2014 - We improved the quality of our roster, now let's improve our performance on the field I strongly believe that with our free agency moves and the draft picks selected this year we have added sufficient new weapons to the mix to elevate training camp to a significantly higher level of competition than in years past. The infusion of some proven talent, like Decker and Johnson, coupled with a younger, faster, more explosive group of rookies, with a strong work ethic, is bound to make the team stronger and better in both sides of the ball by the time the first season game starts. Add the notion that Idzik is not necessarily done with making future strategic moves as the final cuts approach so it's reasonable to be more optimistic about our team's future ...starting with the 52 we will dress up in 2014. But beefing up the roster is not enough.To be successful we are really banking on some crucial returning players to really step it up. It's now time to take away some of the excuses we used in 2013 to justify their woes. They need to be under the microscope and expected to elevate their game for us to make strides. 1- G. Smith - We moved him into the starting lineup way too early and he did not have enough weapons around him. True then but not know. He has played a full year and has new talent and speed to play with. He needs to take the performance of the last few games in 2013 and improve on that. We need to know if he is our QB for the future. Vick might be pressed into action....but that again will be a short term fix. 2 - S. Hill - The transition period is over, it is time to show he is able to become a force to be reckon with. Can no longer blame it on the QBs, nor lack of proper football maturity coming out of College 3- Milliner - Very rough start in a very difficult position, improved significantly by year end. Can he be the number one corner we are banking on? This year is crucial for him and for the team. 4 - OL positions . I believe Winters as a minimum is under the micro to see how he can grow into the Guard position. DeBrick needs to get back to the level he can play at. 5 - Special teams coach - This is a huge part of our past success and we need to get back to a much stronger punt/kick-off return core group I might be over simplifying it but Geno, Milliner, Hill and the performance of the OL will dictate if we are going to be a real contender or a pretender in the division. The spot light is on them.
Why should hte better qb not play? Is this about winning or about being "fair" to Smith? I don't get that one bit. Having said that I understand that Vick is no answer probably greater than past 15, if that. But Smith does not deserve to be inked in as the starter with no competition. If that is what happens, I will be very unhappy. Don't forget Rex is probably playing for his job again this year. And Marty is the best OC we've had in a long time, but what is his future with the Jets if Rex is fired? Who knows. The point is those guys want to win more than give Smith a free run at starting Qb. Do you really believe Miami played well down the stretch? As for TB, are you giving credit to Smith for that personal foul? Without it the Jets lose that game to an awful TB team.
Sanchez wasn't a top 10 QB and look what happened there before he lost his mojo. Vick definitely has the ability to game manage a team into the POs, especially with the funky-dreads and BP in the backfield. This time next year, we will be picking at 18+
If Geno shows any marginal improvement (which I think will happen) - we will win 9 games at the least. The defensive line should be better at rushing the passer, we have a safety tandem that can lay the boom. We have explosive players with potential at the receiver positions and a strong running game.
For QB, it depends on how close Smith and Vick are based on the competition. If they're in the same area code, then you play Smith because his ceiling is unknown and its important to get him experience. If Vick is significantly better than Smith, then he should probably start, although a case can still be made to play Smith (i) as given Vick's age and injury history he's not likely to last as the starter throughout the season and (ii) to get Smith more experience if you decide he's your QB of the future.
Though it's still early...Jets this season will have an upgraded roster with upgraded talent & should finish season stronger than they start. With that being said...Jets will have a lot of new faces & rookies, which leads to mistakes, growing pains & the vaunted learning curve. Jets talent level should just improve more by next season via draft, F.A.'s, trades, signings. I see another possible 8-8 season...give or take a win or loss; then the real deal begins next season....IMO. By next season I can see a completion of the process with the solidifying of OL & OLB positions...which I see still have to be upgraded....IMO !
I am optimistic that Vick could stay on the field if he wins the starting job. It's far from a given that he would get injured if he played.
