" Jets hit paydirt with Todd Bowles/Mike Maccagnan tandem " ~ ~ ~

[kelly]

 -- Unlike his New England Patriots counterpart, Todd Bowles didn't push away microphones Tuesday morning during his Q&A with reporters at the AFC coaches' breakfast. A relaxed Bowles sat for 60 minutes at his designated table, patiently answering questions. When it was over, he joked that the reporters were more enjoyable than the casts of "Friends" and "Cheers."

Light moments aside, this is what we learned about the New York Jets :

1. They like Robert Griffin III (kinda sorta): Bowles was asked several questions about his recent meeting with RG III. As you'd expect, Bowles had nothing but positive things to say about the former star-turned-castoff. He said RG III "didn't bad-mouth anybody or have any excuses" about his fall from grace with the Washington Redskins. Bowles said he was impressed with the quarterback's knowledge of recent football history. Yes, really. Maybe it was just posturing, but you got the sense Bowles has doubts about Griffin the player.

2. Bowles is the anti-Woody (when it comes to the Ryan Fitzpatricknegotiations): The coach played it cool, acting as though he's not sweating the possibility of losing his starting quarterback to another team. This was a stark contrast to owner Woody Johnson, who gushed Monday about the unsigned player's importance to the team. Maybe it's a good cop-bad cop thing. Bowles is a graduate of the Joe Gibbs School, meaning he believes quarterbacks can be replaced. But something tells me he'd rather not go down that road just yet.

3. It'll be a "three-pronged" backfield: Bowles called recently signed Matt Forte a "three-down back," but he's not planning to make him a full-time player. The Jets plan to use Bilal Powell and new addition Khiry Robinson in what should be a committee-type situation. As Bowles noted, Robinson still is recovering from a broken leg. Bowles was asked several questions about Forte, most of them concerning his age. Bowles said, "We have this mythical number that 30 is over the hill for a football player. That's not necessarily true." He mentioned Brandon Marshall, who will turn 32 on Wednesday, as a prime example of a still-thriving older player.

4. The defense could be tweaked: With five starting-caliber defensive linemen, Bowles confirmed "there's a chance" the Jets could switch to a 4-3 front. He called Steve McLendon a versatile lineman because he can play more positions than just nose tackle. He described Jarvis Jenkins as a rotational player who can provide an interior pass rush. My gut: Bowles likes the 3-4 too much to abandon it. Look for another season of hybrid fronts.

5. Wanted: leaders: Bowles spoke about the importance of developing team leaders. Without naming names, he said he wants certain players to step into leadership roles in 2016. Ideally, you'd like young, ascending players to step in those roles, but the current roster is shy on obvious candidates. A few guesses:Calvin Pryor, Muhammad Wilkerson, Sheldon Richardson, Leonard Williamsand Buster Skrine, who will go into camp as the favorite to start oppositeDarrelle Revis. Bowles said he won't name permanent captains.

6. Sheldon is back on the line: His days as the emergency outside linebacker are over. Richardson is back to being a defensive lineman. Good.

7. Watch out for Lo: Bowles is expecting big things out of second-year linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin. "I expect him to be a major player this year," he said, meaning a full-time role. Mauldin is the favorite to nail down one of the starting spots on the outside. The other spot belongs to ... good question. It doesn't sound like free agent Calvin Pace, 35, is in the plans.

8. Lukewarm on Brick: Bowles gave a tepid endorsement of left tackleD'Brickashaw Ferguson, saying: "He did some good things and he did some not-so-good things." Ferguson's massive cap charge ($14.1 million) puts his roster spot in jeopardy, but it would be foolish to cut him without an obvious replacement on the roster.

9. Another tight end on the way: They re-signed Kellen Davis, but the plan is to add another. Why not? The more the merrier.

10. Revis Island update: Bowles said he had no idea Revis played most of last season with a torn ligament in his wrist. He also defended the star corner's less-than-steller season, insisting he wasn't disappointed at all. He played "very well," per Bowles.

>   http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/59190/60-minutes-with-todd-bowles-10-things-we-learned-about-the-jets

[kelly]

A look at what's happening around the New York Jets :

~ ~   9. Waffle House harmony :  Bowles had a funny line when asked about his working relationship with general manager Mike Maccagnan. He said there hasn't been one day where they haven't been on the same page, prompting me to ask: Not one disagreement? He responded with a breakfast food analogy, which is not something you hear every day."We like certain players better than others, but we're talking eggs and bacon or bacon and sausage," he said. "We're not talking big disagreements."

Sounds kind of syrupy to me.

rest of above article :  

> http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/59304/rex-ryans-hope-qb-ryan-fitzpatrick-leaves-jets-for-another-team

[kelly]

Forget the blitz, Jets take a read-and-react approach in free agency

 

Lose and replace.

Lose and replace.

That pretty much sums up the New York Jets’ modus operandi through the first three weeks of free agency -- hardly a surprise. At the outset, general manager Mike Maccagnan said their game plan would be contingency-based -- a read-and-react philosophy, so to speak. A year ago, when there was a deep well of cap space, it was an all-out blitz.

A quick recap on the first three weeks :

Free agents signed: RB Matt Forte, DE Jarvis Jenkins (agreed to terms), NTSteve McLendon, CB Darryl Morris, RB Khiry Robinson.

Comment: Forte and McLendon, both 30, project as short-term starters. The Jets took the older/cheaper route at both positions. Jenkins figures to have a key role in the defensive-line rotation. Morris and Robinson are depth signings.

Free agents re-signed: TE Kellen Davis, LB Erin Henderson, RB Bilal Powell, TE Zach Sudfeld, WR Kenbrell Thompkins.

Comment: The Jets gave Powell a $6 million guarantee, so they obviously have big plans for him. Henderson projects as a starter at inside linebacker, but that could change, depending on the draft. The others returned on one-year contracts and will have to compete for roster spots.

Free agents lost: S Antonio Allen, LB Demario Davis, NT Damon Harrison, RB Chris Ivory.

Comment: Harrison is the one they really wanted to keep, but they were outbid by the New York Giants. The Jets could get compensatory picks in 2017 for Davis, Harrison and Ivory.

Players cut: CB Antonio Cromartie, TE Jeff Cumberland, WR Jeremy Kerley.

Comment: The Jets saved $11.2 million in cap room by releasing all three. Coach Todd Bowles said cutting Cromartie, one of his favorites, was the toughest move he's had to make. The odds of a return are slim. Kerley has signed with the Detroit Lions.

Still unsigned: DE Stephen Bowen, K Randy Bullock, G Willie Colon, DELeger Douzable, QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, T Ben Ijalana, LB Jamari Lattimore, WRChris Owusu, LB Calvin Pace, P Ryan Quigley, RB Stevan Ridley, CB Darrin Walls, DE Muhammad Wilkerson (franchise tag).

