New York Jets: 10 Reasons Randy Moss Makes the Jets a Super Bowl Contender
Two weeks ago I made note that the New York Jets should let free agent Braylon Edwards walk, re-sign Santonio Holmes and Brad Smith and, most importantly—sign free agent Randy Moss.
Last week, rumors surfaced that head coach Rex Ryan and the Jets were actually interested in bringing in Moss.
For any Jets fan hoping to make it to a third-straight AFC Championship and get over the hump—it is imperative that general manager Mike Tannenbaum sign the future Hall of Famer. For a franchise constantly searching to make headlines across the NFL, this is a dream come true.
Not only will the Jets continue their reign over New York football, but they will steal the headlines from the Knicks and Yankees. With Moss blessing the green and white, he will power Gang Green to the Promised Land.
10. Motivation
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Football is a sport all to itself—it is truly a battle, and emotions seem to run higher in this sport than any other. The game can truly change on any given play. The blood, sweat and tears poured from the men we hate and love so much is simply intensified in this game most compared to war by the late, great comedian George Carlin.
By acquiring a dynamic play-making veteran like Randy Moss, who has seen it all, the entire Jets organization, fan base, coaching staff and, most important, players will become more motivated than they have ever been in their lives. All of a sudden, the light will shine brighter on a Super Bowl Championship. Instead of inching towards closure, the window will be wider than it has ever been in the Rex Ryan era.
People love to point fingers at Moss for his past actions, but everyone handles failure differently. What we do know is that he is a leader in the locker room and gives his teammates hope when he is on the field. We will see him converse with his teammates on the sidelines and rally the troops before, during and after games.
9. Intimidation
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Rex Ryan’s diabolical blitz packages already give the Jets a fearsome and vicious mystique felt across the NFL. On offense, they rely on smash-mouth football, but that is beginning to wane as offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer looks for incumbent starting quarterback Mark Sanchez to air it out.
Compared to the defense, the offense needs to step it up in year three of the Ryan era. As it stands now, the offense will not match the intensity of the defense and won’t come close to scaring the top defense in the AFC like the Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens or New England Patriots.
The one man who will be able to strike (some) fear into the hearts of Troy Polamalu, Ray Lewis and Jerod Mayo is Randy Moss. Opposing defenses will be forced to game plan for a talent of Moss’ caliber.
He alone will give the Jets the complete team they are desperately hoping to construct this offseason in order to make a run at the 2012 Super Bowl run.
Teams will circle, highlight and focus on their date with the Jets because that will be the marquee game they will need to dedicate more time preparing for.
8. Improved Rushing Attack
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Under offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, the Jets tend to get off track on offense at times. Yet the main focus is and always will be winning football—tough-nosed defense and smash-mouth-run-the-ball-down-your-throat offense.
The Jets will have a three-headed rushing monster with Shonn Greene, LaDainian Tomlinson and Joe McKnight. Although I have faith in this trio, they will have an easier time covering real estate with an improved aerial attack.
Quarterback Mark Sanchez should progress in his third season, but the Jets need the skill players on the outside to stretch the field and demand attention.
Even at this point in his career, with his abilities slightly waning, Moss still demands as much attention as any receiver on the field. Defenses will not be able to stack the box as they will have to account for the pass because Moss is on the field.
He may not be the run-blocker of Hines Ward, but we’ve seen Moss do some dirty work before. He will greatly assist the Jets’ bread-and-butter, better known as their ground-and-pound rushing attack, on all accounts.
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7. Open Aerial Attack
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Similar to improving the rushing attack, Moss’ presence alone will open the field for the rest of the receivers.
As far as I’m concerned, the Jets must bring back Santonio Holmes—which means he will never see double coverage again. He is already a great play maker, but he will abuse opposing defenses with Moss working the other side of the field. He would annihilate defenses on slant routes and would shake just about every No. 2 corner in the game right now.
The biggest beneficiary of Moss would be tight end Dustin Keller. He is too big for nickel cornerbacks and too fast for most linebackers, and he would be able to shred defenses working the middle of the field. Plus, Moss, Holmes and Keller all streaking to the top of the defense is a scary sight for any secondary.
As the defense schemes and shifts attention to Randy Moss, Mark Sanchez will be able to dissect the opposition with his supporting cast of talented receivers. They already have a great rushing attack. Finally, the offense will be complete.
6. Defense
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We say it time and time again—"defense wins Championships"—especially for New York football.
The Jets pride themselves on having one of the most vicious and fearsome defenses in the history of the game. Defenders may dish out the punishment, but they are also destroying their bodies in the process. By adding a player of Moss’ caliber to improve the offense, the defense will in turn improve in its own right.
