Jets Show Interest in Miles Austin

The Jets are bringing in Dallas wide receiver Miles Austin for a visit.

Cowboys wide receiver Miles Austin has yet to sign his restricted free-agent tender.

And, according to sources, he is being courted by the New York Jets.

He even has an end-of-the-week visit set up to meet Jets coaches and front office personnel.

However, the Cowboys are excited about Austin’s potential to be a breakout receiver in 2009. He is expected to replace the departed Terrell Owens as the team’s deep threat and provided a speedy complement to lead receiver Roy Williams.

He has steadily improved as a receiver and went into 2008 as No. 3 on the depth chart. However, he has was hampered by knee injuries, limiting him to 13 catches for 278 yards and three touchdowns last season.

This is usually the best kind of free agent signing. Backup players with starting potential are great bargains. It is good to see the Jets pursuing this type of player to fill their need of a deep threat and big red zone target at receiver. It would give the club more options in the Draft. If a receiver the team loves falls to a New York pick, Gang Green could still pull the trigger. The Jets would not be as desperate and have to reach just to select somebody at the position because of newfound depth.

With all of this said, it is not likely Austin ends up a Jet. He is a restricted free agent, and Jerry Jones would probably match any sane deal New York offers if Dallas really likes Austin enough to expand his role in 2009.