Comment: Fitzpatrick and Wilkerson are the priorities. Maybe you've heard, but the Fitzpatrick negotiations have turned into a thing.

>       http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/59322/forget-the-blitz-jets-take-a-read-and-react-approach-in-free-agency

[nyjets782]

On ‎3‎/‎7‎/‎2016 at 0:54 PM, FlaJetsFan said:

Now it looks like without all that money, you are turning into I aint signing nobody Idzik.  

Mac is not signing a slew of FA's because he has no cap space.  Idzik signed virtually no FA's with $50M in cap space.  Big difference.   The rest of that rant I am not touching.

[FTL Jet Fan]

On Wednesday, March 02, 2016 at 11:04 AM, Mainejet said:

Mac has a turned out to be the real deal. Bowles is a terrible HC. The guy gets owned by Rex Ryan twice and you guys are still stroking the guy? Do you guys even remember when you sold out? If Rex Ryan lost to the Bills twice, like he did in 2014, you guys would have his ASS. Yet, Bowles does the same f*cking thing and you guys wanting to have his babies? I nm ust say Jets fans are the worst kind of full of sh*t I think I've ver seen.

Come on Main that is even low for your standards. Know you are just being ignorant. Just cause he lost to the Bills twice dosent make him a bad coach. He did a good job this year, you have to have patience. What do you expect a superbowl his first year with Fitz as his QB? Let the man build his team and implement his scheme with the players he wants. this dosent happen in a year.

[kelly]

The first year was easy. Armed with near $60 million in available cap space and a Top-10 draft pick, Jets GM Mike Maccagnan had a fieldday signing and drafting his way to the PFWA “Executive of the Year” award.

It was well-deserved, too. Maccagnan took the Jets from a four-win laughing stock, to 10-win playoff contender, in just a year.

This offseason, things have been a bit more difficult, as the Jets have been near the bottom of the league in terms of salary cap space. Still, Maccagnan made due with what he had, and as a result, the accolades have kept coming.Maccagnan was ranked as the 12th-best GM in the NFL in a recent article by Rotoworld.While Maccagnan’s moves his first year as GM stole the back-page headlines of near every major New York newspaper, what he’s done in 2016, while not as noteworthy, may be just as impressive.

Maccagnan let high-priced free agents Chris Ivory and Damon Harrison ago, replacing them with the likes of Matt Forte and Steve McLendon. After D’Brickashaw Ferguson retired, Maccagnan turned a fifth-round pick into Ryan Clady.Moves like that, among other things, are why Maccagnan earned such a high ranking from Rotoworld despite only holding his positionfor a year.

Here’s their full reasoning for his ranking :

That’s how you produce a comeback album. Given the keys to a franchise in a four-year playoff drought, Mike Maccagnan convinced the old guitar player (Darrelle Revis) to return before finding a new singer (Ryan Fitzpatrick) on the cheap. He brought back the bassist (Antonio Cromartie), too, but ended up having to bury him in the mix. It was indeed a reunion feel for Gang Green in 2015, but it was the new faces who really got the party going. Catching passes from Fitzpatrick — and acquired for the No. 142 overall pick — Brandon Marshall had a  career year  at age 31. In the draft, Maccagnan selected one of its best overall players in Leonard Williams at No. 6 overall. It was this mix of old and new that got the Jets headed back in the right direction, and earned Maccagnan hero status in a ferociously tough market. Many challenges remain. The offensive core is aging and defensive linchpin Muhammad Wilkerson wants to get paid. Left tackle D’Brickshaw Ferguson has retired, and Revis is not the same player he was under Rex Ryan. It means Maccagnan’s honeymoon  period  isn’t going to last long, but the  fact  that he even got a honeymoon period in the Big Apple speaks to how well he performed as a rookie general manager.

>     http://jetswire.usatoday.com/2016/04/19/mike-maccagnan-ranked-top-15-gm-in-nfl/

[kelly]

The New York Jets' staring contest with Ryan Fitzpatrick continues to press on.Speaking Friday, general manager Mike Maccagnan said the team is intent on bringing back the signal-caller."Our focus has always been Ryan," he said, per the team's official Twitter account. "We like Ryan and that's (the contract) we're trying to facilitate."

Added Maccagnan: "It'll work itself out."

The 'work itself out' part is wholly in regards to money. Fitzpatrick and the Jets remain far apart on the quarterback's monetary worth, NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport previously reported.The GM added that it might take some time for the team and quarterback to bridge the gap.Sitting with little cap room, the Jets want to bring back Fitzpatrick, but not currently at the rate going for veteran starting signal-callers.

In the interim, Maccagnan reiterated several times the team continues to do its due diligence on quarterbacks, which included bringing in Brian Hoyer for a visit, but the aim is ultimately Fitzpatrick."Our focus is Ryan but then again, he's a (free agent)," Maccagnan said. "I think Brian Hoyer was an opportunity to look into. We like him as a prospect."

That due diligence also stemmed to the NFL Draft. Maccagnan said Fitzpatrick's situation wouldn't impact the Jets' draft plans and he'd consider a quarterback in any round.

Maccagnan added the team also reached out to the Tennessee Titans when they owned the No. 1 overall pick."The short answer is yes, we inquired," he said, again calling it due diligence.

In the end, we still expect the Jets and Fitzpatrick to eventually agree on terms. The marriage makes too much sense for both sides. New York doesn't want to ride the Genocoaster again and Fitzpatrick's market exactly isn't booming. It might not happen soon, but it makes too much sense for the reunion not to happen.

>     http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000655270/article/jets-gm-on-fitzpatrick-negotiations-itll-work-itself-out

[kelly]

Mike Maccagnan Pre-Draft News Conference

General Manager Feels Good About Status of the Team Entering the Draft

 

video..

> http://www.newyorkjets.com/videos/videos/Mike-Maccagnan-Pre-Draft-News-Conference/14043fdf-b8e5-4542-8ef2-6686d43d8f3e

[kelly]

The Jets were very aggressive in Mike Maccagnan’s first offseason as the team’s General Manager, signing Darrelle Revis, Marcus Gilchrist, Antonio Cromartie and Buster Skrine as free agents and trading for Brandon Marshall and Ryan Fitzpatrick on their way to a 10-win season.Those 10 wins didn’t come with a playoff spot, however, and some might have thought the Jets would approach this offseason just as aggressively in order to get what eluded them last year. Things haven’t played out that way, though.

There’s less cap space to use for outside acquisitions and the team’s stances toward giving new deals to Fitzpatrick, who is an unrestricted free agent, and defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson, who was franchise tagged, have shown much more restraint than the Jets showed last season.

In a perfect world, we’d like to potentially compete for the playoffs,” Maccagnan said, via the New York Daily News. “I don’t necessarily view that as a benchmark of success or failure. The goal is not to just sort of mortgage the future. We haven’t sort of leveraged everything to try to make one big run … and at the end of the day, have to try to tear it all down … It’s not like we feel like we have to go all-in and just do it this year.”

