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Former Jets NT Kris Jenkins said Darrelle Revis should put his contract issues aside and be a team leader.

Jenkins respects Revis, saying he has "the heart of a defensive lineman in a cornerback's body," but in the aftermath of last season's locker-room mess, he hopes his former teammate can look past the money and galvanize the team.

"They need consistency right now," Jenkins told reporters Wednesday night at ESPN The Magazine's pre-draft party in Manhattan. "He has enough money. This time, I think he needs to get out there and make it more than about just getting the dollars."

Revis, who has two years remaining on his contract, wants a new deal and hinted the other day that he may stage his second training-camp holdout in three years.

"I know Revis is always going to do what's best for him and what's best for his business, his brand, but, in my opinion, at the end of the day, he has to realize he has to be a leader," said Jenkins, a studio analyst for SNY. "He's that guy now. Regardless of what's going on with (Mark) Sanchez, (Tim) Tebow ... when they step out on the field on defense, everybody is looking at him. There's no doubt in my mind the offense is as well."

Revis never has been a vocal leader, but "he can be the Ray Lewis of the Jets' defense if he wants to be," according to Jenkins.

Jenkins addressed a couple of other issues, saying the Jets need to replace RT Wayne Hunter and questioning Sanchez's ability to lead the team.

Jenkins said the team should draft a right tackle -- a "no-brainer," he said. He prefaced his remarks by saying he likes Hunter as a person, but he added: "I think he has the potential, but I think he showed last year it might be too big a platform for him. I think they need to take the time to get somebody in the free-agent market and they still need somebody young to come in and get ready to take over that spot."

On the Sanchez-Tebow quarterback dynamic, Jenkins said Tebow's "arm isn't capable" of leading the team to the Super Bowl.

"It all comes back to Sanchez," Jenkins said. "The million-dollar question of the day is, how does Sanchez handle this situation? With his confidence being an issue, with what he went through last year, with him having rough patches, does he get over this hump or does he fold? Right now, I want to see him get it, but I'm not 100 percent convinced he's ready to take on the team yet. I dont' know if Sanchez has that type of leadership capability."

Sunday notes, thoughts and observations:

Rex Ryan compared it to Ali-Frazier. I'm calling Sunday night's showdown against the Patriots the biggest regular-season game of the Ryan era.

It's not a do-or-die game (like the '09 season finale against the Bengals), and it doesn't have December drama (last season against the Steelers), but this is bigger than the rest because of all it represents -- not to mention its impact on the AFC East standings.

The Jets have been talking for two-plus years about overtaking the Patriots. Well, now is their chance. Yes, they had a shot last Dec. 6, when both teams entered 9-2. The difference between then and now is, the Jets knew even if they lost last December, they'd still have a great shot to make the playoffs as a wild card.

The Patriots clobbered the Jets, 45-3, a loss that still haunts/drives them. (A player, unsolicited, mentioned it to me the other day, saying it still serves as a source of motivation.)

This time, with a 5-3 record, the Jets might not have that luxury of falling back on the wild card. They might have to win the division, and that's probably not going to happen if they lose. The Patriots are 5-3, but they've dropped two straight, showing signs of vulnerability.

The Jets fought their way back from a three-game losing streak for a night like this, a night that didn't seem possible a month ago. If they want to realize their goal of securing a home playoff game, this is a must.

My three biggest regular-season games of the Ryan era (40 games):

1. Jan. 3, 2010: In a win-and-they're-in game, the Jets crushed the Bengals, 37-0. Virtual playoff games are always big, but this was a honeymoon season for the Jets and, after the Curtis Painter gift from the previous week, was there any doubt they'd beat a Cincinnati team that rested many players?

2. Dec. 6, 2010: There was tremendous hype for what would become known as the Boston Massacre. The Jets were non-competitive and lost, 45-3, falling a game behind the Patriots in the standings.

3. Dec. 19, 2010: The Jets went to Pittsburgh with a two-game losing streak and QB Mark Sanchez was close to getting benched -- and the Jets responded with an impressive 22-17 win that all but sealed a wild-card berth.

BELICHICK LOOKS BACK ON JETS DEPARTURE: On Friday, Patriots coach Bill Belichick was asked about his stunning resignation as HC of the NYJ, back in January, 2000. That subject doesn't come up too often in Belichick's presence -- he'd rather talk about Eric Mangini than that chapter in his life -- so I thought you might appreciate the Q & A with a reporter.

Q: Was that the strangest press conference you've ever done?

