A Jets Post-Mortem

Three days removed from the Jets tough playoff loss to the Patriots, I can finally do an assessment of the 2006 New York Jets. They were a mediocre team, well-coached, and with an easy schedule. In my estimation, they won the games they were supposed to and lost the ones they supposed to, with the exception of the questionable loss to the Browns. The 2007 season figures to be tougher, with the schedule of a wildcard team instead of the powder puff schedule they had this year. As such, changes and improvements must be in store. Here is my assessment of where the Jets stand, position by position, and what they need to focus on in the off-season.

QB - Eric Mangini, while praising Chad Pennington, said that he will have to win the job again next year. I expect him to do so, but I expect that it might be his last year. I am a big Chad Pennington backer. Its hard not to like such a smart and gutsy QB. However, I finally realize that Pennington is merely an All-Star version of Trent Dilfer. Pennington is smarter and better than Dilfer ever was, but at the same time, Pennington is a game manager. He can't win games with his arm. The Jets will never have a dynamic, vertical passing game with Pennington at the helm. Certainly, you can win a super bowl with Chad Pennington as your QB, but every other position on your team has to be rock solid. Kellen Clemens is the future at the position and I expect he will eventually take over, likely in 2008.

RB - The Jets went with a RB by committee approach this year to replace Hall of Famer Curtis Martin. Houston, Barlow and Rookie Leon Washington did an admirable job, but realistically, the Jets need to find an every down back. Washington will be part of the Jets offense next year in a Kevin Faulk/Dave Megget/early Tiki Barber role. I suspect that either Barlow or Houston will be back as well. The other will either be released or, if they can get a late round pick, traded. The Jets will consider San Diego Restricted Free Agent Michael Turner, but otherwise I suspect they will take a shot in the draft. The tow names I would watch are Marshawn Lynch and Michael Bush. It would be a dream if Adrian Peterson somehow fell to the Jets.

FB - The Jets could do anything at this position. BJ Askew has shown nothing to suggest the Jets will be in a rush to bring him back. The Jets also have James Hodgkins, Stacy Tutt, and can use a TE like Sean Ryan. It would be pretty cool if the Jets spent one of their extra 2nd round picks on Rutgers FB and folk hero, Brian Leonard.

WR - I think the Jets are set at this position except for depth. Coles, Cotchery and Brad Smith can all be penciled in. After that it is an open competition with Justin McCareins, perhaps Tim Dwight. I have to admit to not getting too excited about who the 4th and 5th WRs will be. Whoever they are, they will be lucky to get 10 passes thrown to them all year and will be mostly special teams contributors. TE - I think the Jets finally realize that Chris Baker can be a weapon for them. I don't expect the Jets to address this position.

OLine - This was last year's project. Mangold and Ferguson are set, as is Pete Kendall and Brandon Moore. Anthony Clement, who did an admirable job at RT, is the only one up in the air. If the Jets don't bring him back, I expect the position to be filled by Adrian Jones or some unexciting signing. I don't see the Jets addressing anything during the draft until the 2nd day when you could see them grabbing a guard to eventually replace Kendall or someone who might project as competition at RT.

DLine - I suspect that this is the position to watch. Like they did last year when they took 2 OLinemen in the 1st round, I could see the Jets spending multiple day 1 picks to address the DLine. The Jets insist on playing a 3-4, even though their personnel is better equipped for a 4-3. DeWayne Robertson actually had a good season even as an undersized nosetackle. Sean Ellis is a good end, but at this point in his career Kimo Von Oelhaffen is a backup. At the end position, there are exciting free agents like Dwight Freeney and Justin Smith. I don't think either really fit as a 3-4 end. There is really great depth at DE in this draft. I don't think Gaines Adams or Quinton Moses will be available, but LaMarr Woodley, Adam Carriker, or Florida's Ray McDonald could be real options. At the tackle position, if Robertson had day 1 trade value I would move him. The Jets need a space eater at the DT position. Vonnie Holliday could be available as could Mammoth Oakland surprise Terdell Sands. The best fit would be Michigan's Alan Branch, but he will be long gone by the time the Jets pick. After that there is Amobi Okoye and Frank Okam. In any event, Eric Mangini was schooled in New England, where they were never afraid to just keep drafting D Linemen. Do not be surprised if the Jets address the D Line in free agency and then again multiple times in the draft.

LB - The key to the 3-4 defense is the linebackers. The Jets have some good ones with Vilma, Hobson, Thomas and Barton. However, this is another position I expect the Jets to attack. They spent a 3rd rd pick on Ohio State wild man Anthony Schlegel last year, who may or may not develop into a decent ILB. Drafting where they do, I would not be surprised to see the Jets go after a guy like Paul Posluszny or Patrick Willis. In fact, if I were to predict right now, I would expect the Jets 1st 3 picks (1st rd, 2nd rd, 2nd rd) to include a RB, DLineman, and LBer.

CB - This is a tricky call. The Jets have Andre Miller, Andre Dyson, Hank Poteat and David Barrett at CB. I think the Jets want Dyson and Miller to be their starters, but Miller simply has not snatched the job. There are a lot of good CBs in this upcoming draft, and I could see the Jets going after one if the board fell that way. I think it is somewhat of a luxury pick, because I think the Jets have bigger needs elsewhere, but at the same time, I don't think they could pass on a guy like Leon Hall in the unlikely event someone of his talent were to slip to them. If the Jets wanted to make a serious run at having a true impact secondary, they might look at a guy like Asante Samuel or Nate Clements, both of whom play in the division. If you want to see the Mangini-Belichicken relationship get really fiery, wait and see what would happen if the Jets threw serious money at Samuel.

S - The Jets are pretty much set at safety where they have the dependable Erik Coleman and the bussing star Kerry Rhodes. Coleman could be improved on, but again it would be a luxury pick. If LaRon Landry was sitting there waiting to be plucked, the Jets might do it, but otherwise I would not expect the Safety position to be seriously addressed. K - The Jets are set at kicker with the aged Aussie Ben Graham at punter and the improving K Mike Nugent. After a dismal start, Nugent proved to be an excellent, dependable kicker this year. However, his kickoffs were routinely, and maddeningly short. A kicker drafted in the 2nd round should not have his kickoffs landing at the 10 yard line. As a fan, it drove me nuts. I don't think the Jets are the type of team to waste a roster spot on a kickoff specialist, but if Nugent doesn't improve in that area, they might have to consider it.

Coaching - If not for the amazing job Sean Payton did with the Saints, Mangini would be the runaway coach of the year. With the exception of the Jaguars game, this Jets team was in every game and ready to fight. Mangini is a good combination of gruff and likeable, and unlike Herm Edwards before him, is a good game day coach. Young Brian Schottenheimer did a great job as O-Coordinator mixing inventive formations and play calling with the right game plan for his personnel. Bob Sutton did an OK job converting the team to a 3-4. The defense was much better during the 2nd half of the season, but they were never able to stop the run nor get to the QB without blitzing. I have faith in these coaches, and with the right players, I think they can build a winner.

GM - Mike Tannenbaum's first season as GM was a success. Ferguson and Mangold solidified the oline and guys like Hank Poteat were valuable contributors by the end of the season. I really liked the 2nd rd swap with Washington which got us both Kellen Clemens, and a high 2nd rd pick this year. Still, it is going to be a tougher draft this year, with the Jets drafting in the late 20s. Tannenbaum may be tempted to trade up with his 2 second round picks, but I don't think he should be deluded into thinking this team is just a player away. The Jets have a lot of holes to fill and it is his job, through the draft, free agency, and the rare trade, to give the coaches the horses they need to create a winner.