JETS HITTIN' THE GROUND RUNNING RB JONES THE MAJOR UPGRADE IN YEAR 2 OF MANGINI REGIME By MARK CANNIZZARO July 22, 2007 -- A year ago, the Jets were breaking in a new head coach in Eric Mangini. Mangini, meanwhile, was breaking in his new coaching staff and trying to convey to his players what he expected from them. He, too, was conducting a ballyhooed four-way quarterback competition, one from which Chad Pennington would emerge the winner. The Jets also had to get used to not having Curtis Martin carrying the offensive load for them, which Martin had for the previous nine years. A year later, as the Jets report to Mangini's second training camp on Thursday to ready for their first round of two-a-day practices on Friday, there is more stability. The players and coaches know what Mangini expects. Pennington is firmly entrenched as the starting quarterback and team leader, and they've finally properly replaced Martin with someone worthy of being a feature back in Thomas Jones. With that, here's a look at five questions the Jets must at least begin to answer in training camp: 1. How much will Thomas Jones improve the Jets' anemic running game? The Jets' rushing attack scared no one last year. That allowed defensive coordinators to go after Pennington with added schemes because they didn't have to respect the run. Kevan Barlow, who began the season as the starter, finished with 370 rushing yards and a paltry 2.8-yard average. Had it not been for the emergence of rookie Leon Washington, who led the team with 650 rushing yards, the assault on Pennington would have been much worse. Jones rushed for 1,210 yards with the Bears in 2006, ran for 100 in the Super Bowl and is known as a strong receiver out of the backfield. This year, the Jones-Washington tandem should be productive. 2. How much better will Pennington be in his second year working with Mangini and offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer? For starters, Pennington doesn't have to worry about being the starter. The job is his, barring something unforeseen. A year ago, he had to win the job, staving off Patrick Ramsey (no longer here), Brooks Bollinger (no longer here) and Kellen Clemens. What Pennington, the unquestioned leader in the locker room, must do now, though, is take a step forward - in particular, cutting down his INTs (he threw a career-high 16 to go with 17 TDs). He's an extremely smart player with a keen attention to detail and, in his second year with the creative Schottenheimer and with a running game that might actually concern opposing defensive coordinators, Pennington is almost certain to be better. 3. What will become of the Pete Kendall situation and how will that affect the offensive line? Kendall, who's embroiled in a contract dispute with the team and has been very vocal about it, is a question mark at best to show up for training camp. He most likely will be released at some point, because the situation appears to have reached a point of no return. Kendall, the starting left guard, has been a mentor for left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson and center Nick Mangold. That leaves the question not only who'll replace Kendall if he doesn't show and is released, but how that'll affect his line mates. Adrien Clarke worked in Kendall's spot in minicamp, but is not highly regarded around the league. 4. Can top draft pick Darrelle Revis become an immediate starter at cornerback? Last season, the Jets started four different players in the cornerback spot opposite Andre Dyson, never settling on anyone. They'd love for Revis to step in immediately and anchor that spot. Hank Poteat, who finished the season as the starter last year, is a valuable backup but not starting material. Revis was a solid, smart, physical starter at Pitt. If he has a productive training camp, he can entrench himself in the starting lineup for a long time. 5. Can Jonathan Vilma return to being an impact player? Vilma was an impact player until he was thrown into Mangini's 3-4 scheme last season. He insists he's OK with the system, yet he failed to make a lot of big plays, such as INTs and forced fumbles, last season. If they get more than just a lot of tackles out of Vilma, that'll help the Jets improve on their 26th ranking against the run and their weak pass rush. Destination: Hempstead When: All rookies and veterans report Thursday Where: Hofstra University First practice: Friday, 8:45 a.m. Practice schedule: Varies - check newyorkjets.com or call the Jets Fan Line at (516) 560-8288 for daily schedule and information on Jets Fest and giveaways. All practice sessions open to the public free of charge. Free parking available. http://www.nypost.com/seven/0722200...round_running_jets_mark_cannizzaro.htm?page=1
They should just make him play out his contract. If he doesn't want to do that then holdout and fine him then just play Clarke. If/When he decides to come back he'll have to try to beat Clarke out for the job. After the season release him. He'll only hurt himself if he can't beat out Clarke and probably make less money in 2008.
Releasing him gives him what he wants. But if he's not gonna play, no point in wasting the roster spot.
I think our running game will be marginally better than last year if kendall leaves. If Kendall stays and wins the starting spot , I see the running game being just above average in terms of production. Like it or not we need Kendall , it remains to be seen wheather or not he needs us.
Exactly... make him play out his contract... whether we release him or he holds out half the season what's the difference? he's still not there & we really have no one to replace him with... plus he plays out the second half of the season and would be better rested for the playoffs...
Good read! Man I cant wait! Only a few more weeks..... As for Kendell, release his ass, I'm sick of the big cry baby.
I would rather just trade him for the highest possible draft pick. It doesn't even really matter how high it is as long as we get something for him. I agree with you though, he is starting to piss me off as well.
I'm so excited about Revis. I really can't wait to see how he handles the pros. This kid was all that at Pitt. As I said in another thread, I love the Jones pick up. It takes ALOT of pressure off Pennington.
While he does want to be released, having a malcontent around your "clubhouse" is not a great idea either.. What you need to do is try to DEAL him, even if it only nets a 6th or 7th... better than nothing. Those little picks are useful late in drafts to move up a couple slots in the late rounds to snag who you want.
I would try and trade him for a 7th round pick or so. If not wait until the last cut day and then release him.
not to say pete hasnt kind of been an asshole about this, but doing that is just a big FU to him, and would send a message of vindictiveness (word?) to the team. theres a fine line between making a stand and being spiteful. spite isnt a pretty thing, and does nothing but start to unsettle others.....if anything i would try to move him for another unhappy-under-current-contract guy that we like....if thats possible.
The fact that Mangini and Kendall spoke on the phone recently is extremely encouraging. I know Kendall's been an @$$hole over all this and doesn't "deserve" to play for us now, but I'd still like to see all of that put aside and have him on the line for one more year. I think Brick and Mangold could benefit from one more year and we'll also have a difficult time find a Kendall replacement who's going to fit right in immediately. Tannenbaum... fix the problem! This is what you do best....
I fully hope Kendall is a Jet this season. If he reports, Mangini preserves his integrity by not having caved in, and the offensive line doesn't take a major hit. Like it or not, Kendall is still the second best offensive lineman they have right now. Hopefully D'Brickshaw can change that this season.
I agree. Find a way to squeeze more more season out of Kendall and after that, I could care less where he goes or how much he bitches.
