Lockout Limbo: Jets Report

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Lockout limbo: Jets report

Posted May 30, 2011 @ 10:54 a.m. ET

By Kevin Fishbain

With NFL teams stuck in a state of limbo thanks to the lingering lockout, we are taking a tour around the league and looking at where teams stand as they await the opening of the 2011 league year. Today, we offer our take on where the Jets stand.

Top three story lines

1. Which receivers will be back at the New Meadowlands? Braylon Edwards, Santonio Holmes and Brad Smith are all set to be free agents. Under 2010 rules, Holmes and Smith will be restricted. The Jets drafted two slot receivers who could replace Smith, but there are a lot of free agents to re-sign and they might not have room for Holmes and Edwards. Holmes is the higher priority for the team, but having both weapons for Mark Sanchez would boost last year's 22nd-ranked passing offense. With other free agents, such as Antonio Cromartie, Brodney Pool and Drew Coleman from the secondary, someone is going to get left out, and it's likely to be one of last year's top receivers.

2. The defense gets younger, but is without a pass-rush specialist. The Jets cut NT Kris Jenkins, OLB Jason Taylor and DE Vernon Gholston in February and might not re-sign Shaun Ellis or Trevor Pryce. Rookie Muhammad Wilkerson could be starting Day One at the five-technique. GM Mike Tannenbaum is excited about some of the young D-linemen that didn't play much last season and who could get thrown into the fold in 2011.

Without Taylor, the team does not have a player who can consistently get after the quarterback. OLBs Bryan Thomas and Calvin Pace will be counted on to get the job done.

3. Is it time for Shonn Greene to be the team's No. 1 back? LaDainian Tomlinson is ready to be the third-down back and isn't expected to have the type of season he had in 2010. Greene has yet to eclipse 200 carries in his career, and part of that is because of the team's RB-by-committee philosophy. It's possible that Joe McKnight sees more action, and maybe rookie Bilal Powell, but ideally, Greene would take the reins of the running game, the way the Jets expected when drafting him in 2009.

2011 free-agency — whenever that happens

Unsigned players: OLB Cody Brown (2), QB Kellen Clemens (5), CB Drew Coleman (5), OLB Shawn Crable (3), CB Antonio Cromartie (5), WR Braylon Edwards (6), DE Shaun Ellis (11), OL Robby Felix (1), PK Nick Folk (4), CB Ben Hannula (1), WR Santonio Holmes (5), OT Wayne Hunter (6), S James Ihedigbo (4), DT Matt Kroul (1), OL Dennis Landolt (1), LB Lance Laury (5), WR Logan Payne (2), S Brodney Pool (6), DE Trevor Pryce (14), RB Tony Richardson (16), LB Brashton Satele (1), WR Brad Smith (5), S Eric Smith (5), DT Martin Tevaseu (1), OL Robert Turner (3), P Steve Weatherford (5). [Editor's note: The number after a players' name is his years of service in the league. If the NFL decides to go with free agency under the same rules as used in 2010, then a player would become a restricted free agent after three years and an unrestricted free agent after six years.]

Analysis: The Jets have plenty of work to do in free agency with a plethora of veteran starters facing the option of testing the market. The top priority is likely Cromartie, but if the 2010 rules are in place he can play ’11 on a first- and third-round tender. Then the receivers come into play, where the Jets would like to keep everyone but could end up with only Holmes, especially after drafting potential replacements for Brad Smith.

Pryce is not expected to be back, especially with the team's depth and youth on the D-line. Ellis could stay in New York but it'd have to be for a pay cut. In the secondary, Coleman could be the team's nickel if he sticks around and Pool is the starting safety. Hunter might be expendable, as Vladimir Ducasse is set to be the team's starting right tackle. The team also needs to take a close look at special teams if it doesn't plan on re-signing Folk and Weatherford, although Folk received a tender.

