Rounding Up the Latest Offseason Buzz Surrounding the New York Jets

The 2013 NFL preseason begins in less than two months, and action around the league is heating up.

The New York Jets, unsurprisingly, are the center of both local and national media attention.

From the ongoing quarterback battle to the always-entertaining Rex Ryan, the public seemingly cannot get enough of Gang Green's soap opera.

Here is the latest buzz surrounding the New York Jets as we move towards training camp and preseason. 

The Receiving Corps Has a Severe Case of the Dropsies

While no one expected the receiving corps to be a strong point for the Jets this year, the unit has struggled more than anyone could have imagined to date. 

Throughout organized team practices and minicamp, receivers simply have not been able to hang onto the ball.

Stephen Hill, Jeremy Kerley and Jeff Cumberland, three of the four top ball-catchers on the roster, have all been unable to make basic catches on a consistent basis.  

Drops have been such a factor that Rex Ryan is threatening the job security of receivers. 

Unless the receiving corps can improve dramatically within the next few weeks, the Jets may be forced to go searching for another veteran wideout. 

Kellen Winslow Is Officially a New York Jet

The Jets, as I just mentioned, have an emphatic need for solid receiving options. 

The franchise addressed this need somewhat with the recent signing of tight end Kellen Winslow. 

While Winslow is far from the Pro Bowl player he was in 2007—he recorded one catch for just 12 yards last season with the Patriots—he could still play a major role in New York's offense. 

At 6'4'' 254 pounds and with solid speed (4.62 40-time), Winslow could form a dynamic duo with Jeff Cumberland and perhaps become the team's most dangerous receiving options outside of Santonio Holmes. 

If Winslow can buckle down and adapt to Gang Green's offensive scheme, he could revive his once-great career. 

Rex Ryan Hasn't Lost His Sense of Self

If you think consecutive non-playoff seasons in which his team went a combined 14-18 would dent Rex Ryan's confidence, you are sorely mistaken. 

The naturally bombastic head coach believes he is one of the most underrated football minds in the business, and by a long shot. 

Ryan's arrogance is nothing new, but it is somewhat surprising considering the mess his team has been embroiled in recently.

Time will tell if Ryan's confidence is a good thing; it could either spark swagger in a team that lacks just that, or it could attract unwanted and damaging media attention.

No Tebow, but More Wildcat

The Jets' offense is expected to be drastically different this season with Marty Mornhinweg at the helm. 

However, the team has reportedly been running the wildcat package on a consistent basis at minicamp.

Mornhinweg isn't known for running a wildcat-based offense, but quarterbacks coach David Lee rose to prominence with the Dolphins in 2007 with the wildcat package.

The sudden move is still surprising considering Tim Tebow would have been a strong candidate to run such an offense, but with the creator of the sub package at hand, it could be successful no matter who's under center. 

Rod Graves Is Now a Part of the Front Office

John Idzik's restructuring of the front office continued this past week, as the new general manager hired his friend and former boss Rod Graves. 

Graves, who served as the Arizona Cardinals general manager for the past nine seasons, rose to prominence through his scouting skills.

Graves' new position with New York is as the senior director of football administration. 

While the move is just one of many hires by Idzik, Graves adds both football intelligence and experience to Gang Green's front office. 

Santonio Holmes Might Not Be Ready by Week 1

Without a corps of receivers with decent hands or even exceptional explosiveness, the Jets desperately need Santonio Holmes to return as quickly as possible from his foot rehab. 

Unfortunately for Gang Green, Holmes seems to be a long way away from returning. In fact, the former Super Bowl hero is a question mark for the start of the regular season. 

The Jets cannot afford to play even a single regular-season game without Holmes if they have any hope of competing this season, but it looks like that will be another hardship for the team. 

There Is Still No Clear Leader in the Quarterback Battle

Even as Mark Sanchez continues to struggle with accuracy and consistency, Geno Smith is yet to emerge as the team's starting quarterback of 2013.

Neither signal-caller has been particularly impressive throughout organized team activities and minicamp, thus a clear favorite hasn't materialized.

While a tight competition at the game's most important position could bring out the best of both quarterbacks, it also further displays the instability of the franchise.

The Starting Running Back Is Yet to Emerge

Unless Rex Ryan and the rest of the New York Jets' coaching staff have been feeding Joe McKnight false information, a true winner is also yet to emerge in the starting running back battle. 

McKnight believes a starting rusher is impossible to decide upon until training camp arrives. 

Even with the additions of Chris Ivory and Mike Goodson, New York has major question marks in the backfield depth chart. 

Ivory hasn't received more than 137 carries in any given season, Goodson is under trial for drug and weapons charges and Bilal Powell and McKnight haven't shown that they can handle a heavy workload. 

Expect it to be a while before a true standout emerges in the running back competition.