I'm going with DT, and DE. If we can get those positons down solid...I think we'll be a playoff team within 2 years for sure. Other options I almost selected were RB, and WR.
Look at the roster. If Chad Pennington and Curtis Martin are truly finished, the Jets have an expansion team roster with the weakest coaching staff in the AFC East or even the NFL.
The two key areas of need for this team are a pass rushing OLB and a massiver 2 gap nose tackle. Right now we really don't have anyone proven who can play either of those positions in the 3-4.
That's a pretty tough indictment of Bradway and Herm since Pennington and Martin weren't brought here by them.
RB-Curtis is to old,HOuston is goal-line/3rd down back,Leon Washington will be a career backup/change of pace back and Blaylock is a product of KC's o-line. OLB-Bryan Thomas hopefully will be good but still we need somebidy else on the othe side. DE-Kimo is like 35 and only a temporary replacement.
DT(NT)/OLB without a doubt. Unless Pouha steps up big time this year we're going to get run on a lot just because we don't have a big loaf that is good enough to demand double teams. OLB is also a concern because almost all of our LBs are ILBs, but I don't think that's as drastic. Chatham and co. will be alright in fill in.
Quotes from Ray Lewis spring to mind and what did the ravens do...... Vilma could very well be overun
How? We don't even have a legit #1 corner yet. Our defensive backs are young, but not near a top 10 secondary yet if you ask me.
I don't see a lot of obvious weaknesses on our team other than at WR/TE and RB. If Brad Smith and Clemens can step up for us they could change the entire tenor of our team to a serious contender by 07. Our D could be excellent if people are healthy. D'Rob is being totally underestimated. If he can come in pain free he can be a major disrupter along with Ellis, Barton and Vilma. I think we have a potentially excellent young secondary with some depth. If the OL gells Ramsey or Clemens grabs the reins and Smith turns out to be the real deal we will be on our way faster than people think. This team is not about Pennington or Martin anymore.
Not worried about RB because we have an HOFer and 3 promising backups...let's at least give them a chance b4 we start screaming for their replacements. To go with the herd, we need a lard ass in the middle of the defensive line...and I'm still not sure about RT, but am willing to give jones a chance.
I said QB, DE, OLB I say QB simply because nobody has stepped up (yet) and grabbed the franchise QB position. DE because Kimo won't be there for long. OLB is one of the most important positions in the 3-4 defense. Hopefully Bryan Thomas can step up and fill that void. DT is also a position of need I forgot to select.
We have enough players with enough potential, but do we have the brains and expertise to take them to the next level. With a young, unproven coaching staff I'm not 100%, however, I'm happy to let them prove me wrong......