After the rent-a-hall-of-famer experiment with Brett Favre didn't work, which resulted in the firing of head coach Eric Mangini despite two winning seasons in three years, all eyes have been on rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez and first time head coach Rex Ryan.
Thus far, the QB battle between Sanchez and Kellen Clemens, who’s entering his fourth year as a Jet, is about even and if it remains that way throughout training camp, the rookie will get the nod. But Sanchez will likely separate himself in the competition before the preseason is over.
And behind one of the best young offensive lines in the league that really just began to gel last season, Sanchez won’t be getting beat up every Sunday.
The rookie quarterback won’t be expected to do all that much anyway. His job will be to manage the game much like Joe Flacco did for Ryan’s former team the Ravens last season.
The Jets, like last season, have the luxury of one of the best running games in the league behind Thomas Jones, who led the AFC in rushing, and Leon Washington. Despite their issues with the front office this off-season, both are poised to have another big year.
And the Jets bolstered their run game by drafting Shonn Greene who should get a few touches as the third option.
New York did lose their number one receiver, Laveranues Coles, to free agency so Jerricho Cotchery will be stepping into that role while Chansi Stuckey will likely line up on the other side.
While the receiving corps has been a question mark, the Jets do have a young QB’s best friend—a tight end that’s a great receiver.
After just one season Dustin Keller has shown he’s one of the best receiving tight ends in the league, though his blocking abilities have been questioned.
Look for Keller and Sanchez to grow and mature together over the next few years.
Defense
The defensive side of the ball is where Ryan will really make his impact, as he is known as one of the best defensive coaches in the game today.
Ryan brought in three players from his Ravens defense, who should make significant contributions this year in safety Jim Leonhard, defensive end Marques Douglas, and all-pro linebacker Bart Scott.
The secondary should be one of the best in the league and includes two lock-down cornerbacks in Lito Sheppard and Darrelle Revis. Having a secondary as strong as the Jets have is critical in a division that Randy Moss and Terrell Owens call home.
The Jets lost linebacker Calvin Pace for the first four games of the season due to suspension, leaving the door open for the sixth pick overall from last year’s draft Vernon Gholston to start.
Gholston is a freak of nature physically, but he’s had trouble grasping the playbook and has been said to take snaps off. And if Ryan can’t teach him defensive schemes, he’ll be on the fast track to being labeled a bust.
The defensive line will be anchored by tackle Kris Jenkins along with defensive end Shaun Ellis. Douglas should have a significant role at defensive end as well.
Surprise Player
The player that’s opened the eyes of Ryan and the rest of the coaching staff is the undrafted free agent and Rutgers product Jamaal Westerman.
A defensive end at Rutgers, Westerman will play outside linebacker in Ryan’s 3–4 defensive and he may just be the next undrafted free agent that Ryan turns into a good football player. Ryan, as a coach, is notorious for finding the talent that has been overlooked by everyone else and getting the most out of their abilities. For example, Douglas, Leonhard, and Scott were all undrafted free agents.
Matt Sugam also writes for The Daily Targum at Rutgers University in New Jersey.