Maccagnan’s confidence that he doesn’t need to win big this year explains why the team hasn’t rushed to meet Fitzpatrick’s contract demands and why they were open to trading up to the first pick in the draft before the Rams struck a deal with the Titans. One imagines he has that confidence because he knows what owner Woody Johnson’s expectations are for 2016 and, therefore, isn’t taking too big a risk with his job security.

For a team with veterans in key roles on both sides of the ball, it might not be too much longer before a playoff run is considered a must for Maccagnan to remain on the franchise’s rudder.

>   http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/04/24/mike-maccagnan-goal-is-not-to-mortgage-future-for-short-term-success/

[kelly]

EA Q&A: Jets Have All Options on the Table

 

Jets GM Mike Maccagnan Believes Quality Drafting Will Lead to Long-Term Sustainability

Note: On Thursday night, we'll have a live Q&A throughout the first round. Use #AskEA and fire away.

 

@eallenjets @nyjets do you think Bryce petty can be an NFL starter ?

EA: Whether the Jets re-sign  Ryan Fitzpatrick  or not, this is a critical spring for  Bryce Petty . The Jets liked his ceiling and Petty will benefit from basically a redshirt year in 2015. What GM Mike Maccagnan said last spring — time will tell what level of player Petty becomes — still holds true today. Petty has the physical ability to be starting-caliber quarterback when you consider his size, arm strength, work ethic and intelligence. The Jets thought he progressed well as he made the transition from Baylor’s shotgun spread to Chan Gailey’s pro-style attack. He’ll be one to watch this spring and then we’ll ultimately get a lot better feel for Petty during preseason action.

@eallenjets is there a possibility that Maccagnan could trade down from the 1st round to stockpile more draft picks?

EA: Certainly. I think Mike Maccagnan approaches the draft with an open mind. If you need to do something, you are going to back yourself into a corner. The Jets enter draft weekend with six selections (single selections in Rounds 1-4 and a pair in Round 7) and I’m sure Maccagnan wouldn’t mind adding to that along the way. Just because there are 32 first-round selections doesn’t mean clubs have 32 first-round grades. Value is always the key on draft weekend. Typically you move back when you target a group of players and you are confident you will still be able to land one of them.

@eallenjets @nyjets if you were the @nyjets GM would you draft for need or best player available?

EA: Both. You have to  start  with best player available and then work need into it. When you  reach , mistakes happen. Mike Maccagnan believes addressing need in pro free agency and that sets you up for BPA come draft weekend. His first draft selection –  Leonard Williams  (Round 1, No. 6 Overall) – set the tone.

@eallenjets @nyjets How has the recovery been going for Devin Smith? And could you see the Jets going WR in the 1st Round this year?

EA: The Jets are currently in Phase One of their offseason program and I would imagine we’ll have an update on Smith in the coming weeks. The Ohio State product, who battled injuries as a rookie, tore his ACL in December. While the stated goal is always to increase competition at every position, the Jets have to feel good about their WR unit heading into the weekend. Brandon Marshall  and  Eric Decker  are a dynamite combo,  Quincy Enunwa  became a valuable hybrid for the Jets in Year 2 and Smith has an intriguing upside.  Kenbrell Thompkins  pitched in with 17 receptions in 2015 and there are a number of young receivers who would like to make their mark this spring. This WR draft  class  might not have great star power, but pundits I’ve talked to like the depth at the position. http://www.newyorkjets.com/videos/videos/Draft-Countdown-Ranking-the-Top-10-Wide-Receivers/629c084a-c974-4aaf-ba15-283754cdaa91

@eallenjets @nyjets Would you say it's more likely for the Jets to trade up or down? I know it's unlikely either way, but if you had to pick

EA: I wouldn’t say it’s unlikely. I could envision realistic scenarios where either happens. “There will probably be players if they fall to a certain point if we think there’s a chance to go up and get, we’re open to that  option  too,” said Mike Maccagnan during his pre-draft news conference. “On the other side of it, we’re very much in the mindset if there’s an opportunity to move back from 20 and pick up more picks we may do that also. That’s going into the draft preparation, the same thing we did last year. We’re literally calling the 19 teams in front of us and the 11 teams behind us to see where, well 12 teams technically. We’re going through the whole process so we have  options  on draft day.”

@eallenjets @nyjets Do you see the Jets maybe trading up for a Corner like Ramsey?

EA: Most people agree that Jalen Ramsey is the total package. He almost assuredly will be a top 5 selection tomorrow night and you would have to pay a steep price to get up that high. Let's just say that would be a stunner.

@eallenjets @nyjets if Conklin and Leonard Floyd are still on the board who's the pick?

EA: Excellent question. I haven’t watched enough tape to make a selection. Both Jack Conklin and Leonard Floyd have things you can’t teach. Conklin is an old-school mauler, a former walk-in who earned a scholarship and started 35 games at left tackle for Michigan State. Then you have Floyd, a prospect who has tremendous speed and explosion. He could become a versatile performer on the next level, a player who can not only get upfield but drop and cover tight ends as well.

>    http://www.newyorkjets.com/news/article-6/EA-QA-Jets-Have-All-Options-on-the-Table-/3f7b4c6a-9978-4728-9598-28392a057d70

[kelly]

Tour of the Jets Draft Room

 

>       http://www.newyorkjets.com/videos/videos/All-Access-A-Tour-of-the-Jets-Draft-Room/617af3ff-92ab-468b-9f00-53c948dee7c3

[j4jets]

So Mac doesn't like to answer questions. I'm not sure why he holds a press conference. His reply to every question should be "Thank you for the question". 

[Beerfish]

1 minute ago, j4jets said:

So Mac doesn't like to answer questions. I'm not sure why he holds a press conference. His reply to every question should be "Thank you for the question". 

Because he has to have a pre draft presser.  All of these pre draft gm things are the same, they won't say anything they don't have to.

[Irish Jet]

1 hour ago, j4jets said:

So Mac doesn't like to answer questions. I'm not sure why he holds a press conference. His reply to every question should be "Thank you for the question". 

Agreed.

He should have just said "F*ck it, I'm trading up for Elliott" and dropped the mic.

[JohnnyLV]

I am optimistic on Mac but not sold on Bowles. So far all I have really seen is yet another Jets defense oriented head coach, that overly values defense and veteran players and is very conservative on offense. He has a more even demeanor than his predecessors and values offense slightly higher, but I would not have chosen him as a HC.

[kelly]

jets head coach Todd Bowles and general manager Mike Maccagnan spoke to the press Thursday night after the team selected Darron Lee from Ohio State in the first round. Here is what the two had to see.

