B/R Debate: What Do the New York Jets Need to Do to Get to the Playoffs in 2012?

The New York Jets crash-landed on the shore of South Beach at the end of the 2011 NFL season.

As a result, their 2012 offseason has been spent trying to get that plane back on the path to the playoffs. But what exactly must change in order for the Jets to return to the postseason in 2012?

To debate the topic, we bring in B/R NFC North blogger and self-described "recovering Jets fan" Andrew Garda, who can also be found on Twitter.

Since you're the guest, I'll defer the opening kickoff to you. What do you think?

Andrew

Where do we even start? 

There are three major things the Jets must do to return to the postseason.

First, the defense needs to return to 2010 form. What was lost in the chaos of the offensive side was some really inconsistent (and sometimes mediocre) defensive play. The Jets cannot collapse defensively as they did so often last season.

Second, the offensive line has to get better and more consistent. Yes, injuries were an issue, but what they really revealed was something many Jets fans were well aware of—no depth. No center behind Mangold, no right tackle (Hunter and Ducasse have not impressed) and thin depth across the board. 

The Jets need to reinforce the line badly, and that line needs to play better. Otherwise, the running backs will still struggle and the quarterback will spend too much time on his back.

Speaking of which, the team needs whoever the quarterback is to play better. Sanchez in particular has no room for mistakes. His play degraded tremendously in 2011 and only part of the reason was the line play and receiver issues. 

He still just doesn't seem to see the field, all too often flat-out not seeing defenders who are clearly in or near the passing lane. I'm not sure what isn't working—how much is coaching and how much is Sanchez?

One way or the other, though, it's got to get fixed. With Tim Tebow in town, Sanchez's leash just got real, real short.

Erik

You pretty much hit the nail on the head there, Andrew: Defense, offensive line and quarterback play must improve. 

More specifically, defensively, the Jets must get better, more consistent play from the safety and outside linebacker spots. Just like the offensive line, injuries ravaged them at both spots, with the losses of Jim Leonhard and Bryan Thomas only the two biggest, most noteworthy examples.

And in that sense, I think you touched one the one issue that overall must improve for the Jets to get back to the playoffs: Depth. Across the board. Every position. In fact, I can't think of one position where the Jets can't use more depth, save maybe the defensive line and cornerback.

But the quarterback play will improve if the Jets fix their depth issues at wide receiver and on the offensive line. D'Brickashaw Ferguson, Nick Mangold and Brandon Moore are all talented, but if one of them goes down again, the Jets will once again be exposed for lack of depth.

They need to find a better starting right tackle and better depth across the board. Same goes with wide receiver, where the only noteworthy player is Santonio Holmes. 

Beyond that, I really think the lack of cap space for the Jets was a blessing in disguise. It was the only way they were going to stay devoted to adding depth, which they sorely need, as opposed to investing all their resources into top-tier talent, as they've done for years and years with some success but no rings to show for it.

Andrew

The question is, can the Jets resist maneuvering away all their picks? Until last year, the Jets had sacrificed depth and picks to get "their guy." That "their guys" aren't always panning out (Slauson, Greene, Sanchez) is a huge problem when you trade picks away to get them and miss.

The Jets have to get the guys they want, but jumping all around the board isn't going to build that depth, which is why we're where we are now—discussing a bad season where injury proved how shallow they were.

They're in a very good spot in the first round, and that 16th pick could go many ways. The talent will be rich around that spot, and I could see safety, a pass-rushing end or linebacker or an offensive lineman as the pick.

I always see mocks with wide receivers going in the first for the Jets and never get it. I don't know if analysts are just trying to will it into being or what, but when you look at the holes across the defense and offensive line, I think it would be a monumental mistake.

Not to mention that I can't remember the last time they grabbed a wide receiver in the first—Keyshawn Johnson, probably. It never happens until it does, of course—I just don't see it happening this year when the draft is pretty receiver rich. Pick up a position where the talent is more shallow and grab a wideout later.

Erik

You nailed it, Andrew. Trading up would be a huge mistake, given that their biggest issue isn't top-end talent but rather the depth that can step in when that top-end talent goes down with injury. The NFL season is a 16-game grind, and teams have to be ready. The Jets have hopefully learned from the past.

The wide receiver class is rich with talent even into the deeper rounds, and the top-end talent at receiver isn't necessarily worth the top pick. Justin Blackmon? Michael Floyd? Talented guys, for sure, but not the game-changing receiver you want with a first-round pick.

As we've mentioned, the outside linebacker and offensive line spots—in terms of both need and talent available—would be worthy selections at No. 16.

Andrew

This is probably kill or be killed time for just about all the main players—Tanennbaum, Ryan and Sanchez chief among them.

If they can't straighten up and fly right this season, all three may find themselves out of a job. That said, it wasn't long ago they were contenders. I don't think they're that far off, and with a well-executed draft, they could bounce back again.

Erik

Right again, Andrew. If it's not kill-or-be-killed time, it should be, but especially for Tannenbaum. As we've pointed out, it's his personnel decisions that have the team in this spot.

Not sure I've ever agreed so much in a debate, but with that, it appears our "discussion" has drawn to a close. Thanks again for joining me, and I welcome you back any time to debate any topic.

For the readers, be sure to check at the AFC East blog every day for a new debate over AFC East-related topics.

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