Pope Benedict XVI selected the month-old daughter of New York Jets quarterback Kellen Clemens from among a large crowd for a papal blessing during an open-air Mass at Nationals Park in Washington last month. Was it a serendipitous precursor to Kate Elizabeth Clemens' father receiving his own blessing from Jets coach Eric Mangini as the team's starter after winning a preseason battle with veteran Chad Pennington? New York will take all the divine intervention it can get after following up a 2006 playoff season with a 4-12 dud that included two wins against the 1-15 Miami Dolphins. It's been nearly 40 years since Joe Namath delivered on his Super Bowl III guarantee to beat the heavily favored Baltimore Colts, the only time the Jets have reached the Super Bowl. Owner Woody Johnson tried to buy a change of fortune after last season's debacle with a $142 million spending spree on five new starters: left guard Alan Faneca, right tackle Damien Woody, fullback Tony Richardson and linebacker Calvin Pace (all free agents) and defensive lineman Kris Jenkins, who signed a lucrative extension after arriving in a trade with the Carolina Panthers. Johnson invested $40 million over five years in Faneca, a seven-time Pro Bowler who brings the leadership, toughness and intelligence general manager Mike Tannenbaum and Mangini covet. The former Steeler, who threw a key block in Pittsburgh's Super Bowl XL triumph, could be quite a blessing himself as the Jets attempt to emerge from the shadows of the Giants, the reigning Super Bowl champions. Faneca, 31, is a sputtering offense's designated drive blocker who's expected to pilot the Jets out of their embarrassing rut. "We look good on paper," Faneca says. "Right now, it's on our shoulders to go out there and make it mesh and do something special on Sundays and get that ring the Giants got last year. "There's a commitment in the locker room to get things done and turn things around. Nobody wants to go through what they did last year." Especially not tailback Thomas Jones, who came to New York a year ago after being dealt from the Chicago Bears, whom he helped reach the Super Bowl. Jones fought his way to 1,119 rushing yards behind a suspect line in 2007. "When I first arrived here, Thomas came up and gave me a hug," Faneca says with a laugh. "He's excited about getting some help and changing what happened last year." By retrenching in the trenches, Tannenbaum and Mangini essentially conceded a miscalculation on veteran left guard Pete Kendall, who lobbied for a $1 million raise that management refused last summer. Kendall was shipped to the Washington Redskins before the season began, and the offense never recovered. Left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson and center Nick Mangold, the team's first-round 2006 building blocks, regressed without him. "Those guys are great players," Faneca says of Ferguson and Mangold. "The best thing I can do is come in there and play the way I've been ? play like the rock in there. "It helps when the guy next to you is playing at a high level. Great blocking tandems, the chemistry grows when you're finding ways to get better as a group. ? I can be that rock and try and lend some of my experience to them." For the past month, Faneca and his new linemates have worked out together, then done lunch to accelerate the bonding process. "I think Alan is, one, going to stabilize the group, and, two, really help the other guys," Mangini says. "He's going to help Brick (Ferguson), and he's going to help Nick. "Just his leadership in general is going to help the whole group." The team also added Pro Bowl fullback Tony Richardson and tight end Bubba Franks to provide more push for Jones, Leon Washington and newly signed Jesse Chatman. But in an AFC East dominated by league MVP Tom Brady and the New England Patriots, the Jets need more production than the 15 touchdowns and 19 interceptions Pennington and Clemens combined to throw. Will Pennington's poise, heady consistency and experience win out? Or will Clemens' stronger arm prevail? Clemens was knocked for a lack of pocket presence. But it's tough to show presence without a pocket. A well-protected Clemens portends a more dynamic offense with his ability to strike downfield for big plays, something Pennington has trouble generating after two surgeries on his throwing shoulder. That's where the selection of Purdue tight end Dustin Keller could prove key. He should open up the outside for receivers Laveranues Coles and Jerricho Cotchery while providing a security blanket for Clemens or Pennington. Opponents would seem more inclined to blitz Clemens, who has 10 interceptions in 12 career games. But not so much if