The 5 Most Likely Jets To Improve In 2014

     The New York Jets actually have a pretty young Roster. During John Idziks brief career as the Jets GM, he has made an emphasis on building the team throught the Draft and bargin hunting in Free Agency. In this article I will discuss the 5 players I expect to make significant upgrades in stats and play on the field. Before I discuss those players, let me first share some honorable mentions.
     Players like C Nick Mangold and LT D'Brickashaw Ferguson are already considered among the best at their positions. DE Muhammad Wilkerson should be in that same class, but has been snubbed in recent years for any post season awards and accolades. Mo is entering his 4th Season so is not quite the seasoned Vet like Nick and Brick and still has room to improve. With 10.5 sacks last year any improvement he does have may not be as big a jump as the players I will talk about in a moment.
     WR Jeremy Kerley is in a similar boat as Wilkerson. He isn't as dominant at his position, but he is above average and all with no other threat on Offense to allow him to take advantage in soft coverage or mismatches. This should change this year, but Kerleys ceiling isn't as high as Wilkersons. His numbers should go up with other weapons on Offense that will demand more attention from opposing Defenders, but his jump won't be as significant.
     G Brian Winters was thrown into the deep end of the pool last season due to penalties by starter Vladimir Ducasse and asked to tread water. Unfortunately, he couldn't, but he didn't exactly go completely under either. He will improve over last year, but again it won't be as much as the players to come, so without further ado and in no particular order I give you my top 5 Jets to improve in the 2014-2015 NFL Season.

QB GENO SMITH:
     Like Winters, QB Geno Smith was thrown in the deep end thanks to a season ending injury to Mark Sanchez. Smith had his ups and downs and just when it seemed as if he was going to drown, he not only treaded water, but for the last month of the regular season he seamed to swim in the Jets Offense. He finished his Rookie Season with 3,046 passing yards, 12 TDs with 21 INTs, 366 rushing yards and 6 TDs, but also had 3 fumbles. Last year he was a Rookie QB learning the position, a new Offensive System and had limited weapons to bail him out. He enters the 2014 Off Season with a year of familiarity, a mentor in Michael Vick who's playing style Geno imitated to great success, newer weapons in his arsenal including Free Agent WRs Eric Decker and Jacoby Ford, RB Chris Johnson and Rookie TE Jace Amaro who will be a match up NIGHTMARE to go along with a few Rookie WRs. Expect Geno to grow, bring his turnovers down and be a threat in the passing game that the Jets haven't had in the Rex Ryan era.

WR STEPHEN HILL:
     Hill was Drafted and it was widely known that he was a project from the beginning, but in his first two Seasons he has been placed on Season Ending Injured Reserve. It's hard to work on improving if your constantly healing from injury and not with your Coaches and Teammates. In his first 2 years with the Jets Hill has only combined for 594 yards and 4 TDs and already have some calling him a bust. However, Hill suffered, like Kerley,  from having no other weapons around him and after being praised by Coaches last Off-Season having to deal with Rookie Geno Smith. This year both Players are going to need each other. Hill has worked out to improve physically to stave off injury which resulted in growing 1.5 inches taller which just illustrates that he is a young player still growing. I think that Hill will be among the most improved players in all of the N F L. He is now 6'5 and sporting 4.30 speed and in a pivotal year I think he will rise to the challenge and amass 850+ yards and 7 TDs.

CB DEE MILLINER:
     While Geno Smith had an up and down year, Dee Milliner had a down year and was benched THREE times until Veteran Ed Reed joined the Jets and personally showed Milliner how to be a Pro, and study film. This mentorship lead to Milliner winning Defensive Rookie Of The Month for the last leg of the Season and earning 3 INTs while shutting down Clevelands Josh Gordon and Miamis Mike Wallace. Many don't know if Milliner will continue to struggle, or if the final month of the season is an indication of the player that he will be. Rex Ryan though believes that Milliner will be among the top CBs and since he knows more about Defense than anyone your going to read or hear give their opinion on the matter I would side with the New York Jets Head Coach. If Milliner can stay healthy, look for him to be a shut down Corner.

DE SHELDON  RICHARDSON:
     After one year as a Pro and winning Defensive Rookie of the Year, Sheldon Richardson was named #94 in the NFLs top 100 players. If you were to ask him though, that WASN'T high enough. After coming into the league Richardson has had Jets fans full attention. He talks a big game, but once the pads come on he backs up every word. He earned 42 total tackles, 3.5 sacks and a forced fumble in his Rookie Season and was rated amongst the best against the run. The ceiling truly is high for this player who has stated publicly that he wants to be greater than Warren Sapp. Richardson is an integral part of the Jets Defensive Line and if he is able to make the same improvements in his game as fellow Defensive Lineman, Muhammad Wilkerson made early in his young career, then look for the Jets to have the Fiercest D-Line in the League, and for Sheldon to brag all about it.

OLB QUINTON COPLES:
     Last year after the Jets Drafted Sheldon Richardson 13th overall, many pundits questioned the move, because Quinton Coples was just Drafted at the same position 16th overall the year before. What was later revealed was that during Coples Draft workouts with the Jets, Rex Ryan put him through Outside Linebacker drills. With the addition of Richardson, Coples was moved to the OLB position for the first time in his career. He suffered an ankle injury during the Pre-Season and missed plenty of reps during Training Camp and a few reporters began to call him a bust. As the Season went on and his health returned a few opposing QBs called him a beast.  Anyone who has watched the tape of the New Orleans game can bare witness to what Rex saw in Coples when he Drafted him. In his first year in the position Coples had 24 total tackles, 4.5 sacks and a forced fumble which gives him 46 tackles, and 10 sacks in his two years as a pro. With a full Off Season learning and growing into the position and a 15 lbs weight loss look for Coples to MATCH his career numbers in 2014. Maybe not in total tackles, but in Sacks. A position switch takes time, but Coples has the athletic ability to stand up and the improved play from Wilkerson, and Richardson will suck in the attention to the inside which will give Coples plenty of chances to wreak havoc rushing from the Outside.
     So there you have my picks for top 5 improved Jets Players this year. Agree or disagree, but leave a comment on who you think will jump this year and why, and always GO JETS!!!

My 2014 New York Jets Mock Draft.

     The New York Jets report for voluntary Off Season work at their facilities today, so what better way to celebrate the occasion than to create a Mock Draft of players I'd like to see join the organization. The Jets enter this years Draft with 12 Picks. This was due to a plan GM John Idzik set into motion last year during his first year running the Jets Free Agency. The Darrelle Revis trade gained the team an extra 4th Round selection and the savy decision to move on from some of their own players while adding players cut from other teams garnered the Jets 4 Compensatory Picks. A 4th and 3 6th Rounders. Expect the Jets to be big players in this upcoming Draft.
     For my Mock Draft I want to evaluate what the team already has and what they need. After a slow start to Free Agency had many Jets fans worried (my hand is raised) John Idzik made sure that the needs, although significant, aren't many. Entering Free Agency the Jets had a Dominant Defensive Line, starters and backups, and a solid RB Core. Every other group had varying holes. The Jets added Free Agent WRs Eric Decker, the highest rated Free Agent at his position, from the Broncos and speedy, but often injured Jacoby Ford from the Raiders.
     QB Michael Vick was added after he was released by the Eagles to COMPETE with QB Geno Smith. Vick will either be a solid backup that can step in if Geno struggles, or the starter to what the Jets hope is a more explosive Offense. That Offense became even more dynamic when the Titans released a player of their own and the Jets added him to the 6th Ranked Rushing Offense. RB Chris Johnson brings speed and a threat to take the ball 90 yards to the End Zone. With these moves QB, and RB join the Defensive Line as positions that are secure.
     With OG Willie Colon coming off a biceps tear and the expected struggles of Rookie LG Brian Winters the Jets will need to bolster the interior of their line sometime during the Draft. Antonio Cromartie was released and now the Jets need a Man to Man Cover Corner to play opposite Dee Milliner, who proved in the last month at least, that he was the best Corner in last years Draft. Calvin Pace may have had 10 Sacks last year, but at 33 he clearly isn't the long term answer and OLB has been a need for the Jets for the past decade or so. A weak Secondary could always be helped by a strong Pass Rush. The Jets added to the WR position, but they have a chance in this Draft to make a now "serviceable" position into one of strength. Many think that the Jets should and will select a WR early in this Draft. The Receiving Core also consists of TEs, which sorely needs improvement over just Jeff Cumberland and Zack Sudfelds, two undrafted players.  Lastly, the Jets Secondary also needs improvement in the Safety position. The Jets need a game changer roaming the middle of the field. Even if they bring back Ed Reed after the Draft they need a young stud that can develop into a Ball Hawk for the foreseeable future. So there you have it, WR, CB, OLB, TE, OG, and S are all positions that can be helped with a strong Draft this year.

