Jets land Eric Decker- $15 million guaranteed

[ThomasTomasz]

After two seasons of catching passes from Peyton Manning, Broncos wide receiver Eric Decker has decided to move on. Decker agreed to terms with the Jets on Wednesday, the team announced.

Decker's deal with the Jets is worth $36.25 million over five years and includes $15 million in guaranteed money, according to ESPN.com. Decker's deal is slightly higher than the five-year, $31 million contract former Seahawks receiver Golden Tate got from the Lions on Wednesday. Tate's deal included $13.25 million in guaranteed money.

You can argue whether or not Decker is a true No. 1 receiver, but whether he is or not, he'll be a step up from anyone the Jets have. Decker's 87 catches for 1,288 yards last season were more than double any player on the Jets roster.

Decker's 11 touchdown catches in Denver last year were only two lower than the Jets team total of 13. The 26-year-old wide receiver will go from a passing offense in Denver that ranked No. 1 overall in the NFL in 2013 to a passing offense in New York that ranked 31st overall.

Geno Smith will likely be throwing passes to Decker in New York and Decker realizes that's not the same as Manning throwing you passes. Decker gave Manning credit for his receiving numbers in February, but he also added that he has to make things happen before Manning throws him the ball.

"Is it easier to play with Peyton Manning? Yes, 100 percent," Decker said. "But you still have to be in the right spot, you still have to find a way to get open, you still have to find a way to make a play. I do feel I'm a pretty good ball player."

Over the past two seasons, Decker has totaled 2,352 receiving yards and 24 touchdowns. Those numbers both rank in the top-10 for any receiver in the league over the past two years.

The big question in New York though will be: Can Decker do that without Manning throwing him passes and without a No. 1 receiver like Demaryius Thomas around to take heat off of him?

The answer could end up being no. Although Decker has put up back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons, getting to the 1,000 yard mark in New York isn't easy. The Jets haven't had a 1,000 yard receiver since 2007 and the team's only had a total of four since 2000.

The answer could also end up being yes. In 2011, Decker was able to put over 600 yards and catch eight touchdowns even though he had Kyle Orton and Tim Tebow throwing him passes.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on...e-to-terms-with-former-broncos-wr-eric-decker

 

[Matt]

PERFECTING BACK DROP FOR SEASON 3 OF HIS HIT REALITY SHOW

 

[Maynard]

wow, totally overpaid. wait until his number drop in half and NY lynches him.

 

[cmnelson87]

wow, totally overpaid. wait until his number drop in half and NY lynches him.

I agree he was overpaid, but I don't think his numbers drop that much, if at all, simply because the Jets don't really have anyone else to throw to

 

[Primetime]

I agree he was overpaid, but I don't think his numbers drop that much, if at all, simply because the Jets don't really have anyone else to throw to

He also now has to go against #1 CBs like Brent Grimes and Revis multiple times next year without a QB to throw to him. His numbers will drop pretty heavily whether it's his fault or not.

 

[ralaw]

If I were a WR I would force my way to any team Manning is on.....eventually it will payoff.

 

[jms493]

gawd...why go to a cold weather team with a struggling QB?

 

[Aso]

He also now has to go against #1 CBs like Brent Grimes and Revis multiple times next year without a QB to throw to him. His numbers will drop pretty heavily whether it's his fault or not.

QFT, his numbers will definitely drop. Definitely no guarantee he reaches 1,000 yards.

 

[MrBill]

This is a great value. If anything, Eric Decker was underpaid by the Jets.

Signed,
Alvin Harper

 

[Buzzman]

If I were a WR I would force my way to any team Manning is on.....eventually it will payoff.

IT JUST DID, YA FEEL?