SIGN AND DRIVE: Siona Pouha and the Jets have agreed in principle to a three-year contract extension yesterday, which left the 33-year-old nose tackle “ecstatic.” (AP)
The NFL free-agency market does not officially open until 4 p.m. today, but the Jets got a head start by taking care of one of their own yesterday.
The Jets reached an agreement in principle with nose tackle Sione Pouha on a three-year contract. Pouha would have become a free agent today if a deal was not reached. Financial terms of the deal were not immediately available.
Re-upping with Pouha was one of the Jets’ top priorities this offseason. The 33-year-old is a key piece of Rex Ryan’s defense and a respected leader in the locker room.
Pouha, who was a third-round pick by the team in 2005, is thrilled to remain with Gang Green.
“I’m ecstatic,” he said on a conference call. “I’m excited. This is something I’ve always wanted. I’m going to be a Jet for life.”
The Jets have 10 other unrestricted free agents, but all of them are expected to hit the open market this afternoon. The Jets are not expected to be big spenders in free agency. They had about $15 million in salary cap space before signing Pouha. It is unknown what his cap figure is.
The Jets have needs at safety, linebacker, wide receiver, tackle, running back and backup quarterback. Not all of those can be filled in free agency, and some will have to wait too be addressed in the draft.
By bringing back Pouha, the Jets keep a solid run-stuffer in the middle of their defense. Pouha has emerged as one of the Jets’ best defensive players over the last three years. The only negative for the Jets is his age, but Pouha got a late start in the NFL after going on a Mormon mission, and did not become a starter until 2009.
“You could look at it that way, like I’m a younger 33,” Pouha said. “I like to think that I’m 23 and act like I’m 23. But I do feel like I’m a young 33.”
Pouha wanted to return to the Jets, but said the idea he might hit the open market did cross his mind.
“Every player that approaches the last year of their contract and enters, I guess, the screen door of free agency,” he said. “There’s always that possibility. But in my mind I always wanted to stay with the Jets. I always wanted to be with the Jets. I’m just glad it worked out that way.”
Once 4 p.m. hits, the Jets are expected to make a push for safety LaRon Landry, the top player available at the position. Landry has had injury issues with the Redskins, but is a force when healthy.
The Jets are also looking for an upgrade at backup quarterback and Chad Henne is the top target. Henne is familiar with new offensive coordinator Tony Sparano from their time with the Dolphins and could help Mark Sanchez learn the offense while also being a capable replacement if needed.
The Jets may end up waiting until the draft to address wide receiver, but Laurent Robinson, Robert Meachem and Reggie Wayne are all available and may not be super-expensive.