1st Round: Odell Beckham Jr WR LSU
     Beckham has deceptive speed and under the radar hands. He will immediately help on Special Teams and be allowed to learn the game and develope into a #1 WR. With him in the fold the Jets now have a complete WR unit. A much improved unit over last year.
2nd Round: Austin Sefarin-Jenkins TE WASH
     In my Mock Draft I have the Jets trading their two 4th Rounders, 5th, 6th and 7th Round picks to add an extra early 2nd Round Pick. If it doesn't take this many selections to make this trade happen, then that's better, but a trade up to get more quality players is needed. Adding this big and talented TE to the mix is just what the Offense needs to be complete no matter who ends up winning the QB position. Put on tape and you will see why many people say that TEs are the QBs best friend. This guy has the ability to catch contested passes and run across the middle. He also has the size to develope into a solid blocker.
2nd Round: Kyle Van Noy OLB BYU
     Calvin Pace may have had a career year lady season, but the Jets need an infusion of young blood into their Linebacker Core. Kyle Van Noy, on a smaller scale, is suffering from the same criticism as Jadavean Clowney. Both players cooled it down in their last season of their collegiate careers. The nay sayers will question their motor and love for the game, but as long as they give their all once they are playing for the Jets, I could care less that they tried not to get hurt before they signed a multi million dollar contact. Kyle Van Noy should be a 1st Round selection. His speed and coverage skills will fit the Jets perfectly. Playing behind this Defensive Line allowed Calvin Pace to notch 10 sacks, so imagine what a pure speed rusher can do.
3rd Round: Ed Reynolds S Stanford
     If Ed Reynolds falls to the Jets it would be a steal that would allow the Jets to make significant changes to their Safety position. Reynolds could be the Ball Hawk the Jets haven't had since Kerry Rhodes, but Reynolds is also a solid tackler. This will allow Rex to move Antonio Allen to Stong Safety, which is his more natural position and allow Reynolds to split time with a Veteran while he learns the scheme.
4th Round: EJ Gaines CB MIZZ
     The Jets needed help to their Secondary, but that didn't necessarily mean they needed another first round selection. Adding a Pass Rushing OLB and a Ball Hawking FS will help the cornerbacks. Adding Gaines gives the Jets another CB to develop into a potential starter. He is a smart player that can hold up against bigger receivers. With Kyle Wilson nearing the end of his contact is smart for the Jets to add more players to the position even if they aren't going to be the long term starter. 6th Round: Colt Lyerla TE Oregon
     Another steal for the Jets due to Colt having character issues, but with Sefarin-Jenkins already added to the mix this is a gamble that the Jets would be wise to take. Lyerla is another player with 1st Round talent. He isn't the Blocker that Sefarin-Jenkins is, but he is a threat in the passing game. This will also add to the Jets Mantra of competition. The Jets now have a complete and deadly passing attack.
6th Round: Ryan Groy OG WISC
     This is basically for depth. A team can never have enough fattys in the trenches. The Jets selected two late round Offensive Linemen last year, and with all of the needs already filled its just about bringing in bodies to compete.
6th Round: Preston Brown ILB Louisville
     The last pick is a player they hope can help out on Special Teams. Giving the opposing Offense a long journey to the End Zone will help out the Defense and the team as a whole. This late in the Draft your not looking for starters, just role players. Brown will still be given a chance to help the team even if it doesn't mean playing in the base Defense.
So there you have my Mock Draft/State of the Jets. Leave your comments below on what you think and also what you would like done in this upcoming Draft if you were the GM. Is there a player you feel the Jets NEED to get, or a trade scenario you would like the team to make? Leave your comment or Draft Picks just for bragging rights if the players turn out to be good NFL Players or Jets.

2014 Year of the Jets?

     Halfway through the 2013 NFL schedule the New York Jets have exceeded all outside expectations. Many pundits had the Jets ranked 32 out of 32 NFL teams with ESPNs Mel Kiper Jr. going as far as comparing the Jets to a "glorified expansion team". The Jets were expected to be fortunate to finish the season with a record of 4-12. The only ones that had the Jets being a competative Franchise this season was the Jets organization and the few fans who truly understood this team and its staff. With a new GM cleaning house in the beginnings of a rebuild, it was believed that the Jets would take a step back before they got better. With 7 more games left to be played in the 2013 regular season the Jets are sitting at 5-4, and forcing the doubters to eat crow, but lets examine the current state of the Jets and why 2014 will be the year that the pundits and fans believe in the J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS!!!
   
THE NEWBIES:
     2013 started with Former General Manager Mike Tannenbaum being let go along with several Coaches leaving the team via, retirement,  better opportunities, and a possible riot from fans if they remained in the organization.  Their replacements cane from outside of the Organization and some pramotions from within. These decisions were made by Head Coach Rex Ryan. The biggest difference came in Offensive Coordinator Marty Mornhinweg who has a reputation for being pass happy in his play calling which is a huge departure from the ground and pound philosophy of Rex Ryans tenure since coming to the Jets in 2009. Marty has proven that he is one of the best Offensive minds in the League, making magic with a Rookie QB and an almost insurmountable amount of injuries. It remains to be seen if Mornhinweg will be able to steer the Offense towards being a Playoff Caliber threat in his first year with the team, but it is clear that Rex had found a play caller that will be as aggressive and unpredictable as his Defense.
     General Manager John Idzick was hired and told that he must keep Head Coach Rex Ryan for at least one year and after the way the team has played many believe that Ryan should be the Head Coach for the foreseeable future. Idzick removed some members of the front office after the Draft and to his credit the "unnamed sources" that leaked information to the media has not steered its head this season and it would appear that the Jets as an organization will be more professional under Idzick, but the big test will be when the new front office handles a very important Draft in which the team may have up to 13 Draft picks.The Jets will also have plenty of Cap space after Idzick cleared some bloated contracts and trading away it's best player in Darrelle Revis, but the team has a very good head start thanks to a promising Draft Class this year.
     Thanks to the trade of Revis the Jets had 2 first round picks in the top 13 of the 2013 Draft. With the first of those picks the Jets selected Dee Milliner out of Alabama who was widely considered the best CB in the Draft. Milliner has missed time at various times since being with the Jets and has struggled mightily. He was already benched in 2 games this Season, but after Rex Ryan promised that Milliner would be the best Rookie CB by the end of the Season he had a strong showing against Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints in week 9 just before the bye week which prompted Rex to warn the"experts" about betting against him on Defensive Players. If Milliner has truly turned a corner in his development it will be a big boost to a struggling Secondary.
     Sheldon Richardson was the Jets second pick and many if not all Draft experts blasted the pick of the DT out of Mizzou going to the Jets. One person who was over the moon about the pick was the same Head Coach that challenges anyone to bet against him when it comes to Defensive Players. Rex Ryan was positively giddy when Richardson was selected and the rest of the fan base has followed suit as Richardson has positioned himself as the man to beat for Defensive Rookie of the Year. Richardson is an absolute monster along the Defensive front and besides racking up stats for himself, his constant double teams have allowed his fellow teammates to make plays. One thing is very clear, the Jets have a Defensive front that will be dominant for years to come and Sheldon Richardson is one of the main reasons why.
     What isn't clear is if the Jets Drafted their Franchise QB in the 2nd Round when they selected Geno Smith out of West Virginia. Like Dee Milliner the Jets selected the consensous pick of the best player at his position, but just like Milliner, Geno has struggled mightily at times. Young Quarterbacks tend to struggle until they learn all of the nuances that come with playing that position at the Pro level. Geno has shown enough that he should at least compete for the starting position next year regardless of how the Organization handles the Off Season.

CAP SPACE:
     In his first year on the job, new GM John Idzik had a mess to deal with in the team's finances. This was addressed by releasing over payed veterans and attacking Free Agency with bargins that were expected to man their positions for the short term with one year contacts.  2014 will be a completely different story.  The Jets will be roughly $30m under the Cap when the new calender year begins. That number jumps to above $40m if the team releases both QB Mark Sanchez and WR Santonio Holmes.  This does not include moves and deals that could be made with some the other veteran players like CB Antonio Cromartie and ILB David Harris who could take team friendly extensions. No matter how you look at it the New York Jets are in position to be big players in Free Agency if that's how they choose to build their team, but the biggest reason why the Jets will be a deadly team in 2014 has to do with that other way to bring in new players.

DOUBLE DIGIT DRAFT PICKS:
     It is usually hard to figure out a first time GMs "style" but what was very clear before the Season even started is that the Jets GM wants to build through the Draft.  This was set up by allowing most of the Jets Free Agents to leave and sign with other teams while Idzik mostly signed players that were cut by other teams.  What that strategy does is allow the Jets to be rewarded Compensatory Draft Picks and the Jets may have up to 13 selections when the 2014 NFL Draft rolls around in May. The team played the year with 7 new starters and for the most part those positions don't need upgrades. CB Dee Milliner, despite his struggles should be the number 2 CB next year. Rookie FB Tommy Bohanan has proven to be a steal that doesn't receive much attention due to the position.  DT Sheldon Richardson May end up winning the Defensive Rookie of the year award and push Wilkerson next year for the best Defensive Lineman wearing Green and White. Thanks to these Rookies coming in and stepping up it just leaves less holes to be filled in year two of the rebuilding process. The team still needs help at OLB, WR, TE, O-LINE and S. With 13 picks,  4 in the top 90 the team should be able to come away with some difference makers.
     The Jets have shown that they have made progress from last year,  even with a struggling Rookie QB, but with the development of young players, plenty of Cap Space and a boat load of Draft Picks the Jets are in a great position to make a run at the Super Bowl next year ESPECIALLY if the Organization keeps Head Coach Rex Ryan to continue to build a dominant Defense that could be prime to set record numbers next year with the addition of a Pass Rushing OLB and ball hawking FS and allow the Offensive Players who were learning a new System under new OC Marty Mornhinweg to put the pedal to the floor.
     What do you think is the biggest hurdle for the Jets next year and the best way to finish the rebuilding process?

WHAT TO WATCH FOR IN FIRST PRE-SEASON GAME.