>     http://www.ganggreennation.com/2016/4/28/11534334/mike-maccagnan-and-todd-bowles-talk-about-the-darron-lee-pick

[kelly]

We won’t know for several years how the Jets did during this year’s draft, but this feels like a pivotal moment for general manager Mike Maccagnan. The move to take quarterback Christian Hackenberg in the second round out of Penn State could be a huge plus or minus on Maccagnan’s record eventually.

Hackenberg gets the headline, but there were some other interesting moments in this draft for the Jets. Here is a look at five takeaways from this year’s Jets draft   :

1. Mister Christian

Hackenberg took over the headlines on Friday night, when the Jets selected him with the 51st overall pick. This is a polarizing pick that has some people scratching their heads and others praising Maccagnan’s bold move.The bottom line is this is what Maccagnan was hired for last year. Tired of cap experts Mike Tannenbaum and John Idzik running his team, owner Woody Johnson went out to find a scout to run his team. Maccagnan has been praised for his eye for talent. This draft pick will either make him look like a genius or look clueless. It was a risky pick for sure.

2. Searching for Fitz

While Hackenberg was the main quarterback topic of the draft, free agent Ryan Fitzpatrick cast a shadow over the proceedings. The pick of Hackenberg does not change the negotiations between the team and Fitzpatrick, but Todd Bowles indicated Fitzpatrick has to sign by training camp for him to feel comfortable, the first signs of a deadline by the team.

While Hackenberg could be the Jets’ quarterback of the future, he is not the quarterback of the present. The Jets need to get Fitzpatrick signed for the 2016 season. That did not change with the draft picks.

3. Toeing the line

There was plenty of pre-draft speculation the Jets would address the offensive line early. Instead they used one pick on the line — fifth-round tackle Brandon Shell, who is a project who won’t play immediately.It appears the Jets will enter the 2016 season with just one change along the offensive line. Ryan Clady will replace the retired D’Brickashaw Ferguson at left tackle. When Clady turns 30 in September, three of the five offensive line starters will be 30 or over.

4. The need for speed

Bowles’ defense got faster. The Jets used three of their first four picks on defense. First-rounder Darron Lee is a lightning-quick linebacker who can play sideline to sideline. Third-rounder Jordan Jenkins is not as fast as Lee, but will be an improvement at outside linebacker over veteran Calvin Pace, whom the Jets let walk as a free agent.The Jets linebacking corps grew old and slow over the past few years. This season it will have a totally new look. Only veteran David Harris will be back in the starting lineup. Erin Henderson will be the starter next to him with Lee getting plenty of playing time in sub packages. On the outside, second-year player Lorenzo Mauldin is expected to start on one side and Jenkins will be competing for the starting job opposite him with a few unproven veterans.

5. Big men on campus

A profile is starting to emerge of a Maccagnan draft pick. One thing that has become clear is he likes players from the major conferences. This year only one of the seven picks came from a lesser conference and that was punter Lachlan Edwards of Sam Houston State.The Jets took two players each from the Big 10, SEC and ACC. If you add the 2015 draft to this year’s, only two of 13 picks came from non-power conferences. Last year, he grabbed a player from the Pac-12, Big 10, ACC, Big 12 and SEC before taking seventh-round pick Deon Simon from Northwestern State.Maccagnan also likes younger players. His first three picks this year are all 21 years old.

>      http://nypost.com/2016/05/01/5-jets-draft-takeaways-hackenberg-is-maccagnans-turning-point/

[kelly]

Jets need growth from within to surpass last year's talent level

Even though the roster is a work in progress, especially with Ryan Fitzpatrick in limbo, we're deep enough into the offseason to form a preliminary opinion on the New York Jets.

On paper, their starting lineup simply isn't as good as it was in 2015. They lost two of their better players in free agency -- Chris Ivory and Damon Harrison -- and it'll be tough for Fitzpatrick and Brandon Marshall to duplicate career years. Now, before you start firing off angry Tweets, let's add a qualifier :

The current roster has more depth than a year ago, and the growth potential is greater because there's more talent among the younger players. If last weekend's draft yields two or three immediate contributors, and if the key players from last year's draft continue to develop ... well, now you're talking.

A post-draft review of the roster, listing key veterans and draft picks  :

QUARTERBACK -- Geno Smith, Bryce Petty, Christian Hackenberg.

Analysis: General manager Mike Maccagnan says they could carry four quarterbacks on the 53-man roster, assuming Fitzpatrick re-signs. It wouldn't be an ideal situation because they'd be short at another position or two, but they might not have a choice. Each of the four would have some degree of value, either in the short term (Fitzpatrick and Smith) or the long term (Petty and Hackenberg). This will be a hot-button issue all the way to the final cutdown.

RUNNING BACK -- Matt Forte, Bilal Powell, Zac Stacy, Khiry Robinson.

Analysis: They don't have a proven thumper anymore -- adios, Ivory -- but this is a versatile group with a lot of experience. Barring injury, there's no reason for the Jets to tinker with this position.

FULLBACK -- Tommy Bohanon.

Analysis: Bohanon is a solid, blue-collar player, but it would be wise to add some competition.

WIDE RECEIVER -- Marshall, Eric Decker, Quincy Enunwa, Devin Smith,Kenbrell Thompkins, Jeremy Ross, Charone Peake.

Analysis: There's a drop off after Marshall and Decker, and that's a concern because everybody knows they live in three- and four-receiver packages. Enunwa flashed some ability in a hybrid receiver/tight end role, but he doesn't stretch the field. Smith is supposed to be that guy, but he's only five months removed from ACL surgery. He probably won't be ready for training camp, and he might be pushing it to make the start of the regular season. Peake, a seventh-round pick, has the speed to excite, but toughness and durability are question marks.

TIGHT END -- Kellen Davis, Jace Amaro, Zach Sudfeld, Brandon Bostick, Wes Saxton, Adrien Robinson.

Analysis: It's the same unproductive group as last season, except Jeff Cumberland is gone and Amaro is healthy. The organization evidently believes Amaro, coming off a missed season, can be the pass-catching tight end the offense sorely lacked. Or maybe it just doesn't care about the tight-end position in Chan Gailey's Wide World of Wide Receivers.

OFFENSIVE TACKLE -- Ryan Clady, Breno Giacomini, Ben Ijalana, Brent Qvale, Brandon Shell.

Analysis: This was a pre-draft need, but it wasn't addressed until the fifth round (Shell). They targeted Clady via trade before the draft, sending D'Brickashaw Ferguson into retirement -- or vice versa. It'll be an upgrade if Clady can stay on the field. Giacomini is a marginal starter, but he doesn't have to worry about Shell until next season.

GUARD/CENTER -- James Carpenter, Brian Winters, Nick Mangold, Dakota Dozier, Wesley Johnson.

Analysis: The Jets opted to stand pat up the middle with Mangold, Carpenter and Winters. The weak link is Winters, but he's still better than the guys on the bench. If a proven right guard somehow becomes available, the Jets would have to explore it, as long as it's not cost-prohibitive.

