What Will Stop the Jets From Taking Off On the Division?

As the rookie mini camps and the draft have passed, the Jets have to be feeling pretty good about themselves.

Additions: Bart Scott, Marques Douglas, Jim Leonhard, Larry Izzo, Lito Sheppard, and of course Mark Sanchez, Shonn Greene, and Rex Ryan.

Subtractions: Brett Favre, Abram Elam, Kenyon Coleman, David Barret, Brett Ratliff, Chris Baker, Laveranues Coles, Hank Poteat, Cody Spencer, CJ Mosely, and Eric Mangini.

At first impression, that's a a heck of a trade off.  Just the addition of Ryan and his defensive strategies (being handled by Mike Pettine) make this a potentially scary defense.

Add Bryan Schottenheimer's innovative offensive schemes and we have the makings of a 10-6 season.  Not to take anything away from the previous regime, but there always appeared to be something missing.

After the meltdown they had last year (after the victory over the undefeated Titans), one could feel the team was so close, but there was just something missing.  Mangini was accused of not being able to rally his troops and Favre's arm was shot.

Enter fireballs Ryan and Sanchez.  Ryan completely believes in accountability and he has enough of his guys to make this team understand his system.  Even if this team throws the ball 10 times a game and runs it 25 to 30 times, they should have a shot because the defense is going to be what churns this team. 

They have a dominant DT (Jenkins), two outstanding LB's (Harris and Scott), and a solid secondary (Rhodes, Leonhard, Sheppard and Revis).  The only thing that could stop this team from being the Ravens of years past (defensively) is chemistry.  It could take a little time for this team to gel. That could make this team a 9-7 team or even worse 8-8. 

Offensively, the line is still solid and Keller will have another year under his belt which should be a huge help for Sanchez.  I hear a lot of complaints that there is a glaring need for a No. 2 receiver, but Keller is the No. 2 receiver. 

Mix in another year for youngsters Wallace Wright, David Clowney, Paul Raymond, Brad Smith, and Chansi Stuckey and someone will step up to take that job.  If this offense exceeds expectations, the record will reflect it and this could be an 11-5 team, with a snowballs chance at 12-4. 

I rarely ever look at a team with a first year coach and expect a lot, but this team has all the tools to make this a very interesting season to be a Jets fan (especially if you love defense).  When all is said and done, the Jets should win this division by one game.