     Training Camp has been underway and there are a few more questions answered for the New York Jets, but there are still some remaining. This is around the time where most players can't wait to hit someone wearing a different Jersey and for a Jets team who have been the "butt" of jokes all off season expect some pretty hard hits handed out from frustrated Jets. Pre-Season games are vanilla with an emphasis on one on one match ups. If you're expecting to see exotic formations then you're still a month away.  Here is what you should be looking for in the Jets first Pre-Season game.
     The first thing, of course, has to be the Quarterback position. Mark Sanchez has been named the starter while Geno Smith will also see some time with the 1s. Many retweeters think that it is a mistake to not start Geno Smith. What they fail to realise is that the Coaching staff watches the practices and don't follow the stats. Geno Smith has slightly better numbers thus far in camp, but he holds the ball far too long. In real game situations he will be wearing a Green and White Jersey and not a Red one so he will be sacked. He is going to have to show that he can complete passes while defenders are baring down on him.  Sanchez meanwhile needs to show his grasp for the New Offensive System while completing passes to his players and not the other team.
     The Jets were excited to unleash their new Runningbacks, but with injuries to Chris Ivory, Joe McKnight and the absence of Mike Goodson the Jets are lacking in the backfield. Bilal Powell has stepped up as he has received the bulk of the carries and it will be interesting to see what other players step up. The Jets recently added two young RBs to the stable and with Goodson facing legal troubles a strong showing from one of them may keep them around for the Season and not just be a Camp body.
     Four WRs have impressed so far this Off-Season. Clyde Gates and 2nd year WR Stephen Hill have shown great improvement while showcasing superior speed.  Two undrafted Rookies, Ryan Spadola and Vidal Hazelton have impressed as well and shown great promise to not only make the team, but be impact players fit the Offense. Hazelton recently suffered a Season ending injury. Its reported that Spadola will see time with the starting Offense and at 6'2 with a 4.4 40 time he stands a great shot of securing more practice time with a strong showing this Friday against the Detroit Lions. For those that have followed the Jets for years, many must be happy, IF Hill can improve, Braylon shows that he hasn't slowed much and Spadola steps up as each player is 6'5, 6'3, and 6'2 respectively. Tall outside presences will only help Jeremy Kerley in the slot, but the only question about Kereley this Off-Season is just how good will he continue to get.
     Moving to the Defensive side of the ball it's all about life without Revis. How will the Pass Defense look without the best CB in the game? Cromartie will be on Calvin Johnson as he continues to cover the the opposing teams number 1 WR. Rex Ryan calls it Megatron vs Megacorner. The Safety position has the most questions on the team. No-one has stepped up to man the FS Position and some wonder if this will be the downfall of the Defense. The Secondary can be helped with a strong Pass Rush, which is something the Jets haven't had without an exotic blitz. Coples has been moved to OLB and the team added Antwan Barnes,but Ricky Sapp has been making a lot of noise in Camp. The Jets desperately need to see at least one of these Outside Rushers get tto the QB.
     The Player I'm most excited to see in pads is DT Sheldon Richardson. The Jets were ridiculed when they selected Richardson 13th overall out of Mizzouri. I was one of them that scratched their heads when the name was called. A few months later Richardson is the name that gets talked about most outside of the two battling QBs. He has constantly been in the Offensive backfield and is being called a Linebacker in a DTs body. He moves far too quick for his size and many think he will revolution the position. Ryan has lined him up all along the front 7. With the hybrid Coples grasping his new role there will be a lot of confusion trying to figure out where these two players will line up and where the Offenses need to apply protection. This is the chance for us not fortunate enough to watch practice daily to see these players for ourselves and I really want to see if Richardson truly shines the way that people says he does.
     So what player are you most excited to see?  Is it a QB, veteran player or one of the Rookies? Share in the comments section below and enjoy the game.

The 5 Things To Look For In Training Camp

     Each team has their own strengths and weaknesses. Each team spends countless hours in Free-Agency and the Draft to add players that can help limit their weaknesses and even improve their strengths. Training Camp is the time to get all the Players up to speed and ready to compete in the upcoming Season. Players will rise and fall and the Coaches will get a realistic view of the talent on their team and adjust their game plans from there. With that said, we will now take a look at 5 weaknesses that Jets fans should pay attention to and what Players can help the team.

QUARTERBACK COMPETITION:
     The Days of Sanchez supporters bringing up two  back to back AFC title games in Defense of a bad season by Sanchez are over. Instead, two back to back 26 turnover Seasons and a butt fumble is what is said about Sanchez. Due to the regression of Sanchez, for various reasons, the Jets drafted QB Geno Smith, of West Virginia. Smith was considered the top QB in this year's Draft and the Jets got a steal snatching him in the 2nd Round. Smith and Sanchez will compete for the starting position in new Offensive Coordinator Marty Mornhinwegs West Coast system. Sanchez has the early lead heading into Camp due to a mostly solid Off-Season and quick grasp of the new system and the inconsistant game from the Rookie. When the pads come on and bodies start flying fans and Coaches will look to see which player makes the quick and accurate throws and has the touch with the deep pass, which is a staple in Mornhinwegs system. I think Sanchez will win the job and expect him to revive his career, but if he doesn't the Jets have a young athletic QB in the waiting. Also look for the battle between Matt Simms and Greg McElroy for the #3 QB. Simms has shown improvement with his accuracy and decision making and McElroy proved last year that he is not able to step in and lead the team if the starter gets injured.

RUNNINGBACK DEPTH:
     Shonn Greene may have had a 1,000+ yard Season last year, but there is a reason why the Jets had zero interest in bringing him back. With the Adrian Petersons, Arian Fosters and even Marshawn Lynchs of the World the Jets are looking for a homerun hitter at the Runningback position. Shonn Greene wasn't a big threat to bust out a 40+ TD run.  Bilal Powell took some snaps from Greene and showed promise, but he is still a young and unproven player. The only threat the Jets had from the RB position last year was Kick-Returner specialist Joe Mcknight, but he has battled injury and fumble issues. The Jets traded a 4th Round pick to New Orleans for little used RB Chris Ivory who has battled injuries of his own. Ivory's biggest hurdle with his former team, was the Undrafted label. He was overlooked because of #1 Draft picks and big time Free Agent signings, but when Ivory was healthy and called upon he was dangerous, averaging 5 yards a carry for his career. The Jets also signed Free Agent Mike Goodson who is perfect for the West Coast system and will be a threat to receive out of the back field. Once his legal problems are settled look for Goodson to continue to show off the blazing speed that he has since joining the Jets. Fans should watch this position closely because once the pads are on the competition will change dramatically and some will shine bright. Did the Jets aquire a Fantasy Football threat or did they already have one on their Roster who is ready to step up and take the League by storm?

THE RECEIVING CORP:
     This position probably has the biggest impact on the positions to watch already mentioned above. One of the reasons why Sanchez regressed in the past couple of years was largely due to a lack of talent from the WR position and lack of trust from Sanchez to the players running wrong routes, dropping passes and failing to create seperation from defenders. Santonio Holmes is trying to come back from a Season ending Lisfranc injury. Holmes was never truly a #1 WR which is why the Jets tried to Draft one last year in WR Stephen Hill from Georgia Tech. Hill was and still is a very raw prospect with all the natural ability and athleticism in the World. With a 6'5 frame and 4.3 speed he is a QBs dream, but Hill lacks hands and route running and is also coming off of a Season ending injury himself. He had struggled with drops this Off-Season and this is going to have to be corrected if he wants to be a reliable option in the passing game. One bright spot from the WR position is third year player Jeremy Kereley. Kereley lead the team in receptions last year and showed great chemistry with Sanchez, especially in third downs. It will be interesting to see how much Kereley improves and if he will be able to thrive on the outside while Holmes makes his way back to the field. Kereley may end up being one of the best Slot-Receivers in the game if Holmes can make it back to the field and Hill improves. The Jets also have Clyde Gates, but although he has great speed, he wouldn't make 90% of the Rosters in the NFL. The Jets didn't spend a single Draft pick on the WR or TE position this year and the Receiving Corp will most likely be the Weakest position on the team,  so fans need to pay close attention to some of the undrafted Rookies the Jets brought in this year and newly signed TE Kellon Winslow's knees.

THE PASS RUSH:
     The New York Jets haven't had a double digit pass rusher since John Abraham in 2005. Due to this, many fans, including myself, wanted the Jets to Draft an OLB. Instead, after Drafting CB Dee Milliner  of Alabama to help stop the bleeding from the loss of Derrelle Revis, the Jets selected DT Sheldon Richardson of Missouri. Many didn't understand this pick until it was announced that last years first round pick DE Quinton Coples would be moved to the OLB position. In truth, Coples will play a hybrid DE/OLB position and will be asked to attack the QB from the outside, but he and Richardson will be lined up all along the Defensive front 7. Coples lead the team with 5.5 sacks last year only participating in 47% of the Defensive snaps. Drafting Richardson doesn't mean that the Jets didn't Draft a pass rusher this year though. In the last two Drafts the Jets selected DE Muhammad Wilkerson, who was the 2nd rated 3-4 DE behind only JJ Watt and who had 5 sacks last year and will help in the Pass Rushing stat himself,  NT Kenrick Ellis and DE Quinton Coples who were all described as "Dancing Bears", athletic big men who moved faster than their size should allow. None of those players though compare to the size to athleticism ratio of Sheldon Richardson. Last year Richardson lined up almost everywhere on Defense for Missouri even lining up at MLB and in High School he returned kicks.  Yes, a Defensive Lineman was quick and athletic enough to return kicks on Special Teams. Rex so far has moved Richardson all along the Front 7 and he has flashed as a Pass Rusher from the NT position causing some of the New York Media, who seem to never have anything positive to say about the team they deemed a "Circus" to state that, "Sheldon Richardson will do for the NT position what Lawrence Taylor did for the OLB position.". Richardson may end up being a very scary player for opposing Offenses and so might Free-Agent addition Antwan Barnes who was Drafted by the Ravens so is familiar with Rex Ryan and his Defense,  but spent the last few years with San Diego. Barnes is a Pass Rush Specialist who had 11.5 sacks in 2011, but saw his playing time cut after the Charges Drafted two OLBs last year.  Barnes may be over looked cause he isn't a big name, but his speed has been one of the talks of the Off-Season and he has a chance to create a name for himself with the New York Jets. The fans may have wanted a Pass Rushing OLB in the Draft,  but with Rex taking charge of the Defense again look for pressure to come from all over the Defense.

COACHING:
     A very big reason for the reggression of Sanchez's play and the Defense falling from #1 in Rex's first year in '09 to #8 last year was the Coaching. The Jets removed OC Tony Sporano and QB Coach Matt Cavanagh and replaced them with Marty Mornhinweg and David Lee respectively. This is an upgrade to both positions with Mornhinweg being one of the best Coordinators in the League who stresses accountability and Lee being a Coach that Rex persued last year that stresses fundamentals.  Mornhinweg's West Coast Offense differs slightly as he loves the deep pass. He has also stressed that he will call plays and game plan according to the talent of his players. He will maximize the talent, so it will be interesting to see just how aggressive the Jets Offense will be as Mornhinweg was brought in to provide an Offense to attack opposing Defenses as much as the Jets Defense will attack opposing Offenses. The Jets Defense also has a new Coordinator in Dennis Thurman, the former DB Coach who was promoted after former DC Mike Pettine and the Jets parted ways. Pettine was given more power as the years went on and the Defense suffered becoming more conservative with an emphasis on Coverage and less and less Blitz packages. With this being considered a make our break year for Head Coach Rex Ryan, he will resume play calling duties for his Defense and will focus on that area of the team leaving the Offense for Mornhinweg. Ryan is largely considered the best Defensive mind in Football today and you can expect an aggressive and dangerous Defense, but Rex will be held accountable for the Jets as a whole,  so it will be interesting to see the Coaches put all the players in the best position to succeed.  This is a huge year for the Jets Coaching staff and with new GM John Idzick now in charge failure by the Coaching Staff this year may see brand new leadership for the Jets in 2014.

