Sept. 10 update: Mardy Gilyard’s career with the New York Jets lasted all of five days. He was cut from the team on Sept. 9.
According to the Daily News, which first reported the transaction, cornerback Isaiah Trufant will be activated off the practice squad to take his place.
It’s not clear where Gilyard will head next. Another team could pick him up (he may be in discussions with the New Orleans Saints). He could be picked up as a practice player. Or he could head for the Canadian Football League.
Below is the original report on Gilyard’s move to the Jets.
Sept. 4, 2011: Mardy Gilyard‘s days with the St. Louis Rams are over. His days with the New York Jets began this afternoon. Gilyard, who’ll be 25 in December, is a 2005 graduate of Flagler Palm Coast High School.
The Rams cut Gilyard on Saturday after a disappointing season for the wide receiver, who played in just 11 games, caught six passes for 63 yards, no touchdowns, and averaged 22.3 yards per kick-off return, placing him near the bottom in that class. He was placed on the inactive list three times during the season. He suffered a ligament injury in training camp before the season.
Gilyard had been a fourth-round draft pick, signing a four-year, $2.32 million contract with a signing bonus of $552,000.
He was one of four players the Rams cut. Donnie Avery, the wide receiver the Rams held on to, has caught 100 passes for 1,263 yards and eight touchdowns in his three years with St. Louis.
A day after Gilyard was cut, the Jets acquired him after cutting outside linebacker Aaron Maybin, a former first-round pick by the Buffalo Bills (in 2009), defensive tackle Martin Tavaseu and cornerback Isaiah Trufant. The Jets also acquired former Dolphins quarterback Kevin O’Connell, former Chargers center Colin Baxter and ex-Cowboys safety Andrew Sendejo.
Gilyard had had a checkered few years since leaving FPC. His years at the University of Cincinnati began with promise, on an athletic scholarship–which he lost after cheating and under-performing in school, and, for a time, living out of his car. He made it back in. No sooner had he started playing for the Rams than he got robbed at gunpoint near the University of Cincinnati campus.
“I knew as soon as I was drafted that I didn’t want to become one of those guys like my ex-teammate from Cincinnati, who got a nice big contract but had to take out a loan after his second year in the league,” Gilyard told the News-Journal’s Michael Lewis in March. “I’ve been smart with my money, I’ve put my money up, and I’ve got a team of good financial people around me who have advised me.”
Gilyard visits Bunnell, his hometown, periodically. He was in town for Bunnell’s Potato Festival in May, when he held a field day around Carver Gym.
Here’s the 53-man roster for the Jets:
Quarterbacks (3): Mark Sanchez, Mark Brunell, Kevin O’Connell
Running backs (5): Shonn Greene, LaDainian Tomlinson, Joe McKnight, Bilal Powell, John Conner
Wide Receivers (6): Santonio Holmes, Plaxico Burress, Derrick Mason, Jeremy Kerley, Mardy Gilyard, Logan Payne
Tight ends (3): Dustin Keller, Matt Mulligan, Jeff Cumberland
Offensive linemen (9): D’Brickashaw Ferguson, Wayne Hunter, Brandon Moore, Nick Mangold, Matt Slauson, Vladimir Ducasse, Rob Turner, Caleb Schlauderaff, Colin Baxter
Defensive linemen (6): Mike DeVito, Sione Pouha, Ropati Pitoitua, Muhammad Wilkerson, Kenrick Ellis, Marcus Dixon
Linebackers (8): David Harris, Calvin Pace, Bart Scott, Bryan Thomas, Jamaal Westerman, Josh Mauga, Garrett McIntyre, Nick Bellore
Cornerbacks (5): Darrelle Revis, Antonio Cromartie, Kyle Wilson, Marquice Cole, Donald Strickland,
Safeties (5): Jim Leonhard, Eric Smith, Emanuel Cook, Brodney Pool, Andrew Sendejo
Kicker: Nick Folk
Punter: TJ Conley
Longsnapper: Tanner Purdum
Watswrongwitthispic says
Nice to see that his signing bonus for catching a ball is more than an average teacher makes in 12 years. Not to mention that his four year contract is more than two average teachers make in a lifetime.
some guy says
True he will get paid much more then the “average” teacher or the rest of us at that BUT his tallent must be well above “average” to make it to the NFL.
Charles Ericksen, Jr says
I met this talented, young man, when he was at the Potato Festival ..While the scouting reports on him were favorable to the RAMS, it’s quite possible, he will work out better with the JETS: a much better overall team..WOW, did I even say that not being from NJ or NY.??…He was here to give back to the community, he grew up in. That is a subject that does not show up on a scouting , but does show up as a plus with me. Let’s give him another chance and see what he does. Best wishes…
The Truth says
It is already well established that athletes are paid far more than many other professions. Regardless, this young man has worked hard to get where he is at and he’s obviously got the talent to make it if a team like the Jets decided to sign him. He’s giving back to his community and doing as much as he can with the money he’s making, what more can you ask for?
geezlouise says
Most teachers don’t grow up having water over thier cereal as this young man did. He hard a hard scrabble upbringing, let him reap his reward and be happy for him.
