More Than Just a Quarterback Battle for New York Jets

Did anyone hear about the Jets having an 'open' competition to see who is their quarterback when the season opens in Houston?

You did? OK, just checking.

We should all know by now that Mark Sanchez and Kellen Clemens will be trying to outshine each other in this 'competition.' And by 'competition,' the Jets want Clemens to think he has a chance.

Hey, Kellen, the Jets didn't move up and give up three solid players for a backup quarterback.

Either way, there are a handful of other positions that are up in the air at this point of the year. With plenty of practices and two-a-days still to happen, the Jets have a few question marks still be answered.

No. 2 Wide Receiver

Chansi Stuckey vs. David Clowney vs. Brad Smith

This is one of those the glass is half full competitions. There is no way Jets fans can be excited about this group of players competing to be a starter on opening day. Unless, of course, the Jets lineup with a two-tight-end set and then only Jerricho Cotchery is split-out wide.

Stuckey returns for his second year after catching 32 balls for 359 yards and three touchdowns. He might be most famous for catching the first Favre-esque touchdown against the Dolphins in Week One.

Clowney has been an a member of the Jets in some capacity since 2007 when he was signed as a free agent, cut and signed again. In 2008, there were high expectations for the 6'0" receiver from Virginia Tech. He led all receivers in the preseason with four catches and 163 yards and two touchdowns.

He then injured himself and was never heard from again until Week 15. 

Smith is something of a wild card. He's lined up in a handful of positions, but could be seen more of a Wildcat answer than anything else this season. He's too good of an athlete, though, not to at least be given a shot to lineup exclusively as a receiver.

So who comes out of this battle? Flip a coin. One has to imagine that offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer will almost run a receiver-by-committee. The Jets have looked into the availability of free agent Plaxico Burress, but that seems unlikely.

It has been reported that Sanchez has been asking his receivers to catch some extra passes whenever they have the time. So, it should come down to whomever gets the better Rapport with the signal caller. 

 Right now, without, I'd lean more towards Stuckey. He showed last year that he can make some plays and has seen more action than Clowney. That, of course, can all change by August and September.

Number of touches for the backfield

This isn't really a battle to see who will start. Assuming that all contract issues are cleared up, the Jets starter will be Thomas Jones. Leon Washington and Shonn Greene will also get time.

But the Jets coaching staff is going to have to figure out how to get them all on the field at some point in the game. It has become clear that the Jets benefit from getting the ball in Washington's hands. Good things happen when the shifty running back gets his touches.

Greene, albeit a rookie, was drafted for a purpose. The Jets felt he was the best runner in the entire draft and moved up accordingly to take him. Just like Sanchez, the team moved up for a reason. There is no way they don't use him.

However, notice how I didn't say 'carries' for the backfield. It's 'touches.' 

The Jets can split out Washington into the slot or run the Wildcat offense with Smith taking the snap and being flanked by Greene and Washington. 

Dwight Lowery vs. Lito Sheppard

Revis isn't going anywhere in this lineup, but it will be interesting to see who is lined up on the opposite side of the field.

Lowery replaced Justin Miller in the starting lineup last year against the Dolphins in Week One and seemingly never looked back. He played in all 16 games for the Jets as a rookie and showed promise.

Sheppard is entering his eighth season in the league, but last year almost doesn't count. After the Eagle acquired Asante Samuel in the offseason, Sheppard playing sparingly and was clearly upset about it.

A trade in February brought the disgruntled DB to New York in exchange for a fifth-round pick and a conditional pick in 2010. It wasn't merely a trade, so much as it was robbery.

Sheppard is a two-time Pro Bowler and has shown the ability to be a shutdown corner in this league. Now, he can start over in New York and I fully expect him to. Unless injuries slow him down, I don't see how Sheppard stays off the field with Lowery sliding into the nickelback role.

Either way, the Jets secondary is going to be vastly improved with Rhodes, Sheppard, Lowery and the addition of safety Jim Leonhard.

Vernon Gholston vs. himself

He had a dismal rookie year, with only 13 total tackles, after being selected sixth overall. 

So, this year has to be better, right? One has to think that Gholston can find himself a role with Rex Ryan in town to run the defense. It's going to be up to him to focus at the task at hand and forget about 2008.