The Jets 2013 Defense Could Be Best In Rex Ryan Era.

     The New York Jets just traded their best Defensive Player who happens to be the best at his position in the entire League. The Jets are replacing 7 starters on Defense as well. There are going to be a lot of new and young players expected to step up for Gang Green on that side of the ball. As far as the Defense goes, that might not be such a bad thing and I believe the Jets will top their '09 play on Defense.
     Revis is gone and some think that the hopes of the Jets having an elite Defense went with him. He only played 2 full games last year before he was lost for the year and the Jets Secondary still managed to finish 2nd in Pass Defense. Well some say that is a trick cause most teams played with a lead and were able to run on the Jets. Unfortunately for those making that arguement, the Jets Defense as a whole ranked 8th overall. This was done with Revis home and the team scrambling with the players they had. Those players are still here,  but the Jets added CB Dee Milliner with the 9th pick in the 2013 NFL Draft to help ease the loss of Revis on a more permanent level.
     Milliner is just some of the new, young blood brought in by the Jets this year. He was also highly regarded by most to be the best CB coming out of College this year. Some even said that he could be the next Revis. One thing that is for sure is that he adds good talent to the CB position than the Jets had last year after the Revis injury. Four picks after Milliner was selected the Jets Drafted DT Sheldon Richardson. At the time most people liked the player, but not the landing spot. The Jets, though,  have an athletic 290lbs Defensive Lineman who can play multiple positions in multiple fronts, and are very excited that they were able to land him. His selection brought up questions about what to do with DE Quinton Coples, who as a Rookie last year lead the Jets in Sacks with 5. Rex Ryan has an answer.
     Quinton Coples leads the group of young Defensive Players that are expected to step up and do more this year. Coples will be asked at times to be an OLB, and DE, but in this new Hybrid Position he will have one main job and that is to pressure the QB. The Jets are hoping that a bigger role for Coples will add up to more production. If He is able to make a similar jump as Muhammad Wilkerson made in his 2nd year then expect Quinton Coples to have double digit sacks. Coples was considered better than Wilkerson when he was Drafted so the sky is the limit.
     The Jets did bring back Calvin Pace at a reduced Salary, but what people don't talk about is the addition of OLB Antwan Barnes and DT Antonio Garay. Both Players add speed to the Front Seven that the Jets haven't had in a very long time and Barnes is one year removed from an 11 Sack Season. The Jets may have lost players,  but most of those Players were cut or not persued for a reason. The Jets got younger and faster and now the Jets have weapons that they can unleash all over the field.
     Not every young Player is believed to be on the verge of a breakout year like Coples is. Some are stepping into big shoes and the Jets are taking a chance and hoping they can fill them. ILB Demario Davis is expected to start in place of Bart Scott alongside David Harris. Davis was Drafted for this exact reason last year and there is a lot of pressure on this young man, but even more so for two Safeties Drafted that same year. The Jets said goodbye to their top three Safeties this Off-Season
DaWan Landry was brought in during Free Agency to man one of the Safety spots, but either Josh Bush or Antonio Allen is going to have to step up and battle for the other Safety slot. With the Front Seven and Corner Back position looking very strong for the Jets this year the Safety Position will have the spotlight on them as the possible ruin to an amazing Defense. Interesting to this dilemma is undrafted Rookie Rontez Miles who is very physical quick and dropped down in the Draft due to character concerns and not talent. All the Jets need is for one of these three Players to step up and you can expect another run at the#1 Defense in the League.
     The most important reason why anyone would say that the Jets will have a great Defense this year is that Head Coach Rex Ryan is taking complete control of the Defense like He did his first year with the team. Gone is Mike Pettine and here is a make or season for the outspoken Coach. Rex knows Defense and he will get the best out of his Players. He is also surrounded by a strong staff including Karl Dunbar and Dennis Thurman, among others. Rex has already taken a hands on approach during Minicamp and OTA's. Expect this to continue during Training Camp and expect for the Jets to be dominant on Defense.
     Where do you think the Jets will finish in the Defensive Ranking this year? Which will be the strongest and weakest unit on Defense? Which players are you lost excited to see on the field this year? Share your thoughts in the comments below on what your expecting from the Jets 2013 Defense.

More Questions After Round 1?

     Entering the 2013 NFL Draft the New York Jets had a number of needs.  With the #9 and #13 overall picks they were in a prime position to Draft two day one starters.  With the trade of Darrelle Revis to TB they added a need at CB to go along with holes in the G, TE, OLB, and S positions.  With the #9 pick they selected CB Dee Milliner and filled one need with the best player at that position. Milliner will now compete with Kyle Wilson to start opposite Antonio Cromartie who will now continue to cover the #1 WRs and continue to cement his name amongst the best CBs in Football.
     When the #13 position came up many people, including myself were expecting the Jets to fill another need.  The most obvious choice was OLB Jarvis Jones. The Jets haven't had a player with over 6.5 sacks since '09 and the lead Man was OLB Calvin Pace with an unimpressive 8 sacks on the year. Instead the Jets Drafted DT Sheldon Richardson out of Missouri.  Huh? Didn't the Jets Draft Quinton Coples and Muhommad Wilkerson the year before that?  Arent both of those players considered BOOM prospects having proven themselves in Jets uniforms?  Why then do the Jets Draft another player who is expected to transition into a 3-4 DE?  What does this mean for the Jets future?
     With Milliner it is clear that the Jets are dedicating themselves to continue having one of the top Secondarys in the League.   The Front 7 is another story.  For three straight years the Jets have selected a Defensive Lineman.   The Jets lost NT Sione Pouha and DE Mike Devito, so this was a need,  but maybe not as important as others,  but GM John Idzick has proven true to his word that they would Draft the best player available and not Draft for needs.  What front will the Jets use in the future with three young number 1 DEs?  Might we see more 4-3 fronts and if so does that mean that the Jets will now ignore the OLB positionfor the rest of the Draft?  Most agree that Richardson was a good player,  but not a his fit with the Jets.   Will this opinion change if the Jets switch to a primarily 4-3 front or if they ask Richardson to add weight and play NT in their 3-4?
     What is left for the Jets?  They have one pick in each round?   They are not looking to fill holes.  They are looking to add playmakers.   This will be an exciting and suprising Draft fans and will make for a very interesting Training Camp.  The Jets aren't giving players spots on the Roster.   They are adding players and competition WILL be at an all time high and you will have to earn everything the Jets give you.

The Plan After Revis?

