Football Diner Review / Preview
New York Jets
by Paul Hopkins
21/4/2009
 
Overview
 
The Jets season was always going to be high-profile once they were the destination the Packers shipped Brett Favre off to, in the big story of the summer. But alongside Favre, the Jets boosted their ranks with considerable experience in the form of the likes of Kris Jenkins and Alan Faneca. Throw in the #6 overall pick of the 2008 NFL Draft, Vernon Gholsten and expectations were rightly high. The team got off a fast start, topping the AFC East but crumbled in the second half of the campaign and ended up missing the playoffs. The Coach and the QB left leaving the Jets in the hands of defensive supremo Rex Ryan but with big questions over the QB position.
 
Quarterbacks
 
Favre was never going to be more than a two season wonder for the Jets, if that at all. And things started well, including hanging nearly 60 points on the eventual NFC Champion Cards. But things started to go downhill as injuries and perhaps old age kicked in for Brett. He ended with 22 touchdown passes but also 22 interceptions. Sad to say, but one of the greatest careers in NFL history ended in a whimper. From here however, after seeing Jay Cutler go to Chicago the Jets are looking at Kellen Clemons as their #1 QB entering the draft. In making the big move for Favre, the Jets gambled and seem to have lost considerably.
Grade: C
 
Running Backs
 
Thomas Jones was arguably the offensive MVP of the Jets last year, rightly deserving his Pro Bowl berth. With Tony Richardson leading the way for him, he was able to amass over 1300 yards and 13 touchdowns. Behind him Leon Washington continued to demonstrate his big play ability, averaging nearly 6 yards a carry and being a major player in the Jets most impressive victory of the season, the 34-13 victory in Nashville over the then unbeaten Titans in week 12.
Grade: A
 
Receivers
 
When Brett Favre is your quarterback you know that you're going to put up stats and get the chance to make plays. And #4 certainly spread the ball around. Jerricho Cotchery and Laveranues Cole were virtually like for like in 2008, both just short of 900 yards receiving and combining for 12 touchdowns. Rookie tight end from Purdue, Dustin Keller also made an immediate impact with nearly 50 receptions. He is likely to be a staple of the Jets offence for years to come. The final major contributors in the passing game were Leon Washington and Thomas Jones out of the backfield.
Grade: B
 
Offensive Line
 
The Jets' offensive line was arguably amongst the best in football in 2008. Well established anchor in the middle of the line, Nick Mangold excelled as always. Alongside him on the left, big money signing Alan Faneca gave him the stability that had previously been missing. To the left of him, D'Brickashaw Ferguson has established himself as a premier left tackle. Equally as dependent on the right end of the line is Damian Woody, and to the left of him Brandon Moore is a strong contributor.
Grade: A
 
Defensive Line
 
With the shift to 3-4 the Jets really did need a big space eater to anchor the line and from the Panthers, Kris Jenkins fit the bill perfectly. However, he began to grind down towards the end of the year. But overall he was still the strongest performer on the line. Either side of him, there were consistent contributions from Shaun Ellis and Kenyon Coleman. This may be an area that the Jets look to beef up in the draft, as they need to get younger but the unit is a solid one.
Grade: B
 
Linebackers
 
The move to the 3-4 never really suited Jon Vilma and he wound up being traded to the New Orleans Saints. In his absence Calvin Pace, Eric Barton, David Harris provided the basis of a solid but unspectacular linebacking corps. First year pass rusher Vernon Gholsten truly flattered to deceive and live up to his hype, not even getting onto the field for a reasonable amount of time. However, with new HC Rex Ryan a defensive guru you would think coaching will improve Gholsten and his fellow linebackers. Also coming in from Baltimore is free agent Bart Scott who provides an instant upgrade, as well as leadership.
Grade: B
 
Secondary
 
In the secondary, newly acquired Lito Sheppard will join outstanding performers Kerry Rhodes and Darelle Revis in seeking to make the Jets secondary amongst the best in the league. Both Rhodes and in his second year, Revis were outstanding performers with Revis nabbing himself a team leading 5 interceptions. However, behind Rhodes and Revis an upgrade was certainly needed. That the Jets had Ty Law re-signed indicated their lack of depth. That being said Dwight Lowery and Abram Elam were consistent contributors but the Jets needed to upgrade their defensive backfield.
Grade: B
 
Special Teams
 
The Jets' place kicking game struggled in 2008. Former high draft pick Mike Nugent spent most of the season out and the Jets often favoured going for it on 4th down over relying on Jay Feeley. This is an area that needs to be corrected before September. Punter Reggie Hodges was solid in his duties.
Grade: C-
 
Coaching
 
The 'Mangenius' fell by the wayside at the end of the season, the Jets losing patience with the once highly-regarded Belichick protégé. Since then he has ended up fascinating Randy Lerner in Cleveland, but after the investment in the summer months and putting all the eggs in the Brett Favre basket, to setting out on a fast start, to then miss the playoffs even in a surprisingly strong AFC East was the final nail in the coffin. Not just for the illustrious Hall of Fame Quarterback Favre, but for Mangini, who promised much when he came to the Jets but who, ultimately failed to deliver.
Grade: D