Mark Sanchez and Rex Ryan: The New Faces of the Jets

After a disastrous end to the 2008 season, the Jets prepare for next year with two fresh faces: head coach Rex Ryan and rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez.

The team opted to jettison former coach Eric Mangini following a 9-7 campaign in which the team lost four of its final five games.

To replace Mangini, Gang Green opted for one of the most popular and well-known coordinators in the NFL. Ryan had led the Ravens' defense since 2005 and had won the respect of a unit featuring All-Pros like Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, and Terrell Suggs.

His bloodline include his father, former NFL head coach Buddy Ryan, and current Raiders defensive coordinator Rob Ryan.

The other major addition to the Jets came a couple of months after Ryan's hiring. GM Mike Tannenbaum boldly jumped 12 spots in the April Draft, surrendering a second-round pick and three veterans, to select former USC star Mark Sanchez.

The quarterback had vaulted up the draft boards during the evaluation process and is now the Jets' quarterback of the future.

After the draft, the biggest question on the team is the quarterback position.

Based on last season, expectations are pegged around the 7-9 to 10-6 level. The team returns most of its starters from last year. Without knowing who will begin the year under center, making a definitive projection on this team is difficult.

Ryan has made suggestions, through comments after the draft and at mini-camp, that he'd like to see Sanchez as the Jets' opening-week quarterback.

Regardless of whether Sanchez or veteran Kellen Clemens starts the season, the Jets carry a strong defense and running game into 2009.

The D returns all of its main stalwarts, including defensive tackle Kris Jenkins, cornerback Darrelle Revis, and safety Kerry Rhodes. In the offseason, the team signed former Ravens starters Bart Scott, Jim Leonhard, and Marques Douglas.

To shore up the second cornerback spot, the Jets traded for Eagles nickelback Lito Sheppard. In all, the defense appears stocked at every position, with one lingering concern being the lack of a dynamic pass rusher.

For his facet of the game, Ryan has pledged to make 2008 first-rounder Vernon Gholston his personal project.

Thomas Jones returns to lead the AFC's most productive running attack. He topped the conference with 1,312 rushing yards in 2008 and is spelled by arguably the team's most explosive player, Leon Washington.

The Jets return all five starters from their offensive line in 2008 and traded up in the third round to select former Iowa star tailback Shonn Greene.

In order to exceed expectations, the Jets will need to find reliability at the starting quarterback position. The team was plagued last December by the erratic play of Brett Favre, who threw 22 interceptions on the season.

With the strong defense and running back, the Jets' starter at quarterback will not be asked to consistently lead the team to victory. Perhaps the ideal situation would replicate what Ryan witnessed last season in Baltimore, where rookie QB Joe Flacco played solidly in leading that team into the playoffs.

While the main obstacle for the Jets remains the quarterback spot, other weaknesses exist.

The squad lost Laveranues Coles to free agency, leaving a major hole at one starting wide receiver spot. Chansi Stuckey and David Clowney are expected to compete to fill that vacancy. Tannenbaum was criticized in some corners for not addressing the WR hole during the draft or in free agency.

Like all NFL teams, injury is a concern—especially at defensive tackle.

Kris Jenkins appeared to wear down at the end of the 2008 season, bringing down the overall defensive performance. Considering how much the Jets rely on his ability as the 3-4 nosetackle, Ryan will need to make sure Jenkins gets enough rest throughout the season.

He will only be 30 years old in 2009, but plays a very demanding position for a player in his ninth season.

In sum, the overall talent between the defense, running game, and offensive line will ensure the Jets win at least seven games in 2009. An appearance in the playoffs depends on finding an answer at quarterback and a playmaker on the outside.