DEFENSIVE LINE -- Muhammad Wilkerson, Sheldon Richardson, Leonard Williams, Steve McLendon, Jarvis Jenkins.

Analysis: The Jets will miss their anchor, Harrison, but this still is a quality group. Williams will be better in year two, and that's a scary proposition for opponents. The toughest challenge for Todd Bowles will be keeping everybody happy with playing time. It might be a while until the disgruntled Wilkerson shows up.

INSIDE LINEBACKER -- David Harris, Erin Henderson, Bruce Carter,Darron Lee, Taiwan Jones.

Analysis: Henderson is slated to start opposite Harris, but you'll see Lee in a variety of roles. The first-round pick is a blitz-and-cover linebacker with tremendous speed. He'll be deployed as a stealth bomber amid all the big tanks.

OUTSIDE LINEBACKER -- Lorenzo Mauldin, Jordan Jenkins, Trevor Reilly,Freddie Bishop.

Analysis: The future is bright with Mauldin and Jenkins, but there could be growing pains. Jenkins, a third-round pick, will start out on the strong side, but this will be transition because he played mostly in a three-point stance at Georgia. The Jets could use a veteran to steady the ship. Calvin Pace, anyone?

SAFETY -- Calvin Pryor, Marcus Gilchrist, Rontez Miles, Dion Bailey.

 

Analysis: Pryor and Gilchrist form a solid starting tandem. They could use another safety with coverage skills.

CORNERBACK -- Darrelle Revis, Buster Skrine, Marcus Williams, Dee Milliner, Dexter McDougle, Juston Burris, Darryl Morris.

Analysis: They really could've use a plug-and-play corner in the draft but opted for Lee and Hackenberg in the first two rounds. Burris, chosen in the fourth, has a chance because he's experienced in a man-to-man system. For now, Skrine is being counted on to be a full-time player. Could Milliner be this year's Quinton Coples?

SPECIALISTS -- Nick Folk (PK), Lachlan Edwards (P), Tom Hackett (P),Tanner Purdum (LS).

Analysis: The Aussie invasion -- Edwards versus Hackett -- will keep things lively in the battle of the "Wonders from Down Under."

>      http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/60225/jets-need-growth-from-within-to-match-last-years-talent-level

[kelly]

The three day extravaganza known as the 2016 NFL draft concluded Saturday evening when the Tennessee Titans closed down draft town by selecting CB Kalan Reed from Southern Miss. He was just one of 253 names called over the draft’s three days. How did each team do in bolstering their rosters? Glad you asked. Here’s a team-by-team look at the new editions, with first-round highlights and each franchise’s best pick and biggest question mark.

 

~ ~  New York Jets

Round 1 (20) – OLB Darron Lee, Ohio State
Round 2 (51) – QB Christian Hackenberg, Penn State
Round 3 (83) – OLB Jordan Jenkins, Georgia
Round 4 (118) – CB Juston Burris, NC State
Round 5 (158) – T Brandon Shell, South Carolina
Round 7 (235) – P Lac Edwards, Sam Houston State
Round 7 (241) – WR Charone Peake, Clemson

First-round thoughts: Lee can run. I don’t know how many times over the past three months that I typed those three words in reference to the linebacker. It’s true, though, he can flat out fly. That type of speed will allow the Jets defensive staff to use him like a chess piece in the future.

Best value pick: Peake won’t start right away, but his length, speed and size could get him that No. 3 spot behind Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker. This was an outstanding seventh-round pick by GM Mike Maccagnan.

Head-scratcher: Oh boy, the QB circus continues, now featuring the most polarizing prospect at the position in years, Hackenberg. I’m going to go get my popcorn to watch.

Draft conclusion: Heisenberg > Hackenberg.

rest of above article  :  

>    https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/sports/wp/2016/05/03/nfl-draft-best-value-picks-and-biggest-head-scratchers-for-every-team/

[kelly]

Now that the 2016 NFL Draft is over, post-draft grades are beginning to roll in. These are, for the most part, utterly meaningless and hollow exercises, though that didn't prevent us from getting in on the silliness, with the Jets' picks.It usually takes three years to accurately grade a draft class. With that in mind, here's how we recently graded the Jets' 2013 draft class. 

As for the 2016 class, here's what ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. thought : 

Grade: B- 

Top needs: OLB, OL, CB, QB

Analysis: It's a symptom of the draft process that the same person could be excited about an FCS quarterback with barely a year and a half of starting experience drafted No. 2 overall — and for a boatload of picks! — and criticize the Jets for taking Christian Hackenberg at a reasonable value slot in Round 2. The reality is we just don't know what either will become, but while I had Connor Cook rated higher, I don't think the value range is too bad for Hackenberg if they feel he can be a starter. I think Hackenberg can get there, but he needs a lot of work with Chan Gailey. I think it's an awful idea to throw him out there early.

Elsewhere, I like this draft. The Jets got better at linebacker with Darron Lee, my No. 15 overall player taken at 20. Third-rounder Jordan Jenkins out-produced No. 9 overall pick Leonard Floyd at Georgia. Juston Burris is a good press corner who can contribute in this system. Brandon Shell is a talented project at tackle. Charone Peake is a guy I thought could go much earlier because of his physical skills, but if he's healthy he has a chance to stick. The story of this draft might very well end up about the success or failure of Hackenberg, but in Round 2 it's a decent bet to make.

Kiper pointed out that he bases his immediate post-draft grades on these three factors : 

• How much overall talent did a team add, based on board position?

• How effectively did they address key personnel voids?

• How efficient were they in maneuvering on the draft board?

With all that in mind, do you agree with Kiper's B-minus grade for the Jets? 

Sound off down in the comments. 

>   http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2016/05/how_did_mel_kiper_jr_grade_jets_2016_draft.html#incart_river_index

[kelly]

I'm not a fan of draft grades. Who likes to have a test graded when you haven't even taken the exam yet? With that said, I do believe that we can peek into how teams managed their drafts, and how they addressed some of their needs relative to the draft board.

Let's take a look at the draft hauls of the 32 teams in the league. In putting this list together, I looked at how teams addressed their needs, operated within the confines of their draft picks and sprinkled in my own assessments of some of their selections. Here are my rankings of each team's haul, from 1-32.

~ ~   

12. New York Jets

Draft picks: Darron Lee (No. 20 overall), Christian Hackenberg (No. 51 overall), Jordan Jenkins (No. 83 overall), Juston Burris (No. 118 overall), Brandon Shell (No. 158 overall),Lac Edwards (No. 235 overall), Charone Peake (No. 241 overall)

Darron Lee fell right into the Jets' lap, and gives them a player with range who can cover and blitz.Christian Hackenberg's value is to be determined. The Jets landed rock-solid talent in the third and fourth rounds. WR Charone Peake was a nice find as he dropped to them in the seventh round.

rest of above article / video  : 

> http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000659571/article/ranking-every-clubs-2016-nfl-draft-haul-teams-912

[neckdemon]

On 12/30/2015 at 11:12 AM, Bruce Harper said:

Great article.  Now let's not screw this up on Sunday.

screwed it up

[Bruce Harper]

Just now, neckdemon said:

screwed it up

I'm going to wait before pronouncing judgment.

