Abraham intent on resigning with Jets

[Nick]

ABRAHAM INTENT ON RE-UPPING
By EVAN GROSSMAN
December 4, 2004 -- JET NOTES

John Abraham has played for the Jets the last four years, and if he has his way, he'll be back again for another tour in green and white when his contract expires at the end of the season.

He will give the Jets special consideration, because this has been his home since the defensive end was drafted No. 13 overall in 2000, and because this is the team with whom he has grown into a man. His teammates are special to him, and Abraham echoed the remarks Shaun Ellis made last week. When the Jets signed Ellis to a six-year extension he said his coach, Herman Edwards, and the guys he plays alongside played a major role in his decision not to test free agency. Abraham agrees.

"Once you're with a team and you're talking with that team, you have to respect that team," Abraham told The Post yesterday. "You'd kind of like to stay with that team. But I understand the rules and regulations."

Like NT Jason Ferguson, RB LaMont Jordan, RT Kareem McKenzie and TE Anthony Becht, Abraham's contract will expire at the end of the season and there is widespread fear the Jets will not be able to retain all of their talented free agents.

However, the Jets could put their franchise player tag on Abraham, which would make him one of the highest paid defensive ends in the league, but would only keep him under contact with the club for one more season if a long-term deal can't be reached.

Last week, Ellis joined Chad Pennington as the only two Jets issued contract extensions, money spent that surely will affect the Abraham negotiations.

"Honestly, I know the options that I have, and that I'm gonna have," Abraham said. "I'm happy for Shaun . . . it's kinda over for now, but I'm not really worried about it."

Abraham, 26, is second in the NFL with 91/2 sacks and appears headed to his third Pro Bowl this year.

But more importantly, he may not be headed out of town quite yet.