Gang Green has had a quiet offseason, by Rex Ryan's standards, and truth be told are in rebuilding mode. That isn't to say that there isn't anything to be excited about as a member of Jet Nation. We will see rookie Geno Smith get a chance to start this season, hopefully our young receiving corps will show some sparks, and as always with Sexy Rexy we'll have a hungry (for goddamn snacks) and aggressive defense.
Quarterback
The offseason competition between Mark Sanchez and Geno Smith had a clear winner in my opinion, that was until Rex brought Sanchez in the 4th quarter, to take home the Snoopy Trophy in the annual MetLife Bowl, not the real Bowl game the stadium will be hosting in February. Jets fans know what you're going to get with Sanchez. When you ask him to be a game manager, he is an adequate player, but when asked to lead a team, he is a rumbling, stumbling, butt-fumbling turnover machine.
Geno Smith is the question mark. He fell to the second round for a reason, and there are some questions about his leadership and work ethic. Scouts say he has good arm strength, but could struggle with accuracy, as you saw against the Giants in the preseason. He was announced the starter and will play the first game of the season. Despite that, Rex has said that the QB competition is ongoing, and the job isn't Geno's to keep, if he struggles early.
Geno Smith is the question mark. He fell to the second round for a reason, and there are some questions about his leadership and work ethic. Scouts say he has good arm strength, but could struggle with accuracy, as you saw against the Giants in the preseason. He was announced the starter and will play the first game of the season. Despite that, Rex has said that the QB competition is ongoing, and the job isn't Geno's to keep, if he struggles early.
Grade: C-
Running Backs
Chris Ivory will get his chance after playing behind a variety of backs in New Orleans. After playing in only 24 games in 3 seasons with the Saints, Ivory will be given a chance to be a star in this run-first offense. Ivory's physical running style makes him susceptible to injury though. Second year back Bilal Powell showed flashes of brilliance in his rookie year. He is a good runner and decent in the passing game.
Grade: B-
Wide Receivers/Tight End
The main question for this group is if/when Santonio Holmes will be back. Despite a rough 2011, Holmes was showing more maturity in the first few weeks of the 2012 campaign, before suffering a season-ending lisfranc injury. Holmes is a playmaker who has history of coming up in the clutch, and will be a play-maker in an offense in desperate need of one. Stephen Hill is going to have to improve from a rough rookie season. He was targeted 47 times, only catching the ball 21 times, and had a problem with the dropsies. Jeremy Kerley reminds me of a Jerricho Cotchery type player. He runs good routes and has great hands, a prototypical possession receiver.
Kellen Winslow and Jeff Cumberland will have to replace Dustin Keller in the offense. Winslow is an athletic tight end, but his age and injury concern leave legitimate question marks. Cumberland has had a good preseason, and we'll see if it carries into the season.
Grade: B-
Offensive Line
Pro Bowlers Nick Mangold and D'Brickshaw Ferguson are the anchors on the o-line. They are joined by Vlad Ducasse, Austin Howard and former Steeler Willie Colon. The big guys up front are going to have their work cut out for them on what will be a run-first offense.
Grade: B+
Defensive Line
The front-seven is the Jets strength. Mo Wilkerson has the makings of a star defensive end, and this could be his breakout year. Kendrick Ellis and Damon "Snacks" Harrison are the big bodies in the middle. Both guys have had a great camp. First round pick Sheldon Richardson will man the other end.
Grade: B
Linebacker
David Harris is going to have to step up his game after a poor 2012 season. Demario Davis is taking over for the retired Bart Scott, and should add some great speed to the linebacking corps. Calvin Pace returns for his 6th season in the green and white, and is still a good pass rushing outside linebacker. Quinton Coples will miss the first few weeks of the season with a hairline fracture of his ankle. Coples came on strong in the second half last season, playing defensive end, and may struggle a bit this year adjusting to his new position.
Grade: B-
Secondary
Revis who? Without the best cornerback in the league, the Jets were still the 2nd ranked pass defense in the league. Antonio Cromartie returns after a great 2012, and he is out to prove he is the second best corner in the NFL. Rookie Dee Milliner takes the other side of the field, and he has a lot of potential coming from the National Champions, Alabama. Kyle Wilson will move back to the nickle spot, after playing on the outside with Revis' injury last season. Dawan Landry will be replacing his brother LaRon in one safety spot, while preseason standout Jaiquawan Jarrett mans the other spot.
