It is definitely the most talented receiving corps we have had since 2010. Might be best group of RBs we have had since the 80s. we have the weapons on O, can the OL hold up and is Geno ready to build upon his late season success?
It really does come down to Geno Smith. If he plays well, the sky really is the limit. If he doesn't, Vick could come in and be decent, but the QB position has to be addressed again in 2015, likely halting any Super Bowl push for this roster. If you are a Jets fan, you are Geno Smith's #1 fan right now.
As long as Kerley is not fielding punts this season, I think we are a much better team than last year.
You're right on your first two counts, junc. It's hard to believe that this team has made the strides it has on the roster in such a short time spending small money. Geno will always be the X factor, I'm actually banking that he turns into at least an above average QB. The question is, can he clutch?
As much as I love Kerley as a player, the fucking side sucks returning punts. Saunders may be a godsend
The biggest positive I take from geno's rookie year was that the awful play didn't wear him down. He never quit, he came back and played well to end the season. w/ the way he played that can make a QB fold for good. he also came through in some big spots last year and seems to be cool under pressure. we'll see.
PRs for me are about catching the ball, good yardage is nice but it is meaningless if the guy will fumble from time to time. It was like McKnight w/ KRs, he was great at times and scored a bunch of TDs but he fumbled far too often and it killed us. Catch the ball.
Brad Smith. He did muff a short few, but he gained yardage most of the time. It's not about just catching the ball, it's about doing something with it, otherwise they may as well do away with Special Teams. They don't have to return for touchdowns. They need to put the team in good field position.
My biggest fear is our O line. If they don't deliver at least marginally decent coverage the consequences will be horrible, and not just for the offense. Bad O line will translate into one dimensional offense with frequent 3 and outs. This in turn will mean overworked defense that will be too tired to hold off top opponent for the whole game leading to losses late in 4th. That said, I believe/hope that competition will produce a decent O line and everything will fall in place. My definition of success if winning division, regardless of number of win total.
I doubt this team will revert back to the 6-10 team back in 2012. That team had no talent on offense at all. That was the sewers. My expectations are 10-6 this year. That's a playoff team. I also believe getting into the playoffs isn't the sky for the Jets this year. To me making the playoffs wouldn't be a surprise, but winning playoff games this year? Absolutely a surprise for me. This team has the potential to be the best Rex Ryan team yet. The ability to get explosive plays out of the offense, defense and special teams will be there. If Geno can step his game up and perform better than Mark Sanchez in 2010 (not constantly turning the ball over, making plays to help the team win) then we could be a special team. I worry about the offensive line though, I hope the guard spots hold their own and Breno holds down the RT spot.
The offensive line was far from stellar last season and they still delivered on the ground. From the shotgun most times. The QB has a lot to do with Oline play. If the QB is confident enough to call coverages after the defense has made adjustments, most of the time the line can play well. Last season, it was Nick Mangold calling coverages on the fly with his hand on the ball and nose tackles yelling in his face. The QB is huge in Oline play.
I'd love to have both sure hands and playmaking ability like Santana gave us but if I have a choice of a guy w/ sure hands and short returns vs. a guy who muffs and has a much higher avg I'll take the sure hands. I'd rather start 5 yards back than give the ball to the other team. PR muffs are the most deflating TOs there are.
Julian Edelman vs. Jeremy Kerley in the first game last season. Difference was about eight miles of field position.
I'm pretty much in agreement , there's definitely reason to be excited about the season. I can't see us not making a playoff run.
I have some hope that the O-line might step up, but there's plenty of reason to be concerned. Ferg and Mangold are a year older, we replaced our pretty solid RT with someone who's record isn't as positive, and we're still hoping someone fills in our shit guard at both positions. Ever team has holes they have to fill every year, but we're running on a wing and a prayer. Same thing at the corner position.
I wish the sky was 12 wins but the schedule is brutal in the beginning of the year and it may take a few games to see which Geno shows up this year. 5-5 at the break could be the sky. Obviously I'd love it if they have a winning record at the break then go 5-1 to finish the reg season but realistically anything within 1 game of 5-5 at the break has to be looked at as positive.
