Jets face offseason of uncertainty- SNY

[Kentucky Jet]

Jets face offseason of uncertainty

Pennington, Coles, Vilma possibly won't return in 2008

By Dylan Butler /SNY.tv

It wasn't pretty, but then again did anyone expect it to be? On a dreary Sunday, in the half-empty Meadowlands, the Jets season ended on a positive note with a 13-10 overtime win over Herm Edwards and the Kansas City Chiefs.

A day later, Jets players cleaned out their lockers at Weeb Ewbank Hall and the analysis of the season and a laundry list of needs will begin to be assembled by Eric Mangini and Mike Tannenbaum.

There are always questions to be answered when a season ends, but there is even more when a team finishes 4-12. A few topics that will be discussed in the coming days and weeks is: Is Kellen Clemens the starting quarterback? If so, what to do with Chad Pennington?

"I want to be a starter, here or wherever," Pennington said. "I want to be a starter. That is what I live for professionally...because I relish the moment of being in that huddle, looking the other 10 guys in the eyes and seeing the fire, intensity and the trust that they have in me to help lead them down the field. There is no greater feeling."

The Jets need help in just about every area on the field. Where will they start? What will they do, if anything, with Jonathan Vilma, who was ineffective in Mangini's system before his season-ending knee injury, especially now that David Harris has proved to be capable of excelling in the nickel package?

And what will they do about Laveranues Coles, who has been none too quiet about his desire to sign a contract extension?

"I have gotten information that they are concerned about my age and my production from this past season," said the 30-year-old wide receiver. "I did everything I could and dealt with everything I had to deal with. That was a concern of theirs. At this point, I'm going to play it by ear. I want to do something that I'm comfortable with and I'm sure they want to do the same. We will reach a resolution."

While there is a lot of uncertainly heading into the off-season, the one thing that is certain is that there will be change.

"You expect changes," Kerry Rhodes said. "You don't know to what extent. You don't know what the front office is thinking or what they're going to do with the team as a whole...You just have to be ready to work if you're here and if you're not, you have to find somewhere else to go."

Not surprisingly, not many answers came from Mangini in his last press conference of the season.

"It's ultimately my responsibility to make sure that when we are faced with these tough games again, that when we are faced with these handful of plays, that we come out on top," Mangini said. "That's what I'm going to work on extremely hard and smart to make sure that we make progress. Mike and I will work together to evaluate every element of the organization and make sure that we can make as many strides as we can here leading into next season."

There were a few highlights in what was overall a dismal game. On offense, Thomas Jones capped an otherwise disappointing season with his second touchdown of the year - on a shovel pass from Clemens - and rushed for 98 yards on 25 carries. Kickoff return specialist Leon Washington added 11 carries for 67 yards.

After 15 weeks, Gang Green finally figured out how to have a balanced running attacking, at least for one game.

If Jets fans have indeed seen the last of Pennington, Clemens did little to inspire confidence in the quarterback position in the final week of the regular season. The second-year signal-caller was 13-of-25 for 115 yards. Kansas City's Brodie Croyle was equally ineffective, going 20-of-43 for 195 yards and one touchdown.

"That evaluation is going to come from looking at the tape, going back and looking at it," Clemens said, when asked if he was pleased with his performance this year. "There were some wins, which was good, but there were also some losses that obviously we could have done different."

Actually, it was Washington who made the best pass of the day, a 36-yard completion to Wallace Wright, who had the first start of his career.

Against the Chiefs woeful offense, there were a couple of players who stood out defensively for the Jets. Harris once again led Gang Green with 11 tackles, nine solo, and he had one of the Jets' three sacks on the day to improve his season total to five, which is tied with Shaun Ellis for most on the team. Ellis also sacked Croyle, as did Rhodes, who had a strong game at strong safety.

In Mike Westhoff's final game as special teams coach -- he announced afterward he's sitting out next season to have leg surgery -- the Jets won it on a special team play on Mike Nugent's 42-yard field goal in overtime.

But while they ended the season with a win, sending the few fans who braved the cold and damp conditions happy and sober, thanks to a ban on beer sales by Jets management, Gang Green did manage to drop three positions in the NFL Draft to No. 6.

"Whenever you go through a season like this, it's difficult," Mangini said. "There were a lot of games that could have turned on a handful of plays, but that's my responsibility to find a way that we can turn those handful of plays into our favor. I need to find a way that we can turn those handful of plays into our favor...The key thing is, what can you learn? What can you take away and how can you make sure that it doesn't happen again?"

Dylan Butler is a regular contributor to SNY.tv.

