Alan Faneca | TigerFan.com

houtiger · Apr 25, 2010

April 25, 2010

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Two years after coming in to stabilize the Jets' young offensive line, Alan Faneca's run in New York is over.

The Jets released the veteran Pro Bowl left guard Saturday, parting ways with one of the leaders of a unit that paved the way for the league's top-rushing offense.

"He gave us two incredible years, but along with Woody [Johnson], Rex and I, our job is to make the hard decision, not necessarily the easy one," general manager Mike Tannenbaum said. "With Alan, we just felt it was time to move on."

Faneca, who played 10 years for the Steelers before signing with New York in 2008, will be replaced by second-round pick Vladimir Ducasse or Matt Slauson, a sixth-round selection from a year ago.

"The best player will play there," Tannenbaum said.

The team released the nine-time Pro Bowl selection even though he is owed $5.2 million in guaranteed salary this year. Faneca's age -- he is 33 -- and slip in production were also likely factors in him being cut.

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That led to the Jets signing Faneca to a five-year, $40 million contract, with $21 million in guarantees, which made him then the highest-paid offensive lineman in NFL history. He helped with the development of center Nick Mangold and left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson, who both made the Pro Bowl last season.

"Alan's definitely going to play in this league again," Ryan said. "I have no idea where, but by releasing him now, [it] gives Alan an opportunity to go, quite honestly, where he wants to go. We're not looking to trade him and send him to a place where he doesn't want to play. We gave him the respect that he's due and this allows him to go where he wants to go."
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Jets release Faneca

red55 · Apr 26, 2010

12 years is a long career in the NFL. He could probably play for another 3 years as a backup, but few teams can afford to pay $5 million a year for a reserve offensive lineman. Some team will take a major injury on the line and pick up Faneca for top dollar to have an experienced guy in there for a while.

On the other hand, he could sit out for a year and still make $5 million. He's rich and famous and a future Hall of Famer, there is no need to hurt himself trying to stretch out a career another two or three years.

LaSalleAve · Apr 28, 2010

Picked up by Arizona. Good pick up by the Cardinals, Leinart needs all the help he can get.

HatcherTiger · Apr 29, 2010

LaSalleAve said: ↑

Picked up by Arizona. Good pick up by the Cardinals, Leinart needs all the help he can get.
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Great, now Faneca can teach Herman Johnson a thing or two about being a guard in the NFL. Early and Ali Highsmith are on the team as well.