After weeks of rumors, the New York Jets and cornerback Ty Law made it official on Monday as Law inked a contract to join the Jets. The deal was contingent on Law passing his physical.
The 31-year-old Law has been a Pro Bowl performer four times for the New England Patriots since entering the NFL out of the University of Michigan. He holds the Patriots all-time career record with 36 interceptions returning 6 of them for touchdowns.
'He's an excellent player and helps us get better,' said an excited Jets coach Herman Edwards.
The Jets have needed a top notch corner since Donnie Abraham, a starter last season, announced his retirement in the off-season.
'Ray will be somewhere else,' Edwards said. 'He's a good player and he'll play in this league with another team. It's tough when you have to let go of a player when you know you'd like to keep him.'
Edwards was very pleased with the acquisition of Law.
'The thing he brings to the table is he has great instincts,' Edwards told the Associated Press. 'He understands angles very, very well and he's a physical guy, too. He has great hand-eye coordination and he's a student -- he studies the game, studies receivers.'
The Patriots let Law go due to salary cap considerations. He was due $12.5 million on the last year of his seven-year, $51 million contract. Law refused to renegotiate with the club.
Law missed most of the 2004 season due to a fractured foot. He needed additional surgery in January to repair ligament damage.
To clear room on their roster for Law, the Jets released cornerback Ray Mickens. The Jets also waived safety Derek Pagel, guard Dave Yovanovits, running back Delvin Joyce and cornerback Roosevelt Williams.
