We lost 10 games last season by 7 points or less without being able to consistently run the ball and with poor pass protection. Not only were we unable to score a lot of points, but our defense spent a lot of time on the field because of this. We also settled for a lot of red zone FG's instead of TD's. I have to assume that this season we will have a much better running game and much better pass protection. Taking that assumption as a given we should be able to consistently score more points, and give the defense a rest. In spite of spending so much time on the field, the defense still managed to play at a pretty high level the second half of the season. Now we have what should be a better NT, and an improved SOLB which in turn upgrades the WOLB. Revis and Harris are also going into their second seasons and should be even better. Bottom line is that the defense should be improved as well. Without even taking the draft or QB situation into consideration, I think we have a very good shot at picking up 6 more wins at a minimum based on the FA signings. What do you say?
We didn't sign a single stud. Faneca simply balances out a below-average offensive line to above-average overall. Or is he going to make EVERYONE magically better? Pace is an absolute gamble...50-50 at best. Jenkins is like Faneca. He might be an upgrade at his position but what about the other 2 on the line? We go from below-average to above-average with him. At LB, it's a wash from last year without Vilma yet I still feel like we got screwed royally. An average/above-average team wins 8 games. With an easy schedule in a weak division you can stretch for 10 wins as above-average, be a wildcard, and waste everyone's time. This offseason upgraded us to average/above average so far. Perhaps we have a monster draft and hold above-average status through '08. Another draft after that and we should be good enough to contend for the title in '09.
5-6 at best. We still have 2 ineffective QB's. If the QB play improves then that will be much easier to attain. We shall see.
We replaced two BAD linemen in Clarke and Clement with Faneca (very solid) and Woody who I admittedly don't know much about but from what I've read he's at worst average. And yes, Faneca will make the guys next to him better. Our o-line will be much, much better than last season. Don't forget we also added Richardson at FB who should help with the running game. As for Vilma, the defense was a lot better without him in there. Pace may be a gamble, but he was pretty damn good at SOLB his first season in the 3-4 and Thomas gets to move back to WOLB where he was pretty solid his first season at the position. If Jenkins is in shape and healthy he's an upgrade over Robertson.
I still say we have to have a WR to go anywhere. But right now I think we could win 8 or 9. The lack of receivers who actually catch TD passes hurts us.
I said 3-4 more wins... Chemistry is ALWAYS an issue when you bring a new group of players in, and it will be this year... With an unsettled QB situation, and veterans on the team upset about what they call 'unfair treatment' I don't see these guys coming together all too quickly... Add to that some of the horrid in-game coaching techniques we saw out of our coaches last year, and the boost in talent can only take us so far...
I'm going to put my money on 10-6. The Jets have been improved by lightyears but by no means are they even close to elite at this point.
I said 5-6 more wins which should put them at best 10-6. I really cant say though, until we see how well the draft goes. That can bump the Jets up or down another game.
We improved tremendously from last year already, and with an easier schedule and likely output from our draftees we should easily be able to get over .500
