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.

New York Jets Chairman & CEO Woody Johnson

I had a great conversation with Brett this morning. Considering that he came from a totally different environment and joined our team during training camp, his performance last season was extraordinary. As I spoke with people throughout the organization, they all told me how much they enjoyed working with him. Brett Favre is a Hall-of-Fame player, but he is also a Hall-of-Fame person. Brett, Deanna and his family will always be a part of the Jets family.

New York Jets Executive Vice President/General Manager Mike Tannenbaum

When we acquired Brett, we knew we would get everything he had. He took the time to mentor younger players and his competitiveness and enthusiasm at practice and during games was contagious. I spoke with him this morning and told him that he will be a friend of the Jets for years to come and it was an honor to work with him.

New York Jets Head Coach Rex Ryan

It was an honor to coach against Brett over the years. If he’s not the best quarterback ever, then he’s certainly in the conversation. I have great admiration for him as a player and a person. I wish him only the best in his life after football.

The New York Jets announced the hiring of Kerry Locklin as defensive line coach and have retained Mike Devlin as assistant offensive line/tight ends coach. The announcements were made by Head Coach Rex Ryan.

Locklin (New Mexico State/Las Cruces, NM) joins the Jets after nine seasons as the defensive line coach at Fresno State. He has also coached collegiately at Eastern Michigan (1995-1999), Morehead State (1990-93), Utah (1989) and Western New Mexico (1988) and for Shreveport in the CFL (1994). As a player, Locklin was an All-WAC tight end at New Mexico State who played three years in the NFL (Rams, 1982-83, Broncos, 1987) and two seasons in the USFL (1984-85).

Devlin (Blacksburg, VA/Iowa) returns for his fourth season with the Jets. Before joining the Jets, Devlin coached collegiately at Toledo (2004-05) and in the NFL at Arizona (2000-03) after a seven-year NFL career with the Bills and Cardinals.

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 announced that Rex Ryan has been hired as the Jets head coach. The announcement was made by Chairman and CEO Woody Johnson and Executive Vice President/General Manager Mike Tannenbaum. Ryan will be introduced during a 10 a.m. press conference on Wednesday, Jan. 21, at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center in Florham Park, NJ.

“Rex is revered by his players and respected by his peers around the NFL for his innovative schemes,” Johnson said. “There is no doubt in my mind that Rex has the expertise and instincts to build on the foundation that we have in place and take this franchise to the ranks of the NFL’s elite. He will bring an aggressive, physical brand of football that will captivate our fans and ignite their passion. I appreciate Mike Tannenbaum and all those involved for the time and energy they invested during this search. Thanks to their efforts, we got the right man for the job.” (more…)

The New York Dragons will be holding a press conference today at 1:45 p.m. ET at the Sports Museum of America to unveil the franchise’s new logo, team colors and helmet as well as introduce the new Dragons’ Advisory Board. The board includes New York Jets Safety Kerry Rhodes and New York Giants Linebacker Danny Clark.

This will be the first opportunity to meet the key members of the new New York Dragons ownership and management team, including new managing partner Steven Silva and new chief operating officer Tim Kelly. Dragons head coach Weylan Harding and All-Arena defensive back Billy Parker will also be in attendance.