Will Results Match the Hype? New York Jets 2010 Season Preview
The New York Jets may be talking the biggest game in the NFL. Their cocky swagger leaves reporters with no shortage of comments, and it all stems from their outspoken coach Rex Ryan.
Character issues don’t seem to be a factor in who the Jets sign. They traded for troubled receivers Santonio Holmes and Braylon Edwards (during the 2009 season). They also acquired former (and despised) Dolphin Jason Taylor, Chargers cornerback Antonio Cromartie and future hall-of-famer but declining Ladanian Tomlinson.
This makes the team the most hyped around the league after they squeaked into the play-offs at 9-7 last year. This was prior to the team upsetting the Bengals and Chargers in the play-offs, then being over-matched by the Colts in the AFC Championship. Ryan is clear in his beliefs in the team and sees them as Super Bowl favourites.
Despite getting many offensive weapons, the success of the Jets ultimately lies in second-year quarterback Mark Sanchez. Sanchez had a major interception problem as a rookie last year, throwing 23 interceptions in the regular season. With a reduced role in the play-offs, he cut down on turnovers and made just enough plays to get the Jets through games. This year he has Santonio Holmes after the first four games and several other weapons. He needs a great season for the Jets to fill their aspirations.
The receiving corps certainly received a major upgrade with the team trading for Super Bowl XLIII MVP Santonio Holmes. Holmes has amazing speed and is a great play-maker. He’ll make the job easier for Jericho Cotchery, who can now work underneath and Braylon Edwards can use his big frame to attack the middle. Sanchez also has a good safety valve with reliable tight end Dustin Keller. His blocking is poor, but he operates well in the passing game.
Despite the Jets strengthened receiving corps, this team lived off the running game last year. They surprisingly released Thomas Jones who had one of the best seasons of his career last year, to make room for Shonn Greene. Greene was affective in the play-offs rushing for 263 yards on 44 carries, but saw limited action all season which gave him fresh legs against fatigued defenders in the post-season. Things are still uncertain with him but he’ll have a good mentor to work with.
He has Ladanian Tomlinson to help him, who knows a thing or two about being a great running back. However Tomlinson is a demotion from Thomas Jones in terms of production. His best days are behind him as his speed is diminishing as is his lateral movement and durability. If Greene is ineffective, the Jets may be in trouble.
At least there is an unbelievable offensive line to work behind. Left tackle D’Brickshaw Ferguson is an unbelievable run-blocker and will open lanes for Greene to run through. Left guard Vladimir Ducasse however will find his transition to the NFL difficult. At centre, Nick Mangold is the game’s best centre. The right side is underrated as well with Brandon Moore and Damien Woody both powerful and consistent.
Defence is still the team’s strongest facet and Ryan’s expertise. They pressure the quarterback without blitzing as they disguise pass-rushers very well. The Jets were the league’s number one overall defence last year.
Up the middle, nose-tackle Kris Jenkins is a monster when he is healthy. He has Shaun Ellis, and Mike DeVito will fill the defensive end spots. Both lack strength but are quick to turn the corner.
The Jets also have a solid line-backing corps with Bart Scott and David Harris on the inside. Scott is fast and is a phenomenal blitzer while Harris is great in coverage. On the outside, the Jets also have Bryan Thomas and Calvin Pace. Thomas is strong and fights off blocks well while Pace is a good run-stopper and blitzes well. The tandem will also see long-time Dolphin and enemy of Jets fans Jason Taylor get a good share of snaps.
The secondary will prove to be one of the toughest in the league. Assuming Darrelle Revis is back on the field for the season, while holding out for a new contract, he is the league’s best solo coverage corner. Teams avoid going his way and when they do, the receiver never has space to make a catch. Revis constantly shuts down teams’ number one receivers. Alongside Revis is Antonio Cromartie who led the league with 10 interceptions in 2007. Cromartie is a phenomenal athlete and can make big plays, but he often misses assignments and is inconsistent in tackling.
Jim Leonhard is a versatile strong safety while free safety Eric Smith plays zone-coverage extremely well. The Jets also play one of the best nickel-and-dime coverage schemes in the league and have perfect schemes to pull it off.
On special teams, the Jets lost some key components. Leon Washington is gone, who was an electrifying returner, but was traded as he is recovering from a compound fracture. The Jets will hope that Brad Smith can fill those duties.
The Jets even released Jay Feely who was a reliable and resourceful kicker. He both kicked and punted in the play-offs last year as punter Steve Weatherford had his irregular heart beat treated. The Jets will hope that Nick Folk can be the same kicker he was in his 2007 Pro Bowl season. Folk needs to regain his confidence and mechanics as he was terrible with the Cowboys last season, leading to his release late in the season.
The Jets certainly are an entertaining team and have confidence. There are still weaknesses at running back and Sanchez can’t be relied on just yet. Their defence will carry them to play-off contention, but the Jets may find out that hype and swagger doesn’t always translate to championships.
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