Law was 'this close' to returning to Patriots
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Ty Law today ran out of the New York Jets locker room for practice, his first step in undertaking a rather onerous task: preparing for a marquee NFL game in two days after sitting out more than half a season. As incredible as it may seem, Law came "this close," he said, to doing the same thing in Foxborough, not Florham Park.
Law arrived here late last night, and both coach Eric Mangini and Law expect him to play Thursday. Law will not be a starter but rather a role player, using his versatility to line up outside, over slot receivers, and perhaps even at safety, Mangini said.
Before deciding on the Jets, Law, 34, said he nearly signed with the Patriots. He spoke with New England several times during the offseason and regular season, as recently as last week, he said. He narrowed his choices of coming out of "semi-retirement" to the Jets, Patriots, and Cleveland Browns, where former Patriots defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel is the coach, ultimately choosing the Jets over the team he spent his first 10 seasons with.
"Yeah, I talked to [the Patriots] a few times, and it was pretty close," Law said. "It's always going to be a relationship there with the Patriots organization and the fans. I chose to come here to New York, but I've always loved the Patriots. I'm a Jet right now, and we got to play against them. So right now, they've got to be the enemy."
Asked how close he came, Law squeezed his index finger and thumb centimeters apart, squinted, and said "that close."
"It just didn't come to fruition," Law said. "But there was an interest on both ends. There's also a mutual respect that we didn't come together and do it."
The Jets waived Justin Miller to make room for Law. If the Patriots want to try to add Miller for informational purposes -- or just because he's a pretty good return man -- they have to wait for him to clear waivers. Bill Belichick was not aware of Miller's release before a New York reporter clued him in on a conference call with visiting reporters. "Thanks for that breaking news," he said.
Comment
Permalink
Email
I believe Law would have been hall-of-fame bound had he stayed with the Patriots. He and Rodney Harrison were great together (Colts playoff game stands out). However he went the mercenary route and cared more about a few MORE million. You know, he "has to think about his family"... Does this make the Pats / NYJ rivalry any better? Not sure. Is he in shape? Hate to see him pull a groin... I hope Cassell's development continues-it would be great to see him pick apart the NYJ defense.
New England does not need a clown like Ty Law anyway.
Mangini is a rat.
I hope Cassel plays well on Sunday.
Well, c'mon. If someone offered you half again as much money as you're making at your current job to jump ship, you'd do it. So would I. So would pretty much anyone.
He's hall of fame bound anyway.
It wasn't a litlte more money it was a LOT more money. Anyone would have left. The Pats put a number on positions and that is it. You can't blame a guy for trying to make a few extra million.
I'm tired of this Ty Law song and dance. If he was really interested in coming here, he would have come here. I find it impossible to believe Mangini holds that much sway over him. He's a dollars and cents guy. For Ty Law, it's all about the green. And he's going to be green with envy when the Pats whoop their butts on Thursday.
damn they outta grab justin miller. he is super fast.
Ty said he was "this close" to signing with the Pats but he'll never say WHY he chose the Jets in the end.
That part actually had nothing to do with football. The Jets offered him a few more dollars.
So "this close" actually refers to the margin between dollar amounts.
We don't care how close you were, Ty. Your presence on the field will be more nostalgic than anything else. I'm happy for you that you've secured yourself another year of pay in this terrible economy because I'll be surprised if you're not injured by the end of the year. I'm not wishing that on anyone. I'm just saying you're 34 now and your body isn't as dynamic as it used to be (see Rodney Harrison... despite all his best efforts he's been injured much to much the last 4 seasons).
Go get 'em mr. veteran. Let's see what you got on Thursday.
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Law squeezed his index finger and thumb centimeters apart, squinted, and said “that close.
Dude, I love ya, but c'mon, admit it. You know Icouldn't give you the $ , playing time, or independence you crave. These days you look more like Kirby Puckett, than the "once great" Ty law. You gotta' lay of the X too, as it must be affecting your judgment But I'll tell you what, You show me something Thursday night, and I will consider you for next year. Some sorta' backfield coach, maybe?
