http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/jets/2009-06-23-organization-report_N.htm?csp=34 By Tom Pedulla, USA TODAY No one will accuse the New York Jets of being afraid to make changes or take chances. Compared with many teams in the relatively conservative NFL, they are the equivalent of let-it-roll riverboat gamblers. Although coach Eric Mangini produced winning records in two of his three seasons, owner Woody Johnson quickly responded to a late-season swoon that caused his team to miss the playoffs in 2008 a year in which the Jets rolled the dice by loading up on free agents and trading for quarterback Brett Favre. Johnson dumped Mangini and hired another first-time head coach in Rex Ryan, the overseer of one outstanding Baltimore Ravens Defense after another. When Favre retired after one inglorious season in the Big Apple, general manager Mike Tannenbaum made one of the most stunning draft-day trades in recent memory. He moved up 12 slots to snag Southern California's Mark Sanchez fifth overall, the highest the franchise had taken a passer since Joe Namath was the top pick of the 1965 AFL draft. New York's trading partner? Mangini and the Cleveland Browns, a franchise that pounced to hire the Jets' deposed coach. PHOTO GALLERY: Top images from NFL minicamps POWER RANKINGS: Rate where you think the Jets should be Business is business. And the Jets were eager to entrust their future to Sanchez at the cost of two draft picks and three players. Namath became "Broadway Joe," an ever-confident leader who guaranteed and delivered a shocking 16-7 upset of the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III in 1969. The Jets, who constantly strive to escape the civic shadow of the New York Giants, have not been back to the title game since. Sanchez should help from a business standpoint if he can boost the sale of personal seat licenses when the Jets join the Giants in opening their new stadium in 2010. His success will ultimately be gauged, though, on whether he can be like Namath and take the Jets to great on-field heights once more. Tannenbaum believes Sanchez will be an excellent fit in what is arguably the nation's most demanding fan and news media market. "It takes a person with a certain confidence to play here," Tannenbaum says. "I don't think he's afraid of the big stage at all. He's going to be successful." Ryan liked what he saw the first few times Sanchez took the field with his new teammates. "He's just stepping in there, playing football," he says. "He doesn't know any different. That's why I think we've got the right guy. It doesn't bother him. He knows how to be successful." Sanchez is no stranger to the national stage or to great expectations after playing at USC. For now, he's working to be part of a team that has many challenges ahead. "I can't promise we're going to win the division. I can't promise we're going to win the Super Bowl or that I'm going to be the MVP of the league," he says. "All I can promise is that I'm going to work hard." Although Ryan has said he has a pretty good idea of how things are going to play out, Sanchez cannot be sure he will call the signals when his club opens the regular season. The primary story line of training camp will involve the competition between Sanchez and Kellen Clemens, a second-round draft choice in 2006. Clemens struggled as the Jets went 3-5 when he started eight games in 2007. Still, Ryan promises the Sanchez-Clemens duel will be a fair fight. "It's too important of a position for us to say, 'Let's give it to this guy or give it to the other guy,' " he says. "It will come out in the end. It always does." History suggests many coaches believe in having top young passers learn their initial lessons from the sidelines. Of the 21 quarterbacks taken in the first round since 2002, only four immediately joined the lineup: David Carr (Houston Texans, 2002), Kyle Boller (Baltimore, 2003), Joe Flacco (Baltimore, 2008) and Matt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons, 2008). It might help Sanchez's cause that Ryan saw firsthand what Flacco did for Baltimore, managing the game well enough to turn around a losing team and then becoming the first rookie quarterback ever to win two playoff games. Matt Ryan also led Atlanta to the postseason. The Jets' new coach is the son of innovative former NFL coach Buddy Ryan. His willingness to take chances during his 10 years with Baltimore was a major factor in the Ravens' defense ranking lower than sixth overall just once in the last decade. The ultra-aggressive Ravens paced the league with 34 takeaways, permitted a league-low four rushing touchdowns and gave up the third-fewest points in 2008. Everything in Ryan's new neighborhood indicates New York will depend heavily on what has a chance to be a stellar defense with the signing of linebacker Bart Scott. The offense will try to limit mistakes while it plays to its strengths, a fine line and quality backs in Thomas Jones and Leon Washington. But both are seeking new deals. Considering the gambles the Jets have taken lately, taking care of their proven tailbacks would seem to be a smart bet, given that Sanchez and Ryan's new defense are wild cards. *** AROUND THE FIELD WITH THE JETS Quarterback: With Brett Favre gone, fans will expect Mark Sanchez to have an immediate impact …if he's anointed the starter. That might be asking too much; he was limited to 16 starts at Southern California. Kellen Clemens, who threw twice as many interceptions (10) as touchdowns (five) during an eight-game trial in 2007, could fend off Sanchez to start the season. Running back: Thomas Jones comes off a huge season, including a team-record 15 touchdowns. But he's on the wrong side of 30, and New York began preparing for life without him by drafting Shonn Greene, a big back with a knack for moving the pile. Critics of former coach Eric Mangini did not understand why Leon Washington was not given a larger role. Wide receiver: Laveranues Coles, with his can-do attitude and toughness, will be missed. Jerricho Cotchery will be hard-pressed to play a leading role. Brad Smith, 2007 seventh-rounder Chansi Stuckey and undrafted David Clowney all have much to prove. Tight end: Dustin Keller possesses many of the talents of a wide receiver in a tight end's body. Those abilities create constant mismatches and give him a chance to develop into a big-time talent. His blocking needs work. Offensive line: