow. Somehow, he gets it done.”

The Jets have been battered with criticism for making the deal. The day after the trade, Namath ripped his former team, calling it a “publicity stunt” and predicting it will undermine Sanchez.

Martin went the other way, saying Sanchez will benefit. He personalized it, recalling his reaction when the Jets used a second-round pick in 2001 to select his heir apparent, LaMont Jordan.

Even though he had six 1,000-yard seasons, Martin, 28 at the time, sensed an immediate competition.

“I thought he probably should’ve had my position because he had more ability,” Martin said. “I told LaMont, ‘You’re bigger, stronger and faster than me, but you’re going to have to work to take my position.’

“I looked at LaMont Jordan as a daily reminder that your time in this game is short lived. He pushed me to become the best I could possibly be. If he was better than me, fine, I would’ve gone someplace else. But he made me a better player and the Jets a better team.”

Martin proceeded to crank out another four 1,000-yard seasons, including the NFL rushing title in 2004. Jordan remained Martin’s understudy until 2005, when he signed with the Oakland Raiders. He never came close to living up to expectations.

Martin said he expects Sanchez to respond favorably to Tebow’s presence, saying, “If you’re a true competitor, there’s only one way to respond.”

In January, Martin said he’d be in favor of the Jets pursuing Peyton Manning. The team expressed cursory interest and wound up signing Sanchez to a contract extension on the same day they were snubbed by Manning.

Like Tebow, Martin is deeply religious.

“I’m a spiritual guy and I always appreciate guys like that,” he said. “He’s a young guy, he stays humble and he’s not afraid to pray. Some guys are known for touchdown dances; Tebow is known for praying on one knee. He has a prayer named after him. To me, that’s a good thing.”

INDIANAPOLIS -- Thoughts and observations, the Super Bowl XLVI edition:

1. Santonio Holmes tweeted this Saturday night: "@Mark_Sanchez @Pouha91 Hope your getting as antsy as me for the 2012-13 season to start. One more day til we start to make that journey." This came one day after Rex Ryan told me Sanchez and Holmes are planning some sort of extended sit-down, maybe a weekend retreat. (Why do I keep having images of Vince Vaughn?) These are certainly positive developments for the Jets' fractured locker room. But I wonder: Holmes' tweet wouldn't have anything to do with the fact that his $7.75 million guarantee jumps to $15 million if he's still on the roster after Wednesday, would it?

2. Ryan told reporters Saturday night he will take a more active role in the defense. In other words, he'll be calling plays again.

3. Curiously, the Jets haven't made any official announcements regarding the holdovers from the previous offensive staff -- i.e. QBs coach Matt Cavanaugh, who's still under contract. They expressed interest in former Dolphins O.C. Brian Daboll (see: Tony Sparano connection), but Daboll just landed the same gig with the Chiefs. I'm hearing Karl Dorrell is a possibility for the QBs coach job, another Sparano guy. Sources say Sparano wants to bring in his own guy, which is understandable, but Ryan prefers to keep Cavanaugh. The coaches return Monday from vacation. The Jets need to firm this up because it's unfair to keep Cavanaugh floating in limbo -- if, in fact, he hasn't been informed of his status.

4. Interesting that former Jets P Steve Weatherford, now with the Giants, wears ear plugs when he punts. I know what you're thinking: He started doing that so he wouldn't have to hear Mike Westhoff barking at him. Not true. Weatherford's close friend, K John Carney, introduced him to the idea.

5. Congratulations to Curtis Martin on his election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. My favorite Martin memory: Dec. 14, 2003 at Giants Stadium. In a driving snowstorm, Martin rushed 30 times for 174 yards. Everybody else was slipping and sliding, but Martin seemed to be on air, gliding. GM Mike Tannenbaum has a picture of Martin, parting the snowflakes, hanging in his office.

6. The life of a quarterback: After the season, Sanchez underwent precautionary MRIs on his ankles, knees and shoulders. Everything apparently checked out OK.

7. The Giants were very Jets-like during the run-up to the Super Bowl, with a handful of rather bold statements. I asked the King of Bold, Rex Ryan, if he had a comment on the Giants' bravado. He laughed and said he wasn't aware of the comments because he was in Hawaii at the Pro Bowl.

8. On Friday, I wrote a story about how the Giants discovered Victor Cruz at UMass, noting how college scout Chris Pettit did most of the leg work. Whitey Walsh, the longtime Giants scout now retired, also was involved. He used to run the Giants' local Pro Day at Giants Stadium. Walsh is in Indianapolis for the game, which is fitting.

9. Here's my opinion of Plaxico Burress: He did what he did for 12 games ... and disappeared.

10. Prediction: I'll stick with my initital feeling about the game -- a Giants victory, 31-27. I must admit, though, I'd be concerned about the vibe around the Giants. Too chatty. Bill Belichick is a master at using slights -- or perceived slights -- to his advantage.