Don't HATE the PLAYER...HATE the GAME!!!!
Hey Ellis, just to let you know the Pats play on Thursday this week.
I think this whole NFL Network showing Thursday night games and no other network can is a load of crap. I'm at school in the dorms where we cannot get NFL Network and I really want to watch the Pats especially now that Law is back and I've always been a big fan of Ty Law.
Does anyone know how much money Ty Law has made over the last 4 seasons as he has bumped around the league?
Did the Patriots make him an offer in 2005? or did they just cut him? I'm wondering if Ty really made a lot more money? Wasn't he cut from the Jets and Chiefs to save money, thereby negating some of the lucrative years of the contracts he signed?
HAVE ANOTHER DONUT
Let him make his money. It's no different than what any of us would do. Are the Jets measurably better now with a 34-year-old Ty Law? Probably not. If his remaining skills were THAT good, he'd have been signed by someone 2 months ago. This doesn't change the game Thursday night one bit. Good luck Ty -- hope you don't get hurt. Pats will be just fine without you -- thanks for the memories. Go Pats!
Over-rated.
Ty has always said "a man's gotta eat"! He probably took one look at super-sized Mangini and figured that's where the cake is baby!
chris, which school are you in? if you're in the boston or new york areas, you'll be able to watch the game on a local affiliate (channel 5 here for us).
The game should also be on ABC (Channel 5 in Boston), I believe.
And it is Thursday night, not Sunday.
Chris...I believe the game is also going to be broadcast on WCVB channel 5. That's what ended up happening last year too...
hey Ellis...a real fan would know they're playing Thursday.....
I hope they play well Thursday ~~
Don't get too caught up in the emotion of it... if Belichick thought he was worth it (what ever IT was) we'd have him back. We'll win anyway.
I hope is plays, because his better days are well behind him. Do you think we will ever hear (Cassel to Moss "touchdown NE)
The reality is that Ty Law just off the street is probably better than ANY db currently on the Pats...the Pats once again nickel and dime...guess that Chad Jackson money must have gone to paint parking lot lines at Patriots Place.
Well, I was hoping Ty would come back to the Pats this year, especially with the struggling secondary, but in all reality, do you think he is going to be the difference-maker in terms of winning a Super Bowl or even a division? Of course not, as someone said earlier, it's all about nostalgia for us longtime Pats fans.... That being said, I bet he comes up with a pick, maybe even a pick-6 on Thurs. because we all know that no matter how much he resembles Kirby Puckett circa 1995, he is a big-time player, and big-time players make big-time plays in big-time games....
The reality is that Ty Law just off the street is probably better than ANY db currently on the Pats...the Pats once again nickel and dime...guess that Chad Jackson money must have gone to paint parking lot lines at Patriots Place.
Another year of the NFL Network unavailable to those of us relocated Pats fans (and all other fans) stuck with cable. Would get a dish if the trees weren't in the way. Thanks again no fun league.
i dont know if he should come back eather way he will play but the jets need him beacuse they suck and beacuse there gonna lose 45/0
Let's be real, non of these guys are playing for the love of the game. When you hit thirty something in the NFL you know you only have a few good payday's left. As for the final score on Thursday its going to be closer than 45/0
Topaaz . . . . Ty Law is "Hall of Fame bound anyway" ????
Hall of Fame? He was good . . . had a handful of great plays . . .
But Hall of Fame?
Did you forget that Brady is out nick? When's the last time Moss caught a pass longer then 50 yards? Let's be realistic (45/0, blow out, calling the game now). This Ty Law signing also means nothing in the grand scheme of things.
The reality is that the fact that the Pats are 6-3 shows Coach B's brillance, and whoever wins this game is in control of the AFC East. With the injuries suffered and all, the question is whether there is enough left in the super grey sweat suit to stop the potential bleeding.
This blogger might want to review your comment before posting it.
Patriots Twitter
ask reiss
Questions will be considered for Mike's mailbagbrowse this blog
by categoryINside Boston.com
arrive on the red carpet in LA