Offensive Line
The offensive line has the potential to be a problem for the Jets this year. Kevin Mawae is a fixture at center and he should continue to be one of the best at his position this season, but there are questions across the rest of the starting line, especially at the tackle positions where they lack athleticism..
Jason Fabini will start again at left tackle, but he is a better run blocker than pass blocker and will likely need help against the league’s better pass rushers. Kareem McKenzie will start on the opposite side, but he is too slow to consistently get out on speed rushers and he wears down late in games. Pete Kendall was a nice pickup after being dumped by the Arizona Cardinals, but he lacks ideal size and strength. He was brought in to start at left guard, which means Brent Smith and Brandon Moore will battle for the starting spot on the right side. Smith is the more experienced of the two, but Moore has a better upside and appears to hold the inside track for the job.
Defensive Line
John Abraham and Shaun Ellis will start at the end positions this year, and they have the talent to be one of the best pass-rushing duos in the NFL. Abraham, who will start on the right side, has a great first step and he anticipates the snap count well, but he was a bit inconsistent and was hampered by a groin injury last year. Ellis will line up on the left end where he recorded 12½ sacks in 2003, and Matt Walter will be rotated in as the third defensive end.
The Jets have a nice four-man rotation at defensive tackle, but last year’s first-round draft pick Dewayne Robertson, who was almost invisible last season, has got to step it up. A better understanding of blocking schemes should help him get in better position more often this season. Jason Ferguson, who is a two-gap player that can tie up blockers, will likely start at right tackle, with Josh Evans and James Reed coming off the bench to keep the starters fresh.
Linebackers
A lack of speed at linebacker hurt the Jets last season, so they added some new blood through free agency and the draft which should help alleviate the problem. Sam Cowart, who has lost a step, will move from the weak side to the middle and free agent acquisition Eric Barton will take his spot at the Will position. Barton isn’t exactly blessed with great speed either, and he must rebound from a down year in 2003.
This year’s first round pick Jonathan Vilma has looked very good in the preseason and could challenge both players for a starting job. Coaches would like to keep him on the inside, but he is a better fit on the weak side, in my opinion, and may crack the lineup there quicker. The Jets will also use him as an inside backer in the 3-4 sets that new defensive coordinator Donnie Henderson has added to the playbook.
Last year’s second-round pick Victor Hobson will start on the strong side. He possesses good size and strength, but he lacks great athletic ability and is not particularly outstanding in coverage. Backups Jason Glenn, Kenyatta Wright, and Quincy Stewart provide some versatility off the bench.
Secondary
In the secondary, the Jets are still lacking a shut-down corner, and neither David Barrett nor Donnie Abraham are effective in man-to-man coverage and will need help over the top. Barrett is an upgrade over last year’s starter Aaron Beasley, who was released during the off-season, but he lacks the speed to turn and run with speedy receivers. Abraham has the ability to stay with most receivers, but he is undersized and inconsistent. Rookie Derrick Strait was a nice pickup in the third round of the NFL Draft and he will compete with veteran Ray Mickens for the nickel spot, but it’s not likely he will take the job from him before the season starts.