Shay O says
Haters will keep hating. Mardy isnt the normal NFL player. Hes humble and gives back to his community and knows where he came from and doesnt take the glamour to the head. People who know him would agree.
PJ says
I met him and his family. He is a warm and friendly guy. His presence in the City of Bunnell is big. he is donating time and money for his home. Go to NY my man they will make you fell at home. The RAMS HA HA. the Jets had Broadway Joe Nameth.
Go get’em Marty good luck. See ya in Bunnell sometime!
Angela says
I agree with Shay O. Mardy gives back to the community and has made huge efforts to help the youth in the area. He has a nice family that have a strong presence in the community. He didn’t forget where he came from which is more than can be said for quite a few athletes. Good grief!
Mardy, good luck with the Jets. We’re pulling for you and know you’ll do great!
money change people when they mess it up says
He did not have it hard going up, I know for a fact. But enjoy your blessing stop acting funny, I’m Ur cousin n will not shake Ur hand no more because of Ur new attitude. Greg n Otis(brothers) are still the same n the rest of the family they have not changed a bit.
NFL Informer says
http://mobile.nj.com/advnj/pm_29222/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=eihu5QqB
Mardy has been cut from the Jets 53 Man Roster
Anonymous says
I have known Mardy when he went to school with my daughter he is a good young so glad he went to a team who will play him cant wait to see him play GO JETS love them i’m from Jersey so i have to love them. As far as him making good money is not a sin good for him and evrybody changes when they try to better themselfs. We love ya and so glad you have done good and keep up the good work so those Jets what ya have kiddo.
The Geode says
If he comes back to Bunnell, he’s lost. You can see from previous post of what he has to look forward to here. Hopefully he’d saved enough money to stay away and put his free education to use. …if not he’ll repeat the scenario of those before him of being “hood-rich” which is getting a car with shiny rims and loud music, flash his money and go broke a short time afterward. I hope he keep trying and find a team and do his best because it’s HARD to escape the “hood mentality”.
PJ says
Get a new manager Mardy!
Watswrongwitthispic says
Oh no!!! Now he will have to get a REAL JOB. Just like everybody else.
edward money didnt change him. its called being humble says
I’m the previous post geode was talking about, what I mean we n him grew up together n I know how he acts which was always kool n low key. We talk for an hour or two 2 weeks before he got signed by the rams. Then the money just change him all the way around, he is still respectful to his elders. But it went from happy cousins to the look of what do u want. Well I do want one thing n that is for u to b humble again because I make a lot of money which is more than a lot of people 95k yearly( steady) but I’m still the same person. No rims, no gold teeth, no designer clothes to club hop. So if he was to come back to bunnell that don’t mean he is lost. Its about making your own path n life n respecting ppl, the hood rich thing is a trend most ppl get trap in, if ur head is not on your shoulders. I’m didn’t say I didn’t love him anymore I’m saying I don’t respect his new attitude n will not shake his hand. I’m about the only person he knows how has not ask him for a penny never have n never will. I send money to another bunnell boy in college n the only payment I look for in return is for him to get his education, hell he might be related to you.
The Geode says
We see what money can do to a person’s attitude and personality everyday, don’t we? Whether it be the “poor-hustler” who just made 100.00 and immediately snap a picture and post it on facebook or the “dope-boy” who rides around all day with 1000.00 today and dead broke tomorrow.
I am not slamming Mardy and I didn’t mean coming to Bunnell meant dealing with YOU (because I don’t know who you are) but I was refeing to the mentality of the people here. The people here are crabs and will stop at NOTHING to drag him back to the bottom of the bucket. Making a difference doesn’t mean you have to make a certain amount of money just as being humble is not about bragging about your income. (whether real or fictitious)
w.ryan says
Damn people! Marty, good luck and I wish you the best as we all should be doing!!! You’ve fought thru adversity before and you’ll end up on your feet in the right situation!
concern citizen says
To the geode, yes you are right this young man has made it but what are you asking him to do, forget were he has come from? There are alot of people who bring you down in bunnell but that is everywhere if the indiviual allow it. At the same time his mom is here grandma people that he has to see no matter how famous or big he gets. It is all about what he wants and if he was able to leave which was the hardest of all i don’t think he will turn around. Sometimes our roots is what makes us who we are and every now and then we have to have them in our presents to see who we don’t want to become.
Anonymous says
I think him returning to Bunnell is the worse idea. His ”friends” is making him lose focus. I doubt if he even works out. Marshwan if u r reading this, get it together. Dont let me down