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5 Concerns for the NY Jets


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According to several published reports the NFL lockout should be over in the next 7-10 days.  This would allow the league to have a full preseason/regular season along with an accelerated business year in terms of making personnel moves.

Assuming that the lockout does indeed end as reported, here are five concerns for the New York Jets.

Salary cap space- As of now there have not been any reported numbers for the 2011 salary cap amount, but many believe it will be less than $130 million dollars.  Currently the New York Jets have anywhere from $111-$120 million dollars in cap space allocated for the 2011 season.  Based on the fact that the team has approximately 14-18 potential free agents to try and re-sign including players like Santonio Holmes, Braylon Edwards, and Antonio Cromartie the Jets are going to face some serious challenges.

There is some wiggle room as Gang Green can create some cap space by getting linebacker David Harris signed to a long term deal (currently a $10 million dollar cap hit) as well as re-working quarterback Mark Sanchez’ contract (approx $18 million dollar cap hit). It will be very interesting to see how this all plays out.  I hope general manager Mike Tannenbaum is getting plenty of rest now.

Free agent frenzy- As mentioned earlier the Jets have anywhere from 14-18 potential free agents depending on the rules that are agreed upon in the new collective bargaining agreement.  The list includes some big names Holmes, Edwards, Cromartie but also some very valuable role players for the team as well: Wayne Hunter, Robert Turner, Eric Smith, Drew Coleman, Nick Folk, Steve Weatherford, and Brodney Pool.

The New York Jets are going to have to make some tough personnel decisions in a season where there is going to be a premium put on team chemistry and system familiarity.  The lack of a true offseason conditioning/training program is going to make it very difficult to work new players into a system.  For my money I would try to bring back as many starters as I can, including veterans Shaun Ellis, Jason Taylor, and Damien Woody who were released prior to the lockout.

Development of Mark Sanchez- Entering his third season in the NFL many are going to expect big things out of quarterback Mark Sanchez.  The young signal caller improved in 2010, and played his best under the bright lights of the playoffs, but he still has some work to do in terms of becoming a more consistent thrower.  There has to be some concern over how much the lockout hindered Sanchez’ ability to improve this offseason.  Granted Mark did arrange some passing camps and workouts, but the fact remains that he was not receiving any true coaching to help improve his game.

Wide receiver position- The New York Jets have openly stated that they want to re-sign receivers Braylon Edwards, Santonio Holmes, and Brad Smith.  This would be the ideal scenario for Gang Green, but in an open market anything can happen.  The Jets will have some tough financial decisions to make as Sanchez appeared to have great chemistry with Edwards (who I believe should be a priority to re-sign) while Holmes made some incredible game clinching plays.  If Gang Green were to lose one of their star playmakers, it could be a hit to not only the offense, but Mark’s development as well.

Development of younger players- Based on the Jets current cap situation the team will have to rely on several of their younger players to take on larger roles.  Players like Kyle Wilson, Vlad Ducasse, John Conner, and Marquice Cole lead the list and there has to be some concern over their improvement this offseason while being locked out from the team’s facilities.  It is one thing to work out in a gym, another to receive the one on one coaching necessary to raise your game to the next level.  Especially in the case of Ducasse and Wilson who could both be thrown into the starting lineup depending on how free agency plays out.

What do you think about these concerns Jets fans? Discuss in the JetNation fan forums.

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It's already unbearable here in DC. Yesterday on the Lavarr Arrington and Chad Dukes show they where letting callers call in to report who would they rather waste Snyders money on Plaxixo or Braylon? OMG

That's dumb! I mean it's obviously Edwards - he's younger and has never been shot in the leg.

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It's already unbearable here in DC. Yesterday on the Lavarr Arrington and Chad Dukes show they where letting callers call in to report who would they rather waste Snyders money on Plaxixo or Braylon? OMG

Would yoou prefer more fire Bruce Boudreau talk?

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If I was gonna list any concern's for next season #1 would definitely be Sanchez's development. As long as we bring back either Holmes or Edwards I think it'll really help. No way we lose both of them.

