When we passed along the news today that the Jets have released wide receiver Laveranues Coles, we noted that it could be the end of his career.
Coles says he thinks it is.
“I think I’m done,’' Coles told the Star Ledger. “I don’t want to become one of those journeyman football players. I don’t need the money.”
As a vested veteran, Coles’ entire 2010 salary will be guaranteed if he’s on a Week One roster. Coles said Jets coach Rex Ryan told him the Jets would be interested in bringing him back after Week One (and Ryan said so himself), but Coles sounds like a man who’s ready to move on.
“My spirits aren’t down,” Coles said. “I get to start thinking about life after football. I’m excited about the future. A lot of people think athletes are depressed when it comes to the end but that’s not the case with me.’'
If Coles is done, the historical record will show that he played 10 NFL seasons with the Jets, Bengals, and Redskins, he was selected to one Pro Bowl, and he caught 674 passes for 8,609 yards and 49 touchdowns.