Why the Jets are a Serious Contender By Joe Caporoso The transformation the Jets have undergone from last year is unbelievable, and it doesn?t just start and end with Brett Favre. In 2007, the Jets were soft on the defense. They were relying on undersized players who didn?t fit their system. They didn?t pressure the quarterback. They didn?t force turnovers. On offense, they were predictable and simplistic. Their playmakers weren?t given the chance to play to their strengths and they couldn?t run the ball in short yardage situations. This year?s version of the Jets is carried by one of the NFL?s best defenses. It all starts with Kris Jenkins who has brought a completely new attitude. The massive nose tacle has been instrumental in the team?s ability to stuff the run, while pushing the pocket and helping the pass rush. At outside linebacker, the Jets have two legitimate pass rushers in Calvin Pace and Bryan Thomas, who both may be headed to double digit sack seasons. Shaun Ellis, who was a once a pro-bowler at defensive end is having a resurgence and has already racked up 4 sacks in 5 games. Darrelle Revis has been a lockdown corner from week one this year and leads the team with three interceptions. Teams are avoiding Kerry Rhodes like the plague, which has limited the number of big plays he has made this year but I have feeling his first INT is coming soon. The Jets only weak spots on defense have been safety opposite Rhodes, which Abram Elam might now be the solution to since he has received the chance to play and nickel back, which should improve with the return of a healthy Justin Miller. On offense, the Jets always have a chance with Favre behind center. Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer has done a good job of spreading the ball between Jerricho Cothchery and Laveranues Coles, so defenses can?t focus their coverage on one of them. Thanks to the offensive line additions, the Jets have found a way to run the ball into the end-zone, which is something they could not do last year. Leon Washington is finally receiving the chance to get more touches and is developing into a valuable #3 receiver/third-down option. Chansi Stuckey is a good slot receiver who has made plays when given the chance and Brad Smith has been a threat on reverses. On special teams, the Jets are always solid and remain the same this year. Leon Washington is one of the league?s best returners and has consistently given the Jets excellent field position. Yes, I am feeling good about the Jets this year. Buffalo and New England don?t scare me. The AFC East is wide open, so why not the Jets? If you want to write them off because of an early season loss to a motivated Patriots team, you have to give them credit for blowing out the Cardinals who beat up on Buffalo and upset Dallas last weak. You also have to give them credit for taking care of business against Miami, who killed New England and knocked off San Diego. The Jets are only going to get better as Favre gets more acclimated to the offense, Justin Miller and David Clowney return from injury, and Jesse Chatman finds a role on the offense.
I have been quiet about this all year...but for really the first time in my entire life, i have a FEELING about this team.I've always been a realist and am usually the first to predict a 6-10 season in early July. I'm not gonna make any predictions or even express the hunch in detail...but lets just say for the first time in my life, when someone asks me who I think is gonna be in the super bowl...I don't answer..w/ the explanation that this is the first time I've ever been truly optimistic about the jets and I dont want to sound biased.
I'm sorry, I will only start considering if the Jets a serious contender when they do what they need to (should do) in the next two games (win), and then go to Buffalo and, at the very least, make it a close one. I've said it a bazillion times, but I guess I'll say it again: talk to me again when the week 8 game is in the books. Even if the Jets are 5-2 going into that Bills game, the truth is 4 of those wins will have come against teams in the first 10 draft picks (i.e. the worst teams of last year). Even the Cardinals (the one exception) weren't that much better. It's only week 8 and beyond that we get to see how we do against indisputably good teams. So far we've had exactly one game against one, and we lost, badly (the Chargers)
Before we can be a contender we first have to get our special teams in order, which means that Feely (or Nugent or whoever) has to hit easy FGs and our punter has to get good punts off. Last game, that was happening, which is why we won despite having a lackluster offense (which happens sometimes no matter what you do). After that, it's all about staying healthy.
An article like this can be re-translated into the following; "The proper personnel are finally in place for the JETS at positions in which they were previously lacking. Therefore, the inability of this team to perform successfully can now be directed squarely at the feet of the coaching staff."
Weeks 9 and 12 we play good teams on the road (Buf & Ten). I think we match up well against both of them. As for being a contender - way too early.
The jets have to improve their secondary...they are horrible on short yardage situations against recievers..thats why we lost to the pats. and for goodness sakes PLEASE someone get this team a decent kicker. Everytime Feely is up there, i think miss.
First I'd like to see us beat everyone we SHOULD beat. Otherwise, I won't be watching the Jets...will I?
If the Jets beat Oakland and KC, then go to Buffalo and beat the Bills to go to 6-2 and first place in the AFC East, then I will allow myself to start to get excited. By the way, I think that scenario could easily happen.
We lost to the Pats mostly because of the kicking game. Pats started 5 drives inside the Jets 50. The Jets only started 2 drives outside their own 20, and none outside the 30. It's a miracle it wasn't a total blow out. That is why Ben now sleeps with the roo's
I'm sorry but Miller is lost with a sideline to help him out, what the hell would make anyone think that he would do any better at the NB position where you don't even have that advantage?!
..on a weekend when Brett Favre wasn't served his usual bacon and tomato omlette at the team hotel...