We need more pass rush. I'm really hoping adding Ellis and Wilkerson along with getting Pitoitua back should breath some life into our much needed pass rush.

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No way I want Jason Taylor back. Thanks for the memories and all.

Brad Smith isn't coming back. Jets are saying nice things, but someone is going to break the bank for him. It won't be the Jets.

I want Shaun Ellis back.

I hope they focus on Hunter and Turner over Woody. I think Woody'll be there if they decide they need him a couple weeks later.

I'm curious to see how hard they go after Cromartie. Also curious to see how quickly restructures get done on Harris and Sanchez. I bet it's tampering quick.

Are there any pass rushers hitting FA?

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I loved him when he was with The Yardbirds!

I have been laughing at their QB's for 12 years now.

What's even funnier, is how the fans think every single one was going to be the future.

The list of losers, is hysterical! :rl:

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No way I want Jason Taylor back. Thanks for the memories and all.

Brad Smith isn't coming back. Jets are saying nice things, but someone is going to break the bank for him. It won't be the Jets.

I want Shaun Ellis back.

I hope they focus on Hunter and Turner over Woody. I think Woody'll be there if they decide they need him a couple weeks later.

I'm curious to see how hard they go after Cromartie. Also curious to see how quickly restructures get done on Harris and Sanchez. I bet it's tampering quick.

Are there any pass rushers hitting FA?

This!

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No way I want Jason Taylor back. Thanks for the memories and all.

Brad Smith isn't coming back. Jets are saying nice things, but someone is going to break the bank for him. It won't be the Jets.

I want Shaun Ellis back.

I hope they focus on Hunter and Turner over Woody. I think Woody'll be there if they decide they need him a couple weeks later.

I'm curious to see how hard they go after Cromartie. Also curious to see how quickly restructures get done on Harris and Sanchez. I bet it's tampering quick.

Are there any pass rushers hitting FA?

Just curious, what are your feelings about Pryor and Thomas? Don't bring them back along with Taylor?

I think some other team is gonna be very unhappy when they break the bank for Smith and he doesn't live up to their standard.

+1, definitely bring Ellis back.

I never really got to follow Hunter all that well, how did he do when he took over for Woody? Turner seems like an adequate lineman, but we don't have a lot of depth on that line anyways.

I would be pretty annoyed if they didn't go after Cro hard considering he cost us a 2nd round pick for only one year of play. If we made it to the SB or won, that might be a different story.

http://walterfootball.com/freeagents2011OLB.php

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Just curious, what are your feelings about Pryor and Thomas? Don't bring them back along with Taylor?

I think some other team is gonna be very unhappy when they break the bank for Smith and he doesn't live up to their standard.

+1, definitely bring Ellis back.

I never really got to follow Hunter all that well, how did he do when he took over for Woody? Turner seems like an adequate lineman, but we don't have a lot of depth on that line anyways.

I would be pretty annoyed if they didn't go after Cro hard considering he cost us a 2nd round pick for only one year of play. If we made it to the SB or won, that might be a different story.

http://walterfootbal...ents2011OLB.php

You mean Pryce, right? Rex loves him, so he may get extra consideration. I'd let him walk. I'd hold onto Bryan Thomas, though, mostly out of the lack of a suitable replacement.

Hunter's a guy they seem to trust. He gets on the field a lot as an extra blocking TE, and I think he did a decent job as Woody's replacement. Just looked and Turner's an RFA - so he'll be back. Hunter is 30, and I doubt there'll be a huge run on his services, either.

I'm not concerned about the pick for Cro. It's gone. At a certain point you have to make the decision not to throw good money after bad. I don't expect the Jets to be the highest bidder for his services - but he might come back, anyway. He gets to win here, and as Revis' #2, he gets easier assignments. As a #1 somewhere else, he may never see the end of his next big deal.

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You mean Pryce, right? Rex loves him, so he may get extra consideration. I'd let him walk. I'd hold onto Bryan Thomas, though, mostly out of the lack of a suitable replacement.