[neckdemon]

28 minutes ago, Bruce Harper said:

I'm going to wait before pronouncing judgment.

??? weren't you talking about not screwing up the buffalo game and missing the playoffs??

[Bruce Harper]

Oh.  

Just now, neckdemon said:

??? weren't you talking about not screwing up the buffalo game and missing the playoffs??

Oh.  So long ago that I forgot. I thought I was talking about the draft.

[kelly]

After months of endless rumors, mock drafts and the occasional actual transaction, the player movement portion of the NFL offseason is basically over. Sure, we might end up with a few guys getting traded between now and August, but the vast majority of moves are in the can. What your favorite team's roster looks like now is just about what it's going to look like for the 2016 campaign.

So, now that everything is settled, let's run through the NFL and take a bird's-eye view of each team's offseason. We'll start with the AFC East, which bled pass-rushing talent and saw a number of intriguing veterans move within the division.The Patriots have had a stranglehold on the AFC East for the past 15 years, but with quarterback Tom Bradypossibly suspended for the first four games of the season, the door might have cracked open for the division's first non-New England champion since 2008.

To go directly to your favorite team, click the links below  :

New York Jets

What went right

They didn't acquiesce to Ryan Fitzpatrick's demands. As badly as the Jets need a quarterback (and we'll get to that in a minute), it was never going to be a good idea to give a journeyman like Fitzpatrick an eight-figure salary after a career year at 33.The Jets need Fitzpatrick, but Fitzpatrick also needs Brandon Marshall, Eric Decker and (in particular) offensive coordinator Chan Gailey to reproduce those numbers. There's a middle ground where a deal makes sense for both sides, but despite Fitzpatrick's public posturing, it's closer to the Jets' number than the one he might be looking for.

What went wrong

They still don't have a quarterback. Well, that sure wasn't a long list of things that went right. As much as the Jets shouldn't give in to what Fitzpatrick wants, they haven't been able to convince him to lower his demands and come back to town. In the meantime, the Jets lost out on Brian Hoyer, a comparable quarterback to Fitzpatrick who just signed a one-year, $2 million deal with the Bears.The move they did make seems ill-fated. Christian Hackenberg is the exact sort of quarterback who teams overrate: a passer with prototypical size and arm strength who struggled with accuracy in college. As much as teams will point to his freshman tape with Bill O'Brien and Allen Robinson in town and suggest that Hackenberg was on pace to be a possible No. 1 pick, we now have twice as much evidence from the ensuing two seasons that he isn't a great quarterback.The Jets might be able to turn him around if they give him the reps and he gets the sort of coaching he needs, but it's hard to think of a quarterback this inaccurate who has succeeded as an NFL passer in recent years.

They didn't solve the Muhammad Wilkerson problem. Despite hopes that they might be able to finagle a discount after their star defensive end broke his leg at the end of the season, the Jets franchised Wilkerson and haven't locked him up on a long-term extension. Despite suggestions that they would look to trade Wilkerson, no deal ever materialized. Wilkerson's $15.7 million cap hold has prevented the Jets from doing more in free agency, and with an even more untenable $18.8 million franchise tag looming for Wilkerson in 2017, it's hard to see Wilkerson sticking around past this year.

They used most of the money they had on ... running backs? WithChris Ivory and Bilal Powell forming a productive one-two punch at running back last year, Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan could have looked at his dangerous duo and remembered how cheaply they were acquired. Granted, they both arrived in town before Maccagnan, but Powell was a fourth-round pick and Ivory was acquired for a pick in the same round. Even in 2015, their combined cap hit was less than $5 million. That's a smart way to put together a running back duo.Maccagnan couldn't afford to bring back Ivory, but let's give him credit for being smart enough to stay out of the running when the Jaguars offered the bruising back a five-year, $32 million deal. Ivory is talented, but he's best in a two-down role and has the sort of running style and body type that tends to age poorly. Ivory was a risk the Jets are better off not taking, given their cap situation.

The choices they made, though, seem ill-advised. Matt Forte does have the sort of running style and skill set that age well, but that aging might have already happened. Forte is already on the wrong side of 30, has more than 2,000 carries on his body and the Bears let him leave in free agency when they had more than $50 million in cap room and easily could have chosen to retain their longtime starter.Forte's rushing average has dropped to an even 4 yards per carry over the past two years, down from 4.6 yards per attempt over the previous four-year span, while his role as a receiver declined dramatically. His three-year, $12 million deal might work out, but there's chance the Jets just gave $5 million guaranteed to a running back who ends being replacement-level next year.

 

Forte would make sense as the veteran receiving end of a platoon, similar to the role that somebody like ... well, Bilal Powell played for the Jets last year. The only problem is that the Jets re-signed Powell, too, giving him a three-year, $11.3 million deal. Maccagnan kept the deal cheap in 2016 out of their desperate financial straits, but the Jets will pay Forte and Powell nearly $10 million combined in cap hits the following year. They would probably be better off applying most of that money to a new deal for Wilkerson instead.

What's next

Sign Fitzpatrick. It's the obvious move for all parties involved.

Grade: D

rest of above article  :  

>    http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/15492554/bill-barnwell-offseason-report-cards-buffalo-bills-miami-dolphins-new-england-patriots-new-york-jets

[kelly]

NFL offseason report cards are in, and ESPN is giving the Jets a D.

While an incomplete might make more sense, The Worldwide Leaders’ Bill Barnwell explains that the team’s inability to get a deal done with Ryan Fitzpatrick is the main reason why the Jets are just a smidge away from failing.

As much as the Jets shouldn’t give in to what Fitzpatrick wants, they haven’t been able to convince him to lower his demands and come back to town. In the meantime, the Jets lost out on Brian Hoyer, a comparable quarterback to Fitzpatrick who just signed a one-year, $2 million deal with the Bears.

Barnwell does point out that New York has been smart by not caving into Fitzpatrick’s demands, but that the Jets still need someone proven under center. He called Christian Hackenberg overrated and the Jets are not exactly inspired by the idea of Geno Smith or Bryce Petty starting.

The ESPN scribe was also critical of how the Jets have handled theMuhammad Wilkerson situation. The Jets franchised tagged him at the start of the offseason, but it seems as if the defensive end wants a long-term deal or a trade.

Despite hopes that they might be able to finagle a discountafter their star defensive end broke his leg at the end of the season, the Jets franchised Wilkerson and haven’t locked him up on a long-term extension. Despite suggestions that they would look to trade Wilkerson, no deal ever materialized. Wilkerson’s $15.7 million cap hold has prevented the Jets from doing more in free agency, and with an even more untenable $18.8 million franchise tag looming for Wilkerson in 2017, it’s hard to see Wilkerson sticking around past this year.

