6 Keys to Make or Break the Jets Season

With the act that Brett Favre put on last offseason, I was so very unhappy when the Jets traded for him. My brother spent $80 on the new jersey, boy was that money wasted, it would have been better spent towards fireworks to light inside my house in pure rage after that horrific week 17 showing in Seattle by Favre and the entire Jets team.

The only productive thing that Brett got accomplished in New York was causing the axe to Eric Mangini, who was 1 big, BIG emotionless robot on the Jets sideline for almost 3 years. Some of the in-game decisions he made, only for him to back those up with the blankest stares by a person not under the influence of drugs, were so stupid they ruined my whole experience of watching the game.

So, a new start for the 2009 Jets, Brett "retired", and they moved on by hiring the head coach who i wanted them to, Defensive master Rex Ryan. A good start, then April came, and although I believed that backup QB Bret Ratliff had potential and could do things with weapons, let's say WR Jeremy Maclin, they panicked, and traded not only their 1st and 2nd picks, but Bret Ratliff to the Browns to draft QB Mark Sanchez. I didn't like the move, but he could be good, so I buckled in for the rest of the offseason.

So for the new look Jets, with Rex Ryan, Bart Scott, and Mark Sanchez, these are the 6 keys that can make or break my beloved Gang Green's 09 campaign.

1: Catching the Ball

Most likely the Jets worst position on either side of the ball is Wide Receiver. With Laveranues Coles, the go-to-guy for the past few seasons now gone, the only legit threat they have is Jerricho Cotchery, who although talented, isn't exactly the best top target.

Other than Jerricho, they have the likes of Brad Smith, David Clowney, and Chancey Stuckey, all unproven, and all now key parts of the offense. Due to having 3 of the top 4 WR's being essentially untested, I'm looking for most teams to shade secondary coverage toward Cotchery, leaving the other receivers somewhat open. When they get the ball thrown their way, open or with single coverage at most, they need to snag that sucker in.

2: The Correct Use of Leon Washington

The new offense under Rex Ryan will be a run first, pass when needed one, and to run the ball as effectively as they did last year, they need to use backup HB Leon Washington the way he was meant to be used.

I remember towards the end of the season last year, during the 2nd quarter Leon broke a 60 yard run for a TD. Can anyone guess how many times he got the ball the rest of the game? 0. Now Mangini, I didn't trust his play calling, and I don't trust offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer's play calling either, so the fact that he is still the OC worries me.

Leon is one of the most versatile players in the league, and defenses know it. To have a good 1-2 RB tandem, they need to conserve Thomas Jones, who gained 1312 yards on 290 carries last season, including 13 rushing TD's. Leon added to that with a 5.9 yard per carry average, and 8 endzone trips rushing or receiving. Washington is also a top 5 kick and punt returner in the NFL, even more enhacning his scoring abilities.

123 total touches for "little" Leon in 08, now I'd say 50 receptions and 140 rushes would be adequate if the Jets hope to keep their running game going strong, and the ball moving in 09'.

3: Kris Jenkins' Health

The Jets started 8-3 last year, and not only was Brett playing well, but the defense was wrecking havoc, and the leader of that defense was NT Kris Jenkins. He finished with 50 tackles and 3.5 sacks, and was playing with a leg injury for about the last 6 weeks of the season. That's when the Jets defense stopped dominating, and breaking through offensive lines consistently.

From all that I take that Jenkins was the key to the Jets defense, and he still is, because whenever you can have a dominant NT in a 3-4, your playmakers, such as newly added all-pro Linebacker Bart Scott, can do what they are paid to do.

All this depends on the big man's health though, and weighing in at comfortably over 300 lbs., the legs and such are always a concern. So this year hope that our pro-bowl caliber nose tackle can keep himself healthy from September til January, because the success of the defense will rely on it.