Years ago, before the Patriots-Eagles Super Bowl, there was a report about how the city of Philadelphia already had planned a victory parade. Belichick read the exact parade route to his players, according to former Patriot-turned-ESPN analyst Tedy Bruschi. Belichick once told me that, during the run-up to the Giants-Bills Super Bowl in 1991, they took a newspaper photo of Bruce Smith, getting fitted for a ring at a jewelry store, and posted it in their meeting room.

You can bet copies of the Giants' website faux pas -- the "Congratulations, Super Bowl Champions!" page that appeared briefly Saturday night -- will be displayed prominently in the Patriots' inner sanctum.

But I'll stick with the Giants.

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Jets released statements from owner Woody Johnson and GM Mike Tannenbaum on Curtis Martin's election to the Hall of Fame.

Johnson: "I’d like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to our own Curtis Martin, who will forever stand as one of the greats of the NFL and one of the best to ever wear a Jets uniform. His accomplishments on the field are matched only by his countless acts of kindness and philanthropy off the field during his career, for which he never sought recognition. He exemplifies the very best of the NFL and will now receive the highest admiration, an honor that he very much deserves."

Tannenbaum: "Curtis Martin’s work ethic, durability and ability to consistently play at such a high level are the hallmarks of his career and appropriately recognized by his selection to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. I have never come across a player who has been more dedicated to the team and doing his job. Curtis’ tremendous production on the field, regardless of how outstanding it was, pales in comparison to the man he is. An individual of unparalleled integrity, he treats everyone who crosses his path with honesty, kindness and respect and serves as a shining example of how professional athletes should carry themselves on and off the field."

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Jets didn't make the Super Bowl, as their coach had predicted, but they nevertheless will have a presence Saturday in the heart of Indianapolis.

The Hall-of-Fame voting commenced at 7 a.m., and two of the 15 modern-era finalists have Jets connections -- Curtis Martin and Bill Parcells. The new Hall-of-Fame class will be announced at 5:30 p.m. on the NFL Network.

After reaching the final 10 last year but falling just short in his first year of eligibility, Martin is considered a strong candidate. Parcells, no doubt, also is worthy of being enshrined in the halls of Canton, but his chances appear less certain than Martin. A max of five modern-era candidates can be elected in any one year.

Some of the rules are quirky, too quirky. You could make the argument that Parcells is more deserving than Martin -- after all, he won two Super Bowls -- but the 44-person selection committee has a tendency to do some strange things. For the record, I believe Martin and Parcells belong -- this year. Martin said Parcells was the most instrumental person in his career.

The Jets have only two players in the Hall of Fame that made their names in the Green and White -- QB Joe Namath and WR Don Maynard. Martin, who played from 1998 to 2005, would be the third. Others in the Hall that played for the Jets:

RB John Riggins, 1971-75
S Ronnie Lott, 1993-94
WR Art Monk, 1994

Coach: Weeb Ewbank, 1963-73

INDIANAPOLIS -- For the second straight year, former Jets great Curtis Martin is a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. A 44-member selection panel, here at the Super Bowl, will vote on Saturday and the results will be announced Saturday at 5:30 p.m. on the NFL Network.

This is highly unscientific, but the vibe I get from several voters is that Martin has an excellent chance of making the Hall this time. Ditto, former Steelers C Dermontti Dawson.

I interviewed to Hall-of-Famer RB Floyd Little the other day for a story about Tom Coughlin and his Syracuse roots, and we got around to talking about Martin's candidacy. Little believes Martin, the fourth all-time leading rusher, is worthy of Canton.

"He’s a guy I’ve admired for many, many years," Little said. "He’s had such a great career. The problem is, he’s fallen in with other good running backs. He comes up against (Jerome) Bettis, who won a Super Bowl. It seems like guys who won a Super Bowl get priority. I know Curtis very well ... I like Curtis. As a player, he’s done a lot. He’s certainly Hall-of-Fame worthy, but it’s not my call."

Former Giants and Jets coach Bill Parcells also is a finalist. I've heard a lot of positive feedback from voters about Parcells, but there appears to be less certainty about his chances than Martin.

Here are the other finalists:

RB Jerome Bettis
WR Tim Brown
CB Jack Butler
WR Cris Carter
Owner Edward DeBartolo, Jr.
DE Chris Doleman
LB Kevin Greene
LB Charles Haley
DT Cortez Kennedy
WR Andre Reed
OT Willie Roaf
G Will Shields
G Dick Stanfel
CB Aeneas Williams

Former New York Jets star Curtis Martin, who hopes to own an NFL franchise one day, knows exactly what he’d do if he were the current owner of the Jets and Peyton Manning became a free agent.

He’d be all-in.

“That’s a great opportunity,” said the Hall of Fame finalist Saturday in an interview with ESPNNewYork.com. “I’m not saying anything against Mark Sanchez, but Peyton Manning … I have a lot of respect for the guy. I played against him for a number of years. I wouldn’t care who was on my team -- if Peyton Manning was available, I would go after him.”

