Free Agency

Jets after Fiedler

Admin - March 8, 2005

By Paul Schwartz
New York Post

March 8, 2005 -- The Jets could have a new backup quarterback by the end of the week. They'll be visited by Jay Fiedler on Thursday and appear serious about bringing the Long Island native home and making him Chad Pennington's caddie.

Fiedler will be in Chicago today meeting with the Bears. His agent, Brian Levy, believes by the end of the week Fiedler will choose between the Jets and Bears.

"It's going to be based on his comfort level . . . he's got to make a gut decision," Levy said. "See where he feels most comfortable."

The Jets present the added bonus of playing close to home. Fiedler, 33, is from Oceanside, a 15-minute drive from the Jets' training facility at Hofstra. He was looking for a starting job, but none has presented itself. Fiedler was the Dolphins' starter the past five years and has a career QB rating of 76.9.

"The Jets are in his backyard," Levy said. "It's somewhat exciting to him to have that opportunity."