2007 Jets - Position by position -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By RICH CIMINI DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER Wednesday, September 5th 2007, 9:08 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Print Email Suggest a Story Jerricho Cotchery -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2006 in review Record: 10-6 Leading passer: Chad Pennington, 3,352 yards Leading rusher: Leon Washington, 650 yards Leading receiver: Laveranues Coles, 1,098 yards * * * Quarterback If Chad Pennington gets off to a slow start, fans will be clamoring for Kellen Clemens. Relax, people: Pennington remains the Jets' best bet. He's a whiz in the no-huddle, creating favorable matchups with his ability to read defenses and call audibles. His arm strength remains an issue, forcing the offense to operate on a short field. That hurts against teams with two good CBs who can play aggressive, man-to-man coverage. Clemens, coming off a terrific preseason, has a better arm than Pennington. Once he catches up to Pennington mentally - if he catches up - it'll be decision time for Eric Mangini. Running Back Thomas Jones and Leon Washington are a terrific 1-2 punch, but Jones could be a slow starter because of his strained calf. Even when healthy, Jones isn't going to be a 25-carry-a-game back. He showed in Chicago that he's most effective when he's in the 16- to 20-carry range. You'll be disappointed if you expect a lot of flash; he's a grinder. Washington is a poor man's Tiki Barber. Look for plenty of screens and draw plays in spread formations. Darian Barnes brings a new dimension to the offense - a fullback who can block. Wide Receiver Laveranues Coles and Jerricho Cotchery are ideal in Brian Schottenheimer's short-passing attack. They're versatile and fearless. Coles has worked hard on his route running. Neither player is particularly dangerous after the catch. A rejuvenated Justin McCareins provides a vertical threat, but he's under-utilized because of Pennington's arm strength. Multipurpose Brad Smith, who had 27 touches as a rookie, will have a bigger role. Tight End Chris Baker's pass-catching opportunities were limited last season, in part because they needed him to block. He has underrated speed, enough to be a seam splitter against Cover-2 defenses, but his role isn't likely to change that much. Sean Ryan had a bunch of catches in preseason, but that isn't going to last. Offensive Line Four starters return from a line that wasn't terribly efficient last season, especially in the running game. That's not necessarily a bad thing because C Nick Mangold and LT D'Brickashaw Ferguson, last year's rookie tandem, should be improved. Mangold has the Pro Bowl in his future; Ferguson is stronger and has improved his technique. RT Anthony Clement is an underrated run blocker, but a liability in pass protection. RG Brandon Moore is solid. The big question is left guard: Will the Jets rue the day they traded Pete Kendall? Defensive Line The line must do a better job in the 3-4 scheme of keeping big bodies off the linebackers. The overall depth is better than last year. NT Dewayne Robertson and DE Shaun Ellis are better fits in the 4-3. Much is riding on newcomer Kenyon Coleman, a true 3-4 end. He can't be worse than Kimo von Oelhoffen, a free-agent bust whom was cut over the weekend. Newcomer Eric Hicks will emerge as a key player in the rotation, spelling Ellis at left end. Also need a nose tackle to give Robertson a rest. Linebacker Jonathan Vilma and Victor Hobson are playing for their long-term futures. If Vilma doesn't get the hang of the 3-4, he could be trade bait in the offseason. Hobson is entering his free-agent year. The X-Factor is rookie David Harris, a pure run stuffer who will steal playing time from Eric Barton and, perhaps, Vilma. Unlike Vilma, Harris is strong enough to defeat guards. Ex-Dolphin David Bowens is a situational pass rusher with a reputation for making clutch plays. He'll be one of the defensive leaders. Secondary Have two building blocks, SS Kerry Rhodes and rookie CB Darrelle Revis. If Revis is as good as advertised, he'll be a shutdown corner, giving Rhodes more freedom to blitz or line up in the box. That should help the suspect run defense. David Barrett and Andre Dyson also will be in the cornerback rotation, perhaps fighting for one job. Erik Coleman will open at free safety, but he'll be pushed by Eric Smith, who has better range. The Jets will play more zone coverage than last year, when they turned into a blitz-happy, man-to-man team. Special Teams This is the Jets' strength. K Mike Nugent's improved leg strength was one of the biggest positives in camp, and should extend his field-goal range by five yards. His kickoffs are better, too, which will help