Hunter's a guy they seem to trust. He gets on the field a lot as an extra blocking TE, and I think he did a decent job as Woody's replacement. Just looked and Turner's an RFA - so he'll be back. Hunter is 30, and I doubt there'll be a huge run on his services, either.

I'm not concerned about the pick for Cro. It's gone. At a certain point you have to make the decision not to throw good money after bad. I don't expect the Jets to be the highest bidder for his services - but he might come back, anyway. He gets to win here, and as Revis' #2, he gets easier assignments. As a #1 somewhere else, he may never see the end of his next big deal.

Pryce yeah, my bad. He looks like he did less than Taylor though. I don't know but I'm just tired of having old or poor excuses for a pass rush. Outside of Pace I don't feel like we have another player that's a threat to get to the QB. I'm hoping Wilkerson could be that next guy considering how well he did at Temple. But the competition he faced in college is nothing compared to the pro's im sure.

I hope Vlad steps up even if we do resign Hunter to play RT.

I guess giving up a 2nd round pick is better than a giant contract with lots of dead money attached (Gholston). Every year we get another 2nd round pick.

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I remember his sig. He should really update that. I'm sure he'll replace it with something about Daniel Thomas being the next AP and running all over our defense this year.

Well he already updated Beck with Pennington. :rl:

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No way I want Jason Taylor back. Thanks for the memories and all.

Brad Smith isn't coming back. Jets are saying nice things, but someone is going to break the bank for him. It won't be the Jets.

I want Shaun Ellis back.

I hope they focus on Hunter and Turner over Woody. I think Woody'll be there if they decide they need him a couple weeks later.

I'm curious to see how hard they go after Cromartie. Also curious to see how quickly restructures get done on Harris and Sanchez. I bet it's tampering quick.

Are there any pass rushers hitting FA?

I agree on pretty much all of this. I think Taylor and Woody are both going to be in the same boat with the Jets. They'll want to do everything in their power to replace them with younger, and hopefully better options, but they'll keep their eyes on the two of them just in case that doesn't work out. Turner I don't think is going anywhere (pretty sure he's still either a RFA or ERFA isn't he?), but the problem with Hunter is he played well enough down the stretch that some other team might be willing to pay him a moderate starters salary. Given the Jets hoping for Ducasse to take the job, I'm not sure they'd be willing to match that. Ellis I think there's a good shot of coming back unless the team is really THAT convinced Wilkerson can start from day one and that Pitoitua can be a healthy and effective backup. The only reason I thought it might be an issue is Ellis' reported unhappiness about not getting an extension last offseason, but with the recent news that he wants to return to the Jets, that sounds like that won't be an issue.

Definitely agree on the Harris and Sanchez contracts. Let's be honest, we all know Tanny makes a living getting around whatever rules he can, and I have no doubt he's been in touch with a number of agents throughout the lockout. While this will apply to all teams, I have no doubt the Jets will be moving quicker than most, and I think they probably already have their contracts 99% written up and the willingness of each player to sign will determine how things turn out (for example, if Holmes decides he wants to test free agency, I wouldn't be surprised if the Jets decide not to wait around and move on to Edwards). And as you said, there is without a doubt some team out there who will be willing to pay Smith more than the Jets will be interested in doing. Plus I think their plans with guys like McKnight and Kerley shows you they're ready to move on.

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I never really got to follow Hunter all that well, how did he do when he took over for Woody? Turner seems like an adequate lineman, but we don't have a lot of depth on that line anyways.

We were discussing this earlier in the offseason and I think the best way everyone agreed to put it was that he played at a level that I'd bet your "average" football fan who isn't going to hyper-analyze the way a lot of us around here do probably never even realized that Woody was gone. Let's be honest, last year Woody was, at best, the Jets second worst starting OL, but considering how well the Jets OL has played that's still not too damn bad, and they didn't miss a beat with Hunter in for Woody. I would be surprised if there weren't some teams thin at OT out there who would be interested in giving him a shot at becoming a full time starter.

