Offense
The first thing that comes to mind when thinking about the Jets offense is the behemoth question mark at the quarterback position. With new head coach Eric Mangini and his new coaching staff at the helm, there are no favorites as to who will start on opening day.
Chad Pennington, a proven leader, is coming off of his second major shoulder surgery in less than one year. Patrick Ramsey, whom the Jets traded a sixth-round draft pick for, is trying to rejuvenate his career after a disappointing four-year stint with the Washington Redskins. Kellen Clemens, the Jets' second-round pick in the 2006 draft, is fighting for a roster spot along with the coaching staff's homage. Brooks Bollinger, who is entering the last year of his contract, seems to be the odd man out, but with his gutsy performance in 2005, he's shown he won't go down without a fight.
Mangini insists that the starting spot on the depth chart is completely up for grabs. Jets fans could certainly be in for a surprise come opening day.
Curtis Martin is expected to win the starting job at running back this year. Whether he wins it or not, he will have to share the load. Mangini and running backs coach Jimmy Raye know that Martin is aging rapidly and that he's on the decline. Martin is currently on the Physically Unable to Perform list.
Second-year running back Cedric Houston figures to be a decent option as a change-of-pace back with his power-running style. The Jets also drafted Florida State running back Leon Washington who many believe will be the eventual successor to Martin. The Jets traded DB Derrick Strait to the Browns for RB Lee Suggs, but Suggs failed a physical, voiding the deal.
The final concern about the Jets' running backs is six-year veteran Derrick Blaylock. Where does he fit into the Jets' plans? It's unsure if he'll even be a member of the team in 2006. Rookie Stacey Tutt and second-year player Ben Moa will compete with B.J. Askew for the starting fullback spot.
Laveranues Coles leads the wide receivers, a group that is suspect at best. Despite the lack of a supporting cast, Coles has experience with both Chad Pennington and Patrick Ramsey, which could help him a lot this season. After Coles, there is no receiver on the Jets' roster that the average football fan can name.
Justin McCareins, the teams number two receiver, is expected to improve his game with more stability at quarterback. Fighting to overtake McCareins, Jerricho Cotchery is next on the depth chart while sixth-round pick Brad Smith could emerge as the number four receiver if he shows that he can make a successful conversion from quarterback to wide receiver. The Jets also signed free agent WR Tim Dwight to return punts for the team this year.
The Jets made a smart football decision in April when they used their two first-round picks on players that they not only needed, but were arguably the best at their respective positions. D'Brickashaw Ferguson, the first of the Jets' first-round selections, will step in to start immediately at left tackle this season. Ferguson was thought by many to be the best offensive lineman coming out of college since Orlando Pace.
Nick Mangold, the second of the Jets' first-round picks, was not only regarded as the second best offensive linemen in the draft, but one of the best centers coming out of college in a long time. Mangold wasn't expected to start immediately this season, but he might have to due to the injury of Trey Teague, one of the Jets' free agent pick-ups. Adrian Jones and free agent pick-up Anthony Clement will be competing for the start at right tackle. Pete Kendall and Brandon Moore are expected to continue starting at their respective guard positions.