The New York Jets have re-signed free agent OT Michael Kracalik. The announcement was made by Jets General Manager Mike Tannenbaum.

Kracalik (6-8, 337/San Diego State/San Diego, CA) spent the past three seasons with the Baltimore Ravens (2006-08), where he played in four games. He was originally signed by the Jets in 2005 and was waived after training camp. He played in 10 games for the Rhein Fire (NFL Europe) in 2006, starting three games at tackle.

 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.

he New York Jets have signed the following players to reserve/future contracts: CB Tyron Brackenridge, CB Marquice Cole, DE Sean Conover, LB Nate Harris and DT Nate Robinson. The announcement was made by Jets General Manager Mike Tannenbaum.

Brackenridge (CB, 5-11, 189, Washington State) originally signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as a rookie free agent on May 8, 2007. He saw action in 13 games with one start before being placed on injured reserve on Dec. 23, 2007. He registered 16 tackles (13 solo), one forced fumble and one fumble recovery which he returned 50 yards for a touchdown at San Diego on Sept. 30, 2007. The Pasadena, California native attended training camp with the Chiefs in 2008, but was released Aug. 31, 2008.

Cole (CB, 5-10, 190, Northwestern) was originally signed by the Oakland Raiders as a rookie free agent on May 4, 2007, and was waived on Sept. 1, 2007. He was signed to the Titans practice squad on Dec. 11, 2007 and was signed to the active roster on Feb. 11, 2007. Cole was released on Aug. 8, 2008. He was with the Titans for three regular season contests and one playoff game. He held a brief stint with the New Orleans practice squad from Dec. 9, 2008, until his contract expired on Jan. 5, 2009.

Conover (DE, 6-5, 275, Bucknell) originally signed with the Tennesse Titans as a rookie free agent on May 5, 2006, and was promoted to the active roster on Nov. 22, 2006. In two seasons with the Titans, he played in 11 games with two starts, totaling 25 tackles, one tackle for a loss and two quarterback pressures. He was signed to the Atlanta Falcons practice squad on Sept. 1, 2008, and was released on Oct. 29, 2008. He also had a brief stint with the Baltimore Ravens practice squad.    

Harris (LB, 6-0, 230, Louisville) originally signed with the Kansas City Chiefs on May 15, 2007, and was waived on July 25, 2008. In 2007, he played in 15 games, tallying two solo tackles, and led the club with 20 special teams tackles.

Robinson (DT, 6-5, 315, Akron) was originally signed by the New York Giants as a rookie free agent on May 12, 2008, and was waived on Aug. 1, 2008. As a senior, he played in 10 games with six starts and was credited with 26 tackles (16 solo), five for a loss and two sacks.

New York Jets announced that Mike Pettine (pronounced PET-tin) has been hired as his defensive coordinator. The announcement was made by Head Coach Rex Ryan.

“Mike Pettine is a rising star in this league,” said Ryan. “He played a key role for us in Baltimore and we’re fortunate that he’s able to join us with the Jets.”

Pettine spent the past four seasons coaching the outside linebackers for the Baltimore Ravens and has been with the Ravens organization since 2002.

In the past four seasons, the Ravens defense finished fifth (2005), first (2006), sixth (2007) and second (2008) in the NFL. In 2006, the defense allowed only 201 points and 264 yards per game. The Ravens 2008 defense allowed 261.1 yards per game, finishing second overall in the NFL. The 2008 Ravens allowed 244 points, third-fewest in the NFL, and led the NFL with 34 takeaways, 26 interceptions and a league-low 60.6 opponents’ passer rating. Baltimore also yielded a league-low four rushing touchdowns.

Pettine coached high school football in Pennsylvania at North Penn and William Tennent high schools after working as a graduate assistant for Johnny Majors at the University of Pittsburgh (1993-94). He also spent four years as an assistant coach for his father, Mike Pettine, Sr. at Central Bucks West High School. Pettine Sr. recently retired as the winningest high school coach in Pennsylvania, posting a record of 326-42-4 in 33 seasons.

Pettine played free safety at the University of Virginia, graduating in 1987, after earning all-state honors as a quarterback and defensive back for his dad at Central Bucks West.

The New York Jets have waived RB Marcus Mason. The announcement was made by Jets General Manager Mike Tannenbaum.

Mason (5-9/215/Youngstown State/Potomac, MD), who signed with the Jets off of the Baltimore Ravens practice squad Oct. 29., originally signed in the NFL with the Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent on April 30, 2007. He was released on Sept. 11, 2007 and signed to the Washington practice squad on Sept. 12. Mason played all five 2008 preseason games for Washington and led the NFL with 317 yards rushing (4.8 yards per carry). He also caught eight passes for 56 yards (7.0 avg.) and one touchdown before he was released by the Redskins on Aug. 30. He signed with the Ravens practice squad on Sept. 3.