     Well, the long awaited Divorce with the Jets best player has finally happened.  Revis is no longer a Jet and will face his former team as a Buccaneer during the Season opener.   Tampa Bay seemingly fixed last years worst statistical Pass Defense IF Revis returns to form and the Buccaneers can create a good Defensive Scheme.   What about the Jets though?  They just lost their best player and already had plenty of holes before the Off-Season began.  What is their plan moving forward?
     With Revis gone, the Jets no longer have the best CB Tandem in Football. Antonio Cromartie proved last year that He can still be considered a #1 Corner on a good Defense and Kyle Wilson was above average moving from the Nickle-Back to the #2 spot.  Besides losing Revis, the Jets Secondary also lost Safeties LaRon Landry and Yeremiah Bell. They were able to add Laron's Brother, Dawan Landry, but that is a decline to the position.  There isn't a player in the Draft that will be able to fill Revis' shoes, so how do the Jets offset the loss to their Defense?
     It's been said that the best thing that can happen for a Secondary is a strong Pass Rush. The Jets did not resign OLB Bryan Thomas, but brought back OLB Calvin Pace at a discount rate and also signed Free Agent Pass Rush specialist Antwan Barnes.  Barnes is familiar with the Jets Defense having played for Head Coach Rex Ryan in Baltimore.  Barnes is not considered an every down player and Pace is not capable of getting double digit sacks.  The Jets have been linked to multiple Pass Rushers for the upcoming Draft, including Barkevious Mingo DE/OLB LSU, Dion Jordan DE/OLB Oregan and Jarvis Jones OLB Georgia among others.  The Jets haven't had a Player that notched over 6.5 Sacks in one Season since Rex Ryan joined the Jets in 2009. The Jets have a chance to change this with one of the players previously mentioned, but the Jets had one of the worst Offenses in the NFL last year,  and have just as many holes on that side of the ball.
     Many Jets fans want QB Mark Sanchez gone yesterday,  but this years Draft Class of QBs is widely considered to be weak with a lack of Franchise players.   Granted OC Tony Sporano was such a failure at his job that He was let go after just one year in that role with the Jets eating his contract,  but Mark Sanchez had been on the decline before Sporano came to the Jets. Marty Mornhinweg was brought in to change the philosophy on Offense and is considered a Top 3 Offensive Coordinator with a West Coast philosophy that is very QB friendly.  Even if Sanchez could be saved and reach the potential that made him the 5th overall selection in the 2009 Draft, the Jets lack a number of talented players around him.  Sanchez's favorite target TE Dustin Keller is now in Miami and both starting Guards are either playing elsewhere or not currently on the team.  Lets not forget that their best skill player WR Santonio Holmes is returning from a foot injury that cost him all but three games last year and lead Back Shonn Greene is now a Tennessee Titan.  The Jets signed Guard Willie Colon and RB Mike Goodson, but the Jets aren't sure if Colon can stay healthy and if they have a lead RB which is why the have made an offer to the Saints for RB Chris Ivory.
     So here the Jets stand heading into the Draft with needs at QB, G, RB, TE, WR, DT, OLB, CB, FS, and SS.  The Jets now have 2 first round picks,  and a selection in the remaining rounds.  With multiple holes here is my thinking on what the Jets can do to rebuild their Roster.  With the #9 Overall pick I think the Jets should select Chance Warmack G Alabama.  Warmack is considered better than any other interior lineman since C Nick Mangold.  The Offensive Line is needed for the Passing game and Running game and adding either Warmack or moving down and selecting G Jonothan Cooper UNC would instantly return the Jets Offensive Line to one of the best in the League and giving them a Line up of D'Brickashaw Ferguson, Willie Colon, Nick Mangold, Chance Warmack/Jonathon Cooper, Austin Howard.
     With the #13 Overall selection the Jets are hoping that OLB Jarvis Jones Georgia falls back now that a couple of red flags have popped up, spinal condition and slow 40 time.   If he or DE/OLB Barkevious Mingo are both gone by this pick then the Jets should absolutely trade back and stock pile more picks,  but either player would give the Jets a young dynamic Pass Rusher that would reak havoc in the back field.  Jarvis Jones is a playmaker and regardless of a disappointing 40 time you have to rely on game tape.  When you are compared to Von Miller you can pretty much pencil him in for 10+ sacks a year.    If the Jets have an OLB constantly putting pressure on the opposing QB the Secondary will have a good chance to pick off quite a few passes.
     In the 2nd Round the Jets will run to the podium to hand in the card for TE Zack Ertz Stanford.  Dustin Keller was a very good Recieving threat,  but was a horrible blocker and the Jets currently have Jeff Cumberland, Konrad Reuland and Rugby Player project Hayden Smith manning the TE position.  Ertz is the best TE not named Tyler Eifert and has great hands and Route Running and can also be expected to block better than any of the TEs currently on the Roster.  Ertz is a threat and with a Guard in the 1st Round keeping the QB upright Zach Ertz will have plenty of time to embarrass whatever Line-Backer or Safety is in charge of matching up with him.
     Since we can't predict any trades the Jets may make during the Draft I won't add in any extra picks,  but before I give you my selection for the 3rd Round let me just say that if the Jets are able to pick up another 2nd Round pick by trading down in the 1st Round they should absolutely select DE Margus Hunt BMU to fill the hole left by Mike Devito and give the Jets a Pass Rush that Devito could only dream of.   Sticking with the current available picks though  this slot should belong to CB Logan Ryan Rutgers.  We aren't making this selection to make up for the loss of Revis, cause there is no replacement.  This should've been the pick even if Revis was still on the team.  Ryan is a big Corner and will be able to help with the Jets problem covering TEs.  Kyle Wilson will remain at the #2 Corner Spot making Ryan the new Nickel and Dime spot and giving the Rookie Corner some time to develop.
     With the 4th Round pick the Jets should continue filling up the holes to their Secondary and make their new Defensive Backs Coach a verry happy and proud Father by selecting His Son S T.J. McDonald USC.  McDonald would not be considered just a favor to one of their own.  McDonald is a big Back that will help with opposing TEs and considered a hard hitter that  will help against the Run.  He will have a chance to start opposite Dawan Landry or at  least be part of a very young rotation with last years selections Josh Bush and Antonio Allen.
     In the 5th Round I believe the Jets need to begin planning for a future not including Santonio Holmes being a long term member of the Jets and  instead being a Cap Casualty next year by selecting WR Aaron Dobson Marshall.  Dobson is a tall WR that can stretch the field and if both players are able to develop give the Jets their starting #1 and #2 along side last years 2nd Round pick Stephen Hill. Dobson has a similar build to Hill and will be able to be an immediate Red Zone threat and add depth to the WR position.
     Since the Jets are currently offering their 6th Round pick t i the Saints for Ivory I'm going to include the 7th Round pick to complete that trade.  Even if this trade falls through I would suggest the Jets trade both picks for selections next year. They are in a rebuilding mode and can't afford to hope for a late Round gem adding more picks next year will give them the opportunity to trade up and select players that they want to fill up the few holes they should have after their young players develop and they make a splash in Free Agency with the over $35 million in Cap Space they are expected to have.
     So this is my plan to fix the Jets.  What do you think of this plan and what would you do to fill the holes on the team?  Leave your comments and enjoy the moves that the Jets are on the verge to make.

Are The Jets Secretly Rebuilding???

     Many "experts" on the TV, Radio and World Wide Web have painted the Jets as a misfit band of idiots and a team that is worse than their record indicates. Bill Parcells famously stated that, "You are what your record says you are".  The Jets are 3-3, 2-0 in Division games and #1 in the AFC East.  If the Jets are worse than their record indicates, then why is it that the New England Patriots who are also 3-0, 1-0 in the Division, and the Jets next matchup, are considered favorites for the Superbowl still?
     The New York Jets have also been plauged with injuries early on in the Season losing Darrelle Revis, Santonio Holmes and Josh Mauga for the Season.  Dustin Keller and Stephen Hill have missed numerous games leaving QB Mark Sanchez with WR Jeremey Kerley as his number one Offensive weapon.  Many suggested that the Jets bring in Plaxico Burress, or Terrell Owens, but the Jets instead brought in Jason Hill who had a TD against the Colts after only 10 days with the team.
     This signing reminded me of a theory I had before the Season started.  Many "experts" are asking to fire either Rex Ryan, Mike Tannenbaum, or both.  I haven't heard ANYONE mimic my thinking and stating that the New York Jets are rebuilding while staying competitive.  It starts with the Salary Cap.  The Jets are approxamitly $8 million under the Cap and with the new barganing agreement, this money will be able to be used against the Cap next year.  It is widely believed that Darrelle Revis will recieve a new Contract before the Season starts next year.  Dustin Keller, Shonn Greene, Calvin Pace, Bryan Thomas, Yeremiah Bell, LaRon Landry, Matt Slauson and Brandon Moore are all Free Agents after this Season.
     Keller and Landry look like locks to come back next year.  Many may notice that Matt Slauson has been spelled by Vlad Duccasse even though the competition was won by Slauson in Training Camp.  Could it be that the Jets Coaching Staff wants to see Big Vlad in real game tape in order to decide that Ducasse and Matt Slauson will be the starting Guards for the Jets in the Future making Pro Bowler Brandon Moore expendable?  Pace and Thomas are obviously done with Pace having a fairly sizable Contract coming off of the Cap.  Shonn Greene is a player that has to prove himself this year along with Ducasse and Joe Mcknight.
     In the past 2 Seasons what players did the Jets bring in to long term Contracts?  The Jets are clearly building this team through the Draft and when you have young players they often take time to develop.  I can understand some Fans being frustrated with the way the Season has gone and wanting a change in some of the decision making, but GM Mike Tannenbaum is building a team that will last for the forseeable future.  Some of the Draft picks have come into question and it is easy for some to forget Mike T. trading up for Revis, Harris, Keller, Sanchez and Greene.  Its easy for some to forget that the Jets went to back to back AFC Championship games in the first 2 years of the careers of Mark Sanchez and first time Head Coach Rex Ryan.  Its easy to forget that the Jets are 3-3 and in first place of the AFC East after 6 weeks of Football with a game against the hated Patriots up next.
     Mike Tannenbaum has a plan for this team and all the "experts" can focus on Tim Tebow and paint the Jets as a Circus, but if your a Jets Fan you should feel comfortable with the direction the team is headed in.  Much was made about the Jets not replacing Wayne Hunter with an expensive Veteran RT, but when have you heard/seen Austin Howard have a bad game this Season?  The "experts" claimed that the Jets Defense was done with Cromartie and Kyle Wilson as your starting two CBs, but now these same people are talking about how Cromartie is currently the best CB in the NFL with Interceptions in his last 2 games, and Kyle Wilson has disappeared from opposing teams highlight reels.  The "experts" are calling for Tebow Time, but Mark Sanchez is starting to get his players back and Dustin Keller does wonders for this Jets Offense just by being on the field.  The Jets have a core group of players with few holes, but next year with a new Draft and plenty of Cap space, those holes will be filled pretty quickly and the Jets will have young players ready to contribute for the next 10 years.
     What do you think about the current plan for the team?  Are you on board with the moves that have been made, or do you have some "must have" moves or players for the remainder of the year and beyond?  Leave a comment and opinion.  I for one have full confidence in the Owner, GM and Coaching Staff.  Our Defensive Line is set, CB position set with Revis returning next year, Offensive Line looks set for the future with or without Moore, I believe in Mark Sanchez.  We need Outside Linebackers, a home run hitting RB and some Wide Recievers to help Sanchez.  Kerley and Hill are developing nicely and Santonio Holmes is a wild card so it will be interesting to see where this team goes.  I would rather wait and see what happens.

