Bart

Scott

The Ravens have enough cap balancing to do without taking on Scott’s $4.2 million salary. Should the Jets release Scott, though, GM Ozzie Newsome could view him as a fallback option in case free agent Jameel McClain signs elsewhere.

Bart Scott generally comes off the field on passing downs, which is where Davis is expected to step in. Jets management admitted that Davis’ 4.49 speed was appealing. The rookie should do most of his damage on special teams in 2012, but it’s clear he has an opportunity to carve out a part-time role on defense.

Scott also confirmed he’s lost 10-15 pounds this offseason. “First time (I’ve) met abs five and six and I’m excited.” Had Scott’s $4.2 million 2012 salary not been fully guaranteed, he’d either be with a new club or on the open market.

Scott’s 2012 salary of $4.2 million is fully guaranteed, so the odds are against the Jets releasing him. Newsday did report in January that Scott won’t be back, however. The Giants have a need at middle linebacker and realize it. It sounds like they’ll actively try to fill the hole in free agency.

He won’t find any takers. Scott is a non-rush linebacker with a massive contract who turns 32 before the season, so the most likely outcome is returning to the Jets. They wouldn’t cut him with a fully guaranteed $4.2 million base salary. Still, it’s the latest sign that Rex Ryan’s locker room may be headed for more 2012 turmoil. They’ll likely end up bringing back a player they don’t want there, and who isn’t boneheaded enough to miss the message.

Davis’ 4.49 40 speed apparently translates quite well to the practice field, while coach Rex Ryan has already compared Davis’ leadership abilities to Ray Lewis’. Davis is tentatively expected to spell Scott on passing downs, but his role could grow with an impressive camp.

However, his $4.2 million guaranteed salary continues to be a “deal breaker.” Although GM Mike Tannenbaum insists Scott will participate in offseason workouts, it’s likely that he will eventually be released.

“Why wouldn’t (he be back)?” Ryan said. “I’ve had great discussions with Bart. He’s got his weight down. He felt that he probably got a little too heavy last year.” According to the New York Daily News, Scott has shed 10-15 pounds. ESPN New York reported last week the Jets were still shopping Scott after granting him permission to seek a trade in February, but that his guaranteed $4.2 million salary continued to be a “deal breaker.”

“We’re going to keep having discussions with him,” said Tannenbaum. “We’ll see where things go.” Those options for Tannenbaum and Scott will likely be limited to keeping him or releasing him. No team is going to trade for his $4.2 million salary.

Scott is entering his age-32 season and his salary jumps to $5.6 million in 2012. It sounds like he’ll be released. Scott’s playing time dropped this year as he was removed from the Jets’ nickel defense. Pro Football Focus still graded Scott as one of the league’s premier run-stopping 3-4 inside ‘backers, so his career shouldn’t be over. He’s just not an every-down player anymore, and needs to be held out of pass-coverage situations.