NFL 2013 Preview - New York Jets

NEW YORK JETS                                                

Head Coach: Rex Ryan

2012 Record: 6-10-0 (3rd in AFC East)

New Players: LB Antwan Barnes; RB Chris Ivory; RB Mike Goodson; OL Willie Colon; S Dawan Landry.

Gone Elsewhere: CB Darrelle Revis; RB Shonn Greene; TE Dustin Keller; LB Bart Scott; OL Matt Slauson; S Yeremiah Bell; DL Mike DeVito; S LaRon Landry; DL Sione Po'uha.

Offense: Revamping this unit around either quarterback Mark Sanchez or rookie draft pick Geno Smith (West Virginia) is where the Jets offense is heading this season.
Sanchez was woeful last season, throwing for 2,883 yards with 13 touchdowns and 18 interceptions.

Jets QB Mark Sanchez

Smith is a flashy rookie who has had his ups and downs in the pre-season, but may yet get the starting nod when the opening game kicks off in just two weeks.
The running game is also going through big changes with leading back Shonn Greene departing for Tennessee in the off-season.
The starting candidates are Bilal Powell (437 rushing yards with four TD), Chris Ivory (217 yards and two TD with a 5.1 ypc average in only six games with New Orleans) and Mike Goodson, who had 221 yards in limited action with Oakland last season.
The wide receivers include Jeremy Kerley (56 receptions for 827 yards and two TD), Stephen Hill (21, 252, three TD) and Santonio Holmes, who played in just four games last year while catching 20 passes for 272 yards and one touchdown. Clyde Gates and Jordan White add depth to the receiving corps. The tight end is Jeff Cumberland, who made 29 receptions for 359 yards and three scores last season.
The line has Nick Mangold at center, D'Brickashaw Ferguson and Austin Howard at tackles. The guards will be Stephen Peterman and Willie Colon.

Defense: With two rookies slated to start on defense in 2013, the Jets vaunted defense is also undergoing changes.
Gone is Darrelle Revis (aka Revis Island), perhaps the best cornerback in the NFL. Also gone is linebacker Bart Scott, safties Yeremiah Bell and LaRon Landry and defensive linemen Mike DeVito and Sione Po'uha.

Head Coach Rex Ryan

That's a big  laundry list of players and the Jets will go this year in the 3-4 set with Antonio Garay at nose tackle with Muhammad Wilkerson (five QB sacks at defensive end) and rookie Sheldon Richardson (Missouri) at defensive tackle.
The linebacking crew has outside men Antwan Barnes and Quinton Coples (5 1/2 sacks) along with inside backers Demario Davis and David Harris. Veteran LB Calvin Pace will step up again when needed.
The secondary will have rookie Dee Milliner (Alabama) and Antonio Cromartie (three interceptions) at the corners while Dawan Landry and Josh Bush play safety. Others in the fold include Aaron Berry, Kyle Wilson, Antonio Allen and Jaiquawn Jarrett.
The Jets were eighth in the NFL on defense last year, including number-two against the pass, allowing 190 yards per game. They also allowed 375 points (23.5 points per game) in 2012.

OUTLOOK: The quarterback situation appears to be a huge mess at this point in time and Head Coach Rex Ryan has been testy (to say the least) when addressing the situation.
Whether it's Sanchez or the rookie Geno Smith taking the snaps this year, the Jets have to have stability at the most important position on the field.
The running back by committee will be a project as well. The line has to open the holes for the backs while also providing much better pass protection for the quarterbacks as they allowed 47 sacks last year.
The wide receiving corps is decent, especially if Santonio Holmes can stay healthy this season.
On defense, replacing cornerback Darrelle Revis and both safties is impossible. You don't replace 'Revis Island' with anyone, let alone a rookie defensive back.
The Jets struggled against the run last season (allowing 133 yards per game while ranked 26th in NFL) and that must improve. The turnovers cannot be a problem either in 2013 after the Jets were a minus-14 (18 fumbles and 19 interceptions on offense) last season.
It very well could be a long season in the Big Apple this year as the Jets re-tool and look to the future in the AFC East division. Figure on 5-11 this season as they attempt to stay out of the cellar.

2013 SCHEDULE

Sept. 8- vs. Tampa Bay
Sept. 12- at New England
Sept. 22- vs. Buffalo
Sept. 29- at Tennessee
Oct. 7- at Atlanta
Oct. 13- vs. Pittsburgh
Oct. 20- vs. New England
Oct. 27- at Cincinnati
Nov. 3- vs. New Orleans
Nov. 10- BYE WEEK
Nov. 17- at Buffalo
Nov. 24- at Baltimore
Dec. 1- vs. Miami
Dec. 8- vs. Oakland
Dec. 15- at Carolina
Dec. 22- vs. Cleveland
Dec. 29- at Miami