I've been looking the roster up and down trying to figure out who the key guys will be in determining whether or not the Jets take steps forward next year. I'm looking for the linchpin guys who will have the biggest effect on their units and also for the guys who could step up to their potential and give the Jets an excellent player where they currently have problems. This is what I came up with: 1. Dewayne Robertson. The Jet's defensive plans next year will largely hinge on how the defensive line shakes out now that John Abraham is gone. The biggest single question is not at defensive end however, it's in the middle at nose tackle. If D-Rob can play on the nose and give the Jets a plus player there he will do more to stabilize the Jet's 3-4 than any other position on the field. That makes him #1 on my list of key players for 2006. 2. Nick Mangold. If Mangold can play center for the Jets next year the odds are that the offensive line will be a strength for the franchise. D'Brickashaw Ferguson and Trey Teague will likely man the tackles if Mangold can anchor the middle and along with Pete Kendall and Brandon Moore will form a solid unit that should help the Jets backfield overcome many of the other issues that could surface otherwise. 3. Curtis Martin. Curtis turned 33 on May 1st. That's an age that would signal imminent retirement for most runningbacks that have carried the load that Curtis has taken over the years. The Jets have no other viable options on the roster who appear capable of carrying even a half-load in the 2006 season. Curtis absolutely has to put together a solid season if the Jets are going to improve much over last year's results. The offensive line should be better this season, now it's up to Curtis to carry the load one more time. The Jet's absolutely need to address the runningback position in the next offseason either via free agency or with a major first day commitment in the draft. 4. Justin Miller. The Jets signed Andre Dyson to replace Ty Law. While adding a decent cornerback was a positive step, the facts are that Dyson was a non factor after suffering a high ankle sprain midway through last season. The Jets badly need Justin Miller to step up and play a big role in the secondary this season. He's the one player the Jets have at the corner who is capable of putting a jarring hit on a ball carrier. He also has the speed to keep up with the burners. If he can hold his own back there then the Jets have some real options between him, Dyson and Barrett. If Culpepper is healthy in Miami the Jets will be looking for those options in a hurry. 5. Jerico Cotchery. The Jets have not had a solid two-way threat (fast possession receiver) since they let go of Coles after the 2003 season. Cotchery has the tools to be that guy but he needs the opportunity to make it happen. 4.5 speed is not world class but when it comes attached to a guy with good hands who runs good routes it can turn into something special in a hurry. Cotchery is probably the single offensive asset that the Jets could get the most rapid appreciation of value out of. If the Jets line up with Coles and McCareins next year we're in trouble again. Anyway those are the 5 keys that I see to the Jets stepping back up to a respectable level next year. The really bright side of the list is that 4 of them could be Jets for most of the next decade.
Well done. I agree with your assessment. The biggest surprise for 2006 however, might turn out to be the QB position. Many have just about given up on Chad....I think he will lead the OL to a much more respectable record than expected by most.
I agree as well, and I think that Miller and Robertson will be the two guys on that list who truely step up. Robertson is used to being triple teamed, he really just has to make problems he doesn't have to penetrate like he was forced to do as the undertackle to Jason Ferguson. Low center of gravity, thick strong arms, and a good drive off the line.. He's perfect for the position. It's just a matter if his knee holds up, and if he can handle the ability to be double teamed on every play.
I agree for the most part but I think that the QB has to be in the top 5. We have no idea what we have at that position given Chad's shoulder and Ramsey's inconsistant past. I guess that I would drop Mangold off the list because if need be you can shift Kendell there.
I agree with everything except for Teague at RT. My money says that the CS sees Jones as a younger, faster and more athletic option at RT, who, due to a faulty line altogether last year, just looked bad as a product of the system. I see Jones starting, and Teague penciled in as our C in training camp, with Mangold eventually getting enough reps to start early in the season. I don't know why everyone is so down on Jones- the guy really isn't that bad.
