The New York Jets have acquired quarterback Kevin O'Connell from the Detroit Lions for an undisclosed draft choice and have been awarded fullback Jason Davis (Bears), tight end Matthew Mulligan (Titans) and punter A.J. Trapasso (Titans) off waivers. The Jets also have waived punter Reggie Hodges, tackle Mike Kracalik, linebacker Brandon Renkart and running back Danny Woodhead. The announcements were made by general manager Mike Tannenbaum.
O'Connell (6'5", 250) was selected by New England in the third round (94th overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft and appeared in two games for the Patriots as a reserve, completing four of six passes for 23 yards. He was waived by New England and claimed by Detroit on Sept. 1.
Tannenbaum, in a statement released by the team this evening said: "We had a lot of interest in Kevin when he was coming out in the draft last year. He's smart and athletic and we feel good about adding him to our team. We will move forward with four quarterbacks on our roster."
Davis (5'10", 242) split time in 2008 between Chicago and Oakland, playing in six games, starting three, catching one pass for 12 yards and recording one carry for no gain for the Bears. He was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Eagles in 2006, spending that season on injured reserve and 2007 on the Eagles practice squad before he was waived after training camp in 2008.
Trapasso (5'11", 225) signed with Tennessee as an undrafted free agent on April 30. He punted for four years at Ohio State and totaled 203 attempts for 8,317 yards (41.0 avg., long of 76) in 51 games as well as 10 touchbacks in 27 kickoffs. He was a Ray Guy Award semifinalist his senior season after averaging 41.4 yards on 58 punts with 21 punts inside-the-20.
Mulligan (6'4", 270) signed with the Tennessee practice squad on Nov. 19, 2008. He originally entered the NFL with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent on May 1, 2008, and spent the first nine weeks of last season on the Dolphins' practice squad before being released. In two seasons at Maine, he had 23 receptions for 268 yards and two touchdowns.
Hodges (6'0", 235), who re-signed with the Jets on June 10 after he was waived on April 27, punted in 12 games for the Jets in 2008, compiling a 42.8 average on 44 punts, with a 35.5 net average and 23 punts inside the 20. This preseason he punted 16 times for a 40.1 gross and 38.1 net with six punts inside the 20.
Kracalik (6'8", 337), who signed with the Jets on April 20, played in four games over the previous three seasons with the Baltimore Ravens (2006-08). He was originally signed by the Jets in 2005 and was waived after training camp. He played in 10 games for the Rhein Fire (NFL Europe) in 2006, starting three games at tackle.
Renkart (6'2", 245) originally signed with the Jets as an undrafted free agent on July 29, 2008, and spent most of last season on the Jets' practice squad. In his final two seasons at Rutgers, he recorded six sacks, 18 tackles for loss and 10 pressures.
Woodhead (5'9", 195) originally signed with the Jets on May 1, 2008, as an undrafted free agent and spent last season on injured reserve after getting injured early in training camp. He led the Jets this preseason with 226 yards rushing, including 158 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries in the preseason finale against Philadelphia.