BB: I don’t really rank them, but it wasn’t a great situation all the way around, with Bill [Parcells] resigning the day before and me resigning the day after that and all that. That’s all water under the bridge.

Q: Do you ever look back on that?

BB: No. Honestly, I don’t spend a lot of time looking back on that, no.

Q: It was good TV.

BB: At that point in time, that situation, I did what I felt like I needed to do and I don’t have any regrets about that. Certainly a lot of things could have been handled differently or whatever, but anyway. It doesn’t matter now.

Imagine how history would be different if Belichick had remained with the Jets.

CUTTING BAIT: GM Mike Tannenbaum took a lot of criticism for parting ways with several popular players before the season, but in case you haven't noticed, not one of them is making him look bad. One thing about Tannenbaum: He usually knows when to say when.

How ex-Jets are faring with their new teams (stats from NFL.com):

DE Shaun Ellis (Patriots) -- No sacks, no forced fumbles, seven tackles.
S James Ihedigbo (Patriots) -- No interceptions, no sacks, 30 tackles.
WR Jerricho Cotchery (Steelers) -- Four catches for 54 yards.
WR Braylon Edwards (49ers) -- Ten catches for 120 yards.
DE Jason Taylor (Dolphins) -- Two sacks, eight tackles.
CB Drew Coleman (Jaguars) -- One interception, one sack, 24 tackles.
S Dwight Lowery (Jaguars) -- Two interceptions, one sack, 22 tackles.
RT Damien Woody -- Retired.
NT Kris Jenkins -- Retired.

THE MASON FIASCO: Looks like the Jets aren't going to get that conditional seventh-round pick for WR Derrick Mason. The deal with the Texans was this: He needed to catch at least 33 passes over their final 11 games for the Jets to get the pick. So far, he has only five catches in four games. In other words, they traded him for the proverbial bag of balls. But it was a classic example of addition by subtraction, as the Jets are 3-0 since the trade.

THE CUT MAN: On Saturday, the Patriots announced the signing of S Ross Ventrone to their 53-man roster from the practice squad. This seemingly is worthy of just a line on the transactions wire, but take a closer look: Ventrone is a boomerang. Since January, he has been cut five times by the Patriots, but he keeps coming back. In what other profession could you get fired five times in less than a year, and re-hired each time by the same employer?

Count Kris Jenkins among those who think Rex Ryan shouldn't have made his "I would have won a Super Bowl in San Diego" comments earlier this week.

The former Jet turned SNY broadcaster said Ryan was hurting his team by giving bulletin-board material to the opponent.

"You ever saw that guy in the classroom or in the bar that you get upset with because everyone’s always instigating the fight but they’re running out the door when everybody else has to fight? Well that’s kind of you right now," Jenkins said on SNY, addressing Ryan directly. "Your standing on the sidelines, you’re not fighting man.

"So why don’t you let your team get whatever strategy they need to get together mentally so they can go out there and fight better? I think it’s time for you to just go ahead and close your mouth."

Ryan stirred up controversy earlier this week when he told San Diego reporters that he would have won "a couple of rings" with the Chargers if they had hired him in 2007. The job eventually went to Norv Turner.

"Well, I think I would have had a couple of rings," Ryan said. "I'm telling you, those teams were loaded."

Jenkins played for Ryan in 2009 and 2010. Both seasons were cut short by injuries. He retired before training camp.

General managers will tell you it's one of the hardest decisions they have to make, knowing when to say goodbye to a popular player whose skills have succumbed to Father Time -- or knowing how to handle the phasing-out of that player. The Yankees are experiencing something like that now with Jorge Posada, and it's not pretty.

The Jets have made several tough decisions in recent years on older players, decisions that seemed unpopular at the time they were made. For the most part, GM Mike Tannenbaum and his staff have been on the money, although these calls are harder to evaluate in football than baseball because of the team nature of the sport.

Right now, Tannenbaum has a few of those decisions on his plate -- namely DE Shaun Ellis, RB LaDainian Tomlinson, QB Mark Brunell, FB Tony Richardson and LB Jason Taylor. From all indications, the Jets have decided to keep Tomlinson, almost 32, for one more season. The same goes for Brunell, 40, but that could come back to bite them if something happens to Mark Sanchez. It looks like Richardson, 39, is a goner. Ellis, almost 34, is up in the air, depending on his contract demands as a free agent. Taylor, 36, is a long shot to return.

