The New York Jets have had a rough go of it over the last few years, and it’s simple to see when their main highlight is still Mark Sanchez’s “Butt Fumble.” But after bringing in a new regime, and making a number of off-season moves, the Jets will try and make some noise throughout the AFC in 2015.
Off-season Subtractions
John Idzik was supposed to be the savior for New York, coming over from the then defending champion Seattle Seahawks, but he was anything but that for the Jets. During his two seasons as the General Manager, he struggled, and completely botched numerous free agent deals. It’s one thing if a team doesn’t have the money to spend, and is right near the salary cap, but that was never an issue for the Jets during his tenure, especially in 2014. The Jets were in the top-5 of teams that had money to spend, and Idzik couldn’t even bring in one big name. Idzik was an embarrassment, and the Jets are lucky that he’s no longer there.
It’s funny to say that the General Manager was the only “key” off-season subtraction, but Idzik really was. Other than Rex Ryan, the Jets did not lose any big names on their roster, which meant they could only add, and bring in some big time talent.
Off-season Additions
One area that really needed some help this off-season was the secondary. The Jets had one of the worst defensive back fields in recent years, and Idzik was certainly the one to blame for that. However, new GM Mike Maccagnan came in, took the bull by the horns, and brought in two of the biggest names out there. One signing that was all but certain, was cornerback Antonio Cromartie. During his one season with the Cardinals, Cromartie really put his name back in the mix of top corners in the league, and once his former Arizona Cardinals coach Todd Bowles came over to the Jets, it was the perfect fit.
In terms of the Jets fans, Maccagnan had already done a solid job bringing in Cromartie. But then he went after the biggest fish in the free agent market, Darrelle Revis. One saying that goes around sports is that “a player can’t go home again,” because it’s never as it was the first time. But this is different, and Revis is still the top cornerback in the NFL.
Maccagnan didn’t stop there and also added Buster Skrine, who is one of the best Nickel corners in the league. That position doesn’t get enough spotlight, but it is one of the most important positions on a football team. There are plenty of teams in the NFL that will get beat by an opposing team’s slot receiver, but the Jets will certainly have that covered this upcoming season.
Last but not least, Maccagnan also added help on the back end with the signing of safety Marcus Gilchrist, taking him from the San Diego Chargers. Gllchrist is a young talent, and was able to learn alongside Eric Weddle, who is certainly one of the top safeties in the game. The new Jets GM did an incredible job in adding talent and depth to the defensive side of the ball, and those player should certainly take New York in the right direction.
Players On The Hot Seat
The Jets have plenty of young players, and new acquisitions that will need some time to settle in, but there are a few guys who need to have a good year for this team. One player that comes to mind is Quinton Coples. Coples is a fourth year linebacker out of North Carolina, and hasn’t lived up to his first round value. He was drafted to be an edge rusher, and to give the Jets someone who can sack the quarterback, but he only has 16.5 career sacks, and 103 combined tackles in three seasons. Up to this point, many fans would call him a bust, and they certainly aren’t wrong, but Coples will have this season to change those people’s minds.
Another player that’s on the hot seat heading into 2015, is Calvin Pace. In a base 3-4 defense, both Pace and Coples are supposed to set the edges, and sack the quarterback. It may sound simple, but that is their job. Pace did a good job of that in 2013, tallying ten sacks, but he took a step back last season. Pace is now entering his 13th season, so age may be settling in, but he is still the starting outside linebacker for New York. He failed to record 40 tackles for the first time since 2006, so the Jets will need to evaluate his value this season, and see if he will still have a fit on this team moving forward.
Players To Look Out For
Brandon Marshall has been one of the best receivers in the game for some time now, but hasn’t gotten the credit because he was on the Bears, one of the more disappointing teams every year in the NFL. But now Marshall has a new home here in New York, and he seems to be very happy. He will certainly be the number one target for Ryan Fitzpatrick, and will give the Jets a big-bodied receiver who can take over a game on his own. Eric Decker is a solid receiver, but he is not a prototypical number one. And now with Marshall on the other side, New York has the fire power to put up big numbers with those two.