2011 rookie class

First-round DE Muhammad Wilkerson (No. 30 overall) — The team's five-technique of the future, Wilkerson is supposed to be Rex Ryan's next Trevor Pryce. Assuming Shaun Ellis departs, Wilkerson, who should improve the D-line's pass rush, could start Day One.

Third-round NT Kenrick Ellis (No. 94 overall) — Ellis graded higher than where he was drafted but has character concerns with an upcoming criminal trial for felony assault charges. He is what the team is looking for to back up Sione Pouha with Kris Jenkins gone.

Fourth-round RB Bilal Powell (No. 126 overall) — This was a surprising pick to most observers, but the Jets want to have many backs. Powell could compete with Joe McKnight to be the team's No. 3 back and is insurance for when LaDainian Tomlinson retires.

Fifth-round WR Jeremy Kerley (No. 153 overall) — A quicker-than-fast slot receiver, Kerley could contribute immediately as Brad Smith's replacement.

Seventh-round QB Greg McElroy (No. 208 overall) — The smartest quarterback in the draft, McElroy could be Mark Sanchez's backup for years.

Seventh-round WR Scotty McKnight (No. 227 overall) — McKnight, Mark Sanchez's childhood friend, will fight to make the team as a reserve slot receiver.

Lockout fallout: How impacted will the Jets be by the work stoppage?

On scale from 1 to 10 (with 10 being the most significantly impacted), the Jets rate a 5. The coaching staff returns intact as does the all-important QB position, but there are a host of question marks with all of the team's free agents. Most of the top guys are expected to return, but without knowing what rules the NFL will work under or when free agency will begin, the Jets have to deal with plenty of uncertainty at wide receiver, defensive back and on special teams. If most of the starters return, though, this is a team that can challenge for the Super Bowl.

http://www.profootballweekly.com/201...bo-jets-report

[slats]

These generic sites can be tough to read at times, because they really don't know the team as intimately as fans who post on sites like this do. The repeated reference to Kerley being Brad Smith's replacement as a slot receiver is particularly annoying. When the fvck did Brad Smith ever catch a pass out of the slot? Kerley may replace Smith on special teams, but he's a welcome addition as something completely new on this team as a slot receiver.

Brad Smith needs to be replaced in the option offense -if the Jets choose to continue to run it- and that won't be any of the rookies. My money would be on Joe McKnight.

Also curious that they point out Shonn Greene's shortcomings in one instance, then brush over them in referring to Powell as insurance for when LT retires. Powell, IMHO, is Shonn Greene insurance, in case he continues to only step up halfway.

Haven't read any of their stories on other teams (I'm sure the Pats are a 0 on the lockout impact scale), but I can't agree with their conclusions, either.

Lockout fallout: How impacted will the Jets be by the work stoppage?

On scale from 1 to 10 (with 10 being the most significantly impacted), the Jets rate a 5. The coaching staff returns intact as does the all-important QB position, but there are a host of question marks with all of the team's free agents. Most of the top guys are expected to return, but without knowing what rules the NFL will work under or when free agency will begin, the Jets have to deal with plenty of uncertainty at wide receiver, defensive back and on special teams. If most of the starters return, though, this is a team that can challenge for the Super Bowl.

http://www.profootba....bo-jets-report

Cue my good friend Tom Shane, but I think the Jets have one of the best front offices in the NFL. It's certainly true that the team has a free agent problem (that's significantly lighter should the 2010 rules be in effect for 2011), but there is no doubt in my mind that the Jets have contingency plans for every possible contingency. Rest assured they have plans to sign their own people, and plans for what to do if they don't. They have a young entrenched starter at QB, a rock solid coaching staff, and a ground & pound philosophy backed up by a very strong OL and an improved front seven on defense. Can't imagine that the Jets are a 5 on this scale of theirs. I don't think there are many teams better equipped than the Jets to handle the lack of an offseason - and certainly not half the league.

[JiFtheOracle]

Without Taylor, the team does not have a player who can consistently get after the quarterback. OLBs Bryan Thomas and Calvin Pace will be counted on to get the job done.

