2009 New York Jets: Five Things To Watch For

The Jets accepted the fact that Eric Mangini wasn't quite the " genius" everyone thought he was, and after saying goodbye to Brett Favre, began a true transformation.

With the hiring of Rex Ryan and drafting of Shonn Green, the Jets proved that they were heavily committed to running the football and shutting down teams with an aggressive defense.

Top it off with a new franchise quarterback and the Jets have the makings for a competitive playoff team that could contend for years to come.

The question is, will one of those years be 2009?

Read on to see five things to watch for this season.


5. Mark Sanchez vs. Kellen Clemens

Sanchez was highly-touted, rightfully so, and is easily the best quarterback on the Jets roster already, despite being a rookie. While Kellen Clemens is a "veteran", very little about his game would actually suggest it.

Sanchez may not be polished in some respects and have NFL-ready game-managing skills, but he's a true gamer, and has better instincts than Clemens.

Despite Clemens being dubbed the "opening day" starter for the preseason, it's unlikely he holds onto the job.

Sanchez can make things happen on the run, has a better arm than Clemens, and would give New York a Joe Namath, young-gun mystique that it hasn't had in almost 40 years.

Look for the rookie to win the job.


4. The Rex Ryan Era

Ryan knew how to build defenses and get them to perform at the highest level in Baltimore, so why would that change in New York?

The only difference now is the colorful Ryan has the ability to choose all of his players rather than have his personnel decisions handed down to him and made for him.

Ryan knows talent, and he knows potential. But the best part is that he knows, with a deeper understanding than most, that there's a difference between the two.

Eric Mangini left a solid corps of players that Ryan can easily work with, while some former Baltimore defenders, Jim Leonhard and Bart Scott, who were both successful in his system, followed him to New York.

Another thing to note is Mangini has been around contending teams that had inexperienced or rookie quarterbacks. Just look at Joe Flacco.

The tools are there on both sides of the ball, and if we go by history, the Jets should be very competitive.


3. The Progression of Vernon Gholston

After being a rookie bust in 2008 while registering just 13 tackles, Gholston finally has life.

With Rex Ryan in town, he should receive the best guidance and teaching he's ever had, and should have every chance to succeed in Ryan's aggressive 3-4 defense.

Gholston is even the starter going into the season, and he was picked to be Calvin Pace's replacement after Pace was suspended for four games.

It may be difficult to hold off Pace when he gets back, but Gholston is too athletic to not make things happen in a Rex Ryan system.

Anticipate a breakout season for the second-year player.


2. Can Thomas Jones Do It Again?

Before Brett Favre, Jones was just cracking 1,000 yards and scored one measly touchdown in 2008. With Favre? Jones is still relishing in a 13-touchdown Pro Bowl season.

Post-Favre? You tell me.

Jones is 32, more than likely just hit the highest numbers he'll ever get, and has fierce talent around him waiting for more carries.

Leon Washington, despite being in contract discussions, is still a home run threat every time he touches the ball, making it an almost certainty that his touches will increase.

Throw in the rookie Shonne Green, the Jets' pre-determined "closer", and Jones is suddenly in a very quiet running back by committee situation.

If that is indeed the case, which it plainly is, there's no way Jones scores over 10 touchdowns again, and could even struggle to top 1,000 yards.

But hey, if it means a division title, who cares, right?


1. Can Jerricho Cotchery Survive On His Own?

Probably not.

Cotchery isn't particularly fast, and isn't overly reliable in traffic or on deep balls.

To be honest, Cotchery has been living in an elite receiver's body, but has put in average results.

It didn't help that he has never had any truly elite help to take the focus off of him, but being the top (and only) option sure doesn't hurt your stock, either.

There is no true second receiver behind Cotchery that is scary to opposing defenses. Dustin Keller and Leon Washington are the only other effective options in the passing game.

If another receiver can't emerge from the mix to help out Cotchery, he may fold up.

Like a lawn chair.