It’s never easy being a New York team. It’s even more difficult when you have several of your top players unhappy with their contract situations and a lot of talent turnover on your roster because of a need to win immediately. Even add the idea that all of this is being presented to the public through an HBO reality series and you have the makings of the 2010 New York Jets.
The expectations are really high after the Jets became the Cinderella team of the AFC by making it to the championship game. Inevitably, they fell short against the Indianapolis Colts, but the season was looked upon as a stepping stone. However, after back-to-back 9-7 records, are the Jets truly Super Bowl contenders this year like some are suggesting?
I usually start by talking about the offence, but since there are so many questions to be asked, I’ll quickly go over the defense instead. The Jets have a tough hill to climb if they want to duplicate their unbelievable defensive stats from a year ago. First in the NFL in points allowed, total yards allowed and passing yards allowed.
They have the horses to do it though…as long as they get Darrelle Revis playing a significant amount of time this season. I still can’t believe that the Jets have not gotten this contract done. Revis is the best cornerback in the league. With Antonio Cromartie coming over from San Diego, they would represent the best 1-2 tandem in the league. Without him, the pass defence is a shell of itself.
The linebacking group is first-class with Bart Scott, David Harris and Calvin Pace all as starters on this team and the defensive line will create havoc again with Shaun Ellis at the end spot and Kris Jenkins in the middle.
To me, the offence is what could make or break the Jets. There are several individuals on this team that will have to improve in order for them to go from a playoff team to a Super Bowl contender.
It all starts with Mark Sanchez. In his second season with the Jets, can he improve enough that he can get the Jets offence to go from being so run-driven to being multi-dimensional? He’ll have Jerricho Cotchery and Braylon Edwards to throw to, but can those two step up to become elite receivers in this league? Dustin Keller represents a decent option at the tight-end spot.
The running game was relied upon so much last season that they were Number 1 in the NFL in rushing yards. Shonn Greene takes over as the starter now. Is he ready to be the lead dog for this team? His backup will be LaDainian Tomlinson as he comes over from San Diego as well. How much gas does he have left in the tank?
It’s truly difficult to tell what the Jets will do this season because there are so many questions. Usually in situations where expectations are unbelievably high combined with roster uncertainty, you have the makings for a season that doesn’t go according to plan. Can the Jets prove to be an exception?
2010 Prediction: 10-6