Martin amended that, saying he’d pass on Manning if he had Tom Brady, Drew Brees or Aaron Rodgers as his quarterback. Aside from those three, he’d be willing to gamble on Manning, 36, who is recovering from his third neck surgery.

“I’m very bullish on taking that chance,” said Martin, who retired after the 2006 season. “I don’t care if he’s 38, 36, whatever, I would be interested in taking that chance. At 35, 36, I’m definitely interested.

“You’re literally talking about one of the best quarterbacks to ever play the game,” he continued. “Him having a year off, the type of competitor Peyton Manning is, I think he’s going to come back and surprise everyone and be even stronger -- if he can come back.”

Manning’s future is a huge question. The Indianapolis Colts must decide by March 8 whether to pay a $28 million roster bonus, which appears remote given his health and the likelihood of the Colts using the No. 1 overall pick on Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck.

Because Manning is under contract, the Jets -- or any team -- can’t comment on potential interest. Jets owner Woody Johnson, in a recent interview, didn’t rule out the possibility of pursuing Manning. There are growing indications that the Jets, despite public support for Sanchez, are monitoring the situation and will explore it if he’s released.

“Mark Sanchez is the future of the Jets," coach Rex Ryan said Friday during a visit to the Pro Bowl practices in Hawaii. “He's a great quarterback. ... We're going to be together a long time.”

Of course, the Jets have been known to change their minds. Martin said he suspects that even “teams that have quarterbacks that are doing well would probably still be interested in Peyton Manning.”

Martin, revered within the Jets’ organization, also offered his opinion of Ryan, who is taking a lot of heat because of his ill-fated Super Bowl guarantee and inability to control a locker room torn by dissension. Martin said Ryan is the right coach for the Jets, bravado and all.

“The one thing I will say, maybe in the opposite direction of what the fans are thinking, I think Rex’s personality, him talking stuff and being vocal about their chances, I just feel this is the year it didn’t work,” Martin said. “It worked the first two years, and it just didn’t work this year. It’s not going to work every year.

“Had it worked every year, he’d be the greatest coach in the world. This was an off year. I think, the type of person he is and the man I know him to be, I think he’ll get things right.”

Martin, the fourth-leading rusher in NFL history, is in his second year of Hall of Fame eligibility. He made the top 10 last year. The committee meets next Saturday in Indianapolis to select the next class.

Random thoughts and observations as we head into the homestretch of the lockout:

• If free agency starts next Saturday, the latest tentative starting date, it'll make for a bizarro training camp. For the first few days of camp, teams will have swiss-cheese depth charts as their free agents shop the open market.

Imagine what it'll be like for the Jets: They will have Jerricho Cotchery (if medically cleared) and Patrick Turner as their starting wide receivers, with Santonio Holmes, Braylon Edwards and Brad Smith potentially shopping for deals. At safety, you could see Jim Leonhard (if cleared) and Dwight Lowery, with Brodney Pool, Eric Smith and James Ihedigbo testing the market.

On, say, Day 3, they could have a new starting receiver show up, maybe Randy Moss. He'll sign his contract, receive a playbook and be sent out to the field to meet his new teammates. It's going to be chaos. It'll be a distraction for players and coaches, all of them wondering who's coming and who's going. It'll be taxing for the coaches, who will have to spend extra time teaching the system to new players. It'll be minicamp, OTAs and training camp all in one, with a revolving door of players. Fasten your seatbelt.

• I'm all for player safety, but the elimination of two-a-days and the reduction of padded practices in the regular season (only 14) is a bit ridiculous. Come on, it's football, not lawn tennis. I agree with Bart Scott; it'll make player soft. The product on the field will suffer, especially the tackling. Old-school coaches believe players lose their edge when they're not practicing in pads.

• The elimination of the No. 3 quarterback on the game-day roster, one of the proposed changes in the CBA, will increase the value of free agent-to-be Smith. A former college quarterback at Missouri, Smith can be the unofficial/emergency No. 3 while playing all his other roles. He'll save a roster spot or two, and that has value.

• I don't know Robert Kraft, and I didn't know his late wife, Myra, but after reading all the tributes and seeing the number of players and former players that attended her funeral (including Curtis Martin), it's not hard to see why the Patriots are such a well-run organization.

• You give Mike Tannenbaum six months to prepare for free agency, and you have to expect a big-splash move that catches people by surprise. He's not the wallflower type. If you're a Jets fan, though, you have to hope he doesn't outhink himself.

• If I'm the Jets and I can get Nnamdi Asomugha for Darrelle Revis money (about $11.5 million per year), with a creative, backloaded deal, I'd do it. I'd rather spend a few million more for Asomugha instead of overpaying Antonio Cromartie. How often does a player of Asomugha's caliber hit the open market? I say go for it.

• Question for owners: Was it really worth it?