Final Preseason Thoughts

Here we go again. We start this season with many new faces (Rex Ryan, Mark Sanchez, Bart Scott) and are missing many old, familiar ones (Eric Mangini, Brett Favre, Laveranues Coles). However, because of the departure of future hall of fame QB Brett Favre, the Jets are facing the new and exciting challenge of playing a rookie starting QB in Mark Sanchez. Sanchez will be complimented by one of the leagues best offensive lines and running back tandems in Thomas Jones and Leon Washington. Washington will see an increased role this year and will turn in a season which will surpass that of starting RB Thomas Jones. If you need a big play from the Jets offense this year, go to Leon. Shonn Greene should be groomed this year as an eventual replacement to Thomas Jones. Jones is getting up in age and although he can still produce, there needs to be an option to back him up.

The defense returns as strong as ever. The Jets came into last season with a greatly updated defense after adding NT Kris Jenkins and OLB Calvin Pace. This year, the Jets upgraded yet again by adding Bart Scott and Jim Leonhard from Baltimore and Lito Shephard from Philadelphia. The addition of Rex Ryan as head coach should make for an attacking, exciting defense. However, despite the positives of the new defense there are also a few negatives. Vernon Gholston will have to produce in the first 4 games of the season in order for the Jets defense to get off to a fast start. With the suspension of Calvin Pace, it is essential that Gholston live up to at least a little of the potential that made him a top 10 pick just a year ago. If Gholston doesn't produce look for undrafted Rutgers alum Jamaal Westermann to step in and take his spot. Westerman has impressed in the offseason and made this team despite great odds against him. Kris Jenkins will need to have a strong season at NT in order for the defense to be successful. He must not fade at the end of the season like he did last year if the Jets hope to be successful stopping the run. Also, Lito Shephard will have to play a lot better than he did during the preseason if he hopes to hold down the #2 CB role.

The special teams units will again be great under top special teams coordinator Mike Westhoff. Leon Washington will be the kick returner and should be, yet again, one of the top in the league at this position. He needs to give Sanchez and the offense good field position, especially in the first few games of the season. Jim Leonhard has proved to be a good punt returner in Baltimore and he will take that duty from Leon this year.

BOLD Predictions:

• David Harris will lead the Jets in tackles this year.
• Dustin Keller will be the Jets #1 receiver this year in both yards and TD's
• Leon Washington will have over 700 yards rushing and 400 yards receiving.
• Kerry Rhodes will finish with over 5 sacks and 5 interceptions each.
• Jamaal Westermann will have a very large role in the defense during the first 4 games this season.
• The Jets will change punters at least once.

Final Season Prediction: 8-8
Team MVP: Leon Washington
Most Improved Player: Chansi Stuckey