New York Jets: 5 Bold Predictions for the 2011 NFL Season

The 2010-2011 season was supposed to be the Jets' year. They were a hot pick to win the Super Bowl and had a team of defensive wonders and personalities. Under the reign of their flamboyant head coach, Rex Ryan, they came close, but no cigar, losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers in what was, for them, a heartbreaking AFC Championship Game. 

In the 2011-2012 NFL season, the Jets won't be regarded as highly. Last year was their year to shine.

But all hope is not lost.

The Jets have a massive amount of stars who are free agents, and they need to re-sign some of them. 

After they accomplish this, the Jets can worry about winning games and making another try at the Super Bowl. 

5. Antonio Cromartie Will Not Be a Jet in 2011

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - AUGUST 27: Antonio Cromartie #31 of the New York Jets is introduced before the game against the Washington Redskins during their preseason game on August 27, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Ph

Antonio Cromartie was one of the most dynamic cornerbacks in the league in his first season in New York. He made 41 solo tackles last season and had 3 picks. This doesn't compare to his 2007 season in San Diego—when he picked off 10 passes—but it is still very respectable. 

Cromartie is also big for a cornerback—6-foot-2, 210 pounds—and has a big mouth. He has had a few off-the-field incidents and said some very questionable things to reporters about other players. 

There is no doubt he is a talent the Jets would love to keep, but they will not have enough money for Cromartie. 

Luckily for them, they have other young talent (see next slide) to fill his role. Expect Cromartie to head to 49ers" target="_blank">San Francisco, Tampa Bay or Oakland if the Raiders lose Nnamdi Asomugha. 

4. Kyle Wilson Will Replace Cromartie and Have a Pro Bowl Season

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 08: Kyle Wilson #20 of the New York Jets returns a kickoff against the Indianapolis Colts during their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 8, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Jets won 17-16. (Phot

The former Boise State Bronco, Kyle Wilson is young, small, and quick. He didn't see a ton of time this season, since he was the third-string CB behind Cromartie and Darelle Revis, yet I expect him to take over Cromartie's place and do quite well. 

Wilson is a smaller and less physical defender than Cromartie, yet paired with Revis' physicality, the tandem could create yet another deadly defensive backfield for the Jets. 

I don't expect Wilson to have as many tackles as Cromartie, but I expect him to be near the top of the league in picks and touchdowns by a cornerback. 

3. Mark Sanchez Will Improve Greatly or This Will Be His Last Season in NY

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets calls a play during their 19 to 24 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Ronald Marti

It is no secret to any avid football viewer that Mark Sanchez has been blessed with a great team. He has played in two AFC Championship games in two seasons, yet his stats during both those seasons were lackluster. 

Nonetheless, Sanchez has showed moments of greatness in the Jets past playoffs, while also showing at times he is an incapable QB and detriment to the team. 

If Sanchez doesn't step up this season and improve his passer rating, I expect the Jets to draft a QB high in 2012, beginning the end of the Mark Sanchez era in New York. 

2. The Jets Will Not Have as Many Controversies as Last Season... They Can't

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - JANUARY 02: Head coach Rex Ryan and Nick Folk #2 of the New York Jets celebrate with fans after they defeated the Buffalo Bills 38 to 7 at New Meadowlands Stadium on January 2, 2011 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bell

Between the issues with female reporters, the Rex Ryan/Bill Belichick feud, the Antonio Cromartie/Tom Brady/Wes Welker banter, and the incident where former strength and conditioning coach Sal Alosi tripped a Dolphins player as he ran out of bounds, the Jets were in the spotlight way too much for the wrong reasons. 

All these incidents showed is that the Jets were a team of undisciplined and barbaric men who were led by a coach who did not seem to care and was no different. Albeit, the Jets and Rex Ryan were entertaining and usually harmless, yet the immaturity has to go or it will no doubt come back to bite them. 

I expect a more disciplined, soft-spoken, and responsible Jets team to emerge this season, with a, dare a say it, quieter Rex Ryan. 

1. The Jets Will Lose in the Divisional Playoffs, Heartbreak Will Ensue in NY

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 08: Fans of the New York Jets hold up signs in support of their team and head coach Rex Ryan against the Indianapolis Colts during their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 8, 2011 in Indianapolis, I

The Jets have a ton of talent, a motivated head coach, and a prideful fan base. They certainly have the potential to go all the way, yet I think they will come up short again this season. I expect them to win the division over New England and head into the playoffs as favorites. 

Unfortunately, the Jets don't know how to be favorites, only underdogs, and they will lose a heartbreaker in the Divisional round of the playoffs what I am predicting will be a 5th-seeded San Diego Chargers. 

For the good of the Gang Green fanbase, I hope I am wrong. They deserve something to cheer about.