Bryan Thomas will be back in green and white for at least another year.

The Jets announced they have agreed in principal on a new contract with LB Bryan Thomas. Sources have indicated Thomas’s deal is one-year.

For those asking questions about Thomas’ recovery from his Achilles tear, Thomas has revealed that he is “right on schedule.” I would imagine the team is well informed on his status and didn’t tread into the situation without making an appropriate determination. Then again, you know what happens when you assume..

The Jets have also signed  Center Kristofer O’Dowd (per his Twitter, lol). Kris played with Mark Sanchez at USC alum and was an UDFA signed by the Arizona Cardinals in 2011.

Also on the dockett for the Jets today is the search for safety. Reports indicate the Jets are interested in Brandon Meriweather but, as of now, have not scheduled a visit with the safety. They are also interested in Bengals Reggie Nelson and Redskins LaRon Landry. Of these options, Nelson is the most interesting to me. I mean…Meriweather can’t happen, or I might have to throw up.

Here are a few other names the Jets have been linked to today:

Laurent Robinson – Jets have expressed interest, as have the Cardinals Chargers and the Jaguars. Cowboys are also trying to push for Robinson before he visits with the Jags tonight. Jenny Vrentas just tweeted, “Jets’ interest in WR Laurent Robinson more so “kicking the tires,” at least for now, source says.” Blegh.

WR Chaz Schilens - Jets are reportedly interested in the Raiders WR. So..there is that.

QB Chad Henne - According to several sources, the Jets have made calls to Henne. It is unclear if the  interest if mutual but Jenny Vrentas reported that she’s been informed he will not sign with the team. Seahawks and Jags are also interested in Henne.

QB Drew Stanton - The Jets plan to bring in former Lions QB Drew Stanton. To me, this is a very solid back-up option. Stanton played well when he was called upon in Detroit.

LB Jameel McClain - We’ve been hearing rumblings of the Jets interest in McClain for weeks now. This isn’t really a surprise. I will continue to update as information is made available.

And so it begins.

Earlier today, the Jets announced that they have agreed in principal to a three-year deal with 33-year old free agent nose tackle Sione Pouha.

Contract details have not been made available, but it’s safe to assume the impact from his deal on the 2012 salary cap is less than $7.9 million, considering that is this year’s franchise number for nose tackles (the Jets opted not to use the tag on Pouha).

Pouha and the Jets agreed to a 3-year deal

Though largely underrated, Pouha is one of the league’s best defensive tackles. Pro Football Focus had the NT ranked second among run-stuffer’s in their end of season evaluations.

The three-year deal  seems perfectly ideal, as they can keep Pouha while he is still his prime (he started playing in the league “late”), without being on the financial hook long-term.

So now that Pouha is locked up, the next question is: Where does the team now stand against the salary cap?

With Sanchez’s contract extension, the Jets cleared an additional $6.4 million in cap space, which brought the total to $14.3 million.

The League also threw 28 NFL teams a bone today when they awarded them an additional $1.6 million in cap space due to the Washington Redskins and Dallas Cowboys vioaltions of cap-rules in the 2010 “uncapped” year (basically, they are alleged to have dumped salaries into the uncapped year so that hit did not count).

Estimates are currently at $15.1 for the Jets, which includes Aaron Maybin’s tender and Mark Sanchez’s extension, but that does not include Pouha’s deal.  No one really knows at this moment how much we are specifically dealing with spending-wise, but it’s safe to say that the Sanchez deal massively helped the team out.  Also note that some of the total cap money will have to be allocated towards rookie salaries, though thankfully first round picks no longer receive the heavy price tags they used to.

Either way, the Pouha deal is a big relief, and now the team can completely shift their focus on attending to other needs in free agency, which begins tomorrow afternoon.

Reports indicate that TE Dustin Keller has spent some time on the trading block, and we already know that Bart Scott has been granted permission to seek a trade (or whatever) and Wayne Hunter has been shopped to a mystery NFC team. Keller strikes me as someone who is more valuable to the Jets than he would be to any other team, due to the chemistry he shares with Sanchez. I don’t know that the Jets will receive any appealing offers for the TE, but they may be looking to pass him off before he is due a new contract next year.

We’ve all agreed that the team needs, at minimum, an OLB, 2 (yes 2) safeties, an upgrade at right tackle, a wide receiver and a back-up QB (at least one, though some debate McElroy could serve as the #2). Other considerations include running back, tight end and ILB (depending on Scott).

I have already offered a very in-depth look at free agent DE/OLB, safety and wide receiver markets, and offered up several names at each postion. But just as a primer for tomorrow, here are a few names that I would pay careful attention to during the free agency period:

RT Eric Winston: Winston was JUST released by the Texans today. His release was a pretty big shock and I feel somewhat unprepared to speak about on him, but the Jets HAVE to look at him. I am have no idea what he would command salary wise (estimates are upwards of $6 million), but it’s a weak crop at RT and he will be in demand. Tanny has to make a call to get this guy.

