New York Jets' Roster Trouble: The Team Is Short at Wide Receiver

The New York Jets appear to be having trouble balancing their roster for the opening weeks.  With Santonio Holmes suspended for the first 4 weeks, the Jets will be short one receiver.  The current roster list only 3 others: Jerricho Cotchery, Braylon Edwards, and Brad Smith.  Danny Woodhead is listed as a running back, but I expect to see him run some routes as well as contribute on special teams.  Also, Dustin Keller will likely be leaned on for many passing formations. 

The most successful teams in the NFL use 3 WR, 1 TE, 1 RB sets.  This set allows teams to spread the defense out to read it, then audible to run or throw effectively.  When trailing in the 4th quarter, it critical to be able to utilize this set.  The Jets are one injury away from losing this set from their playbook (until Week 4, at least).  The Free Agent market is devoid of talent at WR right now as most teams are holding tight to talent at this position as more and more game plans feature spread formations.  The recently released wide out, David Clowney, is not likely to stay unsigned for long.  This does not bode well for the Jets.

Luckily, the team is built to run the ball.  The offensive line has 4 returning starters with good depth.  The left guard spot lacks experience, but they have not seen a big drop off from Faneca last season.  They maintain 2 fullbacks and 4 tight ends, which means they want to pound the rock from heavy formations.  It was very successful last season when they used Ben Hartsock and an extra offensive lineman in heavy formations.  This season they have two big and young TEs, Jeff Cumberland and Matt Mulligan, who can both block and catch, so the Jets can use this formation with a bunch of new looks.

The departures of Thomas Jones and Leon Washington have me worried, though.  Shonn Greene and LaDainian Tomlinson have been good in the preseason, which is comforting, but it is still just preseason.  Health is also a concern to both.  Hopefully, LDT can steal enough carries to minimize Greene's workload and both can escape injury.  The guys behind them just can't fill their shoes. 

The Jets have two players to replace what Leon Washington brought to the table.  Joe McKnight has lots of issues to work out before he is ready for the field.  This leaves Danny Woodhead as the #3 guy.  I would watch the UFL if he was on a team there, so I'm interested to see what he can do, but in the NFL at RB he lacks size, which leaves him as scat back.  With scat backs, pass protection and running between the tackles in short yardage situations are always issues. 

On the practice squad, they still have Chauncey Washington, who I expect to be quickly called upon if there is an injury to either of the top two.  He could be an every down back if needed, but he has yet to catch on with 3 teams in 2 years.

It looks like Rex Ryan will be relying on a stellar rushing attack coupled with the best defense in the league last season.  He relied on these same attributes last season, which lead to 7 losses in the regular season.   Maybe one of those we can get back with better play from the defense (*cough* Miami), but when down late in the game it is so important to have spread formations available.  We'll have to wait until Monday to see how this unfolds.

Go Jets!