Let's take a look at some of the Jets' recent over-30 cuts:

• NT Kris Jenkins. Because of injuries and salary, this wasn't a tough decision. The Jets have a solid nose tackle in Sione Pouha, and they feel they drafted Jenkins' long-term replacement, picking Kenrick Ellis in the third round. Verdict: Jury still out.

• RT Damien Woody. Again, this was dictated by injuries and salary. This was riskier than the Jenkins move because, as of now, there is no proven replacement. They're gambling on Vladimir Ducasse. Verdict: Jury still out, way out.

• LG Alan Faneca (2010). This was controversial, risky and unconventional. The Jets ate $5 million to cut a potential Hall of Famer, asking a couple of unknowns -- Ducasse and Matt Slauson -- to battle for the job. The Jets suffered in the short term, as Slauson experienced major growing pains, but he settled down. Faneca started every game for the Cards, but he wasn't the Faneca of old -- and he knew it. It probably factored into his decision to retire last week. Verdict: A win for the Jets.

• RB Thomas Jones (2010). Another unpopular decision. Jones was coming off a career year, but he faded toward the end of the '09 season and Jets felt he was almost out of gas and not worth his $5 million salary. Jones was a productive player last season for the Chiefs, rushing for 896 yards, but his yards-per-carry dropped significantly, from 4.2 to 3.7. The Jets replaced him with Tomlinson, who rushed for 914 yards, a 4.2 average and provided a new dimension to the offense as a receiver. Verdict: Win for the Jets.

• WR Laveranues Coles (2009). They parted ways with one of the best receivers in team history after a 70-catch season, thinking young WR Chansi Stuckey could step in. The Jets were right about Coles; he showed little in '09 for the Bengals, finishing with 43 catches and a 12.0 average. Stuckey wasn't the answer, and they went out and traded for Braylon Edwards a month into the season. Verdict: A win for the Jets -- but a costly, delayed win.

In recent years, the only aging player who thrived after being released by the Jets was C Kevin Mawae, who was cut after the '05 season. In 2008, at the age of 37, Mawae was named All-Pro for the Titans. It's hard to quibble with this decision, though, because the Jets replaced him with Nick Mangold, a first-round pick in '06. He was All-Pro in '09 and '10.

QB Chad Pennington is borderline in this category. He was 32 when he was released, but it wasn't about age; it was because Woody Johnson developed a man crush on Brett Favre. And, yes, the Jets got burned in '08 because Pennington led the Dolphins to the division title and the Jets ... well, you know the story.

The Jets have released or traded several players that have gone on to success elsewhere -- Danny Woodhead, Leon Washington, Jonathan Vilma, John Abraham,Kerry Rhodes, et al. Most of those moves were dictated by contract demands and scheme changes. They were all players in their prime, but at least the Jets received something in return -- in most cases, anyway.

But when it comes to the outright dumping of older players, the Jets usually know what they're doing.

With two draft picks, the Jets may have transformed the look of their once-aging defensive line. A year ago, this was a long-in-the-tooth unit that relied on three players over 30 -- NT Sione Pouha, DE Shaun Ellis and DT/DE Trevor Pryce.

The drafting of DE Muhammad Wilkerson (first round) and NT Kenrick Ellis (third) changes the dynamic. Here's what the Jets' depth chart looks like right now (unsigned players in italics):

DE Shaun Ellis, Muhammad Wilkerson, Ropati Pitoitua

NT Sione Pouha, Kenrick Ellis, Martin Tevaseu

DT Mike DeVito, Marcus Dixon, Trevor Pryce

Analysis: It's still early, but it looks like the Jets should be able to employ a six-man rotation. The key question is Shaun Ellis. Will the team's longest-tenured player return? In a normal offseason, the Jets might have been willing to move on without him and hand the job to Wilkerson. But the lockout is preventing rookies from working with their teams and learning their respective systems. That could be huge for players like Wilkerson and Ellis, both of whom played at a lower level of competition in college. The longer the lockout drags on, the more it increases Shaun Ellis' value to the team.

When things get settled, Wilkerson and Kenrick Ellis will provide added flexibility. Wilkerson can play 3-4 DE and slide inside on passing downs. Ellis has the ability to play over the center and guard, and maybe over the tackle in certain looks. Nowadays, an inside pass rush is critical because offenses are employing quick-throw passing attacks -- and the quickest route to the QB is up the middle. The Jets also can use Ellis and Pouha at tackle, nearly 700 pounds of wall. They always wanted to use that look with Pouha and Kris Jenkins, but didn't get much of a chance because of Jenkins' injuries the last two seasons.