Kendall at C- no thanks! Not now, not anymore. Multiple faulty exchanges over the course of a few games were enough to convince me that the guy should never again be a C in an NFL game.
Personally, I don't understand the whole Cotchery thing with fans. You said it yourself, he's not fast.......meaning he'll never be anything special, IMO. Guys without speed, when they line up in the slot and zig for 6 straight plays, then zag on the seventh they can get lost and make a play here or there. If you line them up on the end with a corner on them, don't be relying on them for anything because they'll usually be covered when you need them. That's how I see Cotchery. He can't separate, because he lacks the speed. Chrebet was different early on in his career because he was quick off the line. He was sneaky fast. I don't even see Cotchery as that because he's big. Maybe I'm wrong. I hope I'm wrong.
Route running, hands, and size as a whole are more important than speed, IMO. If speed was the #1 factor, the NFL would be full of track stars. Besides, somone who has a 40 time of 4.5 seconds cannot be considered "slow." Take that speed and add size, good route running, and good hands, and you have yourself a potentially dangerous WR. Also, you can't rule out toughness. Cotchery looks to have the makings of one tough SOB who isn't afraid to make the difficult catches.
Yeah you can Run fast and have horrible hands and you will suck at WR but if you are kinda fast or nomal and you have good hands you can be a good WR.
i think that D'Brickashaw Ferguson will be a key to the Jets this year. If he constantly gets beat, than our QBs will struggle, and our offense as a whole will. Also, if Pennington can't come back, Ramsey will be a key player as well.
forget about cotchery. believing a number 3 wr to propell to the #1 spot is rediculous. coles has to step up. i hope he does'nt aggrevate his little toe or the jets will be in serious trouble.
No one is suggesting he will be the #1 WR over Coles. But I do want to see him step up and take the #2 spot away from McCareins.
Well, 4.5 is slow if the corner runs a 4.4. All the top receivers are fast, and when I say fast I mean they can separate from a fast cornerback. I don't know how size can be more important that speed when two of the best receivers in the NFL last year were Steve Smith and Santana Moss, and both are little guys. Why do a lot of track guys at least TRY to be receivers? Remember Nehemiah? Yes, he failed because he didn't have the other things you mentioned, but they try because they have the speed. Cotchery doesn't. I mean, not top tier NFL Speed....so he will always be limited, IMO To be a top top wideout, speed is the first thing you need.
Well I guess we have to agree to disagree. Technically, a CB with 4.4 speed is not "faster" than a WR with 4.5 speed. The receiver has the advantage of knowing what the play is, running a route to his advantage, knowing when a pump fake or play action will occur, etc. So that 0.1 in 40 speed becomes easily negated when we are talking about game speed. I agree that speed is a huge factor in being a top wideout. But there are many other factors to consider, and 4.5 speed is more than adequate.
1. one of our cornerbacks need to come up big. 2. Dewayne Robertson needs to be a key to our defense. If he doesnt do anything at NT we are screwed. 3. Offensive line. Obviously we need them to step up from last year Quarterback is important,but if chad doesnt pan out we have ramsey and if he doesnt pan out then we have kellen clemens. We will most likely find a starter out of those three.
Hope you didnot forget that DeW has a degenerate knee condition rather then supposed "triple teaming" which if you look at tapes is not so. It is his knee conditioning that limits him
First of all 2 years ago he had a pro bowl calibur season in which 2 opposing coaches whose teams made the playoffs said he was downright dominant. Secondly, regardless of the knee condition, although he isn't triple teamed, he is very commonly double teamed. Time will tell if the knee condition will hold him back long term, but he isn't the waste of space he is often portrayed as.When at the top of his game, he can be a very disruptive player.
Chad Pennington has to be on this list...Like DRob, this is his Make or Break season...Yes it's hard to pin stuff on Chad to be the Chad of old, but this is his absolute last chance to prove anything... Other than that, good list.
I'd add Bryan Thomas to that list. If Thomas doesn't show why he was a 1st rounder, the Jets pass rush will be quite shaky.