The Jets ranked fifth in the NFL with 4.7 yards a rush. Much of the credit goes to a hardworking, cohesive line. Left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson and center Nick Mangold have been allowed to grow together since first-round picks were invested in them in 2006. Left guard Alan Faneca, signed before last season, asserted himself as a team leader. Defensive line: Pro Bowl nose tackle Kris Jenkins routinely ties up blockers, creating opportunities for teammates, and generally wreaks havoc in the trenches. At new coach Rex Ryan's urging, defensive end Marques Douglas was signed. He is known for his rugged play and run-stuffing ability. He'll flank Jenkins along with longtime stalwart Shaun Ellis. Linebacker: The Jets made one of the big free agency splashes by luring Bart Scott away from the Baltimore Ravens. He already has a big voice in the locker room. His ability to cover virtually any running back will be a key. Ryan has said Vernon Gholston, drafted sixth overall in 2008, will be a major contributor. Secondary: Cornerback Darrelle Revis blossomed into everything the Jets hoped he would be when they traded up to snag him in the first round two years ago. Lito Sheppard, a two-time Pro Bowl corner, was obtained from the Philadelphia Eagles and will get a chance to revive his career. Outstanding free safety Kerry Rhodes will be joined by Jim Leonhard, another former Raven. Special teams: Washington is a feared returner. Jay Feely was kept after he drilled 24 of 28 field goal tries in 2008 while replacing Mike Nugent. Punting was a problem last year, but coverage units should not be with aces Ahmad Carroll and Larry Izzo leading the way. Coaching staff: Ryan has created a much lighter atmosphere than Mangini fostered and will surely be more of a players' coach. He retained certain key assistants, including offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, who looms as a key figure because his unit is short on playmakers. Ryan will attempt to fashion a defense that intimidates opponents and dictates games the way his Ravens editions did. Outlook: Whether Sanchez or Clemens is at quarterback, a bumpy ride can be expected in the AFC East. Tom Brady is back under center for the New England Patriots, and Chad Pennington leads the resurgent Miami Dolphins. The Jets' new parts will have to mesh quickly if the team is to make a playoff return.
The part I find interesting is Ryan, within several articles, has been lauded as a "player's coach" I can see that, but at the same time, I only see him being a player's coach until you F up. Then you get to see the hard side of the guy.
Chad leads the resurgent Dullfins..... my ass. He lead them last year, give him all the credit in the world, he never stays healthy and gets it done 2 years in a row. We might suck, but the Chad lead dullfins is the least of our problems
i'd like to see that too. Jets coaches have averaged 4 years per tenure. Its tough to win a SB that way. I was prepared to give Mangini 4-6 years. Hindsight says maybe that's not a good idea. But I think Ryan deserves that much.
We will see but this team personnel wise does not have a lot of time to be successful. Faneca, Woody are both old and closer to the end then the beginning of their careers. I think Jenkins also has a lot of milage on his tires as well.
The only thing working against Ryan is the Offense. Once again we find ourselves with a question mark at Quarter back. (Not for long I hope) If we can get 14 to 21 points out of the offense I’m sure thee newly revitalized defense will add a score or two, thus leading to many victories. I think he will do well, but we often find our coaches short comings as the season plays out and let’s hope Ryan’s take the form of little things and not big things. Personnel wise we have just as much talent as any team in our division, all accept the quarter back position.
Fluff piece, and I find it interesting that the coverage unit highlight is some clown named Izzo and Carroll (who is not shabby). How about Wright and Smith? These USA Today writers really don't have a grasp on the inner workings of the team. Nothing truly insightful here.
that's pretty bold, you can't expect the D to be on top of their game and/or score every game. the most important category that the staff will need to get is TOP.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Izzo Through 2008, Izzo has recorded more special teams tackles than any other active NFL player (280). Izzo has racked up 257 ST Tackles in 188 career regular-season games plus 23 tackles in 21 postseason games. While the NFL doesn't publish official statistics on ST tackles, that ranks Izzo second in NFL history behind Buffalo's Mark Pike (283). He ranks ahead of Keith Burns (231), Gary Stills (218), former Dallas Cowboy Bill Bates (216) and former Bill Steve Tasker (186). [3].
that writer should have probably looked at the dolphins schedule before saying something stupid like that. fins will be lucky to get to 7-9
I am STILL waiting for this team to play ONE,,,, Just ONE pre-season game before I can make any predictions. How can they write this stuff without ever see'ing this team play one down in a game. Its June 28th, 2009 we have one month before camp start and OMG I cant wait.
Agreed, look at their fukin schedule!! I say 5-11...lol :rofl2: Regular Season Schedule 1 Sun, Sep 13 @ Atlanta/Loss 2 Mon, Sep 21 Indianapolis/Loss 3 Sun, Sep 27 @ San Diego/Win 4 Sun, Oct 4 Buffalo/Win 5 Mon, Oct 12 NY Jets/Loss 6 BYE WEEK 7 Sun, Oct 25 New Orleans /Loss 8 Sun, Nov 1 @ NY Jets/Loss 9 Sun, Nov 8 @ New England/Loss 10 Sun, Nov 15 Tampa Bay/Win 11 Thu, Nov 19 @ Carolina/Loss 12 Sun, Nov 29 @ Buffalo/Loss 13 Sun, Dec 6 New England/Loss 14 Sun, Dec 13 @ Jacksonville/Win 15 Sun, Dec 20 @ Tennessee/Loss 16 Sun, Dec 27 Houston/Win 17 Sun, Jan 3 Pittsburgh/Loss ricky williams:finssuck:
articles like this written in june are always fluff and a waste of time, BUT everyone one of us read the whole thing because june is a terrible month for fans. what the hell can usa today or anyone else write about any team in june????? another fluff observation: when we play a monday night game (national audiance), it's always funny to hear the announcers talking about the team. it's always fluff stuff that we've known about all year long. just have to remember that 90% of the viewers are watching their first jet game of the season, so blah blah fluff works well.