Speaking of money, how the Jets spent their’s perplexed Barnwell. The Jets gave their top-two running backs, Matt Forte and Bilal Powell, deals that will cost the team nearly $10 million in cap hits next year.

What’s done is done, though. The only thing left for the Jets to do is retain Fitzpatrick, who seemed at home in East Rutherford last year playing under offensive coordinator Chan Gailey and throwing toBrandon Marshall and  Eric Decker.

“It’s the obvious move for all parties involved,” Barnwell said.

>    http://jetswire.usatoday.com/2016/05/12/espn-not-impressed-with-jets-offseason/

[kelly]

The New York Jets certainly have made a few splashy moves this offseason, from Matt Forte to Ryan Clady, but sometimes it's the unheralded transactions that prove to be the wisest.

My top three underrated moves for the Jets :

1. Jarvis Jenkins, defensive end : You're probably thinking, "The last thing the Jets needed was another defensive lineman." There might be some truth to that, but Jenkins has value because of his scheme versatility and experience. The 2011 second-round pick (Washington Redskins) hasn't produced much as a starter (only six career sacks), but he won't be asked to start for the Jets. Right now, he projects as the fifth man in the defensive-line rotation, an upgrade over Leger Douzable, last season's No. 5. Jenkins' role figures to increase if Sheldon Richardson begins the season on a suspension, which is possible. Jenkins didn't come cheaply (two years, $6 million), so the Jets obviously believe he can give them quality off the bench.

2. Khiry Robinson, running back : The Jets picked him up as a non-tendered free agent from the New Orleans Saints, signing him to a one-year, $1.2 million contract. Robinson is an underrated talent who has the size (6-feet, 220 pounds) to replace Chris Ivory as the power back. Let's be clear: This isn't to suggest he will replace Ivory's production, but Robinson can be used as a between-the-tackles thumper. He rushed for 766 yards in three seasons for the Saints, including a 13-carry, one-touchdown performance in a 2013 playoff game. He's coming off a broken leg but should be fine by training camp.

3. Jeremy Ross, wide receiver/kick returner : The well-traveled Ross is the only veteran addition to the receiving corps, essentially replacingJeremy Kerley. He has a chance to stick because of his ability as a punt and kickoff returner, two problems areas for the Jets. Ross produced three returns of at least 40 yards last season for the Baltimore Ravens (two kickoffs, one punt), so you know the ability is there. The question is his consistency. The Jets are rebuilding their special teams under new coordinator Brant Boyer, so the opportunity will be there.

>     http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/60348/three-sneaky-good-moves-that-could-help-jets-in-2016

[kelly]

On 12/31/2015 at 5:12 PM, PatsFanTX said:

 

So true, if you don't join the circle jerk and drink the green kool aid you should be banned.

 

 

dear pats..

just an fyi,.. in 2001, drew bledsoe got hurt.. his Back-up came in...

 

 

 

cheers ~ ~

 

 

[kelly]

@eallenjets @nyjets If Amaro healthy, do U see him as a Pats TE style HBack in motion, rarely on Line Scrimmage. Also a safety valve for QB?

11:46 AM - 11 May 2016

EA: Last spring, Jets head coach Todd Bowles referred to  Jace Amaro  as an H. Amaro, who injured his left shoulder in training camp, went on injured reserve and had surgery to repair a torn labrum in September. The Jets re-signed  Kellen Davis  in the offseason while veteran Jeff Cumberland signed a free agent deal with the San Diego Chargers. This is a critical offseason for Amaro as the former second-round draft selection, whose 38 receptions in 2014 were the most by a Jets rookie TE since 2008, attempts to jump-start his career. The 6’5”, 265-pound Amaro, who led the Big 12 with 106 receptions in 2013, excelled in space in the collegiate game.

@eallenjets @nyjets do you think the cornerback that will play opposite @Revis24 is currently on the roster ?

12:30 PM - 11 May 2016

EA: We are still four months out from the regular season, so there is a long way to go. I think the Jets will allow their current group of corners to compete on the outside and then go from there.  Buster Skrine  will get the first crack at CB2 although he certainly can move back inside as well.  Marcus Williams  had a team-leading six interceptions in limited duty last season and  Dee Milliner , the No. 9 overall selection in the 2013 draft, is still 24 years old.  Juston Burris , an NC State product taken in Round 4, has intriguing size and could eventually become a factor down the line.

@eallenjets @nyjets Are Coach Bowles/GM Mac's mindset to point if Fitz d/n sign&they name Geno#1, they would switch after camp/preseason?

12:03 PM - 11 May 2016

EA: Monster hypotheticals right now with the quarterback position, so let’s touch upon what we know. If Ryan Fitzpatrick  returns, he will be the starting quarterback and Todd Bowles said it will be “hard” to take the reins from him.  Geno Smith  will be atop the depth chart when OTAs commence the week of May 23rd if Fitzpatrick has not re-signed. Bowles would like Fitzpatrick back by training camp.

@eallenjets Can you envision Todd Bowles using Darron Lee like the Cardinals use Deone Bucannon?

2:27 PM - 11 May 2016

EA: Great question. I asked Coach Bowles about the comparison draft weekend.

“There are similarities,” he said of Lee and Bucannon. “As far as weight, he’s about 15 pounds heavier than Bucannon and he played linebacker. Bucannon was a safety that came into a linebacker, so we just rated him (Lee) being a linebacker, an athletic linebacker.” Injuries in Arizona forced Bowles to get creative with Bucannon, moving him into the Mike linebacker spot in the Cards’ nickel and dime defenses. Asked early to just play passing downs, Bowles eventually kept Bucannon in the lineup on run downs. Lee is a linebacker from the  start , an extremely fast instinctive player who covers the field sideline-to-sideline. He is expected to backup  Erin Henderson  at the “Mo” ‘backer spot when training camp commences and be a part of the Jets sub packages from Day 1. He will eventually be a three-down linebacker.

@eallenjets @nyjets Macc said he doesn't use playoffs as barometer for success. Do you think #Jets are in position to improve in 2016?

2:30 PM - 11 May 2016

EA: To be in positon to improve, the Jets need young players to  continue  to grow. That means guys like OLB Lorenzo Mauldin  must take a leap and S  Calvin Pryor  has to continue to emerge. Rookie Darron Lee will hopefully come in and help immediately in sub packages in coverage and as a blitzer. The Jets will need consistency on the outside across from  Darrelle Revis . How will the competition at Sam linebacker shake out after the drafting of  Jordan Jenkins  and the free agent addition of  Freddie Bishop ? Offensively, the Jets will probably rely heavily on veterans again. Up front, the Jets will be in solid shape at LT if  Ryan Clady  can stay healthy. The running back dynamic has changed, but  Matt Forté  should be an excellent fit in addition to Bilal Powell  and intriguing newcomer  Khiry Robinson .  Brandon Marshall  and  Eric Decker  are as good as a 1-2 combo as you will find in the NFL. Let’s start to see how this team is coming together by the end of June minicamp.