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A winning season needs to come before any Lombardi's. They are 2-3 years from being close.

That's my point, the Eagles were in the top 3 win % the last decade so if it wasn't going to happen in Philly with McNabb odds are it's not going to happen in DC with him either.

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anything GM related is not an issue, tanny eats agents and craps thunder

here is my list

1) shotty. will the benefits of continuity and not having to learn a new offense after the lock out outweigh his crappy in game adjustments ?

2) LG. they really need to bring in a vet so they can have a competition. 1st place gets a cadillac, 2nd place gets a set of steak knives, 3rd place gets cut

3) return game / kicking game. westhoff is going to make his final year his best, and tanny needs to get him 2 decent specialists

4) pass rush. yeah, the jets can cover and scheme, but a nice edge rusher would be schaweet

5) RT. will we get woody back in time ? move someone over ? promote someone ? wtf ?

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#1 concern for the NY Jets: getting Mark Sanchez to play better, all the time. not just at playoff time, and not just in 2nd halves.

vlad and kyle wilson these are pawns.

+1

If your QB is playing at a top level and so many other pieces are in place, our worries are not going to be our RT or #2 CB. You just put up points. We've seen enough teams lose starting left tackles in mid-season and still put up points.

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+1

If your QB is playing at a top level and so many other pieces are in place, our worries are not going to be our RT or #2 CB. You just put up points. We've seen enough teams lose starting left tackles in mid-season and still put up points.

Not when they are a weak link and the entire line suffers and in turn the QB, and those teams have depth.

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anything GM related is not an issue, tanny eats agents and craps thunder

here is my list

1) shotty. will the benefits of continuity and not having to learn a new offense after the lock out outweigh his crappy in game adjustments ?

2) LG. they really need to bring in a vet so they can have a competition. 1st place gets a cadillac, 2nd place gets a set of steak knives, 3rd place gets cut

3) return game / kicking game. westhoff is going to make his final year his best, and tanny needs to get him 2 decent specialists

4) pass rush. yeah, the jets can cover and scheme, but a nice edge rusher would be schaweet

5) RT. will we get woody back in time ? move someone over ? promote someone ? wtf ?

1) Absolutely agree, Schotty sucks.

2) I don't think you're giving Slauson anywhere near enough credit. For starters, playing between Mangold and Brick makes LG the exact kind of position the Jets don't need to and shouldn't break the bank on. In the case of Slauson, while he had his screw-ups early in the season, he really showed a lot of improvement over the course of the season and was a solid contributor to a great OL through the end of the season and the playoffs. I don't see any reason this needs to be an immediate concern for the Jets.

3) The return game never has and never will be an issue for Westhoff. Every time the Jets lose a guy it's supposed to be an issue and it never matters. From Chad Morton to Jonathan Carter to Justin Miller to Leon Washington to Brad Smith, it has never made a difference, the Jets KR game is always amongst the best in the league. We already know McKnight got some work there last year and I'm sure Westy has his eye on some other players as well. Punt returners have never been great, but the Jets already have a few solid guys who you can put back there (Cotchery / Leonhard) and added Kerley as well, who may finally give them that real threat. As far as the kickers, I agree that's more of an issue. But at least they brought in Novak to compete with Folk and while he's had some consistency issues, Weatherford is still probably above average and better than a lot of crap the Jets have had in the past. The bigger concern to me is what's going to happen once the Jets lose Westy next year.

4) I would move this up to 1 or 2. The Jets manage to scheme brilliantly around it, but there is not a single pure pass rusher on this team. The Jets either need to get someone in here or hope and pray that a guy like Westerman steps up or Pace can start performing consistently. This defense will never take the next step without that pass rush threat.

5) Definitely think this is much more of an issue than LG. The only good news is that the team does seem to like Ducasse, they have the potential to bring back Hunter who played well in place of Woody and then Woody himself as an emergency backup plan. However, as it currently stands with Ducasse as the only one under contract, I'd definitely bump this one up the concerns list as well.

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