WHY JETS FANS #CAN'T WAIT FOR THE SEASON TO START

     If you have watche ESPN, checked out YouTube videos or read any sports articles then you have heard/seen plenty how the Jets are a horrible, disfunctional team with no talent and no chance to make the Playoffs.  Oh how a year changes.  For the past two years the Jets were known as one of the most talented teams in the League and not only Playoff bound, but SuperBowl contenders.  It boggles the mind how after an 8-8 season with team chemistry issues, a 25th ranked Offense and 5th ranked Defense is now one of the worst team in the NFL.  Well Jets fans, you know how far from the truth that is.
     Looking back at last year and what the Jets struggled with, it is clear that the Jets fixed most of those problems.  The Jets Defense couldn't stop TE's and passes over the middle.  Eric Smith is a great in-the-box run stuffer, but is suspect at best in pass coverage.  Jim Leanord was injured and is now playing for the Broncos, but was never a physical and athletic Safety.  The Jets looked to correct this by signing Free-Agents LaRon Landry, Yeremiah Bell and Drafting Josh Bush and Antonio Allen.  We have all heard that "if" Landry stays healthy the Jets are dangerous.  If you've watched any of the Pre-Season games this year you will notice that not only can Landry hit hard, he is also showing some ball-hawking skills with 2 interceptions in the last 2 games.  Yeremiah Bell has been limited with soreness, but he is also known as a BIG hitter and has a good grasp of the Defense.  Bush and Allen are both Rookies who look to spend this year devoloping, but Allens play may get him some time on the field this year.  He is a nice hitter, but had an excellent Training Camp intercepting plenty of passes.  If the Jets aren't able to stop TE's and RB's catching balls out of the back field count on these Safeties laying big hits to make Offensive players think three times running across the middle.
     The Jets Offensive Line struggled to make holes for their Running Backs and protect Sanchez for some pretty crushing hits.  Wayne Hunter is gone and plenty of Jets fans are crying from happyness.  In his place is young and raw Ryan Howard and 2nd Round "Bust" Jason Smith from the St. Louis Rams.  Howard has played well so far so the Jets have confidence in his ability and Jets fans know that he couldn't possibly be worse than Wayne Hunter.  There is a new Offensive Coordinator in Tony Sporano, wich means new schemes and philosophies.  The Jets are looking for a return to Ground and Pound, but Sporano isn't looking for Sanchez to be a "Game Manager".  Sanchez will be asked to make deep passes down the field to keep Defenses honest.  Greene has returned as the #1 RB after his first 1,000+ yard season and both Joe Mcknight and Bilal Powell have improved and it's still not clear which RB will play behind Greene and take over LT's 3rd down duties.  Besides Wayne Hunter the Offensive Line struggled due to injuries.  Everyone is healthy so look for improved play from the O-Line and RBs.
     In all 3 years under Rex Ryan the Jets haven't had the players that are able to get to the QB without exotic blitz packages.  Not only did the Jets address this issue in this years Draft by selecting DE Quinton Coples, but two of last years picks, DE Muhomad Wilkerson and NT Kenrick Ellis have both improved and put pressure on opposing QBs this Pre-Season, but OLB/DE Aaron Maybin, (Last years team leader in Sacks and Forced Fumbles) has returned in better shape and spent his first full Off Season to fully grasp the system and expand his role.  The Jets also added former Vikings Defensive Line Coach Karl Dunbar to the staff and he has improved the pass rushing skills to all of his Linemen even making DE Mike Devito, known for stuffing the run into a Pass Rusher off of the Edge.  The Jets now have Coples, Maybin, Wilkerson, Harris, Scott, Devito, Richardson, and Ellis with the ability and talent to get to the Quarterback on a consistant bases.
     The Jets may be on everyones list for worst teams, but anyone who knows Football and ignores Gossip Magazines knows the Jets are in for a bounce back year.  The Jets have not scored a single Touchdown in 3 Pre-Season games, but week one of the Regular Season is when it counts and the teams play for real.  That is when the Jets will unleash their Offense, which includes a new Wild-Cat package that the NFL has been curious about since th Jets made the trade for Tim Tebow.  The Jets will also have most of their Offensive players back healthy and the Defense will show off all of their bells, whistles, blitzes, and new line ups including the 4-3 and 46 Defense.  The time for talking about how disfunctional the Jets are and who will be the starting Quarterback.  Week one the Jets play the Bills and will either be 1-0 or 0-1.
     Let me know wat you #CAN'T WAIT for.  Is it a player, personel group, or scheme?  Share your thoughts and feelings on Gang Green and their doubters.

Why You Should Trust Mike Tannenbaum And Rex Ryan.

     Tebow Time came and went as Mark Sanchez and the new look Jets Offense played their first Pre-Season game against the Bengals.  The Jets finally made a move and moved on from Offensive Coordinator Brian Shottenheimer and brought in former Dolphins Head Coach Tony Sporano.  Head Coach Rex Ryan and General Manager Mike Tannenbaum brought in Sporano to be the mirror image of Rex Ryans Defense on the Offensive side of the ball.  Sporano and Rex share the same philosaphy of running the football, limiting turnovers, and playing great Defense.  Tonight was the first look of the new Offensive System and the new players that were brought onto the team.
     Neither Mark Sanchez or Tim Tebow looked impressive while leading the Offense and most of that was from poor protection from the Offensive Line.  All the Offensive players are learning a brand new system, so some growing pains were to be expected.  Mark Sanchez did appear to be decisive and released the ball very quickly.  Tebow looked more like a Quarterback than He did during His time with the Broncos.  He showed strong legs scrambling for some yards and the Jets will see plenty of that when Tebow steps on the field to run the Wild-Cat.  The Offense was without #1 WR Santonio Holmes and starting Right-Tackle Wayne Hunter due to injury, so this hampered the Offense.  Look for the Jets to add more plays and chemistry as the Pre-Season goes on.
     As far as the new Free Agents that Tannenbaum brought in, Safeties LaRon Landry and Yeremiah Bell didn't see much time as the #1's on Defense only played for the 1st Quarter.  The important news is that Landry looked quick and healthy.  If He can stay healthy for the entire Season the Jets will bost one of the top Secondaries in the League.  DE Jay Richardson #92 looked pretty good.  He is a 5th year player previously with the Oakland Raiders and Seattle Seahawks.  He is just another body on a very deep Defensive Lineman Roster.
     During the 2012 Draft when the Jets were up with the 16th selection chants of Melvin Ingram could be heard filling the Radio City Music Hall.  It was a shock to many (incuding myself) when DE Quinton Coples was announced as their pick when many felt Ingram was tailor made for the Jets Defense.  During last nights Pre-Season game between the Sand Diego Chargers, who picked Ingram with their first pick of the Draft and the Green Bay Packers, Ingram looked pretty impressive.  Ingrams play was so impressive that tweets of "Jets fans must be cringing right now" were sent out from NFL Analysts everywhere.  Coples was viewed by some as Vernon Gholston 2.0.  Many are aware that Gholston was a pick by then Head Coach Eric Mangini, but Tannenbaum still has final say and signed off on the pick.  This year Ryan hand picked Coples for his Defense, Tannenbaum signed off on it and in tonights Pre-Season game Coples didn't dissappoint.  The announcers constantly called his name as He was a part of most of the Defensive plays for the 1st 3 Quarters with a few tackles for loss and even a Sack/Forced Fumble.  It is still a long Season, but as good as Ingram was for the Chargers Round 1 of the Ingram vs Coples battle goes to Coples by a land slide.  Rex and Tannenbaum got it right.
     Other Rookies were a little more quiet.  2nd Round Pick WR Stephen Hill had a dropped ball when He was wide open for a First Down pass from QB Tim Tebow.  He did have a few snatches on balls that were a bit high.  Hill is known as a very raw prospect coming out of the Georgia Tech Option Offense.  His speed and height will only be an asset and He did have some moves out there.
     The other late round picks were still feeling their way around, but it is early on in their careers.  7th Round Pick WR Jordan White looked lost on Special Teams with a muffed Kick Off Return, but Un-Drafted Rookie WR Royce Pollard looked good in a catch and his Punt Return.  Mike Tannenbaum is known more for as a numbers guy, but this is the GM that Drafted T D'Brickashaw Ferguson, C Nick Mangold, CB Derrelle Revis, ILB David Harris, QB Mark Sanchez, RB Shonn Greene and oh yeah DE Quinton Coples.  He still has the issue of taking care of Derrelle Revis' contract, but since he has been the GM for the Jets, Mike Tannenbaum has made more smart moves than Vernon Gholstons.  Jets fans are in good hands with Tanny and Rex leading the way.
     What do you think is Tannenbaums best move since he took over in the 2006 Season?  Was it a Draft Pick, Free Agent signing, Coach Hire or Contract Extension.  Share your thoughts in the Comments section.

PRESEASON WEEK 1: What To Watch For.

     Much has been made in the media of a scirmish between Jets teamates in the last 2 days of Training Camp.  Some believe this is the beginning of another year of a fractured locker room, and people who actually know what they are talking about know that this is a normal part of Training Camp across the League.  One thing everyone would agree on is that the Jets are ready to hit players wearing different color uniforms, and Jets fans want to see what their team has been working on all off season to correct an 8-8 season.
     New players through Free Agency, WR Chaz Schilens, S LaRon Landry, S Yeremiah Bell, K Josh Brown will be on full display in some position battles with the 2 new Safeties expected to be the new starters and answer to the biggest weakness on Defense.  Josh Brown has been in a tight battle with Nick Novak and the competition has brought out the best in both kickers, more notably Novak who seems to thrive during competition, but needs to be more consistant during the regular Season.  Safeties Landry and Bell were brought in to plug in the middle of the Secondary and stop TE's from bleeding the Defense dry.  Both players are known for being in the box players, so it will be good to see how they work in coverage knowing they can trust their Corners to handle their assignments one on one with no need for help.  Schilens was the vocal leader against CB Antonio Cromartie's comments about being the #2 WR on the Roster, so lets see if He can step up on the field as well.
     Many Jets fans are excited about the Jets contraversal 2012 Draft Class which may be as good as the 2007 Draft Class highlighted by CB Derrelle Revis and ILB  David Harris.  1st Round pick DE Quinton Coples wasn't  the player fans or critics expected to get with DE/OLB Melvin Ingram and OLB Courtney Upshaw still on the Board.  Coples looked good good in OTAs, but has been quiet for most of Training Camp.  The Jets have said that they will use more 4-3 alignments, so the Coples pick makes more sense, but the Jets need to see something from their 1st Round pick during the Pre-Season.
     2nd Round pick WR Stephen Hill is a big, fast, and strong WR that Fans and Critics are in love with.  He has his issues, but He is battling for the #2 WR position and the Jets are counting on him to step up.  He has impressed in Training Camp against Revis and Cromartie who are both far above average Corners, so it will be interesting to see how he does against Corners around the League and it all starts Friday.
     3rd Round pick ILB Demario Davis has most people taking a closer look.  With Bart Scott not playing well last year and being up there in age with a large contract it is a matter of when not if Davis will be inserted into the starting lineup.  Davis is a big hitter with a 4.5 40 yard dash.  His leadership skills have been on full display with comparisons to Ray Lewis, but the Jets want to see him show skills on the field.  Lets see if Davis can put pressure on the QB, stop the run and cover TEs as well as he leads off of the field.
     6th Round pick S Josh Bush and 7th Round pick S Antonio Allen are both developemental picks with neither expected to make any big impacts this year.  Bush is the only natural FS on the Jets Roster so the Jets were hoping to see something from him incase of injuries, but Allen who played exclusively in the box in S. Carolina has been the ball hawk in Training Camp above ALL of the Safeties.  It will be interesting to see how much these 2 players can pick up in their first year and if the Coaching Staff will implement certain packages, cause the players are just too good to keep them off of the field.
     Of course Tim Tebow will be heavily watched, but the QB who should be in the spotlight is starter Mark Sanchez.  How well has he picked up Tony Sporano's Offense and how much chemistry does he have with a Recieving Core that has had injuries and missed practices all Training Camp.  Sanchez has been praised by the Coaching Staff and Media alike for his leadership qualities and understandng of the QB Position.  Tebow will be Tebow and that is that.
     There is a battle for the #2 RB spot between 3rd year player Joe McKnight who was a superstar in kick-off returns last year and 2nd year player Bilal Powell who was abismal last year in the few snaps he recieved.  It doesn't matter who impresses during practice because when it comes to the RB position it is all about what you do with the pads on and the bodies flying.
     I am most excited to see what Sanchez does under center, how good Stephen Hill can be and how hard Landry is going to hit someone.  What are you looking for in the Jets 1st Pre-Season game against the Bengals Friday night?

