Jets free-agent signings: Will they pay off?

With most of their money tied up in big contracts, the Jets were forced to go for high risk/high reward free-agent signings.

By Lisa Zimmerman

Aug 3, 2012 at 11:47 pm ET • 2 min read

The Jets were limited in free agency because their money is tied up in a handful of players, including QB Mark Sanchez, WR Santonio Holmes, LB David Harris and CB Darrelle Revis.

They made the best of it and tried to add in areas of significant weakness. But there are a lot of question marks.

The team chose not to resign S Jim Leonhard, who was coming off a broken leg. That, coupled with weak confidence in S Eric Smith, forced the Jets to try to shore up the safety position so two of their bigger signings were in that category.

Following are the three biggest signings and the problems each presents.

S LaRon Landry -- The most complicated of the Jets signings. Landry suffered an Achilles injury in Week 10 of the 2010 season with the Redskins and was put on injured reserve. He came back in 2011, but hamstring and groin injuries and more Achilles issuesthe return of issues related to his Achilles put an end to that season as well. After being signed by the Jets, Landry chose not to participate in most of the team's voluntary sessions, instead getting stem cell treatments for the Achilles in Arizona. In the 2012 training camp, the Jets put him on a "pitch count" where he practices only every third day. It is unclear when he will be ready to fully participate.

S Yeremiah Bell -- The Jets were more than familiar with Bell, who spent the first eight years of his career with the Dolphins. Bell tore his Achilles in 2007, missing the last 15 games of the season. Other than 2007, he missed three games in eight years after being drafted in 2003. Bell was the Dolphins' leading tackler in 2008 and 2009, and the Jets believe he still has the tools to be a starter. But at age 34, his speed and durability will be a question.

WR Chaz Schilens -- Schilens (6-4, 225) is a big receiver who can stretch the field, which is something the Jets desperately need with an otherwise mostly young and inexperienced receiving corps. In reality, there are some serious issues. Schilens has been plagued by injuries for much of his first four years in the NFL. Schilens broke his foot in 2009 and missed half the season and then in 2010 suffered a knee injury. Schilens is now battling a hamstring pull, and it is unclear when he will be a full go. With the Raiders from 2008-2011, Schilens had 72 receptions for 902 yards.