New York Jets 2011 Season: 5 Weaknesses for Gang Green No One Is Talking About

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The Jets have had one of the most talked about off seasons in 2011. 

They've been criticized for not going after the right people and losing key players. 

The liabilities on the offensive line have been discussed in full, fans and haters alike have expressed their reluctance to believe in Mark Sanchez.  

The losses of Brad Smith, Shaun Ellis and Jerricho Cotchery have also been hot topics. 

This list does not include any of those popular opinions.

These are issues that aren't being debated around many water coolers or dorm rooms across the country.   

Nick Folk

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I'm the first person to hate on football kickers.  

They exist in a category all by themselves, one that doesn't belong with the rest of the players on the roster. 

Anyway, enough with the rant.

Kickers are important; there's no arguing that. 

Nick Folk is sketchy at best, he had a clutch kick against the Colts in the 2010 playoffs, but he isn't the assassin a team needs on the road to a Super Bowl.

Jet fans all know the heartbreak of watching Doug Brien miss two kicks in the final moments of the 2005 Divisional game against the Steelers.

The Safety Position

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Jim Leonhard is a fan favorite, but he is a liability in man coverage.

Though Eric Smith is a hard worker, does he have the ability to be a starter who really contributes?

Dwight Lowery is converting to safety from corner, but the Jets are still dangerously undermanned at his new position.

James Ihedigbo recently signed with the Patriots, he's not a stater but he contributed on special teams and gave the Jets an emergency option at safety. 

The Lack of a Backup Tight End

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The Ivan Drago to the Jets Rocky, the New England Patriots have shown how having two legitimate receiving threats at tight end can open up the field. 

Dustin Keller is a great player, but he stands alone at the position.  

Jeff Cumberland and Matt Mulligan are his backups. 

If the Jets had another threat at tight end, it could make up for a lack of depth at wide receiver. 

The Future at Receiver Is Being Ignored

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Look, I'm excited about the Jets receiving corps...for this season.  

After 2011 the future does not look good.  

Plaxico Burress and Derrick Mason could have a huge impact for a season but they won't be around for long. 

Santonio Holmes is only one player and he is already 27 years old.   

If New York really wants to have a presence in the Super Bowl race for years to come, they are going to have to get younger, not older. 

Overall Depth

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OK, so this is kind of a combination of the issues at safety, receiver and tight end.  

Still, depth may be the biggest issue for the Jets now and in the future. 

Many discuss Gang Green's necessity to find a pass rush, but the fact that Bryan Thomas and Calvin Pace are both aging quickly and haven't produced up to expectations goes unnoticed. 

An NFL season is a test of the human spirit, it's part of what makes football so amazing.  

Because of this, having a team that can respond and recover from injuries both physically and mentally is paramount to the success of an NFL team.