Camp countdown '08: New York Jets Posted: June 2, 2008 J.P. Pelzman / For Sporting News Sporting News continues its breakdown of all 32 NFL teams while counting down to the start of training camp. Today's team is the Jets: Coach Eric Mangini often talks about how each season is "unique." Nothing carries over from one year to the next. He'd better be right, since there's not much for the Jets to take from their disappointing 4-12 season in 2007.Instead, the team tried to move forward with a flurry of offseason moves. On offense, the Jets signed left guard Alan Faneca and right tackle Damien Woody to plug a leaky line. On defense, they added outside linebacker Calvin Pace and traded for nose tackle Kris Jenkins to shore up a unit that didn't have enough compatible pieces to properly run the 3-4 scheme during Mangini's first two seasons at the helm.Next, the Jets drafted edge rusher Vernon Gholston with the sixth overall pick, having realized that the only way to challenge division kingpin New England is to consistently pressure quarterback Tom Brady.But for the Jets make a run at the AFC East title this year, or even rebound from last season's mess, the new additions must step in and make a difference right away. Offense Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer uses multiple formations, pre-snap motion and even some no-huddle to confuse defenses. He also employs gimmicks like direct snaps to running backs.Schottenheimer will continue to call the plays, but it should be interesting to see how much influence new assistant head coach Bill Callahan has on the game plan. Callahan, who will work with the offensive line, ran a traditional West Coast offense when he was the coach at Nebraska. Defense The Jets run a 3-4 scheme very similar to the one used by New England, where Mangini served for a year as defensive coordinator. Mangini remains very hands-on with the defense, although Bob Sutton is entering his third year as the coordinator.The Jets primarily employ zone coverage in the secondary and don't blitz all that much up front, instead opting to use schemes and games to get to the passer. The book on: Shaun Ellis A rival sizes up the Jets' defensive end: "He is a big, powerful end. He is strong, a solid technician, and a good effort guy. Most of his pressure comes off of power and not speed. He probably hates the 3-4. Most defensive ends prefer the 4-3 because they only have to control one gap and have a better shot at getting sacks and pressures and making more money."Guys like (New England's Richard) Seymour are fine with playing 3-4 as long as they are compensated for it. But Ellis is plenty strong enough and looks like your typical 3-4 end." Bottom line The Jets addressed most of their pressing needs in the offseason, especially on defense, but it could take time for all those new parts to mesh. The revamped offensive line must come together quickly and allow the Jets to control the ball, because the attack still doesn't have quick-strike potential. Nor does it have a clear leader behind center heading into camp.Improvement is expected, particularly with a fairly favorable schedule, although the team will need to make four West Coast trips for the first time in its history.The Jets still aren't close to the Patriots' level, but 8-8 seems like a realistic finish. The playoffs are at least a year away. SN prediction: 8-8, second in AFC East. J.P Pelzman covers the Jets for the Bergen (N.J.) Record and Sporting News. > http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=419040
This is actually a very reasonable analysis. I wouldn't hate 8-8 but honestly think this is a 10 win team. If we can sweep the Bills and Fish and split with the Pats (all doable, but easily losses as well), this team can challenge for the division. It all still rides on the QB position though.
Thanks for posting that. I would agree that it is reasonable. I think that the running game will win us games alone, with the extra space that Faneca and Woody will provide will allow for Jones to have a much better season and for Washington to be a more valuable weapon. If we can get decent poduction from the quarterback position, then I think that a wild card spot is not unreasonable.
I think most of the so called experts have no idea about this team. They were not as bad as last years record. I think the Jets have a favorable schedule and have filled the holes they needed. Chad or Kellen we should win at least 10. Remember you get alot of homers, especially in our division in the media. Dolphins and Buffalo are always going to get positive press. We are always treated as the step child. I say we do make the playoffs.
8-8 sounds reasonable to me unless one of our QBs steps up. No matter what other upgrades were made, QB is still the giant question mark..
An 8-8 prediction is playing it safe in the prediction department. We will certainly be better than last year, but how much better is questionable, especially that two of our games are against the Pats. I think they can manage 9-10 wins this season with some luck. Anything beyond that is going to be very surprising.
I would be extremely happy with a 10-6 season where Kellen Clemens improves over the course of the season and shows that he has the goods to win us a superbowl...Pretty Please?
The potential of our defense is very high. Ellis-Jenkins-Coleman Thomas-Barton-Harris-Pace Revis - Rhodes - Elam - Barrett There's a lot of talent there. And that doesn't even include our LB and CB depth. Gholston can come in on 3rd downs and provide a big pass rush. Our defense can be very good this year. It excites me. For the offense, there are a lot of ifs, but if the offensive line lives up to the hype, we should be at least okay. Jones/Washington is a solid enough backfield with Coles/Cotchery being a solid enough receiving corps. If Clemens or Pennington can play decently, there's no reason we can't have a good ball control offense.
Better analysis than we usually get, just one gripe: We run mostly man coverage. Our linebackers and safeties are the only ones you will pretty much ever see in a zone, and that's hook-curl zones when their man is in on protection and they're not assigned to blitz and deep zones, respectively.
"Nothing carries over from one year to the next". Crap, I was sure the win over KC was going to give us the momentum for at least 5-6 wins to start the season.
I gotta agree....We were better than a 4-12 team last year although it didn't happen for us for various reasons as we've all discussed...and with the schedule that we have, I really don't think 10 wins is a pipe dream at all. As long as we stay HEALTHY...and SOMEBODY (I really don't care WHO) steps up at Quarterback
I'll say 10-6. Couple of bad issues in a decent schedule. Pats and Chargers in 1st 3 weeks. Jets will need some time to get all the new players on the same page quickly. Three days rest before the 2nd Pats game. What a surprise.
Is that (you?) advertising a product in the picture??? What's the product? Swedish milk? Just curious.... but then again, all of us are Kelly. What school do you go to again?
