2013 NFL Preview: New York Jets
Last Season: The 2012 season started out promisingly for the New York Jets. After an offseason full of distractions, and an 0-4 preseason, they blasted Buffalo 48-28, and gave fans hope that the season wouldn't be a disaster. However, after a 2-1 start, the lost five of the next six games, en route to a 6-10 final record. By the end of the year, the word circus was being tossed around, and the Jets appeared to be a franchise without direction and without a lot of hope for a quick turnaround. They were solid defensively, but offensively they were one of the worst teams in the NFL. Turnovers were a huge issue that plagued them all year.
Offense: The Jets averaged less than 18 points per game last season, and will need to improve that number. Quarterback Mark Sanchez bumbled and butt-fumbled his way through 2012, and is hanging on to his job by a thread. Geno Smith was drafted this offseason, and could take over early if Sanchez continues to be a turnover machine. Behind whoever plays QB, they're going to want to establish the running game, and to that end, brought in Chris Ivory and Mike Goodson to be a 1-2 combo. Ivory has had some shining moments in his career, but has never been a feature back for a full season. The Jets haven't done Sanchez any favors at WR, with a talented, but distracting Santonio Holmes and a disappointing and possibly unwanted Stephen Hill as his main targets. They also lost talented tight end Dustin Keller to a divisional rival in free agency. The offensive line, which wasn't very good a year ago, will see some turnover, with Willie Colon as the biggest addition. They will need to open some running lanes for the new RBs to try and get the offense going.
Defense: The Jets defense was actually pretty good last season. coming in at 8th in the league in terms of ppg, but they didn't get many sacks and were middle of the road in terms of takeaways. The biggest news on the defensive side of the ball this offseason, and for the whole team in general, was the trade of All-World cornerback Darrelle Revis. Dee Milliner was drafted as a replacement, but losing Revis is a huge loss, both emotionally and talent-wise. Antonio Cromartie returns, as does former first round draft pick Kyle Wilson. The front seven will see some changes as well. The team used a first round selection on Sheldon Richardson, who brings athleticism to the defensive line. Last year's first rounder, Quinton Coples, will rush the passer from an OLB spot in 2013, and will try to increase the team's sack total. Talented ILB David Harris returns as well. Much of the remaining starters will be new to the team, and must gel quickly.
Why the Jets Will Finish .500: The Jets defense, even without Revis, has a lot of athleticism, and Coples could be in for a big season. If they can force more turnovers, and pressure opposing QBs more consistently, they will just need to improve the offense a bit in order to win some low-scoring games. With Tebow gone, some of the distractions associated with him will be gone as well, and focus can go back to winning games. Sanchez knows that he's got Smith behind him now, and a short leash, so he should play his best. If not, Smith, an athletic QB, could be good enough to win some games. Rex Ryan is a good head coach who will be fired up to make up for last season's poor showing.
Why the Jets Will Finish Last: It has become apparent to most that Sanchez just isn't an NFL QB. Barring a huge jump in his play, he'll soon be gone, but there's no certainty that Smith is ready now. The team was content with the WRs they already have, not electing to add more weapons to give their QB his best shot to succeed. They'll struggle to score again, while on the other side of the ball will have tons of pressure once again. This time, they're without Revis, who controls half the field on his own. The myriad changes on defense will take time to sort out as well, and they may not be able to cover up the offensive shortcomings.
Instant Impact: Chris Ivory was brought in by the Jets to be their new RB this offseason. While he's never spent a complete season in that role, he does boast a career yards per carry average of 5.1 yards. He's big and strong, but also possesses very good speed. Provided he can stay healthy, Ivory could have a big year in New York.
Questions I Have: Can either Wilson or Milliner lock down the RCB spot? How will Coples do in shifting positions? Can anybody step up at WR and give Sanchez a legitimate target?
