HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. -- The New York Jets want Curtis Conway simply to be himself. He doesn't have to replace Laveranues Coles.

"I like tough guys,'' Jets coach Herman Edwards said as he introduced the wide receiver Thursday. "You can't be a sissy. You've got to be a tough guy to do the things we require our receivers to do. He'll do a lot of good things for us.''

The timing of the signing made it difficult not to view Conway as the Jets' replacement for Coles. It came a day after the team announced it would not match the $13 million signing bonus and $35 million contract Coles got from the Washington Redskins.

Conway came considerably cheaper, a three-year deal that could pay as much as $7.5 million with a signing bonus of $1.2 million.

"I'm going to be me,'' Conway said. "I came in to do my job. I'm going to give you 100 percent of Curtis Conway. We all know this is a business. I'm blessed to be here in a great situation with a playoff team.''

Conway caught 57 passes for 852 yards for San Diego last season, but was released by the Chargers last month after they signed David Boston. The Jets became a perfect fit for him after Coles was swept away by the Redskins.

Quarterback Chad Pennington was at the press conference announcing Conway's contract and hugged his new teammate.

"I wanted to come here,'' Conway said. "They have a great quarterback and a great coaching staff. I like Chad's attitude and poise on the field.''

Pennington becomes the ninth quarterback for Conway in 11 seasons. He spent seven years with Chicago after being the Bears' No. 1 draft choice in 1993. Then he moved to the Chargers for three years.

"It's routine,'' Conway said. "I never had the same quarterback twice. Over the years, I'm used to it. You've still got to go out and make plays. It doesn't matter who's throwing the football.''

That revolving door figures to end with the Jets, who are committed to Pennington as their long term quarterback.

Conway missed three games last season because of a fractured bone in his shoulder, but still reached an NFL landmark with the 500th catch of his career. New teammate Wayne Chrebet also has over 500 catches.

The 32-year-old Conway is coming off his third straight 50-plus catch season and fourth in five years. He has played a full, 16-game schedule in only one of those seasons.

"A lot of guys tend to fall off as they get older,'' he said. "I don't look at age. I feel I can still run with the young guys. It's maturing and taking care of your body and knowing how to play this game.''

The Associated Press contributed to this report.