We're still pretty much unaware on which QB will start under center for us but what are some aspect's from last year's team in which needs improvement upon for this up coming season in order for the Jets to take their success from last year to another level and potentially land a postseason appearance? First two thought's (for me) that come to mind are... 1.) 'Defending opposing HB's from catching out of the backfield against our defense'. We lost at least two/three games due to our inability to contain RB's catching out of the backfield especially with those wheel routes against us last season. With a youth movement @ linebacker i may be concerned about play-recognition ability & awareness due to a lack of experience surrounding Harris after the drafting of two rookies expected to play large roles in Lee & Jenkins along with Mauldin returning being only a 2nd year player; but i am hopeful that by featuring improved quickess, speed & coverage ability throughout our linebacker position's we'll see a decline in production from opposing backs catching out of the backfield against us. One can only hope so because we are returning a very talented secondary combined with a defensive line in which should continue to create for plenty of quarterback pressure while stuffing the run (with the help of Davis Harris). With that being said i now feel that if our younger LB's can just contain athletic HB's from catching out of the backfield/TE's working the flats with improved coverage we could be on the verge of featuring a pretty dynamic defense in which can do it all. 2.) 'A 3rd receiver to emerge in order to not be so predictable on offense'. Brandon Marshall's an all out freak while Decker's a solidified gamer, but who's our 3rd receiver needed in order to compliment these two in Marshall & Decker? Last year we didn't have one. We lacked a 3rd receiver. In my opinion the lack of a 3rd option at receiver was a problem last year in regards to offensive predictability with the likes of Kerley, Enunwa, Thompkins and a rookie in Smith only combining for 64 receptions & 3 TD's on the season. It now feels as if we're a 3rd option at receiver away from developing into one of the leagues most versatile offenses. We're privileged to have two primetime players at receiver in Marshall & Decker and as a fan I'm thankful for that. We should also have one of the most productive duo's catching out of the backfield as well due to the addition of Forte ( who's top 3 in terms of RB's catching out of the backfield) along with Powell returning to the mix which I'm also excited about. But who's our 3rd option at receiver to really open up our offensive style of attack? Hopefully one of either Smith, Peake, Enunwa, Thompkins or Ross can really step up & emerge as our #3 receiver during training camp, preseason and throughout the regular season because if so we could be onto something regarding the offensive side of the ball. Under Chan Gailey's scheme and system in which doesn't feature TE's too often, i can't help but believe we're a 3rd option at WR away from surroundings our quarterback with an offense that can not be defended easily. Take Devin Smith for example. If Devin Smith emerges we could feature weapons everywhere in Marshall as our #1 on the outside, Decker lining up across the field either as our #2 on the outside or more than likely working out of the slots, Forte catching out of the backfield along with Smith taking the top off opposing defenses as our deep threat in which should open up the underneath game for our trio of Marshall, Decker & Forte. That could be deadly for regardless who starts under center for us. With all that said; if the Jets defense of 2015 would've contained opposing HB's catching out of the backfield while our offense offered a productive 3rd receiver in order to become less predictable ("Marshall & Decker") we would've without question made the playoffs at 12-4 by improving by at least 2 games.
special teams was by far the biggest problem with the 2015 jets. The piss poor special teams is the reason we weren't a playoff team.
#1 has to be improved QB/oline play. we arent going anywhere turning it over as much as we did and with the line being that poor. if fitz is back, he cant be throwing crucial picks late in games #2 has to be pass rush. in the games we lost, qbs had alllllll day to throw. we got nothing on the edge and little from our front 4. #3 is special teams, it was uglier then the 2 above, but also easier to fix. #4 is coaching. hopefully after a season here bowles is more dialed in. he made some horrific late game decisions last year and his clock management was ugly i dont think 3rd WR is anywhere near the top 10 of issues this team has. id say 3rd corner is more presssing then 3rd WR.