S LaRon Landry (WAS) - There has been a lot of talk about the Jets possibly targeting Landry, though he brings definite injury concerns and debates over what he can bring to the table as a cover guy.

S Reggie Nelson (CIN) – Nelson and the Bengals were negotiating until Monday but it was announced today that the safety will hit free agency. Nelson is coming off of an excellent year, but some worry he may have reached his peak.

S Dwight Lowery (JAX) – Fans have expressed interest in Lowery, primary because he is a former Jet. Lowery was ranked as the top safety on Peter King’s 50 Top free agents list, and there will be some interest in him from other teams.

LB Manny Lawson (CIN) – I’ve been talking up Lawson all off-season. I would love to see the Jets take interet int he young, versatile linebacker who has yet to reach his ceiling.

LB Jarrett Johnson (BAL) - Various reports have indicate that the Jets are interested.

WR Laurent Robinson (DAL) – I’ve made it known how much I like what this guy could bring, if the price is right. Additionally, with the recent news concerning Dallas and Washington’s cap penalties, the Cowboys would likely be unable to make him an offer.

TE Kevin Boss (OAK), TE Anthony Fasano (MIA) - Boss was released today; Fasano could potentially be on the market. The Sparano connection makes the case for Fasano.

QB Chad Henne (MIA)  -  We’ve been hearing reports about the Jets interest in Henne for weeks, though some fans aren’t thrilled about the idea and would much prefer the team consider former Raider Jason Campbell. This is really going to come down to cost. If Henne can be added for a reasonable price, I would bet that happens, but considering the Jets modest cap space, the team may need to aim lower.

BTW, If you feel like a lot of more talk has been centered around the salary cap this year, you are correct. The new CBA has really put the spotlight on spending totals and with the firm cap in place (and only a .3 mill increase over last year) it is a huge deal for teams that were used to a lot more.

Aaron Maybin, formerly of the Buffalo Bills was added back on to the roster this morning. (Photo from BuffaloSportsDaily.com)

A few big headlines this morning as we prepare for the match-up against Baltimore.

Jets Sign OLB Aaron Maybin to the Active Roster: He was in, then he was out, and now he back in.

The Jets re-signed former Buffalo Bill Aaron Maybin, who they released from their roster earlier in September, this morning.

Sounds like they have finally realized they need to improve the pass rush after last week’s loss. The Jets only had one sack against Oakland and need someone speedy to get after the quarterback. It helps that Maybin spent some time with the team in the preseason but it’s difficult to say how much time he will see this weekend.

Jason Taylor SAys Henne is More Talented than Sanchez: Miami Dolphin turned Jet turned back to Dolphin Jason Taylor is making headlines with his endorsement of Chad Henne, saying he is better than Mark Sanchez.

What’s so interesting about Taylor’s statement is this, which offers a similar endorsement about Sanchez, circa 2010. In this interview for ESPN he says, “Sanchez is my guy,” and, “I’ve always been one of those guys that rides or dies with his quarterback.”

I think that pretty much sums up this story. It’s not a story. It’s a guy going on record to support his current quarterback, something that any normal teammate would do.

As far the discussion as to who is “better,” I think Mark’s two visits to the AFC Championship should effectively end any argument before it even begins.

Jets are no Longer a Run First Team: Anyone who has watched a single Jets game this year knows that the “Ground and Pound” idea is not their answer to winning games.  Whether the lack of success in the run game comes down to Shonn Greene’s ability or the offensive line is still up for debate; either way, it’s not working.

In an interview Monday, Rex Ryan admitted that they were going to have to get away from running the ball and start throwing more, especially against a very good Ravens defense.

The Jets are already throwing the ball 62% of the snaps in the last 3 games, according to this article from Pro Football Talk.

BTW, the Ravens just announced that they are placing CB Domonique Foxworth on IR. While Foxworth wasn’t at his best in the first few games, his replacement surely will not be that formidable on Sunday either. This secondary is weakened. More reason to throw.

Other Notes

• Jets have also signed LB Eddie Jones to the practice squad. Jones and Maybin account for the two available spots, after Cumberland and Turner were placed on IR.
• Antonio Cromartie did not practice today, He was spotted on the sideline stretching with trainers, along with teammate Nick Mangold. Mangold status for Sunday is unclear but I would expect a more definitive update on both players in the next few days.

The logo for Super Bowl XLVIII, which will be hosted at MetLife stadium in 2014, was released this week. Take a look and share your thoughts.

Perhaps the snowflake is a little nod to the Dallas snowstorm debacle of 2010?