It was time to unload Faneca, Washington

There is no questioning the importance of the roles played by Alan Faneca and Leon Washington during their run with the Jets. Faneca the bruising offensive lineman who opened holes as a mauling straight-ahead blocker or a nimble pulling guard. And Washington, the shifty running back and Pro Bowl return man who could change a game in an instant.

But through a variety of circumstances, it was time for the Jets to say goodbye to both. Faneca, a nine-time Pro Bowl selection, experiences what every other big-time, big-money player does at some point: He's considered too old and too expensive for the team's plans. At 33, with a $7.5-million salary he was unwilling to negotiate and with his pass-blocking skills eroding, Faneca was shown the door after the Jets drafted his heir apparent, Vladimir Ducasse of UMass.

And Washington, who suffered that horrific leg injury last October against the Raiders, was dealt to the Seahawks once general manager Mike Tannenbaum pulled off a trade to get USC running back-returner Joe McKnight in the fourth round of the draft Saturday. Only days earlier, Washington had signed his one-year contract tender to remain with the Jets and continue his comeback.

Time had run its course for both players.

There was no use keeping Faneca around if the Jets were ready to move on with Ducasse, or perhaps last year's sixth-round pick, Matt Slauson. In a league in which "younger'' and "cheaper'' are buzzwords that every general manager lives by, it was Faneca's turn to fall victim to that harsh reality.

The Jets are looking to invest money in younger players such as Santonio Holmes, Antonio Cromartie and Braylon Edwards, each of whom is in the final year of his contract. And Faneca was an easy target, especially after his pass blocking slipped so noticeably last year.

Washington was younger, but in an equally untenable position. He foolishly passed up a chance to sign a long-term contract last year, even knowing he'd be a restricted free agent this year. And when he broke his leg in what could be a career-threatening situation, his leverage was completely gone.

The Jets knew Washington wouldn't agree to a long-term deal, nor did they want to risk it because of his injury situation. Better to move on and get something for him while they still could.

Both players will be missed in the locker room, but Tannenbaum estimated they wouldn't be missed on the field. We suspect that calculation is correct.