@eallenjets @nyjets How do you see the NYJ using@jordanOLB this season also who do you think is the one UDFA who could make the cut come TC

2:37 PM - 11 May 2016

EA: I caught up with Jordan Jenkins at rookie minicamp and he told me he worked the weekend at the Sam, lining up over the tight end on the strong side. He can play the Will as well and he’ll compete for time on the outside with a group that includes  Trevor Reilly , Freddie Bishop and  Mike Catapano . The Jets expect Lorenzo Mauldin to take a leap in Year 2.

@eallenjets @nyjets what defensive front will the jets play more of this year? 3-4 or 4-3? Thanks.

6:07 PM - 11 May 2016

EA: Remains to be seen. MMQB.com’s immensely talented Andy Benoit wrote last year of Bowles, “The labeling is mostly academic anyway. Structure doesn’t define Bowles’s system. Concepts do, especially nickel and dime sub-package concepts.” Bowles and defensive coordinator Kacy Rodgers are going to bring the heat and enter Darron Lee – a speedster at the linebacker position who can get to the quarterback quickly (think A gap or the edge) or help immediately in coverage. Even without Damon Harrison, the Jets will boast one of the most talented defensive fronts as  Steve McLendon  and  Jarvis Jenkins  were quality value signings in free agency. The Jets will benefit from having  Sheldon Richardson  to start the year and the linebacker position will be interesting to monitor this summer as a lot of youth surrounds  David Harris  and Erin Henderson.

>    http://www.newyorkjets.com/news/article-6/-EA-QA-Youth-Can-Take-the-Jets-to-Next-Level/3301829b-f6ed-44fa-ae00-7aa63739a84f

 

[kelly]

With free agency and the NFL draft a thing of the past, it’s time tostart looking towards the future.While the roster the Jets will take into OTA’s later this month and eventually to training camp will change some, we have a pretty good idea who will be on the team when the Jets open their season against the Cincinnati Bengals in September.

Obviously, the big change all are expecting is to the quarterback position, where Ryan Fitzpatrick remains unsigned. But what other players will be influential for the Jets success next season?

Let’s take a look at five boom or bust players that will be X-factors in 2016.

LT Ryan Clady

When the news broke thatD’Brickashaw Ferguson had retired, general manager Mike Maccagnan knew he had to act fast to replace the team’s franchise left tackle.What they came up with was a creative trade that netted them four-time Pro Bowler Ryan Clady.

Clady, 29, is widely regarded as one of the premier tackles in the game when he is healthy. The issue with that is he’s battled injuries throughout his eight seasons in the NFL.Clady became expendable after tearing his ACL last May in OTAs. The Jets were able to acquire him for just a fifth-round draft pick, and were able to restructure his contract making this essentially a tryout year for Clady.

If he stays healthy, he will most likely be on the AFC’s Pro Bowl roster, if he doesn’t, then the Jets will be in a lot of trouble.

OLB Lorenzo Mauldin

Mauldin was drafted in the third round of last year’s draft with the hopes that he would someday become the team’s next great pass rusher. While he showed flashes of that last year, he is still just a second-year player.He will get his chance to start this year and will have a lot to prove. Mauldin was used only in pass-rushing situations in 2015 and was never asked to complete all of the tasks that an every-down linebacker must do.

Todd Bowles has already said he has high expectations for Maudlin in 2016. He will be asked to be the team’s top pass-rushing threat off the edge, while also having to play the run, something he hasn’t been asked to do.

How will do in 2016? It’s anyone’s guess.

TE Jace Amaro

This is a big year for third-year tight end Jace Amaro.

Coming off an uneven rookie season, Amaro injured his shoulder badly in the first preseason game last year and never returned to the field. Without him in the lineup, the Jets tight ends were historically bad. So bad that offensive coordinator Chan Gailey fazed them out of the team’s plans in the passing game entirely.Amaro has the ability to stretch the field either working from the slot or as an in-line tight end if he improves his blocking.

Although he struggled with drops in his rookie season, Amaro caught 38 passes in limited playing time. This is the same guy who caught over 100 passes in his final season at Texas Tech.He has the potential to be the receiving threat the Jets so badly need at the tight end position. Right now, the other tight ends on the roster figure to be Zach Sudfeld and Kellen Davis, neither of whom possess Amaro’s ability.

The Jets offense will be much better if Amaro is successful in 2016.

DE Leonard Williams

With Muhammad Wilkerson’s contractsituation up in the air, it’s anyone’s guess if or when he’ll return to the Jets this summer. This will put more of the onus on last year’s first round pick Leonard Williams.Williams was solid, but not spectacular, in his rookie season. Bowles was very pleased with Williams’ progression from the beginning of the season to the end, and expects a jump in year two.

Williams’ rookie season was very much like Wilkerson’s back in 2011, and the Jets will expect a similar jump in not only sacks, but impact plays.If Williams, Sheldon Richardson and eventually Wilkerson are firing on all cylinders, the Jets could have a scary defense.

CB Buster Skrine

The Jets gave a lot of money to Skrine last year to pry him away from the Cleveland Browns.While Skrine was brilliant at times, he was inconsistent in his first year with New York. Much of this could be attributed the nagging injuries he suffered from as well. Either way, Skrine had just one interception in 2015.

With Antonio Cromartie gone, he will be asked to play on the outside as well as the slot in 2016, and will need to step up his game. The Jets know what they’re getting from Darrelle Revis, but the rest of the cornerbacks have questions.Will Marcus Williams repeat last year’s success? Will Dee Millinersee the field? With all these question marks, it is imperative that Skrine take his game to another level.

>   http://jetswire.usatoday.com/2016/05/13/5-x-factors-for-jets-2016-season/

[Mainejet]

Well, now that we are headed into a complete insult of a season, a season comprised of a lot of LOSING and our so called "dream team" ran the whole thing, does everyone still think the Jets hit paydirt with Mac/Bowles. I think they f*cking suck worse than the tandem of Rich Kotite and Rich Kotite.

[PatsFanTX]

Well, now that we are headed into a complete insult of a season, a season comprised of a lot of LOSING and our so called "dream team" ran the whole thing, does everyone still think the Jets hit paydirt with Mac/Bowles. I think they f*cking suck worse than the tandem of Rich Kotite and Rich Kotite.

I get the feeling you are not a big fan of Mac/Bowles.

[Mainejet]

Just now, PatsFanTX said:

I get the feeling you are not a big fan of Mac/Bowles.

What makes you say that????

[PatsFanTX]

What makes you say that????

I'm very good reading between the lines.