[Ranger]

now I like Mangini, but he did not come up with a special game plan against New England. The weather helped out significantly in keeping the score close.

[Blackout]

now I like Mangini, but he did not come up with a special game plan against New England. The weather helped out significantly in keeping the score close.

we held the top offense in the league to 20 points including a defensive INT-6

13 offensive points? thats no coincidence

[DonCorleone]

we held the top offense in the league to 20 points including a defensive INT-6

13 offensive points? thats no coincidence

We also lost. that's no coincidence either. No loss should ever be used as a measuring stick.

[DMaynard]

You better have uncertainty coming off a 4-12 season. If you are confident you are doing everything right, forget about it.

[khesanh]

You better have uncertainty coming off a 4-12 season. If you are confident you are doing everything right, forget about it.

did you guys see Albert Haynesworth just move the line of scrimmage every down yesterday? The center was getting abused every down

[DMaynard]

did you guys see Albert Haynesworth just move the line of scrimmage every down yesterday? The center was getting abused every down

Yes. I don't even remember, did we have a chance to draft him too?

[khesanh]

Yes. I don't even remember, did we have a chance to draft him too?

probably we just passed on him it's the way of the jets I guess to pass on good player. on Jan 19th I am going to the Shrine bowl to scout some players. It is here in Houston, TX this year

[Jetfan13]

did you guys see Albert Haynesworth just move the line of scrimmage every down yesterday? The center was getting abused every down[/quote

I also saw his 2 offsides including the personal foul where he leveled Rivers...the guy is missing a few screws IMO

[DaBrick Wall]

Albert Haynesworth isn't really a NT. He's like D-Rob.

[DMaynard]

Albert Haynesworth isn't really a NT. He's like D-Rob.

As in, they are both human beings?

[DaBrick Wall]

As in, they are both human beings?

As in they are both too small.

[khesanh]

Albert Haynesworth isn't really a NT. He's like D-Rob.

Don't even put him in that class you have got to be kidding me? D-Rob? how many pro bowls does D-Rob have again? a NT moves the line of scrimmage and comands the double team. He is why that defense is good that is what make vandenbosch so good he gets one on one with tackles because of it

[khesanh]

As in, they are both human beings?

LMAO that is funny as hell

[DaBrick Wall]

Don't even put him in that class you have got to be kidding me? D-Rob? how many pro bowls does D-Rob have again? a NT moves the line of scrimmage and comands the double team. He is why that defense is good that is what make vandenbosch so good he gets one on one with tackles because of it

Sorry, I should've made more clear that they're both too small for the 3-4.

[DMaynard]

As in they are both too small.

At 6'6" 320, Hainesworth is not ideal to play NT, but I am sure he would be 100 times better than DRob. I'd take him as a 3-4 DE or any of the 4 positions in a 4-3 in a heartbeat.

DRob is too short to play table tennis.

[DaBrick Wall]

At 6'6" 320, Hainesworth is not ideal to play NT, but I am sure he would be 100 times better than DRob. I'd take as a 3-4 DE or any of the 4 positions in a 4-3 in a heartbeat.

DRob is too short to play table tennis.

In a 3-4 the ideal height for a NT is NOT 6'6", it is 6'1", 6'2", 6'3". You're right though, I would take Haynesworth as a DE.

[BroadwayJoe12]

As in they are both too small.

Are we talking about the same person? Albert is 6'6 320, probably a little heavier in my opinion. Him and Drob are probably as different as two defensive lineman could ever be. Drob is 5 inches shorter and 10+ pounds lighter, he uses speed and hand placement to his advantage; he can't hold a double team and the point of contact, he can't collapse the pocket and he doesn't squeeze gaps because of his size. Those are all key ingredients of a NT in our 34. Fat al on the other hand does all of those; he can take a double team and still collapse the pocket, he has terrific hand placement that allows seperation, which he can than go off the tackle and get to the QB. Now, he is about 4 inches too tall for a prototypical NT, but if anyone can do it it would be him. I would personally rather have him as a 34 DE where he would still command double teams and could potentially free up Drob to use his speed and penetrate better.

[DaBrick Wall]

Are we talking about the same person? Albert is 6'6 320, probably a little heavier in my opinion. Him and Drob are probably as different as two defensive lineman could ever be. Drob is 5 inches shorter and 10+ pounds lighter, he uses speed and hand placement to his advantage; he can't hold a double team and the point of contact, he can't collapse the pocket and he doesn't squeeze gaps because of his size. Those are all key ingredients of a NT in our 34. Fat al on the other hand does all of those; he can take a double team and still collapse the pocket, he has terrific hand placement that allows seperation, which he can than go off the tackle and get to the QB. Now, he is about 4 inches too tall for a prototypical NT, but if anyone can do it it would be him. I would personally rather have him as a 34 DE where he would still command double teams and could potentially free up Drob to use his speed and penetrate better.