The Jets are high on Dixon and Pitoitua, who, according to Rex Ryan, is doing well in his rehab from Achilles-tendon surgery. On paper, the line looks a lot younger and deeper than a year ago.

This is the sixth installment in a nine-part series that will analyze the Jets' needs, position by position, in the upcoming draft.

Position: Defensive line.

Depth Chart: Shaun Ellis (DE), Sione Pouha (NT), Mike DeVito (DE/DT), Trevor Pryce (DE/DT), Martin Tevaseu (NT), Marcus Dixon (DE), Matt Kroul (DT), Ropati Pitoitua (DE), Carlton Powell (DT), Jarron Gilbert (DT/DE), Garrett McIntyre (DE), Lorenzo Washington (DE).

Not under contract: Ellis, Pryce.

Scouting Report: The game plan in two words -- youth movement. The Jets have only two experienced players under contract -- Pouha and DeVito -- and Pouha is 32. Even if Ellis, 34, returns on a short-term deal -- his dominating playoff performance against the Patriots probably earned him a new contract -- the line still needs reinforcements. Because defensive end isn't a huge playmaking position in the Jets' scheme, they'd rather not make a significant investment (like a first-round pick) if it can be avoided. That's why they're hoping Dixon and Pitoitua can step up. There appears to be little chance of re-signing Kris Jenkins, so they could use some help on the nose. Pouha did a solid job last year, but they need an heir apparent. Nose tackle is vital in Rex Ryan's system, and he wants to find his next Jenkins.

The Last Time: The Jets haven't drafted a defensive lineman since Titus Adams, a seventh-round choice in 2006 -- and he was a washout. The last time they really addressed the area was 2005, when Pouha was selected in the third round. That's too long.

Potential Targets: The hottest name linked with the 30th overall pick is Baylor NT Phil Taylor (6-3, 334), a less athletic version of Jenkins. Taylor isn't a one-gap penetrator, but he's strong enough and big enough to anchor at the point of attack. Illinois DT Corey Liuget (6-2, 298) would be a 'tweener in the Jets' scheme, but if he unexpectedly falls, he'd be hard to pass up. Temple's Muhammad Wilkerson (6-4, 315) would be ideal as a 5-technique DE, the heir apparent to Ellis, but he, too, would have to take an unexpected tumble.

The most realistic option at end is Ohio State's Cam Heyward (6-5, 294), a perfect fit in the 3-4. He isn't going to wow anybody as a pass rusher, but he's solid and durable -- although he's coming off elbow surgery. Jets fans might be freaked out by the prospect of another Ohio State defender (see: Vernon Gholston), but Heyward is entirely different. Iowa's Adrian Clayborn (6-3, 281) is small for end in the 3-4, but he might draw consideration if he slips.

Need Factor (on a scale of 1 to 10): 10.

Tuesday: Linebacker.

ESPN draft gurus Todd McShay and Mel Kiper have released the latest version of their mock draft (Insider content), and here's how they see the Jets (No. 30 overall):

McShay's pick -- NT Phil Taylor, Baylor

McShay's reasoning: "The Jets' search for a 3-4 nose tackle could follow the same logic as Chicago's for a 3-technique. Taylor is thick and can anchor against the run and he moves well for a big guy, but he also comes with some character baggage and his motor runs hot and cold. He would end up with a very good defensive coaching staff in New York, though, and the Jets have a need to groom the next centerpiece for their front seven. It's either Taylor with this pick or taking a chance on someone like Hampton's Kenrick Ellis in the third round.

Analysis: I agree. If Taylor is there for the Jets, it would be awfully hard for them to pass. Sione Pouha did a nice job as Kris Jenkins' replacement, but Pouha is 32 and they need to start grooming an heir apparent. Taylor could be the kind of disruptive force they need in the middle of their 3-4 defense.

Kiper's pick -- DE Cam Heyward, Ohio State

Kiper's reasoning: "We've discussed the possibility of taking a safety at this spot, but I don't think the Jets would be wise to neglect early talent at a position they really need to address. Heyward is a player that holds up against the run, has shown a decent repertoire of pass-rush skills, and can play through pain. Rex Ryan needs to infuse some talent to his defensive front, because he has to blitz to get any pressure on opposing quarterbacks at this point, and you never want that to be the case."

Analysis: Wise move by Mel to get off the Rahim Moore bangwagon. I'd be stunned if the Jets took a safety at 30. Heyward fits the scheme as a 5-technique, but I think there's more value with a nose tackle or pass-rushing linebacker.