the ground game is back on track and Keller is open to exploit the seams. On defense, Mangini hopes to generate more pressure than the 29 sacks from last season's 25th-ranked pass rush. Pace had a career-best 6? sacks for the Arizona Cardinals. Vernon Gholston, the Jets' top draft pick, had 14 sacks for Ohio State. But it's tough for defenses to rush the passer if they don't have a lead to protect and are consistently being worn down by the run. Enter Faneca. "I was lucky in that I came in to Pittsburgh at a great time when I had (veteran offensive linemen) Dermontti Dawson, Will Wolford and Jim Sweeney there," Faneca says. "I sat back and absorbed how those guys played. That was important, just watching how those veteran guys carried themselves. "I think guys should learn by watching and lead by example. I don't want to hear it. I want to see it." Johnson is banking his team will succeed as a result of the examples set by players such as Faneca. Otherwise, Jets fans may have to pray. AROUND THE FIELD IN NEW YORK ? Quarterback: Kellen Clemens must prove he can manage games, avoid mistakes and drive his team to wins in crunchtime the way Chad Pennington has over the years. Pennington's 65.6 career completion percentage would seem better suited to a win-now team. But even Pennington concedes Clemens is the future, and he'll get every chance to prove it's now. Rookie Erik Ainge, nephew of Boston Celtics general manager Danny Ainge, is a developmental prospect. ? Running back: Thomas Jones, Leon Washington, Jesse Chatman and fullback Tony Richardson will fuel a run-heavy attack designed to reduce pressure on the quarterbacks. ? Wide receiver: Laveranues Coles and Jerricho Cotchery are a tough, productive duo with Cotchery coming off his first 1,000-yard season. But a combined eight touchdowns aren't nearly enough in a division where New England's Randy Moss caught 23 touchdowns alone. Brad Smith is expected to win the third spot. Sixth-rounder Marcus Henry's height (6-4) makes him a welcome red-zone target. ? Tight end: Rookie Dustin Keller should add a needed, Dallas Clark-like component. Keller, Bubba Franks and Chris Baker (depending on his contract dispute) will provide more two-tight end formations and a better run-pass option out of power sets. ? Offensive line: Alan Faneca should pay immediate dividends as a revamped line's fiery tone-setter. Right tackle Damien Woody should elevate right guard Brandon Moore and can play guard or center in a pinch. Third-year left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson and center Nick Mangold must make continued progress. ? Defensive line: Kris Jenkins takes over at the nose despite playing in a 4-3 system while with the Carolina Panthers. End Shaun Ellis should have more production, given the additions of Jenkins and linebackers Calvin Pace and Vernon Gholston. ? Linebacker: This should be the most improved unit after the retooled offensive line, given the additions of Pace and Gholston. David Harris is a tackling machine. He made Jonathan Vilma expendable in a trade to the New Orleans Saints. Bryan Thomas regressed after a strong 2006. ? Secondary: Second-year pro Darrelle Revis is a lock-down corner capable of covering Moss. But who can cover Wes Welker? David Barrett? Hank Poteat? Fourth-round pick Dwight Lowery will push for the second corner spot. Strong safety Kerry Rhodes is a Pro Bowler waiting to happen. Free safety Abram Elam needs to make more plays. ? Special teams: Washington was team MVP with three kick returns for touchdowns, but former Pro Bowler Justin Miller could resume that role after an injury-shortened 2007. Mike Nugent's field goal accuracy dipped, but his kickoffs improved. Punter Ben Graham faces a challenge from Jeremy Kapinos. ? Coaching staff: The loss of Mike Westhoff, arguably the game's best special-teams coach, will hurt as he recovers from leg surgery. Kevin O'Dea steps in. Defensive coordinator Bob Sutton won't have to manufacture a pass rush with Pace and Gholston around. New offensive line coach Bill Callahan gives offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer another X factor along with Keller to take heat off Clemens and Pennington. Eric Mangini said he'll listen more to veterans, but he needs to lighten up during training camp so his team starts stronger. ? Outlook: Everything depends on who wins the quarterback duel after an offseason that indicated the team is in win-now mode. If Clemens or Pennington is effective, the Jets should be back in the playoff conversation. __________________
I find it fascinating that a professional writer for USAToday can't come up with a single thing that isn't common knowledge on TGG.com.
