NEW YORK JETS
2009 RECORD: 9-7-0
(2nd in AFC East)
HEAD COACH: Rex Ryan
Key Additions: RB LaDainian Tomlinson (FA/San Diego), LB Jason Taylor (FA/Miami), CB Antonio Cromartie (trade/San Diego), WR Santonio Holmes (trade/Pittsburgh), K Nick Folk (FA/Dallas), S Brodney Pool (FA/Cleveland)
Key Losses: G Alan Faneca (FA/Arizona), CB Lito Sheppard (FA/Minnesota), RB Leon Washington (trade/Seattle), RB Thomas Jones (FA/Kansas City), CB Donald Strickland (FA/San Diego), S Kerry Rhodes (trade/Arizona)
Offense: Run, run and run some more was the way to describe the Jets' 2009 offense.
Rookie starting quarterback Mark Sanchez, who had 2,444 passing yards with 12 touchdowns and 20 interceptions, was basically asked to manage the offense as the running backs did the bulk of the work.
New York's 2009 leading rusher Thomas Jones left for Kansas City and the Jets added LaDainian Tomlinson (730 yards rushing with 12 TD) from the San Diego Chargers to back up Shonn Greene, who ran for 540 yards while averaging 5.0 yards per carry as a rookie.
Tomlinson is on the down side of his career having been let go by San Diego after his lowest output, which included a career low 3.3 yards per carry average.
Tony Richardson, another durable veteran, is the fullback.
The wide receivers got an upgrade from 2009 as Santonio Holmes was added from the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he had 79 catches for 1,248 yards and five touchdowns last season.
Along with Jerricho Cotchery (57 grabs for 821 yards and three scores) and Braylon Edwards (35, 541 yards, four TD), Holmes will give the team more options for the second year quarterback to throw to as they attempt to open up the offense in 2010.
Tight End Dustin Keller is another target for Sanchez after making 45 catches a year ago for 522 yards and two touchdowns.
The offensive line lost guard Alan Faneca to free agency, but is still a solid unit with center Nick Mangold surrounded by guards Brandon Moore and Matt Slauson and tackles D' Brickashaw Ferguson and Damien Woody.
Defense: The Jets led the NFL in total defense a year ago, allowing just 252 yards per game and also allowed a league low 236 points.
The run defense gave up 98 yards per game (8th overall) and the pass defense was outstanding, giving up only 154 yards per game.
The 3-4 defense has Kris Jenkins at nose tackle with ends Mike DeVito and Shaun Ellis.
The linebackers are David Harris and Bart Scott on the inside and the outside backers are Bryan Thomas and Calvin Pace.
Eric Smith and Jim Leonhard are the safeties and Antonio Cromartie will play cornerback after being acquired from San Diego.
The big question facing Head Coach Rex Ryan is whether his All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis will be with the team in 2010.
Revis, who led the Jets with six interceptions in 2009, has threatened to holdout and miss the entire season in a contract dispute. Revis seems to be to the Jets' defense what Troy Polamalu is to the Steelers' defense. He brings leadership and confidence to the team.
Getting him on the field in 2010 is vital to the success of the New York Jets defense.
OUTLOOK: Until the gift win given to the Jets by Indianapolis late in the 2009 season, the Jets appeared headed for an 8-8 finish and no playoffs. But then the boisterous Ryan was able to convince the team and the media alike that his 9-7 team could win the Super Bowl, and they almost made it there.
This season, the Jets have a large target on their collective backs as teams no longer take them for granted each week.
Sanchez will be asked to elevate his play on the field and that means cutting down on the interceptions in 2010. His 20 picks were the second highest total in the entire league for a starting QB in the 2009 season.
Another question and challenge for New York will be whether the tandem of Shonn Greene and an aging L.T. can get it done in the offensive backfield. The Jets led the NFL in rushing the football with 172 yards per game last season.
Defensively, the team is solid and if Revis does indeed give in and play along with Cromartie at cornerback in 2010, the Jets will have two shut down corners, barring injury, on the field all season long.
The blitz happy Jets only mustered 32 quarterback sacks a year ago and that total must increase if they are to continue to enjoy success on the defense.
The AFC East has New England and Miami (which swept New York a year ago) setting their sights on the Jets and a pretty tough schedule ahead as well.
Look for the Jets to finish 11-5 in 2010 and probably edge out New England for the division title. Can the Jets fly all the way to the Super Bowl?
Perhaps, but that will depend on the maturity of Sanchez at QB and the defense come post-season time.
TEAM SCHEDULE:
Week 1- vs. Baltimore
Week 2- vs. New England
Week 3- at Miami
Week 4- at Buffalo
Week 5- vs. Minnesota
Week 6- at Denver
Week 7- Bye Week
Week 8- vs. Green Bay
Week 9- at Detroit
Week 10- at Cleveland
Week 11- vs. Houston
Week 12- vs. Cincinnati
Week 13- at New England
Week 14- vs. Miami
Week 15- at Pittsburgh
Week 16- at Chicago
Week 17- vs. Buffalo
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