Kiper and McShay produce a three-round mock. In Round 3 (the Jets don't have a second-round choice), McShay has them taking WR Jerrel Jernigan (Troy) and Kiper has them grabbing WR Greg Little (North Carolina).

Here we go again, with the second version of our watch list -- the top players on the Jets' radar. (The first list appeared March 11.) As you probably know, the Jets are picking 30th overall, but there's always the possibility of moving up -- and we introduce that possibility in 2.0.

OLB Ryan Kerrigan, Purdue, 6-4, 267 -- A new name on our list. He's projected to go anywhere from 12 to 21, but we hear the Jets are quite smitten with him. In fact, he's scheduled to visit the Jets in the coming days. Obviously, they'd have to trade up to get him, but since when did that deter GM Mike Tannenbaum from landing his man? Kerrigan is everything you want in a football player -- productive, smart and passionate about the game. The one question: Can he make the switch to 3-4 OLB after playing 4-3 DE in college?

NT Phil Taylor, Baylor, 6-3, 334 -- Big Phil was prominent in our 1.0 list. He'd be the ideal replacement for Kris Jenkins, but his stock is rising because of the supply and demand for pure nose tackles. It's starting to look like he could be gone by 30.

OLB Akeem Ayers, UCLA, 6-3, 254 -- Another holdover from the 1.0 version. He improved his sluggish 40 time from the combine (4.8) by running about 4.69 earlier this week at his pro day. It's still not a great number, but Ayers is one of those players that shows better on tape than on the stopwatch. Because of his experience as a stand-up linebacker, he'd transition easily into the Jets' base defense.

DE Cam Heyward, Ohio State, 6-5, 294 -- Ironhead's son makes his second appearance in the watch list. His surgically-repaired elbow still isn't 100 percent, but he ran reasonably well and performed well in positional drills Wednesday at his pro day. He's widely projected as a late 1.

DE Adrian Clayborn, Iowa, 6-3, 281 -- Another newcomer to the list. He's regarded as a mid-1 talent that could slip because of a mediocre senior year (3.5 sacks) and a nerve condition (Erb's Palsy) in his right shoulder. He's had it since birth, but it didn't stop him from an 11.5-sack season as a junior. Clayborn is intriguing because he'd provide more pass rush than Heyward. Know this: The Jets' scouting department has a high regard for Iowa players because they respect Kirk Ferentz's pro-style system.

Off the list: UCLA S Rahim Moore and Georgia OLB Justin Houston.

Leading up to the April 28-30 NFL draft, ESPNNewYork.com will provide profiles of players being considered by the Jets with the 30th overall pick.

UNDER THE MICROSCOPE: PHIL TAYLOR, BAYLOR

• Widely regarded as the best pure nose tackle in a deep defensive-line draft. He has worked his way up the charts, likely into the late first round, with a strong postseason. Taylor was one of the most impressive prospects as the Senior Bowl.

• At 6-3 1/2, 337 pounds, Taylor fills what the late Giants GM George Young used to call the "Planet Theory." Young liked to draft massive, athletic players because he said there weren't many of them walking the planet. Nowadays, they're more common, but the philosophy still applies, especially for teams (like the Jets) that run a 3-4 scheme. You need a widebody in the middle. After cutting injury-prone Kris Jenkins, the Jets are down to Sione Pouha at nose tackle -- and he's 32.

• Taylor started his career at Penn State, but he was suspended and later dismissed from the team because of a campus fight. Taylor and two others allegedly beat up a man at a fraternity dance at the school's student union. Taylor was charged with felony aggravated assault, but the charge was eventually dropped. That didn't stop Joe Paterno from giving him the boot. The Jets, as we all know, don't mind taking chances on character risks. No doubt, security honcho Steve Yarnell has performed a thorough background check. Since then, Taylor has managed to stay out of trouble.

• Taylor transferred to Baylor to reunite with a former Penn State assistant. Following a mediocre junior year in which he ballooned to 360 pounds -- he was heading down the street called "Talented, but fat and lazy" -- he went on a two-week mission with teammates to Kenya. He mingled with kids in poor villages and washed the feet of people who were infested with jiggers (sand fleas). "It was a life-changing experience, an eye-opener," he once said. "I had no idea how good we have it ... It made me humble myself to work harder."

• Taylor supposedly came back a changed person. He dropped 20 pounds, finished with a solid senior year (two sacks, seven TFL) and helped lead Baylor to their first bowl game in 16 years. He recorded 52 tackles, the most by a Baylor interior lineman in eight years.

