Jets Post-Mortem

Since January 2010, Head Coach Rex Ryan’ mantra has been consistently guaranteeing a trip to the Super Bowl. However, after the devastating loss to the Steelers, Ryan sounded like a professional political spinmeister. He started bragging that the Jets were the only team to make it to the NFL Championships two years in a row. But in the Big Apple, nothing counts except bringing home the Vince Lombardi trophy. That many Jet fans consider the season disappointing might seem inane, but is understandable in view of Ryan’s consistent braggadocio. We seem to forget that Bill Cowher, currently the most coveted candidate for Head Coach in all the land, took 14 years to win his first and only Super Bowl. Along the way, he lost four AFC Championship Games, as well as a Super Bowl. Whether you love or hate Rex, he is an excellent Head Coach by any standard.

The question remains: what changes need to be made for the Jets to continue to compete at the highest echelon?

The first thing to consider is that all projections remain cloudy for all teams, as the NFL is ready to lock out all players as of March 4 if there is no Collective Bargaining Agreement, which likely won’t occur. Everything thus gets shut down – free agency, offseason work-outs, mini-camps; everything, that is, except the draft. We don’t even know what the salary cap will be. And then there is that chance that there might be a shortened season, with replacement players, or perhaps the utter calamity of having no season at all.

The Jets have a plethora of unrestricted free agents. Here is the list, broken down into who the Jets are likely to attempt to sign, those who probably will be dropped, and those whose future with the franchise is very much in doubt:

Free Agents likely to be signed:

Santonio Holmes

Shaun Ellis

David Harris

Antonio Cromartie

Steve Weatherford

Free Agents likely to be cut:

Rodney Pool

Tony Richardson

James Ihedigbo

Nick Folk

Kellen Clemens

Free Agents “on the bubble”:

Braylon Edwards

Brad Smith

Drew Coleman

Eric Smith

Other then their free agents, Jets management should finally admit that Vernon Gholston, the 6 th pick of the 2008 draft, was a bust. Jason Taylor will likely retire. LaDainian Tomlinson’s situation is tenuous; even if he does return, it is time that Shonn Greene became lead back. LT’s production faltered in the second half of the season. He remains a nice third down option, especially considering his ability catching screen passes. The Jets would certainly like to keep Braylon Edwards, who made considerable improvement, dropping fewer passes, and making a number of clutch catches in the playoffs. But if Gang Green has to make a choice between Holmes and Edwards due to monetary considerations, they will likely opt to keep Holmes, who has an uncanny ability of making game breaking receptions. Another consideration is that Edwards will be suspended for several games as a result of his D.U.I. during the season. Of course, Holmes faces a year’s suspension if he comes up with another positive drug test. There is also scuttlebutt that the Jets may attempt to sign Plaxico Burress, who will complete his prison sentence shortly. The wide-receiver position will likely assume greater prominence as Offensive Coordinator Brian Shottenheimer should end his conservative play calling, as Mark Sanchez appears ready to make the jump to an elite status QB. Sanchez was excellent in the playoffs for the second consecutive season, and now has won for post-season games on the road. Next year will be his third year as starter, traditionally the season that the game begins to slow down for quarterbacks. Sanchez may well need off-season surgery to repair the cartilage in his shoulder, but even if this is the case, should be healed well before next year’s opening game. Dustin Keller’s production fell off in the second half of the season, but he remains a solid player at Tight End.

Cromartie’s status is somewhat clouded, as his performance was erratic during the season. However, he appears to have exceptional potential as a kick/punt returner, which would make Brad Smith superfluous, unless the Jets want to expand the use of the wildcat. Another rumor is that the Jets are considering going after free agent CB Nnamdi Asomugha, who is the best cornerback in the NFL not named Revis. Asomugha, alongside Revis, would make the Jets nearly impermeable to the pass, as well as allowing Ryan to use a wider variety of blitz options. New York’s first round draft choice was CB Kyle Wilson, who was somewhat of a disappointment. The only short-coming of the Jets defense is a viable pass rush from the Defensive Line, so if they don’t sign a free agent, expect their first round pick to be either a defensive lineman or perhaps a running back.

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Although management has made it clear that Tannenbaum will return next season, there is likely to be some coaching changes on offense. It was a bit disturbing to find out that the Jets offensive line may have been tipping off some of their plays in the AFC Championship Game, especially on the key goal-line sequence in the second half. With the enormous amount of hours coaches and players spend watching film in today’s technically sophisticated NFL, this is simply inexcusable.

Perhaps the Jets main mission next season is to find a way of winning their division and getting home field playoff games. Although beating the Colts and Patriots on the road was a terrific achievement, it is likely that their first half swoon against the Steelers was a result of mental and emotional exhaustion. The good news is that Rex Ryan now stands 3-2 against the Patriots.

All in all, the prognosis for next season remains optimistic. There is no reason, except for injuries, that the Jets cannot again be a prime contender for a birth in the Big Dance. Expect them to take the next step towards football supremacy in the 2011-’12 season.

By: Paul J. Nebenfuhr
ProFootball-fans.com New York Jets Correspondent