Offseason Preview: NY Jets

New York Jets' Offseason "To Do" List

After two consecutive visits to the AFC Championship game, Rex Ryan's New York Jets failed to make the playoffs in 2011.  This is a team loaded with talent on paper.  Too bad they play the game on a real football field.  The running game we've become accustomed to seeing from the Jets was missing.  The run defense was also a shell of it's former self.

The easiest person to blame is Quarterback Mark Sanchez.  General locker room dysfunction will also be the talk of the offseason, and rightly so.  Football is considered the "ultimate team sport."  If you can't place team goals above that of the team's, you will not succeed.  Even with better team morale, the Jets need some serious upgrades on their roster.

The coaching staff and front office is not exempt.  Offensive Coordinator Brian Schottenheimer was basically let go by the Jets.  Tony Sparano has replaced Schottenheimer.  Sparano is hailed as an excellent offensive line coach but has limited experience calling plays.  Rex Ryan is the de facto coordinator of a defense that was victimized is big games.  They were torched by Tom Brady early in the season.  He was also "Tebow'd" after attempting a zero blitz in Denver.  

The front office hasn't been able to sustain the team during the offseason.  After Rex Ryan was named head coach, New York landed LB Bart Scott, S Jim Leonhard and CB Antonio Cromartie.  They haven't had free agent success to that degree in the last two offseasons.  They've lost offensive linemen Alan Faneca and Damien Woody.  They have yet to find a standout pass rusher and do not have a consistent, reliable receiver.

New York needs to find replacements for veteran players that have moved on and fill holes that they've been masking for three seasons.  They also need to get back to the identity Rex Ryan created when he first came, which is running on offense and stopping the run on defense.  In order to best set themselves up for regular season then post-season success, here's what the Jets need "To Do" this offseason:

Rush Linebacker: Rex Ryan is blitz-happy to put it mildly.  At some point, you need to be able to send four guys and trust they can get there.  Darrelle Revis is excellent but he's one guy.  When Calvin Pace and Eric Smith (a safety) are your best pass rushers, you have a problem. Upgrade please.

Get WRs In Order: Plaxico Burress, who played pretty well, is a free agent.  Santonio Holmes is slated to return but his contract may pose a small problem.  That, along with attitude issues could send him out the door.  Jeremy Kerley is the slot receiver and will remain the third option at best.  I expect New York to try to get their hands on a top tier free agent receiver.

Draft a Running Back: I don't expect LaDanian Tominson back with Gang Green. They will need to draft a RB to replace him.  Shonn Greene will take the role as the clear cut lead back.  If McKnight's development continues, he'll be the third down option.  You still need three guys.  They should bring in a young guy to help Greene between the tackles.

Get a Safety: Jim Leonhard is decent.  Eric Smith is a liability in coverage.  The position hasn't addressed this problem since Ryan has been in New York.  If you are going to blitz often you need safeties that can cover.

Offensive Line: Alan Faneca and Damien Woody were sent packing.  They failed to replace them.  Vladimir Ducasse was the guy that was supposed to step right in and replace Woody.  It didn't happen.  Sparano will spend a lot of time with this unit but expect them to draft an OL or two in the middle to late rounds of the draft.  

Leave the "Sanchise" Alone: Elite?  No.  Clutch? Yes.  Here's a guy that has made big plays late in the game on multiple occasions.  He is a guy that needs to lean on his defense and run game.  If you keep him in the game, he can pull it out.  If you can run the ball, he will make plays down field for you.  

Final Thoughts

The New York Jets will get back to playing great defense.  Rex Ryan will make sure of that.  Tony Sparano will help them with their o-line deficiencies.  They need locker room leadership and more perimeter talent on both sides of the ball.  Whether Ryan likes it or not, the Jets are still chasing the Patriots.  Consistent, quality play starts with consistent, quality offseasons.