Over the span of six days, the New York Jets dismantled their under-30 receiving corps and replaced it with a more experienced group - a kind way of saying older. They parted ways with Braylon Edwards, 28, and Jerricho Cotchery, 29, and brought in Plaxico Burress, 33, and Derrick Mason, 37, who agreed to terms Saturday. The only holdover from last season's group is Santonio Holmes, 27.
No question, the Jets have taken a step back at receiver, but considering the circumstances (Cotchery's desire to leave and enough salary-cap room for only one splurge), the Jets successfully minimized the damage.
Mason is a nice score for the Jets, who put themselves in a precarious position by granting Cotchery his release before having secured a replacement. Mason is going to be gone in a year, but he's a good, short-term fix - and it's all about now for the Jets.
Mason serves two roles: He can fill Cotchery's job as the slot receiver and he's Plaxico insurance. Burress hasn't played football in two years, and you'd have to be naïve to think he's going to make it through the season without some sort of ailment. He still hasn't practiced, yet he's already nursing a sore ankle.
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