If you can't beat 'em, sign 'em
Jets sign safety Atwater to three-year, $8.3 million deal
Posted: Wednesday March 03, 1999 10:21 AM
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Steve Atwater was Denver's fourth-leading tackler in '98 with 85 stops, and has 24 career interceptions. Brian Bahr/Allsport |
NEW YORK (AP) -- It worked with Bryan Cox, so why not with Steve Atwater?
The New York Jets signed
the veteran free safety, an eight-time Pro Bowl player for Denver, to
bolster their secondary and provide leadership for the defense. That was
exactly what linebacker Cox did in last season's Jets turnaround.
"I know he feels like he has something to prove again. I can sense it in
the player, just like Bryan had it when he came here," coach Bill Parcells
said of Atwater, who signed a three-year, $8.3 million contract that
includes a $1.8 million bonus. "What you're always curious about when you
have a player like this is, is the fire still burning? Does he still want
to do it?"
Atwater says there will be no problems in that area after he was cut by the
two-time champion Broncos.
"The former team I played with, I think they felt like I couldn't play
anymore," he said. "I'd like to show them and show the world that Steve
Atwater can still play football."
Known as an aggressive tackler, Atwater, 32, sometimes was replaced on
passing downs in Denver. The Broncos apparently felt they could do just as
well with younger players.
The Jets struggled at the position last year, using rookie Kevin Williams and
journeyman Jerome
Henderson, who was released last week. Their other safety, Victor Green, had a good
season and is similar to Atwater in style.
Atwater had five tackles in the AFC title game against the Jets, with a
forced fumble and a tipped pass that resulted in an interception. He plans
to be just as active with the Jets, whose defense he praised.
"The first thing I noticed was guys flying around to the ball," Atwater
said. "That's my characteristic. I like coming to the ball, and I like to
get there full-speed."
The Falcons -- who lost to the Broncos in the Super Bowl -- the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles also
expressed an interest in Atwater.
"Believe me, if I didn't have full confidence that he was able to do what
we're asking him to do, he wouldn't be here," said Parcells, who noted that
Atwater was on the field for 96 percent of the Broncos' defensive snaps
last season. "You can watch a guy play and know what you've got. This guy
is involved in heavy traffic most of the time."
The signing came a day after the Jets committed $19.5 million to
quarterback Vinny
Testaverde in a three-year contract extension. The club, aggressive as
promised during the offseason, also has signed quarterback-punter Tom Tupa, tight end Eric Green and defensive
end Mike Frederick.
Parcells said the Jets are not finished with offseason transactions,
including trades. Only 15 players remain from the roster Parcells inherited
when he took over the ballclub in February 1997.
Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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