Report: Jets Sign Dave Meggett

Bill Parcells might have turned to an old friend to help the playoff-bound New York Jets offset the loss of kick returner Leon Johnson.

Reportedly, the Jets have signed David Meggett, the NFL's all-time punt return leader, for the remainder of the season. Meggett was a return man and running back for the New York Giants' Super-Bowl winning team after the 1990 season under Parcells and also played for the New England Patriots team which advanced to Super Bowl XXXI two years ago under Parcells.

The 33-year-old Meggett endured a turbulent off-season that included being arrested on charges of robbery and sexual assault and was released by the Patriots before training camp for salary cap reasons. He was to enter the fourth year of a five-year contract worth more than $8 million.

Johnson has been hampered with rib problems this season and ranks 13th in the AFC with a punt-return average of 7.0 yards. Last year, he placed third in the conference with a 12.1 average, including a 66-yard return for a touchdown.

Meggett also underwent surgery on his right foot last April. He suffered the injury in New England's 7-6 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC divisional playoff last January 3rd.

Last February, a 33-year-old woman informed Toronto police that she was sexually assaulted and had property stolen in an alleged incident involving Meggett and then-teammate Steve Brannon at the Royal York Hotel. The charge later was dropped.

Meggett spent the last three years of his nine-year career with New England. He is the NFL's all-time leader with 344 punt returns for 3,668 yards.

Last season, Meggett ranked fourth in the AFC in kick returns with a 24.7-yard average and eighth in the conference in punt returns with a 10.4-yard norm. He also rushed for 60 yards on 20 carries and had 19 catches for 203 yards and a touchdown in 1997

Named to his second Pro Bowl as a return specialist in 1996 after setting a career high with 588 yards in punt returns, Meggett averaged 11.3 yards on punt returns and caught 33 passes for 292 yards that season.

Meggett played his first six years with the Giants. He signed with the Patriots as an unrestricted free agent in March 1995.

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