Here is the ESPN Insider Jets Training Camp Preview...sorry if this is a repost. Three Burning Questions Can Shaun Ellis replace John Abraham as the Jets primary pass rusher? Abraham, who led the team in sacks last season, is now in Atlanta. Ellis was inconsistent last year, finishing the season with only 2.5 sacks. He is an explosive player who has been a productive pass rusher over his career. With his physical traits and skill level, he could be rejuvenated in new head coach Eric Mangini's defensive schemes. However, the Jets must find a productive rusher opposite Ellis, or teams will slide their protections toward Ellis and isolate him with consistent double teams. The former Pro Bowl player combined for 23.5 sacks over a two-year period (03-04). Camp battle to watch Chad Pennington vs. Patrick Ramsey Ramsey Pennington The most intriguing battle in training camp for Jets fans will be the quarterback position. The Jets have one of the most unstable quarterback situations in the NFL. Pennington is a big question mark in terms of his durability, following surgery on his right shoulder for the second straight year. Pennington is a solid starter when healthy based on his instincts and smarts. However, his arm strength has declined over the last few years and he lacks the ability to make the deep vertical throws in the passing game. Ramsey is a former first-round pick in Washington who the Jets acquired in the offseason. He has the slight edge in the competition based on his health, but he didn't show enough consistency or upside when given the chance to play in Washington. He has a big-time arm, but lacks good accuracy to be a consistent passer in this league. However, he could stabilize a position of need on their current team. Rookie Kellen Clemens has great intangibles but doesn't give the Jets the best chance to win early in the season. Nevertheless, with the Jets offense expected to struggle this season, expect Clemens to get the chance to start at some point during the regular season. The earlier that Mangini can name a starting quarterback in camp, the better off his team will be in 2006. Can RB Curtis Martin lead this offense? In 2005, Martin was hampered by a knee injury and his offensive production dropped. Martin still led the Jets in rushing with 735 yards (3.3 avg.). Can Martin, 33, get back to his Pro Bowl level? His skills are starting to diminish as an every-down back. He is still a dependable player, but all indications are the Jets will limit his carries and playing time throughout the regular season in an effort to keep him healthy. The Jets will utilize different combinations at running back, depending on the situation. Backup RB Cedric Houston will see playing time on first and second down, while Derrick Blaylock and rookie Leon Washington will contribute in both regular and sub packages. If the Jets decide to keep a fourth running back on the roster, it's because of his value in the kicking game as either coverage players of return specialist. Can the Jets have success with two starting rookies on the offensive line? First-rounds picks LT D'Brickashaw Ferguson and OC Nick Mangold could be in the starting lineup in the opener against the Titans. Ferguson was considered by many to be the best offensive lineman in the 2006 NFL draft. He is a high character player who has outstanding size and athletic skills for the position. He should stabilize the left side of the offensive line for many years. Mangold might find himself in the starting depending on the health of unrestricted free agent Trey Teague. Mangold is a solid technician for a young player, and understands good blocking angles and body position. Both rookies have all the intangibles needed to play for Mangini. The player under the microscope The Jets don't have many players who fall under this category, but LILB Jonathan Vilma is an exception. Vilma is a former first-round pick who has been a solid player for the Jets over his first two years. He is a hard-hitting linebacker who can cover some ground when protected well within the scheme. However, he will now be asked to play a different role that requires a certain technique within a 3-4 defense. He must do a better job of staying square, playing with discipline while attacking downhill and controlling his run gaps. Breakout player Look for Mangini's offensive system to really include more involvement from the TE position. Chris Baker is an underrated player who is starting to come on as a player. He played in only eight games last season and finished the year with 18 receptions. He has deceptive speed to stretch the vertical seam and is a big target in the red zone. He has above average catching skills, with a good understanding of underneath zone concepts. Just like New England, the Jets will put a heavy emphasis on their tight ends in the passing game. Expect a healthy Baker to elevate his game in 2006. Comeback player of the year Veteran RILB Eric Barton returns after missing most of last season with an injury. He has been productive since signing with the Jets from Oakland. He will need to make the adjustment from outside linebacker to inside linebacker in the 3-4 system. He has the size, functional speed and instincts to excel in this system. He can contribute in both regular and sub defenses based on his versatility within the system. Offensive philosophy Untested offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer inherits a unit that finished in the bottom three of the NFL in total offense last season. Schottenhemier is known for his work in developing quarterbacks and will have his work cut out for him in New York. The Jets must find a way to generate points on offense and control the ball with a sound running game. Schottenheimer is a student of the physical, run-orientated offense his father Marty Schottenheimer has established throughout his career as a head coach. The Jets will utilize a lot of standard personnel groupings (two running backs, one-tight; one running back, two tight ends) on early downs, while spreading the field with multiple receivers sets to create mismatches out on the perimeter. Look for them to incorporate a lot of play action, along with a quicker, rhythmic passing game that will include a lot of West Coast offense principles, along with some reads/concepts from his days working under Steve Spurrier. Defensive philosophy Mangini will spend a lot of time this season working with defensive coordinator Bob Sutton. Mangini will incorporate a multiple 34 defense that relies on three defensive lineman and four linebackers in their front seven. This complex system will involve a lot of learning, proper technique and discipline when understanding the proper gap control and fits when playing the run. His biggest challenge will be to identify the personnel on his team that best fit the situation when matching-up personnel based on down and distance. However, the Jets will install multiple three/four man fronts depending on the proper match-up against opposing teams. On the back end, the Jets will pressure with both zone fires and overload blitzes to create pressure. They will incorporate a lot of different personnel groupings when matching up in sub packages. Mangini will have his hands full with his defensive personnel, in designing packages that create pressure and finding ways to stop the run. Keith Kidd spent 14 years in NFL front offices, including key roles in the personnel departments of the Arizona Cardinals, Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots..
most people on this board knew that about baker only after 1 season or so...... it burns me when you have all the scouting and high priced front office gurus that cannot produce a productive environment for their own draft picks. jil
Good point. Hopefully we'll have that now that Herm is gone and Mangini and Tannenbaum seem to be on the same page. Herm only played who Herm wanted to play, no matter what, and that was whoever was best suited to best cover his inept ass and make him look like an intelligent, professional, NFL coach, which he is not. Not changing up the running game by using Lamont Jordan is the best example I can think of, but not giving Baker more time is a close second.
Baker finally gets a chance to prove himself and he needs to take advantage or he'll be working at Burger King next year
im surprised youre down on baker dino, I was very excited about this guy...granted the slow start last year and then the injury, but ive seen many people on this board defend jmac because of injuries and no qb last year.....and IMO Baker is 3 times the tight end than jmac is a receiver.....of course i feel that jmac should be playing for the edmonton eskimoes, but thats another story
i hear ya...when i say start of the season im thinking 4 or 5 first games....1 game is not the start ya know?
Baker is a terrible blocker, he always gets holding. And he drops easy balls. Atleast he can get open unlike Jolley though.
Baker.... holding penalties? Jolley can't get open? You are confused. Jolley was the one dropping balls, and Baker is at least an average blocker. Jolley is a terrible blocker, but he did get open. Baker's hands aren't great, but his route running isn't very good either, he has trouble getting open. I don't know if I've ever seen so much wrong info in such a short post.