Haynesworth would probably be a great 3-4 DE. He is too tall to be a NT and is a whopping 3 pounds heavier than D-Rob. He's a better player than D-Rob for sure but I'm not sure if we had selected him in the draft we would have a perfect 3-4 NT.

[khesanh]

Are we talking about the same person? Albert is 6'6 320, probably a little heavier in my opinion. Him and Drob are probably as different as two defensive lineman could ever be. Drob is 5 inches shorter and 10+ pounds lighter, he uses speed and hand placement to his advantage; he can't hold a double team and the point of contact, he can't collapse the pocket and he doesn't squeeze gaps because of his size. Those are all key ingredients of a NT in our 34. Fat al on the other hand does all of those; he can take a double team and still collapse the pocket, he has terrific hand placement that allows seperation, which he can than go off the tackle and get to the QB. Now, he is about 4 inches too tall for a prototypical NT, but if anyone can do it it would be him. I would personally rather have him as a 34 DE where he would still command double teams and could potentially free up Drob to use his speed and penetrate better.

Oh my god well said!!!!!!

[DMaynard]

In a 3-4 the ideal height for a NT is NOT 6'6", it is 6'1", 6'2", 6'3". You're right though, I would take Haynesworth as a DE.

I don't think being 6'6" is much of a detriment for a 3-4 NT, but I think we both agree he is not heavy enough to be the ideal size for a 3-4 NT. I still believe he would be much better than DRob at that position. DRob also is not heavy enough as well as lacking other skills.

[DaBrick Wall]

I don't think being 6'6" is much of a detriment for a 3-4 NT, but I think we both agree he is not heavy enough to be the ideal size for a 3-4 NT. I still believe he would be much better than DRob at that position. DRob also is not heavy enough as well as lacking other skills.

6'6" is about 3-4 inches too tall for the ideal NT. Of course he would be better than D-Rob at the position. But why give him a huge contract when he's not the perfect, ideal fit?

[DMaynard]

6'6" is about 3-4 inches too tall for the ideal NT. Of course he would be better than D-Rob at the position. But why give him a huge contract when he's not the perfect, ideal fit?

I would definitely try to bring bring him in as a DE in the 3-4. I think he would be outstanding there. And then move him inside when they are in the 4-3.

[khesanh]

I would definitely try to bring bring him in as a DE in the 3-4. I think he would be outstanding there. And then move him inside when they are in the 4-3.

Well lets not get caught up in the HT lets look at the production and we need a guy with a little nastiness we are too nice

[DMaynard]

Well lets not get caught up in the HT lets look at the production and we need a guy with a little nastiness we are too nice

The boy is nasty. No doubt bout dat.

[shutout]

probably we just passed on him it's the way of the jets I guess to pass on good player. on Jan 19th I am going to the Shrine bowl to scout some players. It is here in Houston, TX this year

FYI, he was taken 15th in 2002, and we picked 22nd,so even though you can rip on em for picking Bryan Thomas over Ed Reed, we did not pass on Haynesworth.

[khesanh]

The boy is nasty. No doubt bout dat.

First

Name Last Name Position Height Weight School Hometown

Adam Ballard FB 6

[khesanh]

First

Name Last Name Position Height Weight School Hometown

Adam Ballard FB 6

[bobbyjet69]

In a 3-4 the ideal height for a NT is NOT 6'6", it is 6'1", 6'2", 6'3". You're right though, I would take Haynesworth as a DE.

How about anywhere from 6-1 to 6-6 and can push the line! I don't give a crap about height! He's gotto have size (320+) and strength!

[bobbyjet69]

I just looked up NT and to my suprise!

Ratliff- Cowboys-6-4 298 30tkls 3 sks

Shaun Rogers Lions- 6-4 340 39 tkls 7 sks

Wilfork Pats- 6-2 325 48 tkls 2 sks

Robertson Jets 6-1 310 57 tkls 4 sks!!!

I had no idea he out tackled the elite guys?

[shodan9999]

You better have uncertainty coming off a 4-12 season. If you are confident you are doing everything right, forget about it.

That says it pretty well DMaynard...how can you not have uncertainty when you end up 4-10....and IF we have to keep Pennington...that puts a capital U on uncertainty....has there ever been a 4-12 team that said....ok we are on our way now ! 10-6 teams say it...then the season starts...