Marty Mornhinweg was supposed to be an offensive mind that would take the Jets over the hump the last couple of years, but his play calling was confusing at best. He wasted numerous opportunities to put up points, but most importantly, he wasted the talent of running back Chris Ivory. Ivory has never been able to put up big numbers, being with the Saints and their high powered offense, and then not getting the touches he has deserved with the Jets, but this may be the year. If you watch Ivory run the ball, the guy is a flat out beast, and is very similar to Marshawn Lynch. He hits the holes hard, has speed, and can run over anyone. If Chan Gailey uses Ivory to his full potential, 2015 could be a career year for the running back.
Offensive Outlook
The Jets finally have playmakers on offense between Brandon Marshall, Eric Decker, and Chris Ivory, so they should be able to put solid numbers this season. The question that does remain, is at the quarterback position. Geno Smith got sucker punched, which put Ryan Fitzpatrick at the helm, and it could be the best thing for New York.
Fitzpatrick hasn’t been a great quarterback in his career, but he hasn’t been bad either. He is a middle of the line quarterback, who is able to manage games. There are some games that he tries to do too much and forces throws which turn into interceptions, but he also takes what the defense gives him. He has good weapons around him, and with the defense that the Jets have, he won’t screw it up. Not to mention that he is playing for offensive coordinator Chan Gailey again, who Fitzpatrick has had tremendous success with, recording some of his best seasons in Buffalo.
Defensive Outlook
What a different look this will be for the Jets fans this year. As stated earlier, the front office was able to add multiple pieces to the defensive puzzle, and pieces that will propel this defense to one of the best in the league. However, the Jets do have some questions marks along their defensive line, which was their best area in 2014.
Sheldon Richardson, who was one of the Jets best players last season, has had an awful offseason and he suspended for the first four games. Muhammad Wilkerson, another defensive lineman, was set to holdout in hopes of receiving a new contract, but he suffered a hamstring pull that set him back a little bit. Wilkerson is back on the field, but he still needs to work back and get into game shape. With those two out, the Jets defense looked very suspect on Friday night against the Atlanta Falcons. Obviously those two will be back at some point, but that game really showed how valuable Richardson and Wilkerson are.
As a whole, when those two come back and with the huge upgrades on the back end, the Jets should be fine, and be one of the better defenses in the NFL. When healthy, they can stop the run, pressure the passer, and cover receivers. But in the NFL, everyone knows that health is the key. Everyone plays with injuries, but it’s just a matter of who is injured less.
Prediction
This Jets team has so much potential, and can make some serious noise in 2015. The AFC East is very strong this year, and all four teams made upgrades to make their teams better, so New York has their work cut out for them. However, the time for the Jets, Dolphins, and Bills to take advantage is in the first four weeks. With this crazy Patriots scandal going on, Tom Brady is currently suspended for the first four weeks.
Four games may not seem like a lot, but in the NFL, that’s a quarter of the season. If the Jets want to have a good season, they need to at least go 3-1 while Brady is out. The problem is that the Jets have a top open to the season. Cleveland doesn’t seem too tough in Week 1, but then they have Indianapolis, Philadelphia, and Miami.
The Colts are huge candidates to win it all this year, the Eagles have a great offense and special teams, and then with Miami being a division game, anything can happen. So 3-1 may be tough, but if the Jets want to take advantage of Brady being out, that’s what they need to do. Because once Brady comes back, the AFC East could be all Patriots.
Despite all of that, the Jets could certainly win ten games and get a Wild Card spot. This team has all the pieces they need, and even though the quarterback position is a question, Ryan Fitzpatrick won’t screw it up. He will make the plays he needs do, and will be a complete game manager. This writer thinks the Jets will finish 10-6 on the season, and will be the 5th seed in the AFC Playoffs.