New York Jets 2009 Preview

href="/detroit-lions">Detroit)
S Hank Poteat (Cleveland)
LB David Bowens (Cleveland)
RB Marcus Mason (Washington)
RB Noah Herron (Cleveland)

2009 NFL Draft:
1-5. Mark Sanchez, QB, USC
3-65. Shonn Greene, RB, Iowa
6-193. Matt Slauson, G, Nebraska

2009 Outlook:
After the collapse in 2008, coach Eric Mangini and staff were let go and former Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan was brought on board to be the new man in charge for the Jets.

It was expected that Brett Favre would retire following the season, so the Jets knew they would be starting a new quarterback in 2009. Due to the fact the Jets were not sold on their two young quarterbacks Kellen Clemens and Brett Ratliff, they struck a deal in the draft with Mangini's new squad - the Cleveland Browns - to land highly touted quarterback Mark Sanchez out of USC.

Sanchez will likely start from day one for Ryan's Jets, and will be under no shortage of scrutiny given the aggressiveness of New York's media. However, the Jets hope Sanchez can give them the same type of lift that Joe Flacco was able to give the Ravens and that Matt Ryan was able to give the Falcons - and he definitely has the talent to put together such a season.

However, the Jets free agents basically all fled to Cleveland, including the most productive receiver during the Chad Pennington era, Laveranues Coles. Sanchez will instead be throwing the ball to the young trio of Jerricho Cotchery, David Clowney and Chansi Stuckey. Tight end Dustin Keller will also figure to be a major part of the Jets passing attack.

But given the youth and relative inexperience of most of the Jets wide receivers, the Jets will likely rely heavily on their rushing attack headlined by starting running back Thomas Jones. Jones pieced together an outstanding 2008 season, rushing for just over 1300 yards and 13 touchdowns on the year. However, Jones will be 31 at the start of the season, so questions abound at how long he will be able to hold up this season. This likely makes Leon Washington a very valuable asset to the Jets offense, given his versatility in the rushing and passing game and could very well be the starting tailback by seasons end.

The Jets offensive line will once again have the solid left side of D'Brickashaw Ferguson and Alan Faneca to open up holes in the rushing game and probably more importantly - protect their new franchise quarterback. Nick Mangold will return as the Jets center with Brandon Moore and Damien Woody flanking the right side of the line.

On defense, Rex Ryan's impact as head coach was immediately felt in free agency when he brought over three former Ravens in linebacker Bart Scott, safety Jim Leonhard and veteran defensive end Marques Douglas. Scott's addition to the Jets is obviously the biggest name of the three, and he will fill a major role on the Jets defense as they assimilate into the new 3-4/46 hybrid attack that Ryan ran so well while in Baltimore.

With the new change in scenary, last years first round pick for the Jets Vernon Gholston will figure to be a major part of Ryan's scheme given his supreme athleticism and pass rushing skills. The rest of the linebacking corps looks very solid as Calvin Pace, David Harris and veteran Bryan Thomas will all log minutes on defense and should all contribute with Ryan's aggressive style of play.

The defensive line will be anchored again by tackle Kris Jenkins and 3-4 end Shaun Ellis with the aforementioned Douglas being in the mix at the other end position.

Perhaps the biggest achilles heel on the entire Jets squad was in its secondary as they were gouged early and often en route to posting the 29th overall rating defending the pass. In an effort to repair this, Ryan went out and acquired Lito Sheppard from Philadelphia to play alongside the very talented Darrelle Revis. Young safety Abram Elam was moved to Cleveland as part of the deal to land Mark Sanchez, so Kerry Rhodes will return as the starting free safety where he will be joined by former Raven safety Jim Leonhard.

Jay Feely will be the new full-time Jets kicker after Mike Nugent left via free agency to compete for the starting spot in Tampa Bay.

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