Overall: The Jets seem to be another year, at least, away from competing for the playoffs. Quarterback remains a huge question mark, and the WR corps has a lot to prove. Ivory is in a new position on responsibility as well. On defense, there were a lot of changes too. Last year they were a very good unit, but they will have to do it again, this time with a new cast, and no Darrelle Revis. The Jets did add some young talent, and seem to be headed in the right direction, towards competitiveness, but for the 2013 season, there are still more questions than answers.
Offense: The Jets averaged less than 18 points per game last season, and will need to improve that number. Quarterback Mark Sanchez bumbled and butt-fumbled his way through 2012, and is hanging on to his job by a thread. Geno Smith was drafted this offseason, and could take over early if Sanchez continues to be a turnover machine. Behind whoever plays QB, they're going to want to establish the running game, and to that end, brought in Chris Ivory and Mike Goodson to be a 1-2 combo. Ivory has had some shining moments in his career, but has never been a feature back for a full season. The Jets haven't done Sanchez any favors at WR, with a talented, but distracting Santonio Holmes and a disappointing and possibly unwanted Stephen Hill as his main targets. They also lost talented tight end Dustin Keller to a divisional rival in free agency. The offensive line, which wasn't very good a year ago, will see some turnover, with Willie Colon as the biggest addition. They will need to open some running lanes for the new RBs to try and get the offense going.
Defense: The Jets defense was actually pretty good last season. coming in at 8th in the league in terms of ppg, but they didn't get many sacks and were middle of the road in terms of takeaways. The biggest news on the defensive side of the ball this offseason, and for the whole team in general, was the trade of All-World cornerback Darrelle Revis. Dee Milliner was drafted as a replacement, but losing Revis is a huge loss, both emotionally and talent-wise. Antonio Cromartie returns, as does former first round draft pick Kyle Wilson. The front seven will see some changes as well. The team used a first round selection on Sheldon Richardson, who brings athleticism to the defensive line. Last year's first rounder, Quinton Coples, will rush the passer from an OLB spot in 2013, and will try to increase the team's sack total. Talented ILB David Harris returns as well. Much of the remaining starters will be new to the team, and must gel quickly.
Why the Jets Will Finish .500: The Jets defense, even without Revis, has a lot of athleticism, and Coples could be in for a big season. If they can force more turnovers, and pressure opposing QBs more consistently, they will just need to improve the offense a bit in order to win some low-scoring games. With Tebow gone, some of the distractions associated with him will be gone as well, and focus can go back to winning games. Sanchez knows that he's got Smith behind him now, and a short leash, so he should play his best. If not, Smith, an athletic QB, could be good enough to win some games. Rex Ryan is a good head coach who will be fired up to make up for last season's poor showing.
Why the Jets Will Finish Last: It has become apparent to most that Sanchez just isn't an NFL QB. Barring a huge jump in his play, he'll soon be gone, but there's no certainty that Smith is ready now. The team was content with the WRs they already have, not electing to add more weapons to give their QB his best shot to succeed. They'll struggle to score again, while on the other side of the ball will have tons of pressure once again. This time, they're without Revis, who controls half the field on his own. The myriad changes on defense will take time to sort out as well, and they may not be able to cover up the offensive shortcomings.
Instant Impact: Chris Ivory was brought in by the Jets to be their new RB this offseason. While he's never spent a complete season in that role, he does boast a career yards per carry average of 5.1 yards. He's big and strong, but also possesses very good speed. Provided he can stay healthy, Ivory could have a big year in New York.
Questions I Have: Can either Wilson or Milliner lock down the RCB spot? How will Coples do in shifting positions? Can anybody step up at WR and give Sanchez a legitimate target?
Overall: The Jets seem to be another year, at least, away from competing for the playoffs. Quarterback remains a huge question mark, and the WR corps has a lot to prove. Ivory is in a new position on responsibility as well. On defense, there were a lot of changes too. Last year they were a very good unit, but they will have to do it again, this time with a new cast, and no Darrelle Revis. The Jets did add some young talent, and seem to be headed in the right direction, towards competitiveness, but for the 2013 season, there are still more questions than answers.
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