A Wide Open Hole: Receiving Corps a Glaring Weakness For Jets

Let's go through a check-list of what makes up a successful offense in football, shall we? Let's also see how the Jets do on this laundry list, too.

A solid, strong and durable offensive line that can both protect the passer and create holes for running backs? Check.

Multiple running backs who provide different styles of attack? If the Leon Washington dispute is settled, then check.

Tight ends who can either stay back with the line for added protection or create a big target for the QB in the middle of the field? Check.

A quarterback who can either make his teammates better with his caliber of play and/or consistently execute the gameplan laid out by the coaching staff? A probable check, depending on whether it's Kellen Clemens or Mark Sanchez behind center.

Wide receivers who can stretch the field and cause havoc in the secondary and draw double coverage?

Um, hello? Is anyone there? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller? Bueller?

All right, you get the idea. With the release of Laveranues Coles this off-season, the Jets are without any top-tier receiving options. Despite Jerricho Cotchery reliability and the evolving and improving skills from TE Dustin Keller, the Jets are lacking that one threat who can take pressure off the running game by drawing multiple defenders.

The NFL Draft came and went, with marquee prospects like Michael Crabtree, Jeremy Maclin and Hakeem Nicks available. There was even the hometown boy, Kenny Britt, who now holds nearly every major receiving record for Rutgers University.

No, no, no and no.

The Jets, with just three selections available this year, passed on all WRs as they selected a quarterback, a running back and an offensive guard. All three of those positions are ones the Jets have no desparate, "good Lord, how are we supposed to win"-type of need for.

Free agency didn't have as big a cache in top wide outs, but there were a few big names available. T.J. Houshmandzadeh was there for the taking, but he was nabbed by Seattle. Dallas unceremoniously dumped Terrell Owens on March 4, but he wasn't on the market for very long as AFC East rival Buffalo signed him to a one-year, $6.5 million contract three days later.

The Cardinals' Anquan Boldin is still clamoring for a trade, but instead of getting a tour of the skyscraper canyon that is Manhattan, he's still a good day-trip away from the Grand Canyon in Arizona.

In a perfect world for the Jets, this void can be filled internally. Cotchery is a very good, smart receiver who is both young (26) and in good health. Second-year man Marcus Henry could not only serve as a body-double for Kobe Bryant, but his 6-foot, 4-inch frame would give him a clear advantage over most corners. Fellow sophomore David Clowney has speed to burn and made a spectacular catch during last year's off-season.

Then there's also Brad Smith, the former Mizzou quarterback-turned-jack-of-all-trades. With the variety of roles he's played in his four years with New York, he probably has one of the higher football IQs on the team.

Unfortunately, there is a "but" attached with each of these players. No game-breaking speed (Cotchery, Smith, Henry); lack of size (everyone except Henry); lack of experience (everyone except Cotchery).

Once this squad gets on the field, opposing squads won't mind stacking eight in the box against the Jets. If there are no real deep threats for New York to connect with, why waste the man power on receivers, especially with the running backs the Jets possess? And don't think that Bill Belichick doesn't have any animosity towards the Jets now that Eric Mangini is no longer head coach. You can bet that he has Sept. 20 and Nov. 22 all circled with a big green marker.

After a while, all that pounding the line and backs would take would take it's toll and result in a probably second-half collapse. By then, it wouldn't matter if the Jets had Jerry Rice and Randy Moss at wideout and flanker.

Now, there are still some chances the Jets are playing coy and still will try to obtain a big-name wide receiver. Boldin's relationship with the Cardinals is still in flux while Cleveland--who dealt the fifth-overall draft pick to New York that netted Sanchez--has hinted they wouldn't mind moving Braylon Edwards. Who knows, maybe Owens will set a new record for wearing out a welcome and get himself booted out of Buffalo.

Then there is that small matter of Plaxico Burress, the erst-while Giants receiving savant who helped them win Super Bowl XLII, then shot the Giants and himself in the foot...literally. Despite public reports of tepid interest, the Jets would jump at the chance to sign Burress as soon as he legal situation clears up.

But no matter what happens, the fact is this: without a wide receiver who would at least give opponents some hesitation to load up for the run, a consistently productive Jets offense will be nothing more than a pipe dream.