Indianapolis -- The Jets are on the verge of trading wide receiver Santana Moss for former Jets receiver Laveranues Coles, a person with knowledge of the impending deal told Newsday on Friday.
"Stay alert on this one," the person said. "Stay alert."
The deal would reunite Coles with the Jets after he signed with the Redskins before the 2003 season as a restricted free agent. Coles has frequently expressed anger at the fact the Jets were not aggressive in trying to re-sign him, but Jets coach Herman Edwards said that would not be a factor in whether the Jets would attempt to pursue him in a trade.
Edwards did not comment on the possibility of a trade, which can't take place until next Tuesday at the earliest. The NFL's trading period begins then.
"I never take that personally," Edwards said of Coles' criticism about the Jets' failure to re-sign him. "I understand that's part of the process. I'm too old to take things personally at this point."
Moss is in the final year of his contract and is scheduled to make $448,000. His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, told Newsday earlier this week that he wanted to get a new deal done before the season.
Moss, a first-round pick in 2001, had a breakout season in 2003 with 1,105 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. But he regressed last season, producing just 838 yards and five touchdowns.
Coles produced career-high 90 catches last year, but only had 950 yards and one touchdown. The previous two years, he had produced more than 1,200 receiving yards. Last year, he had 10 catches of 20 or more yards, compared to 21 in 2003.
Coles has a toe problem that limited him last year, although he did not miss any games. He has resisted having surgery on the injury, fearing it might limit, or possibly even end his career. The Redskins had urged him to undergo the procedure, but Coles has declined.
The deal may be delayed somewhat by the Redskins' salary cap situation. Because they would have to take a cap charge of roughly $9 million to deal Coles, they need to create additional space. They are attempting to rework the contract of left tackle Chris Samuels to create more room.
Associated Press
"Stay alert on this one," the person said. "Stay alert."
The deal would reunite Coles with the Jets after he signed with the Redskins before the 2003 season as a restricted free agent. Coles has frequently expressed anger at the fact the Jets were not aggressive in trying to re-sign him, but Jets coach Herman Edwards said that would not be a factor in whether the Jets would attempt to pursue him in a trade.
Edwards did not comment on the possibility of a trade, which can't take place until next Tuesday at the earliest. The NFL's trading period begins then.
"I never take that personally," Edwards said of Coles' criticism about the Jets' failure to re-sign him. "I understand that's part of the process. I'm too old to take things personally at this point."
Moss is in the final year of his contract and is scheduled to make $448,000. His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, told Newsday earlier this week that he wanted to get a new deal done before the season.
Moss, a first-round pick in 2001, had a breakout season in 2003 with 1,105 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. But he regressed last season, producing just 838 yards and five touchdowns.
Coles produced career-high 90 catches last year, but only had 950 yards and one touchdown. The previous two years, he had produced more than 1,200 receiving yards. Last year, he had 10 catches of 20 or more yards, compared to 21 in 2003.
Coles has a toe problem that limited him last year, although he did not miss any games. He has resisted having surgery on the injury, fearing it might limit, or possibly even end his career. The Redskins had urged him to undergo the procedure, but Coles has declined.
The deal may be delayed somewhat by the Redskins' salary cap situation. Because they would have to take a cap charge of roughly $9 million to deal Coles, they need to create additional space. They are attempting to rework the contract of left tackle Chris Samuels to create more room.
Associated Press
