A Season of Fate’s Perfection

Now that we are half way through the preseason and on the brink of natural disaster, it is obviously time to discuss what we have learned about the 2011 New York Jets. Without further adieu, I have put together 5 seemingly obvious observations from the preseason:

• Plaxico Burress is Big

For years the Jets lacked a big target in the passing game. It appeared that Braylon Edwards could be that guy. I always thought Braylon was big, but Plaxico is BIG. The Jets made a bold move choosing Burress over bring Edwards back and their motives seem clear. Burress is a deep threat and a killer in the red zone who can destroy single coverage do to his size, but that brings us to the obvious…

• Plaxico Burress is Old and Injury Prone

Say what you will about Braylon Edwards’ hands and his attitude, but the guy plays. You don’t have to worry about him at least putting on his uniform and taking the field. On the other hand, Plax not only just turned 34, but also seems to have a lingering ankle issue and let’s not forget he hasn’t played a meaningful game in two years, unless of course there’s some kind of real life Longest Yard game no one knows about. His health and longevity will continue to be a question mark throughout the season.

• This Team Still Struggles to Get to the Passer

Everyone knows Rex Ryan is a genius when it comes to creating pressure and designing blitz schemes, but throughout his first two years wearing the white long sleeve shirt under Jets sweater vest, the defense has failed to get to the quarterback consistently. This offseason/preseason has shown us nothing to think otherwise. By missing out on Nnamdi Asmougha the Jets won’t be able to take as many chances as they would have with him. Rex will have to find a way to create pressure with a dearth of pass rushers. Maybe Muhammad Wilkerson and Kenrick Ellis can come in Week 1 and be difference makers on the line, but we will have to wait and see.

• Move Over Old Man, Shonn Greene is Driving the Bus

The Jets have finally come to their senses and realized that a guy who was washed up two years ago should not be carrying the load anymore. Granted LaDanian Tomlinson played out of his freaking mind last year, but he tailed off as the season went along. He’s old. He’s got 100,000 miles on his odometer and it’s not 2005. Hopefully he can contribute on 3 rd downs. Shonn Greene can punish defenses and now must do so consistently for the Jets to succeed. Questions remain on the offensive line, where Robert Turner’s injury crippled depth on a unit that had a serious question mark in Wayne Hunter’s first year as a starter. Greene has not shown the same flashes this preseason as he has in the past, but should be able to carry the load and hopefully carry the football without fumbling.

• This Team will Only Go as Far as the Sanchise Takes Them

For the third year in a row, the Jets’ fate lies in the hands of Mark Sanchez. This pre-season Sanch has shown flashes of greatness. His touchdown throw last week to Plaxico Burress was a thing of beauty, but Sanchez’s problem seems to be putting it together on a consistent basis. His first two years in the league, the best Mexican quarterback alive has left me feeling bright for the future, but he needs to put it all together on a more consistent basis for this team to win a Super Bowl. Now that he has taken more of a leadership role being honored by teammates as a team captain, we’ll see. Hopefully Sanchez will have some substance to back up his the GQ cover boy style.

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By: Daniel Rein
ProFootball-fans.com New York Jets Correspondent