We didnt have a player who consistently got after the quarterback with Taylor.

[visajets]

We didnt have a player who consistently got after the quarterback with Taylor.

Agreed and it cost us the AFC Championship game.

[Scott Dierking]

Agreed and it cost us the AFC Championship game.

Part of the equation of getting to the QB is tackling. THAT is what cost the jets in the first half of the AFC Championship game.

It did not seem to be part of theh game plan to attack Roethlisberger, as teams that do often bounce off him.

As the team and the coach admitted, they did not come out with an intensity to play.

[Matt39]

We didnt have a player who consistently got after the quarterback with Taylor.

No one has a player that consistently gets after the QB. The closest is either Tuck or Ware. Bryan Thomas is just bad. Pace has some Gholston in him.

[visajets]

Part of the equation of getting to the QB is tackling. THAT is what cost the jets in the first half of the AFC Championship game.

It did not seem to be part of theh game plan to attack Roethlisberger, as teams that do often bounce off him.

As the team and the coach admitted, they did not come out with an intensity to play.

How can you put it in as part of the game plan when you lacked a pass rusher in the first place. JT was ineffective throughout the entire season. The pass rush hasnt been here since J Abe and Hugh Douglas were in uniform.

[Scott Dierking]

How can you put it in as part of the game plan when you lacked a pass rusher in the first place. JT was ineffective throughout the entire season. The pass rush hasnt been here since J Abe and Hugh Douglas were in uniform.

Rex had it in the game plan for the first 3/4 of the year. It just didn't work.

When he finally got rid of his stubborness to attack, the Jets actually played solid defense.

Again, the pass rush, or lack thereof did not cost the Jets the AFC Championship. It was far from that.

[visajets]

Rex had it in the game plan for the first 3/4 of the year. It just didn't work.

When he finally got rid of his stubborness to attack, the Jets actually played solid defense.

Again, the pass rush, or lack thereof did not cost the Jets the AFC Championship. It was far from that.

I disagree, though it wasnt all that cost us the game it was a big part in Big Ben being succesful against us.

[slats]

Rex had it in the game plan for the first 3/4 of the year. It just didn't work.

When he finally got rid of his stubborness to attack, the Jets actually played solid defense.

Again, the pass rush, or lack thereof did not cost the Jets the AFC Championship. It was far from that.

+1

Jets didn't have a pass rush. Teams figured out Rex's blitzes, and Rex had to change it up. They beat the pass by having an excellent secondary/gameplan.

Roethlisberger swats away most pass rushers, and plays better when he's improvising. Best way to defend him is to keep him in the pocket and blanket his receivers.

For whatever reason, the Jets didn't come to play that day. That simple. Personally, I think the Pats game was their Super Bowl. They left it all out on the field the week before.

[JiFtheOracle]

Agreed and it cost us the AFC Championship game.

Meh, its wasnt that...tackling and lack of urgency.

No one has a player that consistently gets after the QB. The closest is either Tuck or Ware. Bryan Thomas is just bad. Pace has some Gholston in him.

That beast Matthews isnt half bad.

+1

Jets didn't have a pass rush. Teams figured out Rex's blitzes, and Rex had to change it up.

What I love about this debate, is that Jets were 8th in the league in sacks...a whooping 8 sacks behind the league leading Steelers.

Our pass rush was fine...we just dont have a true "pass rusher".

[Matt39]

Meh, its wasnt that...tackling and lack of urgency.

That beast Matthews isnt half bad.

What I love about this debate, is that Jets were 8th in the league in sacks...a whooping 8 sacks behind the league leading Steelers.

Our pass rush was fine...we just dont have a true "pass rusher".

Pressure is more important than sacks....they were a lot better at this in 09 than in 2010.

Thomas and Pace just dont have those types of skills.

[JiFtheOracle]

Pressure is more important than sacks....they were a lot better at this in 09 than in 2010.

Thomas and Pace just dont have those types of skills.

