2009 NFL Preview: New York Jets

By 49er16:

Last year the New York Jets were a completely different team. Eric Mangini was the coach and they had just brought in Brett Favre to be there quarterback. The Jets started off as one of the hottest teams in the NFL. Then Favre fell apart which lead to the Jets falling apart and missing the playoffs. Mangini took the fall for the disaster and the Jets have to start all over again.

Enter new coach Rex Ryan and pretty boy Mark Sanchez at quarterback and the Jets start all over again. But there was other issues facing this team throughout the off season. Both running backs Thomas Jones and Leon Washington both were stewing over new contracts. Neither of them received a new contract, but both are in camp. So there are several questions surrounding the Jets as they head into the season.

Who will be the starting quarterback?: Will it be fourth-year pro Kellen Clemens or rookie Mark Sanchez? The Jets would prefer Sanchez after what they had just invested in him. They traded two draft picks and invested over $60 million in Sanchez. They would like him to win the job immediately to validate the pick. Coach Ryan wants a quarterback to show that he's a true leader and a great quarterback.

What Clemens lacks in flash, he makes it up with experience. Clemens is heading into his fourth year and has already started a handful of games during the 07 season. The Jets would prefer Sanchez, but Clemens could be the starter at the beginning of the season.

Is Rex Ryan the right choice as Head Coach?: Ryan defiantly brings in more intensity than previous coach Eric Mangini. But was it the right choice to fire Mangini to bring in Ryan? At this point it seems to be the right choice.

To say Ryan is a fiery is a understatement. He has even promoted fights between his own players. But that is exactly what the Jets needed. He's just the opposite of the mild-mannered Mangini. He's definitely my favorite new coach.

Who are the receivers?: Good thing the Jets have a great one-two punch at running back because you might not have ever heard of their receiving corps. Jerricho Cotchery leads the group of no-namers that includes: Brad Smith, Chansi Stuckey, David Clowney, and Wallace Wright. Huh? And they want Sanchez to win the starting job? He had better receivers at USC.

Newcomers: Ryan brought along Bart Scott from Baltimore to fill a need at the linebacker spot. He's as colorful as Ryan and will be entertaining to watch. But their most significant off season move was trading for former Eagles player Lito Sheppard.

Darrelle Revis is a stud corner on the left side of the field. But the right spot last year was a weakness for this team. Enter Sheppard. While he's not the player he was three years ago for the Eagles, he brings experience and playmaking abilities to that spot.

Video: Here's highlights of the Jets draft blunders. I think we can add Vernon Gholston to that list. And maybe one day Mark Sanchez?



Prediction: 5-11 4th AFC East, Just too much for the Jets to overcome. A new coach, new quarterbacks, receivers no-one has heard of, and a new defense. Just too much for this team to overcome this season.