Is ESPN More Like A Gossip Show???

     ESPN has had full coverage at Jets Training Camp up in Cortland New York.  Everyday you will see an interview with various members of the Jets organization.  There is one interview that has been blown completely out of praportion by the Media that really shows that ESPN is lacking analysts with the ability to Gossip more than speak about Football ins and outs.
     Antonio Cromartie appeared on a segment of ESPN's First Take.  During His interview it was brought up that the Jets would line up Cro for a hand full of plays at WR.  After Cromartie was asked where He would place HIMSELF on the WR chart his response was complimentary to HIMSELF.  He stated that he would place himself 2nd up there with Santonio Holmes.  He stated that He knows all the Route Trees and his raw athletesism an talent, he would place himself 2nd.  There was no problem when He said this on First Take, but somehow this became a fractured locker room again.
     The problem would have been if Cro said that He would place himself 6th or 7th.  You are suppose to have confidence and if any player on the team were to be asked where they would place THEMSELVES it would be alarming if they said they are the worst and the bottom of the barrell.
     ESPN and most other Media Members have been waiting for anything to happen so the can write stories on the "Debacle" that is the New York Jets.  8-8 is not 2-14 or even 6-10, but somehow the Jets who had 15 teams ahead of them in the Draft were the most messed up team?  The Giants won the SuperBowl at 9-7 in the regular season.  That is 1 game more than the Chaotic Jets.
     Most ESPN Analysts now say that the Jets will have a losing Season and miss the Playoffs for the 2nd straight Season.  Most reasons are due to the dysfunction as an organization.  It just seems to me that the "Experts" are more focused on the end of last Season than the team that is on the Jets.  Tim Tebow will be a problem for the Jets when the fans start screaming for Tebow Tebow Tebow!!!  Problem with that is that Jets fans are not Bronco fans.  We are relevant and don't need headlines.  Jets fans want wins and you need the best players to win.  Even ESPN has noted that there is no QB Contreversy now because Mark Sanchez is leaps and bounds ahead of Tim Tebow.
     We don't hear much about how the Jets revamped their Safety Positions which was the biggest weakness on Defense last year.  A Defense that finished 5th in the League last year.  It would be safe to say that a team that fixes weaknesses would be BETTER, but not if you work for ESPN or the Media.  Before the Season started it was noted that Sanchez needed a QB, to challenge Him, but somehow Tebow is not allowed to be that challenger.
     Cromartie said nothing wrong and Chaz Chillens' reaction to it was over blown.  Head Coach Rex Ryan let His players know to be smarter when they speak to the Media.  ESPN said that it was an attempt to curve a fractured locker room. I have some common sense so i disagree.  Rex Ryan was trying to let his team know that the Media is trying to stir things up, so make sure your smart and don't give the Media anything that they can stretch and use against them.  The Jets don't have a contraversy, so the Media needs to make some to sell papers and keep viewers tuned in.
     In a week the Jets get to put on pads and play against another team in a pre-season game and the Wins can start piling up and the Media will naturally back pedal and start to praise the Jets that they believed in all the time.  Football commentary is suppose to be about Football.

To Lin Or Not To Lin?

     The New York Knicks have said in the last few weeks that they would match ANY deal offered to their young star PG.  The Houston Rockets have called the Knicks bluff with a 3 year deal including a 14 million dollar third year poison pill.  After the details of the deal became public, Knicks Head Coach Mike Woodson stated that the Knicks would "absolutely" match Houstons deal, but with the signing and trading for PG Raymond Felton from the Portland Trailblazers, and Free Agent PG Jason Kidd already signed, a Jeremey Lin and Knicks reunion looks unlikely to most.
     The Knicks would have to pay 30 million in luxury tax in the third year for Lins contract alone.  This would scare away most owners and it hasn't been proven that Lin can play to his potential for a full season.  Lin is a special case though.  Ignore the many MANY over-paid players the Knicks have signed under owner Jim Dolan, Lin will pay for the Luxury Tax many times over.  Lin is an international Superstar whether He is an All-Star player or not (Tim Tebow anyone?).  Linsanity was the biggest story in Sports last year and besides the money He would bring to the Knicks in merchandising and attendance, he will help them keep headlines away from the up and coming Brooklyn Nets who are doing everything they can to steal some of the New York limelight.  Signing Lin is simply put, a wise business move and smart investment.
     Let us not forget that Lin is a young player still developing and He did not become a "Linsation" simply because He is an Asian American.  He rescued the Knicks and played at an All-Star level even besting Kobe Bryant on National Telivision.  Kidd and Felton are solid veterans, although Felton has been a dissapointment outside of his time in Mike D'Antoni's PG friendly system.  Neither player is going to improve much if at all.  Lin on the other hand has quickness and the intellegence to run the Point, but is very raw and has room to grow as a player.  He kept his high level of play when Mike Woodson took over as the Head Coach and Linsanity only died down due to a season ending injury.  Bottom Line, you sign Lin to develope and continue his role on the team.
     What would you do if it was your choice?  Would you sign Jeremey Lin and pay a hefty Luxury Tax in year 3 of the deal, or would you move on and let go of a player who may become an All-Star in this League?

Bills Over Jets In Playoff Race?

     The New England Patriots have been penciled in as the AFC East Champions for the up coming year.  If your not Joe Namath you should probably stay away from the predicting and guaranteeing business.  That however is an arguement that I would hear out.  The Patriots have owned the regular Season in the AFC for a decade.  That doesn't mean they will win the AFC this year, but it looks pretty good. Coming off of a Super Bowl appearance that they were one incompletion away from winnning is another reason to think they will be on top.  Many like their Draft picks, but they haven't struck gold too often.  The Patriots may be the top dog, but who could possibly challenge them?
     The New York Jets have been the only thorn in the Patriots side for the past few years, and the match up is one of the biggest rivalries in Football today.  The Bills snapped a ver VERY long losing streak against the Pats and have made some huge improvements to their roster.  The Miami Dolphins are still in the gutter, so it seems as if this is going to be a three team race this year for the AFC East Title and Wild-Card Playoff spots.  The Bills finished 6-10 last year which was expected while the Jets finished 8-8 which was a dissappointment.  The New England Patriots will have to worry about both teams this year, but which AFC East underdog will have the better year?  Well, who has the better team?
     The Jets are spearheaded by a Defensive minded Head Coach while the Bills are lead by an Offensive minded Head Coach.  Chan Gailey is an above average Offensive Coach while Rex Ryan is arguably the best if not the second best Defensive mind in the NFL over the past 10 years.  The Jets will be in the top 5 in overall Defense for as long as he is the Coach of the Jets as they have been since Rex Joined the team in 2009.  Gailey hasn't had such an impact.  Gailey does seem to be just what the Bills need though, but the better Coach is leading the Green and White.
     No other position on the field is more important than the Quarterback.  The Jets have been talked about as a team on the cusp of having a QB contraversy ever since they pulld off a trade for Tim Tebow.  The Bills however may fall in the same boat since they signed Vince Young this year as their backup.  Young has won more games than the Bills curren starter Ryan Fitzpatrick and if it wasn't for a clash with his former Head Coach he would still be the starter with the Titans.  Ryan Fitzpatrick is a smart and capable QB.  He grasps the Offensive system and makes the most out of his throws.  He is not elite, but he can be dangerous at times.  Tim Tebow is with the Jets to run the Wild-Cat.  He will not replace Sanchez as the starter, so we will move right along.  Sanchez is harder to figure out.  He is more physically gifted than Fitzpatrick, but he makes some pretty bone headed throws.  He is younger and not as seasoned, but he has a higher ceiling.  Sanchez had career numbers even though he played behind the worst Right Tackle in the NFL last year, an injured LG, a Center on a bad ankle for a few games and zero deep threat at the WR postion.  Sanchez may or may not have a huge year, but for now the edge goes to Fitzpatrick.
     The Bills Offense was hurt badly when starting Running Back Fred Jackson ended his season early due to injury.  He may have finished the year as the #1 RB in the NFL.  The Jets got their first 1,000 yard season from Shonn Greene who ran behind the same Offensive Line that hampered Sanchez.  The Bills have another star on Offense in WR Stevie Johnson.  He was the only WR to make Darrelle Revis look Human last year.  If one of the other WRs can become a threat opposite him the Bills Offense could really open up.  They still have issues on the Offensive Line, but a strong running game from Jackson and back speedster CJ Spiller can mask that problem.  The Bills run a spread Offense which will test most opponents secondary.  The Jets have a new Offensive Coordinator in Tony Sparano.  The team will return to the ground and pound that lead them to two back to back AFC Championship games.  This should take the pressure off of Sanchez.  The key will be new WRs Stephen Hill and Chaz Chillens.  If either can come in and use their 6'4 heights and 4.3 speed to be a vertical threat opposite Santonio Holmes then the passing game can have huge plays this year that they haven't had since the departure of Braylron Edwards.  Of course if Wayne Hunter has another dismall year then none of that matters.  The Bills will have the better Offense this year unless Shottenheimer really was the reason for the Jets poor performances on Offense.
     So far nothing besides the Coaches has been a clear cut winner.  Much has been made of the Bills aquisitions on Defense.  Bringing in DE Mario Williams and DE Mark Anderson from the Patriots was a big bold move that should have Bill fans very excited.  They now have one of the premier pass Rushers in the League on their team and another up and comer.  The Bills are also switching back to a 4-3 Defense which will help Kyle Williams return to his natural position and Marcel Dareus should be even better than he has been when he returns to the middle.  The Bills also Drafted CB Stephen Gilmore to help out an already decent Secondary.  The Bills will have a better year on Defense and it may be the strength of the team.  The Jets already had a dominant Defense and Head Coach Rex Ryan has already stated that he will be more hands on this year.  If he was last year the Jets would have went from 5th in Defense to 1st.  The Jets added players to fix their weaknesses on that side of the ball.  Safety LaRon Landry is a question mark due to his injury, but when healthy is one of the best Safeties in the League.  The Jets also added another big hitting Safety in Yeremiah Bell.  Two Rookies were drafted at the position as well, Josh Bush and Antonio Allen.  DE Quinton Coples fell to them in the 1st Round of the Draft and they Drafted Demario Davis and ILB with 4.5 speed in the 3rd round.  What makes these moves so impressive is that they are just add ons to an already dominant and impressive group.  Darrelle Revis is hands down the best CB in the NFL today and they have another #1 Corner opposite him in the 2 spot by the name of Antonio Cromartie.  The Jets easily have the best secondary in the NFL and their Defensive Line looks better than mosts.  Sione Pouha is a dominant run stuffer that demands double teams, and 2nd year DE Muhammad Wilkerson will be much improved after a full off season.  Marcus Dixon is an above average Role player and Mike Devito will not come off of the bench and that just adds to the depth.  The scary member of this group is Quinton Coples who is and athletic freak.  The Jets will mix up their Defense and create havok for the opposition.  The Defense will be the best in the League this year and could be the best in the last decade depending on injuries.  I have no clue why people aren't talking more about this defense.  I guess that Tim Tebows new socks are a bigger story to the "experts" but the Defense alone is enough to put the Jets over the Buffalo Bills.
     You have to give credit where it is deserved.  The Jets were a fractured team, but that was last year.  The Defense is a min stay for as long as Rex is there and there won't be a team this year that performs well against them.  Be afraid......be very afraid.