Thats the issue. We have to get creative because we dont have any natural pass rushers...but Rex can create pressure.

I also think that our game plan was different this year having Cro out there. We covered a lot more than we blitzed this season. Our personnel got better on defense. I dont think we just out of the blue regressed in that category. I think it was strategy/game plan often times.

[slats]

What I love about this debate, is that Jets were 8th in the league in sacks...a whooping 8 sacks behind the league leading Steelers.

Our pass rush was fine...we just dont have a true "pass rusher".

Jets were terrible on 3rd down for most of 2010, and most of their sacks were of the coverage sack variety.

I love Rex, he's a smart, creative guy who got the most out of his roster, but the Jets really didn't have an effective pass rush last year. The forced a lot of 3rd and longs, getting a lot of opportunities on the strength of their rushing defense - but they didn't cash them in.

Wasn't the weakest area on the defense, though. Biggest problem was the inability to generate takeaways, particularly being near the bottom of the league in ints.

[hoping4ASuperBowl]

Jets were terrible on 3rd down for most of 2010, and most of their sacks were of the coverage sack variety.

I love Rex, he's a smart, creative guy who got the most out of his roster, but the Jets really didn't have an effective pass rush last year. The forced a lot of 3rd and longs, getting a lot of opportunities on the strength of their rushing defense - but they didn't cash them in.

Wasn't the weakest area on the defense, though. Biggest problem was the inability to generate takeaways, particularly being near the bottom of the league in ints.

As far as the INT's go, I think part of that has to do with opposing QB's completely ignoring whatever side of the field Revis was on. Cromartie got tested early and often, and started off pretty hot but cooled down. I think at the end of the day a true pash rusher would be more valuable to this team than 2 great CB's.

[#27TheDominator]

The Jets lost to the Steelers because they didn't have a pass rusher, but they were able to beat two teams that only move the ball through the air without one? This D is better than when Abraham was here and better than when Douglas was here. Remember that when Parcells arrived he couldn't wait to get rid of Douglas.

Like Matt said, there just aren't that many legit pass rushers out there. When they were on other teams we thought that Taylor and Pryce were pass rushers.

A ton of those guys listed as "unsigned" signed futures contracts. I'm not sure exactly what that means in the context of this labor landscape. Still, there is a big difference between guys that signed futures contracts and guys that were just cut. Cody Brown just signed on in February. He's not exactly as likely to sign with other teams as Kris Jenkins or Gholston.

This guys list Hunter as gone because Ducasse will start at RT, but the other article today expects the Jets to bring Woody back because they speculate that Ducasse won't be ready without working with the coaches all this time.

[Scott Dierking]

The Jets defense was truly an enigma last year.

I believe they led the league in 3 and outs on defense. I believe they were ranked very poorly in 3rd down efficiency. Go figure. we do know they gave up a lot of 3rd and longs, when they tried to pressure, could not and WR's broke free. Once the Jets limited their rush, they were able to cover better. They also got better at disguising coverages later in the year, rather than disguising blitzes.

[#27TheDominator]

The Jets defense was truly an enigma last year.

I believe they led the league in 3 and outs on defense. I believe they were ranked very poorly in 3rd down efficiency. Go figure. we do know they gave up a lot of 3rd and longs, when they tried to pressure, could not and WR's broke free. Once the Jets limited their rush, they were able to cover better. They also got better at disguising coverages later in the year, rather than disguising blitzes.

Early in the year they had a bunch of PI calls on 3rd and very longs.

I don't think they are an enigma at all. They are a great defense in an offensive era. It is getting to be damn near impossible to be a true shutdown defense.

[visajets]

Imagine how good they could have been with a legititmate pass rusher every down.

[Scott Dierking]

Imagine how good they could have been with a legititmate pass rusher every down.

Imagine how good they would be with a Field goal kicker who never missed.

Teams are what they are.

Hopefully, the Jets fortified the D-line with some players that will help plug holes, provide youth and provide some pressure.

That is where the jets are today, with the unknowns still remaining