2009 New York Jets: Season Preview
By Wilson of Predictem.com
2008 Record: 9-7 (3rd in AFC East) ATS 7-9, O/U 8-8
Stadium: Giants Stadium
Head Coach: Rex Ryan
Superbowl Odds: +4400
Training Camp Site: 3 locations (Central New York, Long Island, and New Jersey) check team website for details on schedule.
Training Camp Dates: July 31- August 27
Intro: Well, Brett Favre finally retired and now the Jets will likely count on USC rookie Mark Sanchez to fill the void at QB. Although Sanchez will have to earn his spot over the other two candidates, Kellen Clemens and Erik Ainge, but realistically it will most likely be Sanchez on opening day.
Now that Rex Ryan has retained Brian Schottenheimer as his Offensive coordinator after Schottenheimer lost out on the head coaching spot- the Jets hope to get the QB situation figured out in training camp and early preseason.
Coach Ryan will be under a spotlight in his first season, but unlike previous head coach Eric Mangini, Ryan intends to build a solid team atmosphere where players feel like they belong and are a part of a collective group. Ryan also knows his football, which is certainly influenced by his dad, Buddy Ryan, but Rex has a more enthusiastic positive approach when it comes to the locker room and cutting up with the players. Of course the fans want results on the field but sometimes the things that happen off the field help teams succeed when they are on it. The Jets hope Ryan can create a playoff team again in 2009.
Whos New? S Jim Leonard, ILB Bart Scott, CB Lito Sheppard, CB Donald Strickland.
Whos Gone? TE Chris Baker, LB Eric Barton, DE Kenyon Coleman, WR Laveranues Coles, S Abram Elam, QB Brett Favre, QB Brett Ratliff.
Offense: The Jets will only go as far as their QB can take them and as mentioned above the QB position is up for grabs. Assuming Sanchez gets the gig, it will be interesting to see how the former USC Trojan QB adapts to his new surroundings.
Running back Thomas Jones is coming off of a Pro Bowl season and will be a huge part of the Jets attack. The offensive line had a lot to do with his success last year as they opened plenty of holes for him to travel through. Leon Washington will also be in the backfield for the Jets. He will counter the hard nosed, straight forward style running of Jones with his slashing and make-ya miss approach as well as incredible instant speed. FB Tony Richardson will assume the lead blocking role.
With the departure of WR Laveranues Coles the Jets are now in shallow water and might even be close to drowning if they cant develop a solid No. 2 WR behind proven talent Jerricho Cotchery. Cotchery is a day-at-the-office type of receiver who runs perfect routes to make up for his lack of blow-out speed. But the Jets will desperately seek out other guys to help. Brad Smith, David Clowney, and Chansi Stuckey will all compete for the 2 and 3 WR spots.
The offensive line for the Jets is solid and anchored down by up and coming star center, Nick Mangold. Also working in the trenches with Mangold is Alan Faneca and Brandon Moore. If the line can reduce false starts and gain a little more speed they will be in great shape.
Defense: Rex Ryan is definitely the guy you want if youre looking for a defensive minded team. He has prided himself in turning average defenses into great defenses. New York runs a base 3-4 defense and coach Ryan has already put the pieces in place. Nose tackle Kris Jenkins is entering his second season in the 3-4 scheme and looks to improve after a great start last year, but he did fade later in the season. Ryan will make sure he gets the breaks he needs to stay energized all year. Overall, the defensive line will perform well.
The Jets linebackers are a talented bunch but they are known to play great one game or half and then not so great the next game or half. This will also change as Ryan has brought in ILB Bart Scott to fire up the squad and be a leader on the field. Ryan coached Scott in Baltimore so there is a good connection and communication between the two.
CB Darrelle Revis will turn some heads this season as he continues to get better each game. Revis has the speed, savvy, and toughness to hang with any receiver and can also shut them down at the line. Along with two-time Eagles Pro Bowler Lito Sheppard, the defensive backfield is in good shape.
Special Teams: As far as the return game goes for the Jets its all Leon Washington. Washington is probably one of the best guys in the NFL for returns. Most teams try to avoid kicking in his direction.
Jay Feely hasn’t got the world’s best boot but he is an accurate field goal kicker who is almost guaranteed anywhere inside a 45 yarder.
2009 New York Jets Schedule:
September 13at Houston Texans
September 20New England Patriots
September 27 Tennessee Titans
October 4at New Orleans Saints
October 12at Miami Dolphins
October 18Buffalo Bills
October 25 at Oakland Raiders
November 1 Miami Dolphins
November 8 BYE
November 15 Jacksonville Jaguars
November 22 at New England Patriots
November 29Carolina Panthers
December 3at Buffalo Bills (Toronto)
December 13 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
December 20 Atlanta Falcons
December 27at Indianapolis Colts
January 3 Cincinnati Bengals
Betting Odds and Projections:
Rex Ryan has some work ahead of him, thats for sure. If the Jets defense is as good as Ryan hopes they will be then he may go after a more veteran, conservative QB instead of the flamboyant first year Sanchez.
The Jets are once again trying to establish some consistency and they will under the guidance of Ryan and his staff. With a record of 9-7 last season the Jets are certain to expect more wins but the key will be at the QB position. No matter how good the defense turns out to be the Jet will have to find a leader behind center.
The online casinos and Las Vegas bookies are giving the Jets +4400 to win the superbowl. If the Jets can piece together the puzzle they will likely improve their ATS record and cover more games in 2009. Luck to ya.
