Jets Sign Receiver Jacoby Ford, Corner Dimitri Patterson
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The Jets have signed a very fast wide receiver -- just not the one most of the fan base wanted. They've also inked a corner, but not one that highlighted this offseason's free agent class.
New York signed former Oakland Raiders wideout Jacoby Ford on Tuesday. Terms of the deal were not immediately released.
The Jets also signed veteran cornerback Dimitri Patterson to a one-year, $3 million contract.
Ford, who worked previously with Jets receivers coach Sanjay Lal in Oakland, has tremendous speed and could stretch the field, but isn't viewed as much more than a third or fourth receiver. The 5-foot-9, 190-pounder will likely slot in somewhere behind David Nelson in the pecking order of playing time.
A fourth round pick in the 2010 draft out of Clemson, Ford has struggled to stay healthy, playing in just 38 games over the last four seasons. In that span he put up 57 receptions, 848 yards and three touchdowns. He played in 14 games last season and had just 13 catches for 99 yards.
The Jets figure to also play Ford on special teams, where his speed could be used as an asset on kick and punt returns.
The signing was announced on the day DeSean Jackson reportedly left his visit with the Washington Redskins without signing a contract. Once considered the frontrunners to land the three-time All-Pro receiver, the Jets, despite being roughly $30 million under the salary cap, have basically taken themselves out of the equation.
Patterson, who spent last season with the Miami Dolphins, could be a cheap alternative to Antonio Cromartie, whom the Jets allowed to leave for the Arizona Cardinals during free agency.
A groin injury forced Patterson to injured reserve in December, but when he was healthy he finished with 19 tackles, four interceptions, a sack and six passes defended in six games.
Patterson has appeared in just 15 games over the last three seasons and has played in 16 games in a season just once since 2005, but if healthy could be in the hunt for significant playing time opposite second-year corner Dee Milliner.
Kurt Coleman, a veteran free safety who had 29 starts in four seasons with the Eagles, visited the Jets on Tuesday, according the Daily News. A seventh-round pick for Philadelphia, Coleman, 25, had 13 tackles in 15 games in 2013.
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