The offense will stay on the field longer, which means the defensive unit receives more time to rest throughout the season. This will keep the players healthier and fresher for the stretch run of the season and when it matters most—in the postseason.
As Moss’ presence allows the offense to put up more points than at any time in recent memory, the defense will also be able to play more aggressive, because they won’t be counted on as much to stop the opposition on every drive. It won’t be a catastrophe if the defense gives up a touchdown because the offense will be able to make up the deficit quicker or continue to run up the score.
Ryan will be able to deploy his blitzers at an increased and relentless pace, which will be lethal for the rest of the league.
5. Deep Threat Substitute
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It was great when the Jets traded for Braylon Edwards two years ago; he came in and made an immediate impact for the team. His deep threat presence had not been seen in years, and he gave fans hope in each and every game.
Amplify that, because that’s the type of impact Moss will have—and then some! Moss may be the greatest deep threat in league history. He has uncanny leaping ability, vision, body control, soft hands and foot work—put the ball up and "Superman" Randy Moss will bring it down.
That is what Moss does. He is the ultimate deep threat the Jets can bring in this offseason. There is not a single player who will be able to better improve the entire offense.
New York may be getting rid of Edwards, who more than served his purpose, but Moss is not just a deep threat substitute—he is the ultimate upgrade right now.
4. Mark Sanchez’s Progression
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Sanchez has been a fine quarterback in his first two seasons. He took the Jets to two-straight AFC Championship appearances and improved his play in the postseason compared to the regular season both years.
Last year, Sanchez stumbled out of the gates, went on a very good roll and refused to turn the ball over, but then he reverted back to his rookie ways.
The Jets can greatly accelerate Sanchez’ progression into the upper echelon of quarterbacks by providing him with one of the greatest weapons in NFL history in Randy Moss—throw the ball in his vicinity and watch him go get it.
Moss’ natural abilities will make him a security blanket for Sanchez. The young quarterback has struggled at times with accuracy, which will quickly change as Moss allows him to gain a ton of confidence. Sanchez will feel relaxed with Moss, which will then help him hit his other receivers easier because he has the confidence to get them the ball.
It’s all about confidence when it comes to Sanchez and his progression. He has the ability; he just needs to believe in himself more throughout the game. His accuracy and confidence will improve throwing to a target like Moss, and he will see the field better with less attention on his other receivers.
3. Clutch Factor
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He’s done it time and time again, and in recent years he’s been a thorn in the Jets’ side. With the game on the line, Moss is one of the top four or five receivers I want my quarterback throwing the ball to.
Santonio Holmes and Larry Fitzgerald are rivaling for the most clutch receiver in the game today. Calvin Johnson is another one in my eyes.
In Moss and Holmes, the Jets have the potential to pair two clutch receivers together. As they look to win a Super Bowl, this would be a remarkable duo streaking down the field with the game on the line.
Moss does not fear any moment and will live up to his reputation in the green and white—straight cash, homie!
2. Experience
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The Jets won’t find a receiver with more experience on the open market right now. Moss has been through it all with several teams. He is proven veteran who has seen just about everything there is to see.
He has felt the heartache of losing a Super Bowl to the New York Giants and will be able to help the city win another Championship in 2011-2012.
He will be able to guide the other receivers on the team and Mark Sanchez. He is a clutch performer who won’t tremble in the face of pressure because he has the necessary experience in the game.
New York needs to add pieces who have been to the Super Bowl and know what it takes to get there—Moss is that man.
1. Revenge
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Moss was written off by the league before and came back on a mission to prove everyone wrong in 2007.
What did he do?
He set the single season touchdown record with the New England Patriots and helped them to an undefeated regular season and Super Bowl appearance.
He has since been written off by the Patriots, Minnesota Vikings (again) and most likely Tennessee Titans.
He still has the ability to dominate the league and will show that in 2011 as he will be one of the most motivated players in the league.
Rex Ryan loves trying to prove everybody wrong, just like he did last year with LaDainian Tomlinson.
Moss is 2011’s Tomlinson for Ryan. He will bring in the veteran wide receiver who has a chip on his shoulder and is ready to light up the league once again on the biggest stage of them all—New York.
Even better, Moss will be able to stick it to the Patriots twice in the regular season and show Bill Belichick that he was wrong for trading him. Don’t think for a second that isn’t on Moss’ mind.
Get ready Jets fans because it’s going to be an amazing season when a motivated and angry Randy Moss is on board.
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