February 21st this day in NY Jets history

February 21, 2002

Earlier in the week, the Jets had about $14 million cap space freed up for them when the Houston Texans selected 3 Jets (Marcus Coleman, Aaron Glenn and Ryan Young) in the expansion draft.  On this date in 2002, the Jets went about using some of that cap space by locking up one of their own, LT Jason Fabini.  Fabini signed a 5 year $17.5 million contract to remain with the team.  

The contract included a $7 million signing bonus. At the time it was the second largest bonus the Jets had ever given a player -- Curtis Martin received $8 million in 1998. "I didn't realize that, but (assistant GM) Mike Tannenbaum made sure he told me that when the process was going on," Fabini said.  "They gave me a deal I couldn't refuse.

"Getting Jason signed was one of our first off-season priorities," coach Herman Edwards said. "Clearly, the offensive line is one of our foremost strengths, and Jason is an unsung hero on that line. I know our quarterbacks will sleep well tonight."



Jason would not get the opportunity to play out his contract.  He was waived after the 2005 season, becoming expendable when the Jets signed Anthony Clement as an unrestricted free agent in April 2006, and a few days later, they selected D'Brickashaw Ferguson in the draft.  He would finish his career with one season in Dallas and two in Washington.

With Fabini done, the Jets turned their attention to their next highest priority, LB James Farrior.  The Jets and Farrior could not agree to terms, allowing him to reach free agency, where he signed a 3 year $5.4 million contract with the Steelers.