PALM BEACH, Fla. — The Jets could be getting the band back together.
Not only did coach Rex Ryan reveal Tuesday the team now intends to keep disgruntled linebacker Bart Scott, but Ryan also left open the possibility Braylon Edwards might be brought back to fill the vacant No. 2 receiver position.
Scott and Edwards were two of the most prominent members of the Jets teams that went to consecutive AFC title games in 2009 and 2010. Edwards was allowed to depart in free agency last year. Scott sulked during the Jets’ 8-8 meltdown last season after putting on weight at the team’s request and reportedly was given permission last month to seek a trade.
Scott’s age and price tag — the 32-year-old is guaranteed $4.2 million this season — most likely scared off any potential suitors, but Ryan acted as if Scott was in the team’s 2012 plans all along.
“I know everything that’s been reported, but I’ve had great discussions with Bart,” Ryan said at the AFC coaches media breakfast. “He’s got his weight down. Bart is still a ferocious hitter. He brings that intimidating presence to us.”
Edwards struggled with knee problems last season after being signed by the 49ers and was released during the season. But he was an explosive presence for the Jets the previous two years, and Ryan said the Jets would be open to a return if Edwards can show he is healthy.
“Braylon played extremely well the two years he was here,” Ryan said. “I always thought Braylon was a tremendous worker on the practice field, and he only dropped one pass I remember his last year.”
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Ryan did not offer much encouragement for embattled right tackle Wayne Hunter, describing Hunter as the team’s starter “right now” while indicating Vlad Ducasse would also get consideration for the job.
“Certainly, Wayne needs to improve, and I think he’s ready to do that,” Ryan said. “With a new offensive line coach and a new offensive coordinator, I think [our] eyes are going to be open to everything.”
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Ryan described it as a joke, but he took a surprising shot at former offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer.
“I told the team there’s only one coordinator that can stop the Wildcat with Brad Smith back there, and … it’s Brian Schottenheimer,” Ryan said. “I used to kid Brian all the time about it.”
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The Jets re-signed wide receiver Scotty McKnight, a close friend of Mark Sanchez and seventh-round pick in 2011 who spent last season on the practice squad before suffering a knee injury.