Predicting the New York Jets' Final 53-Man Roster

(Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

With the 53-man roster needing to be finalized by 4 p.m. tomorrow, there will be some very difficult decisions for Rex Ryan and the Jets' coaching staff as they play the numbers game, and are forced to cut some players who perhaps deserved a shot on this team.

Below are my predictions for the 53-man roster that will be provided to the media tomorrow night, there may be some surprises, there may be some that you disagree with, so please use the comments section at the bottom of the page to voice your opinion on this and your own projected roster:

Quarterbacks (3)

Mark Sanchez/Kellen Clemens/Eric Ainge

With our brief flirtation with Chris Pizzoti brought to a crushing end without him having thrown a single pass in preseason, this is perhaps the easiest position to call on the Jets. Ainge has shown improvements this preseason, but I'm not half as positive on his advancement as some Jets writers.

He has constantly underthrown receivers, and thankfully he has some players making heads up plays to cut their routes short and come back for the ball. He has improved however and I feel more comfortable with him as the third-string quarterback this year than I did last.

Other two places pretty much select themselves. Kellen Clemens has really not had a very impressive preseason, threw just two passes last night, went 0-for-2 with a interception, although it has to be said that the interception was on the receiver who bobbled the ball and not on Clemens. He has also been battling some elbow soreness over the past weak, and that is likely the reason we saw so little of him last night.

We of course have the number one guy, Mark Sanchez, who has looked very impressive this preseason, capped it off with a 5-for-5 for 67 yards and a touchdown in last nights final tune up. Comfortable with the quarterback situation, hopefully we won't have to look any further than Mark Sanchez during the season.

Running Backs (6)

Thomas Jones/Leon Washington/Shonn Greene/Tony Richardson/Jehuu Caulcrick/Danny Woodhead

We are really looking to run the ball this year, and that's why I have gone with six running backs where as I figure most rosters will go with just five.

We have the three main guaranteed places with Jones/Washington and Greene. Jones and Washington are all set, and look to be a dangerous combination of speed and power. Greene really hasn't seen much time this preseason due to injury, but the little glimpses we did get of him were promising.

Then we look at the two fullbacks in Richardson and Caulcrick. Richardson is one of the most under-rated players on this team, a great blocking back, and when asked he can also carry the ball (Seattle last year). Caulcrick will be his backup just in case.

Danny Woodhead is the sixth man, I just couldn't leave him out. His work ethic, his determination, his performance last night. A little man with big ambition, will do anything and everything to help this team win, can come in when the defences are worn down. I like the thought of having the luxury of Woodhead on a team that plans to run the ball as much as we do.

Tight End (3)

Dustin Keller/Ben Hartsock/Kareem Brown

This position looked to be one of need just days ago. We were looking at either carrying Brock or the pass catching Jack Simmons who can't catch the ball. Anyone think of Anthony Becht when they watched Simmons? He was released today after continuously dropping passes, latest one a wide open TD last night against the Eagles.

The Atlanta Falcons did us a huge favour when they decided to release Ben Hartsock, a very good, above-average blocking tight end. Exactly what this team needed. He was signed and will be out number one blocker on the end, he also commented last night that he can catch the ball as good as anyone else.

Kareem brown is still a work in progress, changing positions is always going to be difficult. So he needs time, but I like the signs, and his pass catching is improving, so I see us running with him this season.

Dustin Keller by season end will be one of the premier catching tight ends in the game. He still needs to work on his blocking but when you can create as many mis-matches as he does in the middle of the field. Watch out. Can see him being Sanchez's favourite target, especially in the end zone.

Wide Receiver (6)

Jerricho Cotchery/Chansi Stuckey/David Clowney/Brad Smith/Wallace Wright/Aundrae Allison

With the release of Marcus Henry today, we now only have seven receivers on the roster, and I'm pretty confident that we are going to run with five, so really it's a one-on-one battle for the final place.

First we have the starting pair of Cotchery and Stuckey, although I fully expect Stuckey to move inside to the slot when we move to the three wide receiver set. It's a position where his short area quickness can be utilized a lot more.

Who can catch the Clown? nobody has the answer. If there were a HOF for the preseason then Clowney would be in it. Absolutely lightning and will keep defences on their toes. Having his ability to stretch the field will also benefit the receivers underneath, Stuckey and Keller picking up those yards.

Brad Smith is still a work in progress, but he is progressing, and he is also the main component of any trick plays that Brian Schottenheimer designs, nice target, guaranteed a place on the roster.

Wallace Wright has not had the best preseason, but I still see him getting a roster spot. So it comes down to Britt David vs. Aundrae Allison. I have Allison getting the spot mainly down to his speed, and his ability to return punts. Allison has also shown better hands than Davis.

Offensive Line (8)

D’Brickashaw Ferguson/Damien Woody/Alan Faneca/Brandon Moore/Nick Mangold/Wayne Hunter/Robert Turner/Matt Slauson

There is really not much to say here, none of the players past the starting five fill me with any real confidence. Hunter has been beat in preseason and given up at least one sack maybe more.

Matt Slauson has been average, but then again you don't expect that much out of your seventh round draft selection. However the depth here is problematic, all our offensive lineman managed to play all 16 games last season. So the problem never came up.

I hope for our sakes that it's the same again this season

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