Jets Analysis: Gang Green Looking to Take Back NY From Big Blue

Let's not dance around it: The Jets stunk last season.

Their defense was not what people expected it to be, ranking 29th in the league against the run and giving up 134.8 YPG.  They also were not very active in the turnover game, finishing with -4 turnover ratio on the season.

Their offense wasn't much better, finishing 26th in total offense, 25th in total points scored, and 21st in first downs per game.

Now hold your horses, Jets fans.  Before you start ranting and raving about how I'm hating on the Jets, realize that this article is meant to point out what great strides they've made this off-season via free agency.  Feel better?

Now, the Jets have been quite possibly the most active team in free agency this off-season, signing seven-time Pro Bowl Guard Alan Faneca, 2002 Pro Bowl center/guard/Tackle Damien Woody and Cardinals linebacker/defensive end Calvin Pace.

The Jets also made some impressive trades this off season, landing Kris Jenkins from the Panthers and shipping Jonathan Vilma over to New Orleans.

These additions—and one subtraction—will help the Jets when the 2008 season comes around.

Faneca will provide a great veteran presence at left guard and solidifying the left side of the Jets offensive line along with rising stars Nick Mangold at Center and D'Brickashaw Ferguson at Left Tackle.

Damien Woody can start at Right Guard, or provide depth at any position on the offensive line, as he has played every position over his nine-year career.

Kris Jenkins will make an immediate impact on the defensive front, where he should be able to make a perfect transition from a 4-3 Nose to a 3-4 Nose.  His presence will help shore up the Jets' run defense and should provide solid play in both the pass rush and run stuffing aspects of the defense.

Calvin Pace is just too good to be true for the Jets. Pace has played both linebacker and defensive end over his career in Arizona and has thrived at both positions. His pass rushing ability makes him an absolutely perfect fit for Eric Mangini's 3-4 scheme as a stand-up rusher off either side.

The Jets were really lacking some true 3-4 Linebackers, but Pace gives them exactly what they were looking for.  Pace will live up to the hype in New York and provide an instant upgrade for their defense.

Now I love Jonathan Vilma, but the guy just got the shaft in New York when Mangini came to town.  He is an absolutely outstanding middle linebacker, but he doesn't fit into a 3-4.  He was arguably the Jets' best defensive player when they made the transition from Herm Edwards to Eric Mangini, but quickly showed he didn't belong in a 3-4 scheme.

In his first year with Mangini, his stats diminished.  His tackles dropped from 169 the year before to 113 and he recorded zero sacks for the first time in his career.  His injury-riddled season in 2007 marked his way out of town, where he started only seven games and totaled 43 tackles (6.1 per game).

While there is no denying that Vilma is a tremendous talent, he was doing more harm than good in new New York.

These additions should easily make the Jets a competitor for a Wild Card spot in the AFC, and have them neck-and-neck with the Bills for No. 2 in the AFC East behind the Patriots.  I'm hesitant to say that either team could challenge the Patriots, since they re-signed Randy Moss.

Jets fans, you have a lot to look forward to this season.