Grade: B+
The Jets are in a strange spot this season. They are in rebuilding mode, but they aren't good enough to compete for a playoff spot, and not bad enough to get a top 5 draft pick. After going 6-10, with some of the worst quarterbaThcking in the history of the league, you have to imagine Geno is going to be an upgrade. Plus, our younger players, Wilkerson, Hill, Kerley, and Coples ony getting better I think we're looking at an 8-8 season for Gang Green.
Prediction: Jets 20 Bucs 13
Grade: B-
Wide Receivers/Tight End
The main question for this group is if/when Santonio Holmes will be back. Despite a rough 2011, Holmes was showing more maturity in the first few weeks of the 2012 campaign, before suffering a season-ending lisfranc injury. Holmes is a playmaker who has history of coming up in the clutch, and will be a play-maker in an offense in desperate need of one. Stephen Hill is going to have to improve from a rough rookie season. He was targeted 47 times, only catching the ball 21 times, and had a problem with the dropsies. Jeremy Kerley reminds me of a Jerricho Cotchery type player. He runs good routes and has great hands, a prototypical possession receiver.
Kellen Winslow and Jeff Cumberland will have to replace Dustin Keller in the offense. Winslow is an athletic tight end, but his age and injury concern leave legitimate question marks. Cumberland has had a good preseason, and we'll see if it carries into the season.
Grade: B-
Offensive Line
Pro Bowlers Nick Mangold and D'Brickshaw Ferguson are the anchors on the o-line. They are joined by Vlad Ducasse, Austin Howard and former Steeler Willie Colon. The big guys up front are going to have their work cut out for them on what will be a run-first offense.
Grade: B+
Defensive Line
The front-seven is the Jets strength. Mo Wilkerson has the makings of a star defensive end, and this could be his breakout year. Kendrick Ellis and Damon "Snacks" Harrison are the big bodies in the middle. Both guys have had a great camp. First round pick Sheldon Richardson will man the other end.
Grade: B
Linebacker
David Harris is going to have to step up his game after a poor 2012 season. Demario Davis is taking over for the retired Bart Scott, and should add some great speed to the linebacking corps. Calvin Pace returns for his 6th season in the green and white, and is still a good pass rushing outside linebacker. Quinton Coples will miss the first few weeks of the season with a hairline fracture of his ankle. Coples came on strong in the second half last season, playing defensive end, and may struggle a bit this year adjusting to his new position.
Grade: B-
Secondary
Revis who? Without the best cornerback in the league, the Jets were still the 2nd ranked pass defense in the league. Antonio Cromartie returns after a great 2012, and he is out to prove he is the second best corner in the NFL. Rookie Dee Milliner takes the other side of the field, and he has a lot of potential coming from the National Champions, Alabama. Kyle Wilson will move back to the nickle spot, after playing on the outside with Revis' injury last season. Dawan Landry will be replacing his brother LaRon in one safety spot, while preseason standout Jaiquawan Jarrett mans the other spot.
Grade: B+
The Jets are in a strange spot this season. They are in rebuilding mode, but they aren't good enough to compete for a playoff spot, and not bad enough to get a top 5 draft pick. After going 6-10, with some of the worst quarterbaThcking in the history of the league, you have to imagine Geno is going to be an upgrade. Plus, our younger players, Wilkerson, Hill, Kerley, and Coples ony getting better I think we're looking at an 8-8 season for Gang Green.
Week 1 Preview
Only the Jets will trade Darrelle Revis, and then have to play him on Opening Day, as the Bucs come to town. This game will be a good litmus test for the team, since Tampa is a decent but not great team. How they perform here will give us a good idea of what to expect the rest of the season.
Tampa had the top run defense in the league last year, and they may force rookie Geno Smith to beat them. The good news for Jets fans is that it looks like Santonio Holmes is going to start for the first time since Week 4 last year. Rex Ryan already said that he's warned Smith not to test Revis, who is recovering from an ACL tear.
Josh Freeman is going to struggle against our secondary, with Cromartie matching up well against Vincent Jackson. The Jets had problems against the run last season, and they will be tested by Doug Martin.
This should be a close game, with either Geno or Freeman being forced to make a play late to win it. I think Gang Green makes the JetLife Stadium crowd happy with a home opener win, before going to New England on Thursday night.
Prediction: Jets 20 Bucs 13
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