There is too much unrealistic optimism in Jetsville I don?t mean to sound like the Grim Reaper, but out of respect and personal admiration for Rex Ryan, Jets fans need to temper the optimism that has gone out of control. We live in a fast food environment. I get the sense that Jets fans are being blinded by the unusual success of last year?s rookie QBs Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco. Based on these two examples, I also know that anything is possible and there are nice pieces in place but here?s the case working against the notion of immediate success. Exhibit I: The Jets are likely to start a rookie QB who only has 16 collegiate starts under his belt. I believe in time, Sanchez will be a good player in this league. Exhibit II: Offensively you have Pro Bowl RB Thomas Jones and the electrifying Leon Washington. However, teams will stack the line of scrimmage and dare Sanchez or Kellen Clemens to throw to ? who exactly? Exhibit III: Making the switch to the Ravens style of organized chaos will not be over night. Add the four-game suspension of LB Calvin Pace and the ?D? could be off to a slow start. Exhibit IV: LB Bart Scott is a talented football player but does he have the incredibly high football IQ of Ray Lewis. Bart gives a great soundbite but can he communicate on the fly and change the ?D? as Sugar Ray has done so successfully over his Hall of Fame career?
good questions. I think Clemens starts the season, the ball control offense is going to love stuckey and he will help Cotch's numbers stay consistent, with 4 good offenses to start off the season - Pace's absence is really going to be felt, and Scott does not possess the football IQ of a hall of famer, but i think him and leonhard together can do a great job.
Dukes is a smart guy. I don't agree with him sometimes, but he is way more astute than the jokers who pose as analysts on ESPN and the rest of the networks.
What optimism is he referring to? I, for one, expect an 8-8 season, and have seen many other predictions in the same range. Rex Ryan is the only one being extremely optimistic, because he's trying to change the 'culture' around here. (I support his attitude, btw).
i have seen posts expecting playoffs due to the defense carrying this team to the postseason alone. That only happens with an elite monster of a defense. I see the Jets as having a great defense, but not an elite defense. Therefore the Jets will not make the playoffs. i fear the shit out of a bad injury year as well.
^I haven't exactly seen the rampant optimism you're talking about. I've seen people excited about the future of this team, but the majority of posters are expecting a 3rd place finish in division at best, not a playoff season.
Tempered optimism Jamie Dukes is a very good analyst one of the best on NFL Network. I am not sure that a lot of fans are expecting the playoffs. I am not, however I do appreciate the attitude that Ryan is brining to the team. He has is giving this team swagger, something it has not had in quite a while. So I am optimistic.
All valid points. Stacking the box is no secret. We've been saying it all summer. I think the D is going to be serious, though. I just don't see a monster year coming this year. I do see change, just like everyone else. I liked Mangini for the most part, until the end when he kept the ball in the hands of an injured QB for most plays, but this is going to be much different. It should be more entertaining, at least.
I just want the QB to develop this year. I'm not expecting 10-11 wins but I am expecting Sanchez will get better and will get it by the end of the year so we are ready for 2010. Anything can happen and he or Clemens could have big years but I don't think it is fair to expect that to happen.
After reading about Sanchez diving into the EZ with Scott pulling up as to not kill him, I'll just be happy with him not getting hurt.
you're just joking, right? jamie dukes, the same guy that said a couple of weeks ago on NFL NETWORK, that if he were to build a franchise from scratch, he would start with micheal vick, because he was the most explosive and best qb in the league!!!! lol and you seriously think he's smart?
We are going to be holding our breath alot w/ him b/c he is a QB that isn't afraid and he'll do things like that and take hits he shouldn't. Hopefully he can withstand the punishment. I am more worried about a blocking TE. Cotch is really good and keller will be a nightmare for opposing Ds so we have 2 really good options w/ some nice developmental WRs. Plus we have 2 good receiving backs out of the backfield. We can survive w/ these WRs(though will we need to upgrade in the coming years and if someone decent shakes free I think we'll address it this preseason) but being a running team like we will be we sure could use a TE that can block.
every time an analyst say's something positive about the jets, "they're a good analyst" and the ones that say the negative are "morons and idiots". jamie fu*king dukes, the same guy that thinks vick is the best qb in the league. saying dukes is one of the better sports casters on nfl network, isn't really saying much. listen to him anytime he's comparing a black player with a white player, it'll tell you all you need to know about jamie ducks!!!
I think this guy is dead-on right. If I were an opposing defense, I'd stack against the run and dare them to pass. Unless we get lucky and have enough success in the passing game to open up the running game, our defense is going to be on the field a lot. Even if our defense is better than expected, they are likely to get worn out and break if they are on the field the whole game. I think the key to our offense is forcing teams to respect the pass. Otherwise, we'll be running into a brick wall, 3 and out every time.
It remains to be seen whether they can still pick up some help at wideout, but if they don't, I have trouble seeing this O converting many third and longs. Even an above average D will tire if they are not converting third downs. So, without a pickup at wideout I see 8-8 as slightly optimistic.