My Thoughts On The New York Jets Entering Training Camp

     The 2012 Off-Season has been an interesting one for the Jets, to say the least.  The team traded for the most famous back up in NFL History.  The Media loves this move if only for the headlines of Tim Tebow in the Big Apple.  The Media has also created a Darrelle Revis hold out and pedictions of a losing season.  Since the "experts" clearly don't know what they are talking about I am going to share my thoughts and opinions on the New York team wearing Green & White.
     First thing is first, Revis will be at training camp.  This is a story that isn't a story.  Revis never said that he will hold out and he has a clause in his contract that would essentially ruin his career if he did hold out.  He has a 3 year extension clause for minimum money if he holds out and the Jets would OWN him for the next 5 years.  The media needed something to talk about so they threw darts at the wall.  Expect Revis to give the QB, and WRs trouble all season long, but the Jets only the best CB in the League.
     If you are one of those people that thinks Tim Tebow will ever start at QB for the Jets for any other reason BESIDES a Mark Sanchez injury, then Football should not be the Sport you follow.  Tebow was brought to the Jets to play in the Wild-Cat formation and for short yardage situations.  He will obviousy get practice reps at the QB position, but even Brad Smith spent plenty of time during Training Camp from the QB position.  Mark Sanchez is head and shoulders a better QB if you only use the play from the 2011 season. Expect for Sanchez to improve greatly now that Shottenheimer is on a team far far away from here and Sanchez is entering his fourth Season as an NFL starter.  During OTAs and Mini-Camps it has been clear to even the die-hard Tebowmaniacs that Sanchez is far more accurate and the more polished player at the QB position.  The best QB will play  and even Ron Jaworski rates Tim Tebow as the #30 QB in the NFL.
     The Free Agents are looking good.  The Jets were not as aggressive attacking Free Agency as they have been in years past, but the players they did go after seem to be fitting in perfectly.  LaRon Landry is coming off of an injury so it will be some time befoe we fully understand how he jells with the team, but his recovery is moving along much quicker than anyone had anticipated.  If he stays healthy for this upcoming Season the Jets will have the best secondary in the NFL, hands down.  Yeremiah Bell is the other Safety they brought in with expectations to be the starter (sorry Eric Smith).  He has REALLY impressed so far in his short stint with the team.  Like Landry, Bell is known more as an in the box player, but both have covering skills that are over shadowed due to them being such aggressive players in the run game.  Expect for the Coaching staff to put them in positions where they can be the most impactful.  Chaz Shillens is a WR from the Raiders who has been injured his entire career.  He is a tall body with 4.3 speed much like Braylon Edwards and 2nd round Draft pick Stephen Hill.  He comes with a lot of question marks, but he did have a spectacular catch in the End-Zone over Darrelle Revis.  For that alone we will be keeping an eye on him.
     Speaking of Rookies, it seems like the Jets might have another year like 2007 in this department.  That year they landed Revis and David Harris.  One is the best CB and the other is a top 10 ILB who may end up in the top 5 when this season is said and done.  DE Quinton Coples has been compared to Julius Peppers, WR Stephen Hill has been compared to Calvin Johnson and ILB/OLB  Demario Davis has been compared to Ray Lewis.  I am dizzy just from imaging the possiblilities, but we have to keep in mind that these players must make their own names for themselves.  So far Coples has lined up all across the front 7 on Defense.  The Jets will be using more 4-3 allignments as well as the 46 Defense created by Buddy Ryan, Father to Jets Head Coach Rex Ryan, and used by new Defensive Lines Coach Karl Dunbar who was an assistant Coach under Buddy Ryan in Arizona alongside fellow assistant Rex Ryan.  Coples has also spent time standing up at OLB in the Jets base 3-4 allignment.  Coples is so incredibly athletic that there is no limit to where Rex can put him in the Defense.  Stephen Hill has been running all over the field so far.  He was clocked in the 4.29 range prior to the Draft and he certainly has showed that speed running down the field for some impressive catches.  Hill looks like he may be the #1 WR later on in the Season.  Lets see if he can still get open when the pads come on.  I am expecting for Hill to be in the conversation for Offensive Rookie of the Year.  ILB Demario Davis has shown leadership qualities early on, but it is his 4.5 speed that has impressed me the most.  Bart Scott has lost some weight and looks like he will return to the player he was during the '09 and '10 season, but Davis would still be faster than He was at those years.  Davis will also recieve the benefit of learning from Bart Scott which will benefit him greatly in the years to come.
     The Jets got their Safeties in Free Agency, pass rushers in the Draft and if they play to the level expected, then you can bet on the Jets having the #1 Defense this year.  If you add in comparisions, then we are talking about having one of the best Defenses EVER!  The Jets sufferred from Chemistry issues last year and not so much holes at certain positions.  They just improved themselves greatly.  They need their WRs to get open and make plays down the field in order to help Mark Sanchez and the running game.  All of the new players will be on display when the pads come on for Training Camp and we will see just who will have some impact in the upcoming Season.
     What expectations do you have for the new players?  Comments and opinions are more than welcome.

The 2012 NFL Draft is HERE!!!

     The New York Jets are historicaly bad when it comes to the draft.  Past GM's have chosen Ken O'Brian over Dan Marino, and ignored a screaming Radio City crowd and passed on Warren Sapp.  The current GM Mike Tannenbaum has made a first round mistake when he listened to his then Head Coach, Eric Mangini and chose to Pick Vernon Gholdston #6 overall.  Tanneanbaum traded back up to draft the player that HE wanted in TE Dustin Keller.
     Mike Tannenbaum is at his best when he goes after the players that he wants.  Besides the Gholston debacle, Tannenbaum hasn't missed in the first round or on players that he has traded up in the draft to pick.  2006 1st Round D'Brickashaw Ferguson T, and Nick Mangold C, 2007 the Jets traded up in the 1st round for Darrelle Revic CB (The best defensive player in the NFL) and again traded up in the 2nd round for David Harris ILB.  2008 was the wasted pick on Vernon Gholston, then in 2009 the Jets traded WAY up in the 1st round for Mark Sanchez QB and again in the 3rd round for Shonn Greene. 2010 the Jets Selected Kyle Wilson in the 1st round and he looked to be a mistake in his first year, but then proved the Jets right in his second year giving the Jets the best starting CB trio in the NFL, and later in the draft the Tannenbaum traded up in the 6th round for John Conner FB.  2011 1st Mohammad Wilkerson DE and traded up in the 5th for Jeremey Kerrley WR.
     Other players still with the Jets that were drafted by the Jets including Sione Pouha NT, Bryan Thomas OLB, Eric Smith S, Joe Mcknight RB (Lead the league in kickoff returns last year), and Matt Slauson G.  Mike Tannenbaum has been regarded as a numbers guy since he took over for the New York Jets, but he has selected a number of long term players for the Jets and pulled off a few trades over the years.  Jets fans should be excited to see who is added to the roster during this years draft, but who will be the 1st round pick and be added later on?
     Mark Barron S Alabama and Courtney Upshaw OLB Alabama were the 2 early favorites to be selected by the Jets in the 1st round.  Since then Michael Floydd WR Notre Dame has been linked with the pick with reports that Melvin Ingram DE/OLB S. Carolina is the players that the Jets would run to the podium for.  There are also reports that the Jets would trade up to select Trent Richardson RB Alabama, so it is hard to figure out just what the Jets would actually do.  The good news for the Jets is that none of these would be a bad idea.  This years draft is deep in the DE/OLB position and extremely loaded in the WR position so the Jets could end up double dipping in both positions and with Calvin Pace OLB and Bryan Thomas OLB probably playing their last years with the Jets, that sounds like a very good idea.
     Option number one in my opinion would be to select Melvin Ingram in the 1st round and trading up for Alshon Jeffries WR S. Carolina in the 2nd round.  This will allow the Jets to get their starting OLB for the next 10 years and give them the #2 WR to compliment Santonio Holmes and help out their QB Mark Sanchez.
     Option number two would be to select Michael Floydd in the 1st round and pick Vinny Curry DE/OLB Marshall in te 2nd round and trade up to select Bruce Irving OLB in the 2nd round as well.  This will give the Jets a WR who could potentially push Santonio Holmes for the #1 WR spot and help block in the running game while adding two pass rushers in case one doesn't pan out.  This move could solve both starting OLB positions afterthe young players learn their roles and improve their skills in the pro system.
     The Jets have a number of different options to choose from and a lot depnds on what moves the other teams make of course.  What moves would you like to see the Jets make in the early rounds of this years draft?