Uncertain skies: Jets have concerns at skill positions Posted: May 14, 2009 > http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=549008
How hard is it to copy paste a freeking article??? Im not going there and I already know what BS is going to be in it.
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- The quarterback battle between Mark Sanchez and Kellen Clemens is not the only offensive question facing the New York Jets. The Jets lack a proven big-play receiver. Their two best running backs, Thomas Jones and Leon Washington, are both skipping voluntary offseason workouts because they're unhappy with their contracts. And the Jets' best pass-catching tight end, Dustin Keller, must improve his blocking to become an every-down player. So, why was Jets coach Rex Ryan smiling Thursday after practice? Well, it's only May, and he's an optimist. He also is a defensive-minded coach who thinks the '09 Jets defense will be nasty. "With every team, you have your strengths and your weaknesses," Ryan said. "People can focus on, 'You don't have this.' I can put it right back on you. We've got a better defense than you have. We have an offensive line that's probably better than yours. "We have no excuses." Expect the Jets to follow the Ravens' blueprint from last season, when Ryan was their defensive coordinator. The Ravens played superb defense, ran the ball effectively and did not ask rookie quarterback Joe Flacco to carry the offense. That should be the Jets' modus operandi in '09, whether Sanchez or Clemens wins the QB job. But here is a closer look at the Jets' concerns with the skill positions: Quarterback Sanchez is a rookie, and Clemens has started just eight NFL games. If both struggle, the Jets will regret not signing an experienced quarterback. While Sanchez was in California on Thursday preparing for his graduation from USC, Clemens was at practice sounding confident and relaxed. He wants to prove the Jets can win the AFC East with him at quarterback. "I'm competing every day, whether it's against Erik Ainge, Mark, Tom Brady, Chad Pennington, Trent Edwards, myself," Clemens said. Ryan continues to insist the QB competition is wide open, despite the Jets expending considerable capital to trade up and draft Sanchez with the No. 5-overall pick. "He's a first-round pick, he's going to be making a lot of money," Ryan said of Sanchez. "You can read into it any way you want. But at the end of the day, the best guy is going to be playing quarterback for us on opening day. If that's Kellen, then great. If it's Sanchez, then great. But one of them is going to have to win the job." Running back Skipping these voluntary workouts has not put Jones or Washington in Ryan's doghouse -- yet. That could change if they skip the mandatory June minicamp. "I'm not the smartest guy, but I think you should be here when it's mandatory," Ryan said. Both Jones and Washington are crucial parts of the offense. Jones led the AFC in rushing last season (1,312 yards), and Washington was a Pro Bowl kick returner who also is dangerous lining up in the backfield as a runner or receiver. Jones has been mentioned in trade rumors, but Ryan says he is confident both Jones and Washington will remain Jets. The Jets drafted running back Shonn Greene, and second-year back Danny Woodhead shows promise. Still, Ryan wants Jones and Washington back in the fold. "When we play our first game (Sept. 13) against Houston, I believe both will be with us," Ryan said. Wide receiver The Jets have last season's leading receiver back in Jerricho Cotchery (71 catches, 858 yards). But Laveranues Coles was almost as productive (70 catches, 850 yards), and he signed with the Bengals as a free agent. No other Jets wideout had more than 400 yards, and if receivers like Brad Smith, Chansi Stuckey and David Clowney do not step up, the passing game is sure to suffer. "I think it's motivating every last one of us," Clowney said. "We're not big-name guys who pop out at you on the screen. I have to prove a lot -- prove that I can start, prove I can beat any defensive back they put on me. But collectively, we all have something to prove." Tight end The Jets signed Bubba Franks this week, but Keller (48 catches, 535 yards) had a strong rookie season catching passes. Keller's next step is to improve his blocking, because Ryan wants the Jets to be a physical running team. "I'm working on it," Keller said. "I think I can be a good blocker." The real test for Keller will come during training camp, when the Jets put on pads. Clifton Brown is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at cliftonbrown@sportingnews.com.
Maybe kelly wants people to post more, because you have to have a certain number of posts to see links.
The Ravens had a rookie QB last year so they couldn't win The Titans lost VY and had some old ass QB in KC replacing him so they couldn't win The Patriots lost TB so they were gonna finish in last place Chad Pennington wasn't capable of leading his team to the playoffs The Falcons are rebuilding with a rookie QB so they're gonna suck Yada yada yada...
Hahaha, he's boycotting? Man, he's really making a statement. And all this time, I thought Rosa Parks was brave...
hmmm...how do we know whats going to happen? maybe cuz they are the jets. They are going to suck this year. Rex Ryan asserting that the defense will be good isn't going to make it happen. Bart Scott is overrated and the d-line is mediocre at best
Our offense is definitely a big question Mark (see what I did there? lol) However, I am actually pretty confident that our defense is going to step it up, we have skillful players at every defensive position save one OLB (Gholston/Thomas). Rex didn't get the name "The mad scientist" from running a typical predictable defense, and I think he's really going to make use of the players we have and their available skill-sets. That being said, do I think we're going to make the playoffs this season? no.... nor (obviously) do I expect them to be superbowl contenders. I wouldn't be entirely surprised if we did make a playoff run, but our success on offense is going to be the key. Are we going to be too one dimensional this year? It's quite possible. One thing I feel like we can bank on this season, is a dramatically improved defense. I don't think there is any way we end up 29th against the pass this year.
These national articles are such a waste on this site. Its all basic stuff here, anybody could write it.