• With his size and brute strength, Taylor has the ability to dominate on first and second down. He can tie up blockers and split double teams, everything you want out of a nose tackle. He doesn't offer much as a pass rusher. He can bull rush, but he's not going to out-quick blockers, a la Jenkins.

• As with many big fellas, Taylor is dogged with questions about conditioning and work ethic. This could be an issue because of the lockout. If the work stoppage lasts through the draft, the rookies won't be allowed to work out and attend minicamps. That could be devastating for a player like Taylor.

ANALYSIS: Nose tackle is a "money" position in Ryan's defense, along with outside linebacker and cornerback. If Taylor is there, the Jets will have a hard time passing.

We're going to take a break from the labor story unfolding in Washington D.C. to bring you the first edition of the Jets' draft watch -- a periodic update on the prospects that appear on the Jets' radar. This is the fifth annual watch list -- the first at ESPNNewYork.com -- and it will be updated through the April 28 draft.

Because the Jets are picking so low (30th), this isn't an easy proposition, but history will show that the watch list has racked up above-average grades for accuracy. No doubt, it will change in the coming weeks as new information becomes available, but don't under-estimate watch list 1.0 -- it had Darrelle Revis in 2007 and Vernon Gholston in 2008.

Anyway, here goes:

• NT Phil Taylor, Baylor, 6-3, 334 -- Kris Jenkins is gone (for now) and Sione Pouha, 32, isn't getting any younger. Taylor is a true nose tackle, and the position is in high demand because so many teams are using the 3-4. He isn't going to wow anybody as a push rusher (two sacks last season), but he's a rock against the run. He has some off-the-field baggage; he was thrown off the Penn State team for involvement in a fraternity fight. That'll make him perfect for the Jets.

• DE Cam Heyward, Ohio State, 6-5, 294 -- He's the son of the late running back Craig (Ironhead) Heyward. The Jets need a replacement for Shaun Ellis (free agent), and Heyward has the size to play the 5-technique in Rex Ryan's scheme and the versatility to slide inside in certain situations. He started four years (a rarity nowadays), recording 14 1/2 sacks. He's a great kid with a good motor. The big question is his elbow; he hurt it in the Sugar Bowl and underwent Tommy John surgery. He should be fine. After all, he's not playing quarterback.

• S Rahim Moore, UCLA, 6-0, 202 -- A big, big need for the Jets, who have only one safety under contract. Moore rocked in 2009, with 10 interceptions, but his production slipped last season. He's a classic ballhawk, a safety who could play "centerfield" in Ryan's Cover-1 scheme. On the downside, he's not the most reliable tackler, and there are few things in life that annoy Ryan more than a safety that can't tackle. (Hello, Kerry Rhodes.) But Moore is the best safety in a weak class, so if the Jets want to address the position in the draft, they'd have to take a hard look at him.

• OLB Akeem Ayers, UCLA, 6-3, 254 -- Interesting prospect. Before the combine, he was widely regarded as a mid- to late-first-round prospect, but he stunk it up in Indianapolis -- a 4.81 40 and only 18 reps on the bench press. Of course, the combine can be over-rated (see Vernon Gholston). He needs to rebound in a big way at his Pro Day. Like his former teammate, Moore, Ayers made his name in '09, recording six sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss. The numbers dropped to four and 10 last season, respectively. That said, Ayers is a speed rusher on the edge, another big need for the Jets.

• OLB Justin Houston, Georgia, 6-3, 270 -- You want production? He notched 10 sacks and 18.5 TFL in the killer SEC. You want speed? He impressed at the combine, running 4.62 at 270 pounds. You want scheme compatibility? Georgia switched to a 3-4 scheme last season, allowing Houston to play as a stand-up rusher -- the role he'd play with the Jets. He has tremendous burst, seemingly ideal for the Jets, but a trusted scout from another team told me, "I don't think he has the instrincts to play linebacker." The scout also questioned whether Houston has the passion and temperament to play for Ryan -- just one man's opinion.

Your Sunday notes on the Jets, etc.:

Does someone have to go? I talked to a GM who isn’t buying the chatter from the Jets about how they want to keep both starting wide receivers, Braylon Edwards and Santonio Holmes. That, the GM said, makes no financial sense. He suspects they’ll string along Edwards as a fallback option until (if) they get Holmes signed. The GM also doesn’t see how the Jets will be able to re-sign CB Antonio Cromartie after giving major bucks last season to Darrelle Revis. Too much money tied up in one position, especially with a No. 1 pick – Kyle Wilson – waiting in the wings.

