Bucs/NFL

Jets woo Cutler, keep eyes out for other arms

By Wire services
Published April 19, 2006

NEW YORK - The Jets kicked off a cross-country quarterback tour over the weekend by having Easter dinner with Vanderbilt quarterback Jay Cutler in Nashville. They'll stop in Los Angeles next before Austin, Texas, with a possible stop in Eugene, Ore., in between.

And while there's no guarantee the Jets will take a quarterback with the fourth pick in the April 29 draft, it's believed that the strong-armed Cutler would be their choice if they do.

"I think it would be fun," Cutler said on a conference call Monday. "They've got a great staff there. They're trying to win ballgames. They've got a great owner that's backing the team. And I think it's a place that's looking up. It could be a great situation for me."

Cutler had dinner followed by about five hours of "board work," he said, before things wrapped up with an extended workout Monday morning. Cutler - who has visited the Titans (who have the third pick), Vikings (17th) and Rams (11th) and will visit the Lions (ninth) Thursday - said he "threw real well" after what he called an "erratic" start.

CARDINALS: Linebacker Gerald Hayes and defensive end Antonio Smith re-signed. Terms weren't disclosed.

CHIEFS: The team signed free-agent cornerback Chris Johnson.

[Last modified April 19, 2006, 01:59:13]