Agreed. Or overlook that Stuckey is probably the #3 receiver, and not Smith (though I like Smith for his multi-faceted ability).
you are assuming that he is writing for JETS fans incorrectly. He is writing for people all over the US that know nothing about the Jets.
the thing that stood out to me was no mention of stuckey. and kentucky jet you are absolutely correct. this article probably isnt for us its for the masses that read usatoday. but hey if there is nothing to complain about sometimes we have to come up with things to complain about.
I noticed no Stuckey too, but one thing that was weird is when he said "Enter Faneca" I was really expecting "Enter Jenkins". He was talking about our LBs generating pass rush, and then all of a sudden starts talking about the improved line again. If Kris Jenkins works out, which I think he will, he will be the biggest addition in the offseason. Consistently taking on 2 guys will make everyone in the front 7 better, which will in turn make everyone in the secondary even more legit than they already are. Plus, Sione Pouha ain't bad when he gets tired.
we can only hope that we have a few surprises,on this team. maybe stuckeywill turn into something maybe justin miller will fill that CB spot we think we have'nt addressed maybe jones and washington really will flourish behind the revamped line maybe clemens will show he is the man guess we just have to hope when the pope touched little clemens, big clemens got some divine intervention of his own, and the JETS will be blessed with a great 08 season.
I won't go that far, considering the talent in the AFC East and in the AFC overall. We should have between 9 and 11 wins, but that may not be enough to make the post-season.
If you were in the NFC I would say yes, but in the AFC that isn't a guarantee. You have improved a lot though, this I will say.
Correct Kentucky, this was an excellent appraisal of where the Jets are just now and I'm sure people reading this piece might think we are in pretty good shape and maybe a darkhorse for a run at the play-offs.
i think its a sign that catholic priests are still picking little children out of crowds for future use.
I still can't quite believe we spent as much as we did on Pace. Hopefully he'll be a good player for us but we paid him like he was a proven double-digits sacker.
I suppose the article is a pretty fair assessment of our team. With all of he off-season moves, we'll just have to wait and see who steps up and how all the new parts mesh. I CAN'T WAIT!!
I Think`s very possible, all depends the athmosphere in the Locker Room and the Leadership of the CS. We must see, at this time i think is very soon to tell.
Here's one he didnt come up with. maybe....just maybe....the Jets F.O. doesnt look thru a 1 year window. Maybe they realized Kendall was on his way out, and rather than be held up at gun point, by a guy that collected the money years out of a decent deal, (like Baker is trying to do now, but Baker properly utilized is more valuable) they looked ahead, to the eventuality of Kendall, or the draft, or one of the current roster working out. Faneca was a target, not a response.
I think all that the Jet'd FO does at the moment is to look through a 1 year window. Faneca was definitely a response to their inability to manage the Kendall situation last season. Pace is clearly a 1 year pickup given that he has only performed in 1 season and the Jets paid him as though he did that every year (or as if he had had a 12 sack season last year in his contract year.) Kris Jenkins is a great pickup in the middle of the defense for 1 year. After that you have to start taking into account the fact that he has a real injury history behind him now and a weight problem that has gotten worse over the years. Probably the biggest 1 year estimation on their part though is that Chad Pennington is still part of the roster. He has very little value moving forward to the team as he gets older and his arm gets weaker and he's already had a fallthrough year and yet the Jets keep him on the roster because they are so focused on 2008 that they don't see how much keeping him hinders their ability to find the next real QB, regardless of who that turns out to be.
Faneca was definitely targeted, but it was in response to the massive void created with the departure of Kendall. If they had it to do over again knowing what they know now I think they would have given him his million. Tough to say though, because while they might have had more success last season had they kept him, there's a good chance they don't sign Faneca. Then again, maybe they DO manage to sign Faneca and retain Kendall as solid depth. Would have been nice, but given the choice things seem to have worked out for the better.
2 completely different situations. Not only is Kendall 3 years older than Faneca, he has not been as durable, is nowhere near as good, and had become a cancer in the locker room. Faneca is young, a better player, and a better leader. There's nothing more to it.
