One owner who the Jets have contacted about Johnson said $8 million or $9 million "does not scare me; not at all."

He also wondered why the Jets never contacted another coach, thus planting the suspicion that they may have been tampering.

It is believed the Jets had contacted experienced personnel executives to assume the role of an operations director.

One person the Jets have contacted is Peter Hadhazy, who has been in the National Football League since 1963.

White is among about two dozen of the league's acclaimed, and available, players whom the Jets have contacted, the general manager said.

The Jets have not contacted him yet about a new contract.

In a search for immediate help, the Jets contacted Steve DeOssie, the veteran linebacker who was waived by the Giants last week.

Beathard denied that the Jets had contacted him.

Although almost a dozen clubs expressed immediate interest in Siragusa when free agency began last month, the Jets contacted him only in the last week.

Last night, Kraft said that the Jets had not contacted him directly during the day, and said, "I guess they don't have a sense of urgency about this."