New Look Jets Hope to Take Off In '09

How far the New York Jets can go in 2009 could be be highly dependant on the performance of two rookies. Rookie head coach Rex Ryan and fifth overall pick QB Mark Sanchez hope to turn a team around that had high expectations last season after acquiring future Hall of Famer Brett Favre. 

After a hot 8-3 start, the Jets floundered to 9-7, in large part due to a collapse in Favre's play, oweing to a torn bicep.  After Favre's retirement, GM Mike Tannebaum was forced to go back to the drawing board and give the Jets an offseason makeover.

Rex Ryan not only changed the look of the coaching staff in New York, he has brought a new swagger to the organization.  After coaching one of the top defenses in Baltimore in the past few seasons, upgrading defensively was first on Ryan's agenda. 

Ryan was able to lure Pro Bowl LB Bart Scott from Baltimore, whom he coached last season.  S Jim Leonhard, who is not only familiar with Ryan's system but is versatile as a punt returner, also followed Ryan to the Big Apple. 

Expectations of Scott and Leonhard are high. They are not only familiar with playing with a rookie quarterback but winning with one.

The Jets later fill their void at cornerback, opposite last year's standout and Pro Bowl CB Darrelle Revis, with the acquisition of former Pro Bowl CB Lito Sheppard, who was traded from Philadelphia for a 2009 fifth round draft choice. 

Ryan continued to implode his former Ravens team by adding depth to his new look defense with the acquisitions of DE (Ravens) and boosted his special teams with Patriots standout Larry Izzo.

With last year's acquisition of Pro Bowl and monster defensive tackle Kris Jenkins and the potential of third year LB David Harris, the Jets defense could be one of the best in the league. 

The Jets must not forget about Vernard Gholsten, who some are calling a draft bust. He may flourish in Ryan's system, in the same role as Terrell Suggs did at Baltimore. 

While the Jets defense has seemed to shape up beautifully, several questions remain on the offensive side of the ball.  With the retirement of QB Brett Favre, the Jets once again were looking for a replacement for former mainstay at quarterback, Chad Pennington. 

With a new head coach and the dire need for a face of the organization, the Jets made a splash in the draft, trading up for the fourth pick with recently departed head Coach Eric Mangini, now head coach of the Cleveland Browns.  With the pick, the Jets grabbed QB Mark Sanchez, whose draft stock soared in March and early April.

Sanchez's huge smile and evident confidence is just what the Jets needed in New York; the team has struggled to find a franchise quarterback since Joe Namath.  Sanchez has shown signs of becoming a Broadway star after his recent GQ shoot with supermodel Hilary Rhoda.

However, Sanchez's attention must now turn to the field and an offense that looks to have several problems.  Sanchez's backfield seems a little depleted with both of his Pro Bowl running backs, Thomas Jones and Leon Washington, holding out after contract disputes. 

While Thomas Jones is looking for a contract extension, it is believed that Leon Washington is looking for a Darren Sproles-like contract ($6 million a year), a player he is often compared to. 

The Jets' receiving corps also has several question marks above it following the departure of No. 1 receiver Laveranues Coles, who fled to Cincinnati for more money. 

WR Jerricho Cotchery, who many see as a position receiver, now leads a receiving corps with little experience.  Behind Cotchery, former Missouri QB Brad Smith and third year Chansi Stuckey must carry the bulk of the weight, but each have under 100 career receptions.

There are rumors floating around that the Jets are one of two teams showing much interest in recently cut WR Paxico Burress.  However, the Jets must wait to see if Burress's legal issues are resolved as he may face time in prison or a heavy suspension by strict commissioner Roger Goodell.   

The Jets' bright spot in offense is their offensive line, which contains four first round draft picks and is lead by Pro Bowler Alan Faneca.  If the Jets can get Thomas Jones and Leon Washington in camp, rookie Mark Sanchez may simply have to play a role similar to that of Joe Flacco; don't turn the ball over and let your defense set you up with great field position.

One must not forget about QB Kellen Clemens, who has more experience in the system, but one would think if the team was confident in him they would not have traded for Favre last year or drafted Sanchez this year. 

The New York Jets can only go as far as their two new star rookies can carry them, and so the weight of expectation falls on the shoulders of Rex Ryan and Mark Sanchez.