The battle for the starting quarterback position will reach its peak tomorrow when the Jets take on head coach Rex Ryan's former team, the Baltimore Ravens. Ryan spent the past 10 years with the Ravens, including last year as the team’s assistant head coach and defensive coordinator.
The game will also be a homecoming for defensive coordinator Mike Pettine as well as LB Bart Scott, S Jim Leonhard and DE Marques Douglas, three players signed by the Jets this offseason after playing for the Ravens last year.
Rookie QB Mark Sanchez is expected to start and see plenty of action. QB Kellen Clemens also will see action with the first team offense. Let's take a closer look at this and some other battles for roster spots...
Quarterbacks: If there's a perfect opportunity for either quarterback to cement his claim to the starting job, it's this game. The Jets will be facing one of the best, if not the best, defenses in the league and a solid performance in this game will most likely clinch the job for either quarterback. Both Sanchez and Clemens will be playing in the first half. QB Erik Ainge will play most of the second half, while recently re-signed QB Chris Pizzotti will get one series.
Wide receivers: In the first preseason game WR David Clowney did an encore of his preseason performances from last year, catching 3 passes for 102 yards, 1 TD. WR Chansi Stuckey is still #2 on the depth chart and will start against the Ravens, but Clowney is definitely knocking on the door. Can Clowney emerge as #2 WR?
Offensive line: LG Alan Faneca and RT Damien Woody are still out, so this is yet another test for the backups to show what they can do. The Ravens' defense should be a real test for this young bunch.
Special teams: The Jets still haven't decided who will be their punter for this season. P Reggie Hodges is inconsistent, P T.J. Conley got released last week, and recently signed P Ken Parrish never played a down in the NFL.
Vernon Gholston: The Vernon Gholston watch continues, as last year's #6 overall draft pick has "bust" written all over him, unless he can turn the corner somehow and put his career on the right track.