The New York Jets have signed four players — linebacker Ezra Butler, punter T.J. Conley, linebacker Joshua Mauga and wide receiver Larry Taylor — to reserve/future contracts, The announcement was made by Jets General Manager Mike Tannenbaum.
Butler (6'2", 248) originally signed with the 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 2008 and was waived May 27, 2008. Butler played for the Las Vegas Locomotives of the United Football League this fall. He made the Lombardi Trophy watch list in 2007 as a linebacker for Nevada.
Conley (6'3", 220) was originally signed by the Jets as an undrafted free agent on May 1 and was released Aug. 16. A Walter Camp All-America first-team selection, Conley finished his senior year at Idaho with a 47.4-yard gross average on 58 punts to lead the NCAA.
Mauga (6'1", 243) was originally signed by the Jets on Aug. 17, waived Sept. 5, signed to the practice squad Dec. 10 and released Dec. 18. Mauga was a four-year starter at Nevada. In his senior year he totaled 54 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks.
Taylor (5'6", 177) has played two seasons for Montreal of the CFL, averaging 9.9 yards per punt return on 137 returns with three returns for touchdown and 21.4 yards per kickoff return on 80 returns. This past season he earned the CFL's Most Outstanding Special Teams Player honor as well as being named a conference and CFL All-Star. In 2008, he led the CFL in punt return yardage (572) after beginning the season on Montreal's practice squad. In his senior season at Connecticut in 2007, Taylor caught 25 passes for 259 yards, had 31 punt returns for 357 yards and two touchdowns and had 11 kickoff returns for 205 yards.