Our linebackers got younger and faster quick. No more coples, Demario Davis chasing HB out of the backfield. Pace, is going to have to work hard to even make the team this year. Youth infusion at LB. Kerley should have been in the mix more last season, better than the rookie. It will be interesting to see if Amaro can contribute and what we do with Enunwa. And is the rookie ready in his 2nd year to perform (the other smith). We have a lot of depth in the backfield... Powell, forte, Robinson... Let's run wild
Special Teams coverage, returning, tackling, punting Run blocking at times could be improved QB Play - when we actually need big plays down the field, dumb picks need to stop, urgency when down multiple scores in the 2nd half although that's an offensive and coaching staff issue as well Tight End play overall- hoping Amaro is the guy Defense - we will be very good can't see many weaknesses
1. No QB, RB, or TEs gashing our front seven for 5+ yards a pop (especially on third or fourth down). 2. Pass rush need improvement 3. Special teams need to be better across the board 4. Consistent QB play 5. Aside from Marshall and Decker we need WRs and RBs to move the chains 6. We need our running game to be consistent and our RBs to stay healthy
Even though it has killed us in the past, and is a concern, I feel fairly confident that our D will be much better in that aspect. Lee is a rookie and may have some issues with play recognition, but play recognition or instincts is one of his strengths. He also has the speed to compensate for any misread or mistake he makes. He also has excellent ball skills. In addition, you seem to be forgetting about Bruce Carter. He excels in coverage and is fast as well. On passing downs, Harris won't be on the field. Either Carter or Lee will be on the field and probably both at times. I don't consider this to have been a major problem last year, nor, barring injuries, do I think it will be any sort of problem this year. Enunwa made some big catches last year, and supposedly has been looking much improved catching the ball in OTAs. With a year's experience, greater confidence, and hopefully concentration, he should be a much more effective weapon in our offense. Gailey has seldom had a quality TE with which to work. Amaro is supposedly working as both a Y in-line TE and as an H-back. He has talent. If he can stay healthy, block, and improve his concentration/focus as a receiver, he could easily provide that 3rd receiver. Forte will be our starting RB or will at least see a lot of action. He's not Ivory. He will see a LOT of passes thrown his way. If nothing else, between Enunwa, Amaro, Forte and Powell, the Jets will have plenty of options to catch the ball. That's not even considering Thompkins, Devin Smith, Charon Peake, Jalin Marshall and perhaps Robbie Anderson. The latter 3 have a lot of talent and speed. One or more of them could surprise. My greater concerns are with the play of the OL, STs, and QB position. If Fitz is back, that will help the OL somewhat, but with a tougher schedule, and the tougher Ds we'll be facing, perhaps not that much. If Clady can stay healthy and return to even close to his All Pro form, the left side of the line will be rock solid. If not, we'll be counting on Ijalana who has barely played in the last 3 years, if at all, and is a total unknown. We all know that Giacomini is mediocre to awful. Will Qvale be able to replace him in the starting lineup and play any better? Will Winters continue as starter, and if so, will he improve, or will Harrison or Dozier beat him out? IMO the OL's play could range from greatly improved, to basically the same as last year, to possibly even significantly worse if Clady can't stay healthy, Qvale can't unseat Giacomini and Mangold's play slips any. We have a new STs coordinator, greater overall team speed, will have a new punter, and should have a better PR and KOR. That should lead to greatly-improved STs play, but that remains to be seen. Even if Fitz is back, his play could be much worse this year since we are playing better teams and he doesn't have a history of playing well two seasons in a row. If Fitz isn't back, and the OL's play isn't steady, Geno could struggle mightily, as then would the Jets' offense.
Having a 3rd receiver to "take the top off of defenses" only complicates things. Like 1. Who's going to throw the ball to said receiver? 2. If we do bring in a special qb to throw it to our deep threat, will other defenses figure it out? 3. When smith and smith are on the field together will the other team just play everyone really far back? Let's just stick with two receivers for now; Fitzpatrick went to Harvard not Michigan State.
Not only from 2015, but from the last few years, my answer to OP's question is playmaking linebackers. Not that the position has been atrocious, but considering the level our Dline has been performing at over the years, you would expect much more production out of the Lb corps than we have gotten. I would say our LB corps has been very mediocre (that may be overrating them actually) which has kept our defense in the very good category, but preventing them from becoming elite. This year is exciting because the potential is there, but: Can Harris have another solid year or will age catch up to him quickly? Can Henderson replicate or build on his success last year? Is Mauldin ready for a FT role? Can the rookies make positive contributions or will this be a learning year for them mostly? It's hard to predict for this year, and you certainly have to like this unit going forward, but if the 3 young guys (Mauldin, Lee, Jenkins) all step up, this defense could be top 3 in the league this year easily.
The 3rd WR concept is nice but it really should be considered 3rd option instead. That should be filled by a combo of Forte, Powell, and maybe Amara. It would be great if one of Smith, Peake, Enunwa or whoever could also contribute but that's a long shot. The D can be special if we can get one of Mauldin, Jenkins or Bishop to consistently apply pressure from the edge. The ST has nowhere to go but up. The punting should be better this year with either Edwards or Hackett. If Boyer can improve the coverage teams to average the team should be more competitive. Eventually the team will pick a starting QB. Its not likely to be HackenMacc nor Petty so let's hope either Fitz resigns or Geno can step up.
ST's and speed of LB'ers stopping wide runs and RB's out of the backfield are two of the biggest areas that the Jets need to improve in. Finding a 3rd receiving threat whether it be Forte, Amaro, Powell or someone else will help keep defenses honest as well. More consistent pass rush/pocket pressure and improved corner play round out the Top 5.
