New York Jets 2009 Season Preview
New Look Jets Look To Bounce Back From Poor End To Last Season
Aug 13, 2009
The New York Jets have a long suffering fan base, having not won a Super Bowl title in 40 years. In 2009, though, there is renewed optimism and a feeling that this franchise is headed in the right direction.
New Head Coach Rex Ryan Brings a Swagger
After firing Eric Mangini, the Jets would eventually name the Baltimore Ravens Defensive Coordinator, the brash Rex Ryan as Head Coach. Ryan is energetic, intense, and loquacious, which is a refreshing change from his tightlipped, unemotional, and stoic predecessor. Ryan's outgoing and boastful nature (he has even talked Super Bowl) has made him a media darling. Of course the honeymoon will be over pretty quickly if the team does not back up his boastfulness once the season starts for real in about a month.
Defense, Running Game Are Keys to Jets Success
If the Jets are to back up Ryan's big talk, the defense and the running game must be a huge part of it. The quarterback, whoever that might be, will not be asked to do to much, perhaps just make a couple big throws a game. That is the same blueprint the Ravens used last year with Joe Flacco and they would go all the way to the AFC Championship game.
On paper the Jets defense has the potential to be one of the best in the league. The Defensive Line is solid, led by Shaun Ellis and Kris Jenkins, who was a candidate for Defensive Player of the Year, before fading down the stretch. Rex Ryan must find a way to keep him fresh so he can finish the season strong this year.
At Linebacker the Jets were already strong led by Calvin Pace and David Harris, and figure to get even better with the arrival of the hard-hitting Bart Scott. He is a very confident player and figures to be a strong leader on this team.
The Secondary was the weakness for the Jets last year. They ranked 31st against the pass. Darrelle Revis was great and even made the Pro Bowl. The rest of the Secondary, though, had its problems. Kerry Rhodes struggled and was not his usual play-making self. Under Ryan, he figures to have more freedom and hopes to return to his form of a couple years ago. A bounce back season from him is critical to the Jets success. The Jets also added Jim Leonard to play at their other safety, and he is coming off a good season with the Ravens. Former Pro Bowler Lito Sheppard was brought in at corner and he is anxious to prove that he still has plenty left in the tank.
As for the running game, the Jets will feature Thomas Jones, who returned to form last year and led the AFC in rushing. The explosive Leon Washington will complement him, a guy who is a threat to take it to the house on any play. The Jets must find a way to give Washington more touches. He was underutilized last year. Both guys are unhappy with their contracts but they are pros and it should not affect them on the field. Rookie Shonn Greene could get some carries as well. The Jets figure to be one of the top running teams in the league.
The Jets' Quarterback Competition
While the Jets have a strong defense and running game, the fact is, and this isn't anything ground-breaking, the Quarterback position is the most important position on the field and the biggest question for the Jets is who will be under center on Opening Day.
The battle for the job will be between four year veteran Kellen Clemens and rookie Mark Sanchez. In Clemens' favor is his experience and his familiarity wih the offense. In Sanchez's favor is the fact that he was an early first round pick and the Jets have already invested $50 million in him. Not to mention the fact that Head Coach Rex Ryan won with a rookie last year in Baltimore. Considering that the Jets are a mostly veteran team, and the fact that they had a league-leading six Pro Bowlers last year, the Jets are a team built to win now. Therefore Ryan must give the quarterback job to the guy who gives the Jets the best chance to win right now, regardless of who that guy is. Regardless of how much talent is around the Quarterback, he needs to play well if the team is to be successful. A key will be which guy doesn't turn the ball over, something that last year's quarterback did all too frequently.
The Jets' 2009 Outlook
The Jets will open the season with a very tough schedule early on including games against New England, Tennessee, at New Orleans, and at Miami. Things will be that much tougher considering the fact that LB Calvin Pace has been suspended for four games for violating the league's PED policy. That means Vernon Gholston, who was a bust last year, must step up and play well in his absence. The Jets schedule eases up a bit after Week 5 and by the time the team should be rounding into form as far as their chemistry and cohesiveness. So, expect the Jets to have a so-so start before getting hot and making a strong playoff push late in the season.
