New York Jets: 6 Burning Questions Answered for the 2011 Season

The Jets have such high hopes for the 2011 season. Rex Ryan is a confident man who believes in his squad and so he should. The Jets have a formidable lineup from top to bottom and they will use their experience to help shape their quest for a Super Bowl.

However, there are some pretty important question marks regarding this squad. These questions have been circling around Jets camp and Jets chatter since the lockout was lifted.

Analysts have different interpretations about the impact that these questions will have on the squad, but it is here where we will answer some of the burning questions for the Jets this season.

1. Can Sanchez Stay Healthy? Who Steps in Otherwise?

So much has been made about Sanchez' progression since he has won so many road playoff games during his short career. While I do not disagree with his growth and potential, I think the Jets really need to address the backup role.

Mark Brunell cannot play quarterback in this league anymore. If Sanchez were out for a while, Brunell would not be able to shoulder the load of a tough schedule. Jets fans don't seem to consider this possibility and it could severely hinder the team's chances for success if Sanchez were to fall victim to an injury.

Many have been excited about seventh-round pick Greg McElroy. People have seen great preseason success and expect it to translate into success in the regular season. While he has impressed, he has also been going up against second team defenses and lax defensive schemes and patterns. I would like to see if everyone is singing such a positive tune once he has Demarcus Ware in his face.

Answer: Jets need a viable, experienced backup

2. Can the Jets Pass Rush Be Dominant Enough?

Everyone harps on the Jets pass rush stating that it cannot be effective without the blitz. The first comment I would like to stay is who cares?

If blitzing is part of the defensive package, why should it matter how effective it is otherwise? Aaron Maybin hopes to bring some third-down pass rush and with a sack in his first game is a positive sign.

Jason Taylor is gone, but we have introduced two great young linemen that will help create trouble along the offensive line. Fresh young legs along the line will only help pressure the quarterbacks.

Does anyone know if Kris Jenkins is up for coming back as a Kenrick Ellis tutor? They seem to be similar and it could only improve the rookies progression.

  Answer: The Jets pass rush will be fine with the confusion that the blitz brings

3. Will Wilkerson Fill in Admirably After the Loss of Ellis?

Muhammad Wilkerson is an impressive specimen. While he will not bring Shaun Ellis’ leadership and experience (Shaun Ellis was the longest tenured Jet before his departure, being drafted in 2000) Wilkerson can bring some fresh energy and stamina along with some great power moves.

Ellis was a workhorse and only missed two games over the past five seasons. His sacks totals fluctuated and he had his worst year since 2005 last season with only 4.5 sacks.

I think this is a great upgrade for the Jets, especially with the pass rush concerns. Wilkerson is a fierce competitor with a great work ethic. His former coach compared his tireless work to two-time Pro Bowler and former first-round pick of the Jets D'Brickashaw Ferguson. Can’t complain there.

Answer: Muhammad Wilkerson will surpass Ellis' sack total from last year and perform admirably.

4. Will Our Safeties Be Good Enough?

This is one of the biggest concerns in my opinion. The Jets have one relatively inexperienced safety and one who is somewhat injury prone coming into the season with Eric Smith and Jim Leonhard. Smith has started 20 games over the past four seasons and has never been a full-time starter, while Leonhard has been injured in two of the past three seasons and only been a starter since mid-2008.

Leonhard’s size (5’8" 188 lbs.) is what concerns me. He has great football IQ, but he seems somewhat brittle. Both will rely heavily on the fantastic Jets corners, but will need to excel to show their worth. Moreover, the depth is also a question mark with Lowery switching to safety from corner this year.

You would be hard pressed to find a worse duo in the league.

Answer: They will struggle at times, yet their inefficiencies will be masked by the great play of the Jets cornerbacks.

5. How Will Plax Hold over Through at Least 16 Games?

This is the main question that is running rampant throughout Jets camp. Plax is a star and can easily take over a game. People wonder about his durability over a full season (and hopeful postseason), but I'm not exactly sure why.

He has played 16 games five times in his career (with one 15 game season) and at the age of 34 knows the up and downs of the NFL.

The biggest issue will be mental, since Plax has not really played and won’t realize that his body isn’t what it was in 2007. If Plaxico remains smart and humble about his age and what he can achieve, Plaxico should see his game increase with further reps and an injury forecast should not be anymore a worry for him than anyone else on the squad.

Granted, he did just tweak his back but as he said, “It’s football. It’s not like it’s badminton."

Answer: Plaxico will play the majority of the season, but will need to stay motivated and hungry in order to produce at the level he is capable of.

6. Who Will Fill in Smith’s Shoes in the Seminole?

Many fans fail to see the importance of this question. Yet Brad Smith played an integral role for the Jets this past season running the Seminole.

Many are hoping that Jeremy Kerley is the answer, but to put so much of the Jets offensive attack on a fifth-round rookie? Although Kerley has done well (doesn't he look a lot like Willis McGahee?) it is too much to don on such a young receiver.

The Seminole was very important towards the success of the Jets offense. Here is a quote from profootballfocus.com:

“While most NFL fans are familiar with Ronnie Brown and Josh Cribbs, the best wildcat quarterback in 2010 was by far the lesser-known Brad Smith. The backup receiver ran the ball from the wildcat 30 times for 212 yards and a touchdown…7.1 yards per run. Half the time he handed the ball off, and the Jets other rushers had 4.0 yards per carry and a touchdown.”

That lack of production could severely hamper the Jets offense, as well as Sanchez’s total progression as a QB, as defenses will not have to game plan for the Seminole.

Answer: The Seminole will dissipate from the Jets offense, putting more pressure on the arm of Mark Sanchez.

Thoughts?

Any other crucial questions that need to be answered this season?

Ask away in the comments section and maybe they will be added to the article.

Thanks for reading!