It might be another innocuous offseason workout by a little-known free agent, but today’s visit to Weeb Ewbank Hall by Canadian Football League star quarterback Ricky Ray might be a sign Vinny Testaverde’s days as a Jet are numbered.
No one is saying for certain what Testaverde’s status is at this point, but he’s on record saying if he’s not the No. 2 QB on the Jets’ roster in 2004 he’d rather retire.
“If I’m not having fun, it’s not worth it,” Testaverde said late last season. “I don’t care if they pay me $8 million to be the third guy.”
If 40-year-old Testaverde, who’s signed through 2005, opts to retire before June 1, the Jets will take a whopping $7.5 million hit on their salary cap this season. If he retires, is traded or is released after June 1, the cap hit will be spread out over the next two seasons.
Ray has been the CFL’s most prolific passer the past two seasons with the Edmonton Eskimos, completing 65 percent and throwing 69 TDs and 22 INTs. He led his team to the Grey Cup title last season.
The Jets were one of 12 teams who scouted a workout Ray conducted in December. There are more teams than that currently interested in the 24-year-old from Sacramento State, according to his agent, Ken Staninger.
The Jets are bringing him in for a visit and possible throwing session for the coaching staff.
Brooks Bollinger is the projected No. 2 in 2004, though if Ray is as good as he’s shown in the CFL and he’s signed, that could change. That would surely expedite Testaverde’s exit.
* The Jets signed two free agents, P Tim Morgan and DE Joey Evans, who played together with Frankfurt of NFL Europe.