I expect Amaro to have a big rookie year. The QB play will have us anywhere from 6-10 to 9-7 this year. I think the defense will be better than last year so very strong. The offense is the big question going into 2014.
I thought we were a contender after the FA signings of Vick and CJ. All Geno has to do is hand the ball off to Powell, Ivory, Johnson and there are at least 4 yards right there. There is nothing special about Smith other than his ability to make some 6 yard pass on third down if necessary to someone other than Hill eg Becker,Amaro,Kerley. His big job will be not to fumble or throw interceptions. If the offense stays on the field your defense is rested and makes the CB job a little easier.
We don't have a QB yet. I pray Geno surprises us, but he's not the guy and neither is that over the hill, always injured, pile of shit Vick. Until we get that sorted out, our offense will constantly drag us down. I think we can back into the playoffs this year but don't see us going very far.
With the state of the NFL right now all you need is to get in to have a chance to win. I kind of agree that the Jets would be a huge longshot to actually win the Super Bowl if they made the playoffs but you never know. If the Jets were starting a rookie QB instead of Geno or Vick their chance would basically be nil.
i expect us to go 8-8 but sneak into the playoffs this time due to strength of schedule. D-line will be even more mean, Sheldon should bring that sack total up. I expect Coples to evolve into a more reliable pass rusher also. I think the secondary will have its moments where they struggle, and other times play at an average level. as far as offense i expect CJ and Chris Ivory to go nuts and be our bread and butter. I would think the passing game would go from almost dead last to at least average or slightly below (part due to heavy running). These are just expectations and wishful thoughts.
Although Vick is clearly better than Smith right now, Smith has more potential over the long term. Vick will have to retire in a few years, whereas Smith could potentially become a franchise QB for the long term IF he figures it out, shakes off the rawness, and makes a big improvement. The reason to start Smith now is so that we will know what we have- whether we need to get a new QB in 2015 or not. If we start Vick and he plays 13 games, we probably won't know if Smith is okay for us in 2015, whether he plays well or not in those last 3 games plus any playoff games. Rex has been talking up Smith, and Rex is very confident in himself- so he might think long term and just assume that Smith will be better this year, and view Vick as the insurance policy. If Smith has a meltdown, you bring Vick in to save the season. On the other hand, it's also possible that they already view Smith as the long term guy, yet feel like he still needs more time to learn. In that scenario, Smith can work with the coaches, be the starter once Vick gets his annual injury, and then hopefully be ready to start in 2015.
I understand that you're just making a point, but for the sake of argument... if you had the best players at every position except QB, you would EASILY go 19-0 with Greg McElroy at QB. He would throw it 8 times a game (zero throws after halftime), and you'd win every game 30-3.
Great post. I really like points 4 and 5. With 12 rookies plus FA signings ( Ford )---> really hope special teams is a strength. Last year watching the Jets have no one to return a punt was a sad day. I got ribbed by friends a ton for that. A good reliable punt returner would be a god send. OL is going to be key... Please let competition rule here ! Jets have depth in case of injury. So happy about that, but hope for more. ( want above average ) If special teams and the OL excel -- > It will be a great season... anyways that is how I see it.
The defense will be top 10. It all comes down to the offense. The quarterback, running back and receiver/tight end positions have all improved. I think with all that, we have a floor of about 6 wins. How well the quarterback play does will be the difference between 6 wins and 11 wins.
My expectations going forward are more about image building. I want the Jets to be a tough team no one looks forward to playing. I want teams that play against the Jets to come away bloody, bruised, and sore. On offense I want us to be efficient. Calculating and brutal in the trenches and on the ground. I want a ground and pound running game that other defenses loath to man up against, and a passing game that catches teams off guard and scores just enough points. I don't need a team that routinely wins 45-0. I want a brutal team that beats the hell out of others and wins just enough close games to knock NE off the pedestal. I want the Giants to complain about how hard we hit them during the Snoopy Bowl. Take no prisoners. And if you can't beat 'em, then beat 'em.