4: Special Teams Play

The Ravens play hardcore defense, and run the ball as much as possible. With that, most of their games are rather low scoring. Rex Ryan brings that type of football mentailty to the Jets, which means every point counts that much more in a low scoring game.

A key to scoring that often is under appreciated and goes under estimated is field position. The place kicking, punting, and return games have to be stellar, and with Leon and Feely doing those duties, I feel confident.

Field goal wise, Feely has to make as many as possible, which although isn't rocket science, is key to what will be a Jets offense which will probably have more field goals than touchdowns per game.

5: The Performance of Young Players

Now the 1st person to come to mind is most likely Mark Sanchez, but I mean the 1st and 2nd year players in general, especially the high picks. Vernon Gholston, Dustin Keller, Shonn Greene, and Mark Sanchez are the main players im highlighting.

Vernon Gholston, the number 6 overall pick of the 2008 NFL Draft, laid down 2 things last year, the foundations of an NFL bust, and the record holder for gameday pages to an NFL player, boy there must have been 4 or 5 each Sunday. "Paging Vernon Gholston to the Gang Green sideline, Vernon Gholston, you are needed".
With a defense minded coach, and a damn good one for the matter, if he doesnt get his act together this season then all hope is lost, and having another capable pash rusher never hurts.

Shonn Greene, the 3rd round pick this season, most likely won't be reliabled upon much, but he needs to be ready to produce if he does get a call.

Dustin Keller emerged as a legitimate pass catching TE in his rookie season of 08, but now with a rookie QB, he will need to keep his numbers up, and presence up as well.

Mark Sanchez's role is quite self-explanatory. Being the rookie QB of a team that has playoff potential is tough, and hopefully he can make the throws hes required to make, but just like Flacco last year, Mark won't be asked to steal Lucky Charms or anything that will get him on a crazy sugar-addicted Leprechaun's bad side.

6: Unity of the New York Jet Lockerroom

A main reason the Jets fell apart last year in my mind, was the lockerroom attitude. Brett Favre stated that he never felt comfortable with the Jets, while his antics of missing the 08 offseason and then "retiring" and just slithering his way to the Vikings certainly didn't help his reputation with the Jets, many like Kerry Rhodes and Thomas Jones who voiced their opinions about Favre, both of which weren't exaclty "come to my house and Bar-B-Q with me point of views".

Getting rid of Mangini and Favre helped the lockerroom in escence start over, and Ryan being a popular coach, and additions like Sanchez being well liked, and FA acquisition Bart Scott already taking a leadership role helps mend this team together in a untied front.

With leaders like Darrelle Revis, Kerry Rhodes, and Jerricho Cotchery already on the Jets, now positive attitudes, pretty good expectations, and friendship between most players, the New York Jets will be flying high, and having fun. What's better than having fun, taking care of business, and bonding with 60 guys sharing your color on Sundays?

Nada, especially when you have a city like New York cheering for you.

6: Unity of the New York Jet Lockerroom

A main reason the Jets fell apart last year in my mind, was the lockerroom attitude. Brett Favre stated that he never felt comfortable with the Jets, while his antics of missing the 08 offseason and then "retiring" and just slithering his way to the Vikings certainly didn't help his reputation with the Jets, many like Kerry Rhodes and Thomas Jones who voiced their opinions about Favre, both of which weren't exaclty "come to my house and Bar-B-Q with me point of views".

Getting rid of Mangini and Favre helped the lockerroom in escence start over, and Ryan being a popular coach, and additions like Sanchez being well liked, and FA acquisition Bart Scott already taking a leadership role helps mend this team together in a untied front.

With leaders like Darrelle Revis, Kerry Rhodes, and Jerricho Cotchery already on the Jets, now positive attitudes, pretty good expectations, and friendship between most players, the New York Jets will be flying high, and having fun. What's better than having fun, taking care of business, and bonding with 60 guys sharing your color on Sundays?

Nada, especially when you have a city like New York cheering for you.