The New York Jets announced the hiring of Assistant Strength and Conditioning coaches Ryan Cidzik and Kyle Thorne. Cidzik and Thorne will work under Head Strength and Conditioning Coach Sal Alosi. The club also announced it has retained Mike Bloomgren as offensive assistant. The announcements were made by Head Coach Rex Ryan.

Cidzik (Susquehanna University/Rome, NY), (pronounced sid-zik) most recently served as an assistant strength and conditioning coach for the Cleveland Browns (2008). Prior to Cleveland, he served as the Director of Sports Performance at Northwestern Sate (La.) University (2006-07), assistant strength and conditioning coach for Louisiana Tech (2004-06) and as a volunteer assistant for the University of Richmond (2003). He also was the primary strength and conditioning consultant for NFL Europe in 2004 before being appointed as the league’s first strength and conditioning coordinator. Cidzik graduated from Susquehanna (Pa.) University (2001) where he played fullback and earned his master’s degree from Louisiana Tech (2005).

Thorne (Hofstra University/Tucson, AZ), most recently served as the head strength and conditioning coach with Everton FC, a Premier League soccer club based in Liverpool, England after working as a sports performance coach at Athletes’ Performance in Los Angeles (2006-07) and as a strength and conditioning intern with the San Diego Chargers (2006). Thorne was a linebacker at Hofstra University (2000-01) before graduating in 2002. He spent two seasons in the Indoor Football League (2004-Hawaiian Islanders/ 2005-Billings Outlaws) before earning his master’s degree at Azusa Pacific University in 2006.

Bloomgren (Florida State/Tallahassee, FL), originally joined the Jets as an offensive quality control coach in 2007. Prior to joining the Jets, he served as the offensive coordinator at Delta State University (Mississippi) where his Statesmen passed for more than 7,500 yards in two seasons and advanced to the semifinals of the NCAA Division II Playoffs in 2006.

The New York Jets have waived DT Nate Robinson. The announcement was made by Jets General Manager Mike Tannenbaum.

Robinson (DT, 6-5, 315, Akron) signed a reserve/future contract with the Jets on Feb. 19, 2009. He originally entered the NFL as an undrafted rookie free agent with the New York Giants on May 12, 2008, and was waived on Aug. 1, 2008.

The New York Jets have released TE Chris Baker. The announcement was made by Jets General Manager Mike Tannenbaum.

Baker (St. Albans, NY/Michigan State), originally a third-round draft pick (88^th overall) for the Jets in 2002, played in 99 games, starting 50, in seven seasons with the team. He logged 145 career receptions for 1,505 yards (10.4 yards per reception) and 12 touchdowns. Baker started 13 games in 2008, catching 21 passes for 194 yards.

 The New York Jets have signed unrestricted free agent S Jim Leonhard and re-signed unrestricted free agent FB Tony Richardson. The announcements were made by Jets General Manager Mike Tannenbaum.

Jim Leonhard (5-8/186/Wisconsin/Ladysmith, WI), a four-year veteran, joins the Jets after spending one season with the Baltimore Ravens. Signed by the Ravens as an unrestricted free agent in 2008, he played in all 16 games and made 13 starts for a defense that ranked second overall in the NFL. He finished fourth on the team with 85 tackles and added one sack, one interception and six passes defensed. On special teams he averaged 11.6 yards on 20 punt returns and 20.4 yards on eight kickoff returns. His 2008 totals represent career highs in starts, tackles and passes defensed, He recorded 16 tackles (third on the team) during the Ravens three post-season games in 2008, while adding 0.5 sacks, one interception, one pass defensed, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. Prior to signing with Baltimore in 2008, Leonhard played three seasons for the Buffalo Bills, earning action in 38 games while making seven starts. He originally entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Bills in 2005.

For his career, Leonhard has played in 54 games with 20 starts and recorded 144 tackles, one sack, three interceptions, nine passes defensed and 19 special teams tackles. Additionally, he has averaged 10.5 yards on 31 punt returns and 22.6 yards on 11 kickoff returns.

“I’ve liked Jim since his days at Wisconsin and was excited when we were able to bring him to Baltimore last season,” said Jets Head Coach Rex Ryan. “He was everything I expected him to be in 2008 when he bailed us out at safety after we had some injuries. He’s a smart player that can get guys lined up in the secondary and was one of the best tacklers on that Ravens defense. He’s always around the ball, brings everything he has on every play and will be a great addition to our group of defensive backs.”

Richardson (6-1, 238, Auburn/Daleville, AL), a 14-year NFL veteran, originally entered the NFL as an undrafted rookie free agent with the Dallas Cowboys in 1994. During his first season with the Jets in 2008, Richardson served as the primary lead blocker for Thomas Jones career-record 13 rushing touchdowns and helped Jones earn his first Pro Bowl appearance by leading the way for his AFC-best 1,312 rushing yards.

A Pro Bowl selection following the 2003, 2004 and 2007 seasons, Richardson has served as the lead blocker for Priest Holmes, Larry Johnson, Chester Taylor and Adrian Peterson, helping each of them rush for more than 1,200 yards in a combined total of six seasons.

In 14 seasons, Richardson has played in 202 games and earned 113 starts. He has rushed for 1,666 yards and 15 touchdowns on 417 carries and has added 202 receptions for 1,502 yards and nine scores.

The New York Jets have re-signed unrestricted free agent K Jay Feely. The announcement was made by Jets General Manager Mike Tannenbaum.

Feely (5-10, 205/Michigan/Tampa, FL) signed with the Jets during the 2008 season on Sept. 10 following a leg injury to kicker Mike Nugent. He finished the season with 111 points, while connecting on 24-of-28 field goals and all 39 extra points. Additionally, he connected on both attempts of more than 50 yards (52 and 55) and was four-of-five on kicks from 40-49 yards.

A career 81.4% kicker, Feely has scored 891 points on 201-of-247 field goals and 288-of-290 extra points. An eight-year veteran who has produced five seasons with 100 or more points, he has also played with Atlanta (2001-04), the New York Giants (2005-06) and Miami (2007).