End of an error. The release of Vernon Gholston, though hardly a surprise, had a lot of folks buzzing around the league. The Jets, picking sixth overall in 2008, completely whiffed on Gholston – and they have a well-respected scouting department. “You have to ask yourself, ‘How do you miss on a guy like that and how do you learn from it so nothing like that ever happens again?’” said an opposing personnel executive, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

The Jets insist that Gholston was an organizational decision, but some familiar with the team’s thinking say then-coach Eric Mangini was the driving force behind the choice. Clearly, he – or they – were seduced by Gholston’s impressive workout numbers. It was an anomaly because the Jets’ draft honchos usually don’t get sucked in by size-speed guys; they base decisions on college production.

So did the organization learn anything by the mistake? Let’s see: Gholston was a one-year wonder at Ohio State, but in the very next draft, the Jets picked two players that had only one productive year in college – Mark Sanchez (USC) and Shonn Greene (Iowa). Both picks have worked out.

Sometimes you hit a double in the gap and sometimes you strike out.

Funny money. Some readers (even some NFL types) seemed incredulous this week upon learning that Gholston could’ve triggered a $9 million escalator for only one sack or one forced fumble in 2010. (The nugget was actually reported a few months ago by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.) The thing is, Gholston never was going to see that money. It wasn’t guaranteed, so he was going to get cut even if he got a sack. Does anybody think the Jets would make it that easy to trigger a $9 million bonus?

Funny aside: In December, I asked Gholston about the $9 million clause and he had no idea it was included in the contract that he renegotiated last offseason. Another aside: I know of at least one team willing to give Gholston another chance – as long as he signs for the minimum salary.

Show them the money. Some prominent agents didn’t recruit incoming rookies because of the possibility of a lockout. Here’s why: These days, agents spend roughly $15,000 to $20,000 per month for their rookie clients to work out for a few months before the draft with personal trainers at chic resorts. With a lockout they’d ask to spend more time at the resorts, and some agents didn’t feel it was worth it to foot that kind of bill.

The Bud-Jets. By cutting Damien Woody, Kris Jenkins, Jason Taylor, Ben Hartsock and Gholston, the Jets cleared about $15 million from the 2011 payroll … Out of those five, the player with the best chance of returning is Jenkins ... Gholston will land a job somewhere, probably for the minimum salary. There were rumors before the ’08 draft that the Patriots, picking behind the Jets, were hot for him. (Some believe that’s why Mangini wanted him so badly, to stick it to his former mentor, Bill Belichick.) Well, he’s there for the taking, having cleared waivers … Bart Scott, speaking on ESPN’s First Take, had this to say about the impact of the Jets’ stunning playoff win over the Patriots: “Now we can have a fun rivalry like Baltimore and Pittsburgh because we’ve both taken something from each other.”

When former stud safety Bob Sanders was released recently by the Colts, the Jets immediately took notice and made plans to bring him in for a visit. That visit is occurring Wednesday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

It makes sense when you consider the current state of the safety position. Jim Leonhard is the only experienced safety under contract, and he's recovering from a gruesome broken leg that could cause him to miss the entire offseason (if there are off-season workouts). Brodney Pool, Eric Smith and James Ihedigbo are free agents. There's Dwight Lowery, but he's a safety/cornerback hybrid.

Don't get too worked up about a Sanders-to-the-Jets scenario. This is simply GM Mike Tannenbaum performing his due diligence. Once upon a time, Sanders was the best in the business, but injuries have sabotaged his career. Since winning NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2007, he has appeared in only nine games.

Think about that: Nine games in three seasons. He's the Chad Pennington of safeties, cursed by injuries. Kris Jenkins would be another comparison. Obviously, the Jets are going to give him a physical, which could take all day. It would be a huge risk to sign Sanders and hand him a starting job, but there's no harm in kicking the tires.

Obviously, none of the four moves came as a surprise, as we wrote Monday morning that the days of Damien Woody, Kris Jenkins, Jason Taylor and Vernon Gholston were numbered. Here's my take:

Woody: I don't understand the timing; it's not like there was a huge roster bonus due in the coming days. The Jets should've held on to him, monitoring his rehab from Achilles-tendon surgery. Woody will be healthy by the start of the season, and he's still an effective starter. He allowed only four sacks in 13 games, according to Stats, LLC.

