2012 NFL Free Agents: Predicting Which New York Jets Won't Be Back Next Season

These are turbulent times for Rex Ryan's New York Jets, and they didn't even have a losing season. With a revamped coaching staff, particularly on the offensive side, there will undoubtedly be personnel changes to a disappointing 8-8 team. 

Still, it is easy to go overboard with upheaval and change too much; this team was still .500 and was in the playoff race until the final week. Changes need to be made, but this is still a talented roster at its core. 

As Mr. T begins his evaluations and makes personnel decisions, here are the players that were regularly on the active 45-man roster that will not be wearing green and white next season. 

Plaxico Burress

I believe Plaxico still has a lot to offer a team—what we saw in 2011 was a player who has been out of football for several years and could likely see a Michael Vick-esque resurgence with another year under his belt. 

However, he still struggled to gain separation between the 20s, and it was clear that Mark Sanchez had a tough time adjusting to throwing to a covered receiver. The Jets need more speed at just about every position, and replacing Burress with a younger guy in the draft would go a long way in accomplishing that. 

Judging by his reaction to the media, it appears that he wants out of New York, and is reportedly interested in joining the Eagles, according to NBC Sports.

It remains to be seen what becomes of that rumor, but either way, it appears that Plaxico's tenure in the New York market is over. 

LaDainian Tomlinson

Much like Plaxico, I still think LT has something left in the tank. He was perfect in his role last year, being an effective third-down back and a quality spell back for Shonn Greene. His Week 17 performance was about as good as I have seen since he became a Jet. 

Even if the Jets wanted him back, Tomlinson appears to he heading toward retirement. His comments in the media regarding Sanchez and Holmes all but cemented his fate as an ex-Jet. 

If the Jets don't feel comfortable about giving a bigger role to Joe McKnight, who has done well as a return man but has shown little so far as a runner, they will need to find a young replacement. 

Mark Brunell

The Jets have been adamant about the fact that Sanchez will be the starter, but changes will be made to the quarterback position as a whole—namely to the man who backs up Sanchez.

Brunell was brought in to be a mentor figure to Mark in learning the ways of being a professional. Initially, it seemed to work, as Sanchez progressed in his second year. But his regression in 2011 has brought concerns that Sanchez is "babied" and does not feel pressured without a capable backup to challenge him. 

To me, the role a backup quarterback plays in the performance of the starter is overstated, but changes will be made nonetheless. Whether they sign a guy like Chad Henne or Jason Campbell, or perhaps spend another late pick on a prospect, Brunell is all but out in New York. 

Or perhaps Peyton Manning will make Sanchez a backup. 

Donald Strickland

I think Strick is a good player, but at 31 and after suffering another concussion this season, I would be surprised if the Jets brought him back. He is a real physical player, especially for his size (remember the lick he laid on Wes Welker on Sunday night?) Plus he can play anywhere in the secondary. 

Still, the Jets have some depth in the secondary and Kyle Wilson may have done enough to regain the trust of the coaching staff. 

Bryan Thomas

Bryan has always been a solid, underrated player, but at 33 and coming off a major injury that ended his season in Week 4, I would be surprised if the Jets brought him back. Jamal Westerman and Garret McIntyre did a decent job in his absence, but the Jets will want to upgrade the outside linebacker position as a whole. 

For the first time in a few years, the Jets are picking in the middle of the draft and might have a shot at landing a guy like Courtney Upshaw. 

Either way, the Jets need an injection of youth and speed to their defense, and bringing back an old Bryan Thomas will only be counter-productive. 

Brodney Pool

During Eric Smith's epic struggles at free safety, I was as surprised as everyone else why they did not start Brodney Pool in Smith's place. 

But Pool had a disappointing season and was responsible for a lot of big plays. Given his injury history, I would be surprised if the Jets brought him back—they will probably be looking to give the safety position a face-lift. 

Vladimir Ducasse

It would be an upset if Ducasse does not make the final 53-man roster, but his scholarship is over. He has struggled to pick up the offense in two years, but perhaps Sparano's simplified system will help. 

Either way, with a new coaching staff that will place a lot of emphasis on the offensive line, especially in protection, Ducasse is on the hot seat. 

If he can adjust to Sparano's system, he can save his career as a Jet. Otherwise, Sparano will have no qualms about cutting a man he had no part of drafting.