The New York Jets hope to bounce back from a lousy 4-12 season in which Herm Edwards packed up and went to what he thinks are greener pastures in Kansas City. New coach Eric Mangini brings the system he learned from Bill Belichick in New England to New York in hopes of revitalizing a sagging franchise.
Mangini was busy from the beginning changing the face of the Jets. Plenty of free agents were hired, some big stars were fired, and for once, New York fans loved what the franchise did in the draft. So maybe there is a ray of light after all?
Offense: This is a unit that has nowhere to go but up. Last season the Jets scored 255 points, only the Cleveland Browns had fewer. With Chad Pennington injured once again and Curtis Martin finally showing signs of age, this offense went nowhere.
Pennington is returning for another season at Jetsville, but the competition has started because Mr. Pennington is as fragile as a dry, dead leaf. The Jets came out and signed Patrick Ramsey from the Washington Redskins. Ramsey’s situation is similar to Joey Harrington’s. He left Tulane with a great reputation and high ratings from scouts. Rather than living up to that reputation, Ramsey has underperformed his career. He hopes to change that in New York. Recent seasons starter Brooks Bollinger and rookie Kellen Clemens are also in the mix.
Martin was bothered by injuries in 2005, but you have to think that time is finally catching up with the future Hall of Famer. His streak of 10 straight thousand-yard seasons was snapped (he finished with 735 yards and five touchdowns) and he didn’t seem to have that extra something to get rid of defenders.
But make no mistake, he is still a threat, even at the age of 33. Martin enters 2006 with 14,101 rushing yards, 484 receptions and 100 career touchdowns. His mere locker room presence is enough to help the Jets. Cedric Houston (302 yards) saw his workload increase late in the season and that could continue. Derrick Blaylock and rookie Leon Washington will also see time. BJ Askew returns as a fullback.
Longtime New York fan favorite Wayne Chrebet called it a run and the Jets need to find some people to stand up. This was one of the weakest receiving groups in the NFL last season. It didn’t help much that the quarterback position was changing, either.
Lavernues Coles (73-845-5) is number one and will be counted on to lead this group once again. Justin McCareins (43-713-2) will be number two with Jericho Cotchery playing in the slot. Free agent pick-up Tim Dwight will be the fourth receiver. Rookie Brad Smith, a former Missouri quarterback, will also be able to see the wide receiver. Doug Jolley (29-324-1) and Chris Baker (18-269-1) return as tight end.
There could be big changes on the offensive line, thanks to the draft and free agency. Trey Teague was booked away from Buffalo and will take over at center, allowing Pete Kendall to return to guard position. Rookie Nick Mangold will challenge Teague. Brandon Moore will join Kendall on guard. Rookie stallion D’Brickashaw Ferguson should step in at left tackle and start for the next 10 years. Adrian Jones will be the man on the right side, but Anthony Clement (49ers), signed as a free agent, is also there.
Defense – This unit is where the biggest change will occur. Mangini was the defensive coordinator for the Patriots and will most likely change the Jets from 4-3 to 3-4. Another factor will be how this unit regroups after the loss of John Abraham. He may not have been a good guy in the locker room, but his 10.5 sacks will be lost.
In this new defensive look, Shaun Ellis and free agent recruits Kimo Von Oelhoffen (Steelers) will be at the defensive end spots. Dave Ball and rookie Titus Adams should see playing time, too. Dwayne Robertson will hold down the nose tackle position with Adams possibly slipping as well.
Jonathan Vilma returns as the undisputed superstar of the Jets defense. He followed up his Rookie of the Year season with an even more impressive sophomore. There was no slump here as Vilma racked up 169 tackles and a trip to the Pro Bowl. Victor Hobson, Eric Barton and rookie Anthony Schlegel should make up the rest of the starting team.
Ty Law took advantage of his 10-interception season and left town, but all is not lost at cornerback. David Barrett (five interceptions) returns along with Justin Miller, who had a solid rookie season. Also added through free agency were Ray Mickens (Browns) and Andre Dyson (Seahawks). Barrett and Dyson should be headlines.
At safety, Erik Coleman and Kerry Rhodes return after a solid 2005 season. Coleman had 121 tackles and two picks, while Rhodes made 105 stops, good enough for second and third in the team’s standings. Rashad Washington, Andre Maddox and rookie Eric Smith add depth.
Special teams: Kicker Mike Nugent had an impressive rookie season, going 22-28 in shooting from the field and 24-24 in extra points. With more experience, it will only get better. Ben Graham (43.7) returns as kicker. Miller is the one who returns the kicks (26.3), while Dwight will likely replace Cotchery’s return punts.
Outlook: Mangini will bring his knowledge and a much-needed winning attitude to the New York franchise. But the unstable situation at the quarterback, an aging Curtis Martin and a weak receiving unit, spells trouble with a capital T. The Jets will have a difficult time scoring points once again and it may take them some time to absorb the 3-4 scheme on defense.
Prediction: Mangini will make the Jets a better club. They’ll play tough and be competitive, but a lack of talent on the offensive side of the ball means another losing season for the Jets. Look for a 4-12 or 5-11 New York record.