The Jets will let second-year OL Vladimir Ducasse battle veteran Wayne Hunter for the starting job at right tackle, assuming they can re-sign Hunter. Just one problem: Ducasse never has played right tackle before. He also hasn't played a full NFL game at any position. You can hide an inexperienced player at guard (see Matt Slauson) and live with the growing pains, but it's hard to hide a guy at right tackle. Clearly, the Jets are placing a tremendous amount of faith in OL coach Bill Callahan.

Jenkins: This is a tough one because we all know the type of player he is when healthy, but he hasn't been healthy since 2008 -- only seven games over the last two seasons. When you have that kind of injury history and the birth certificate says you're 31, there's no way to justify $4.75 million (including a $1 million roster bonus). There's an outside chance Jenkins could re-sign at a later date, for a lot less money, of course.

Taylor: He signed a two-year contract, but everybody knew this was a one-and-done. It was a worthwhile gamble that cost them only $1.75 million. Did Taylor play as well as they had hoped? No, but he wasn't terrible. But now he's 36 and it's time for him to dance into his next career.

Gholston: He had to go. If you preach accountability, as Rex Ryan does, there's no way you can give a non-productive player like Gholston a fourth chance. Three strikes and you're out. It was time for the Jets to admit their mistake and cut bait.

The NFL's labor situation is a mess right now, but that apparently won't stop the Jets from taking care of some business this week -- the unpleasant side of the business.

Speaking last Thursday at the scouting combine in Indianapolis, GM Mike Tannenbaum told reporters, “There are some loose ends we want to get taken care of by the end of the league year (March 3)" -- and that means roster cuts.

Here are the names on the Jets' chopping block this week:

DE Vernon Gholston: Three years, no sacks. He has two years remaining on his rookie contract, which guaranteed $21 million, but the Jets finally have come to the realization it's time to unload one of the biggest mistakes in franchise history. This has to make Woody Johnson sick to his stomach.

OLB/DE Jason Taylor: The ex-Dolphin signed a two-year contract last offseason (he made $1.75 million in 2010), but he's 36 years old and coming off a so-so season. His deal with the Jets called for a $10 million roster bonus (yeah, right) due on the fifth day of the league year, but it's believed he didn't reach the playing-time and performance levels to trigger that bonus. Doesn't matter; he's gone. Look for Taylor to retire. He had a fantastic career.

RT Damien Woody: The organization already has decided to move second-year OL Vladimir Ducasse (second-round pick) to right tackle, Woody's position -- an ominous sign for the emotional leader of the Jets' terrific offensive line. Woody is due to make $3.35 million in '11, and he's recovering from surgery on his Achilles' tendon.

NT Kris Jenkins: Knee injuries limited him to seven games over the last two seasons. Aside from durability, money is a major issue: He's due to make $3.75 million in '11, plus a $1 million roster bonus due on the seventh day of the league year. Clearly, Jenkins will have to take a pay cut if he wants to stick around.

RB LaDainian Tomlinson: Tannenbaum has said he expects Tomlinson to be back in '11, but you know how that goes. Tomlinson is due to make $2.4 million in base salary. Chances are, he stays, but if the organization really believes Joe McKnight is ready for a role, it could impact Tomlinson's future.

It's never too early to look at the NFL draft. The draft will come into focus next week, when the NFL descends on Indianapolis for the annual scouting combine.

The Jets own the 30th pick in the first round. What will they do? Three draft gurus, in their early mocks, make predictions for the Jets:

Mel Kiper, ESPN:

The pick: Rahim Moore, S, UCLA.

Kiper's take: "I'm split between my own gut and sources on what the Jets could do here. They have to improve the defensive line, but it's also a deep draft at those positions. Moore represents great value at a need position, the top safety in the draft and a guy who can fly all over the field to intercept passes for coach Rex Ryan, who knows how to get pressure and create forced throws."

Todd McShay, ESPN:

The pick: Phil Taylor, NT, Baylor

McShay's take: "The Jets need a reliable presence in the middle of their 3-4 defense, and veteran NT Kris Jenkins has played just seven games combined in the past two seasons. Taylor has the size to anchor the middle of that three-man front and surprisingly good feet for a 350-pound prospect.

Rob Rang, NFLDraftScout.com:

The pick: Phil Taylor, DT, Baylor.

Rang's take: "Having missed all but seven games over the past two seasons, the Jets can't afford to continue relying on 10-year veteran nose tackle Kris Jenkins. Taylor has the bulk, strength and makes the flashy plays to catch Rex Ryan's attention. Taylor is a bit of a gamble, as he's known to throttle down at times and transferred to Baylor only after being suspended at Penn State, but there is no denying his talent."