field position. Justin Miller made the Pro Bowl as a kickoff returner, so they're set at that spot - assuming his hamstring is okay. Revis, a productive punt returner at Pitt, will get a shot to strut his stuff. P Ben Graham is solid. So are the coverage units. Coaching After raising the bar with last season's unexpected playoff appearance, Eric Mangini is about to experience his first dose of Big Apple pressure. He's a talented coach, but he may have to deal with some dicey issues in his second year. Would he make a switch at QB if Pennington hits a rough patch? Nothing can wreck a team quicker than a QB controversy. If the Jets start slowly, how will he handle the inevitable grumbling that will come from the locker room? Make no mistake, there are players who don't like Mangini's style. They tolerate it because he has won. His authority will be tested if they start to lose. PREDICTION: The Jets are a well-coached, well-conditioned team that will battle the big boys in the AFC, but they're not an elite team - yet. They made a surprise playoff appearance last season, catching almost every conceivable break along the way. This season, their blemishes will be more glaring. The offensive line will suffer growing pains without Kendall, who was traded to the Redskins, and the run defense remains a question. Oh, the schedule is tougher, too. The Jets open against three of the top-six defenses from last season - the Patriots, Ravens and Dolphins, which is not the way you want to begin after such an awful preseason. Jones, once healthy, will take some pressure off Pennington, but this isn't going to be a high-scoring team. The Jets will fight to the end, but they'll fall short of the playoffs. RECORD: 9-7
This right here proves to me that Cimini didn't even watch Jets games last year, and instead just read the stats column the following day. His Brick comment is off as well. Putz...
Cimini is horrid. Watch for the Jets to play in the 3 wide, with newcomer Chansi Stuckey in the slot, (like Wayne Chrebet, with speed) and that in turn will do 2 things. Open up lanes for TJones, AND force teams to pick and choose when Baker hits the passing lanes after play action. Baker Catches 50 balls at least this year. And if he doesnt catch 70, they are under utilizing him. Baker should be catching balls running off the line, headed diagonally toward the marker in the area the slot receiver just left, with Jones drawing the extra defender into the LoS on play action, 4 yard toss 6-7 yard net. Tom Moore uses that play ad infinitum in Indy.
The willingness of Coles and Cotch to do ANYTHING in their power to stretch the field after the catch was one of the more obvious highlights from last season. How many times do you recall seeing Coles or Cotch spin, juke etc to get the first down +++. Was he sleeping when Cotch made the mother of all catches and took it downfield after he caught the other team sleeping?
We all know what team you refer too.. :up: They will not fall for the banana in the tail pipe again with Cotchery.. Great play though
Coles and Cotch are very dangerous after the catch. i thought they proved that against the Pats. Washington a poor man's Tiki?? I believed the poor mans reggie bush more than that. Its clear Cimini still hasnt given in to this team yet. Last year should haved proved that mangini in not only a quality coach but that our players can run with the best. sunday.
This article is horrible. The comment about Coles and Cotchery not being good with YACs is ridiculous. So is the comment about Hobson fighting for his job. I seem to recall that Hobson had a very good season last year. It's so obvious that he is writing with his wallet and not his head. It's incredible how the loss of a mediocre 34 year old guard is going to spell disaster for the Jets. Why? Because Kendall was a media darling who was always good for an interview and a quote. Cimini will miss him far more than the Jets. The same goes for his criticism of Mangini. He is the anti-Herm and, therefore, not good for quote material.
I really hate Cimini. Someone needs to make him rewatch the New England game with two great runs after the catches by Cotch and Coles. Cotchery got all the publicity for his but IMHO I thought Coles was better one that game.
Ciminini's problem is he is always trying to create a story that isn't there and his work appears at times quite lazy and sloppy "Belichick quote on Rhodes" which caused his paper to insert a retraction because of Peter King's and Beli anger over the "misquote". Report the stories don't try and create scenerios or stories..That's "Reporting 101" in journalism..just the facts please!!
After he turns two 4 yard throws into first downs, he will be protecting chad, by taking a LB out of the pass rush equation.
