The New York Jets open the 2009 season today in Houston, and here are the key storylines heading in:
Mark Sanchez: All eyes are on Mark Sanchez, who will become the Jets’ first rookie starting quarterback in 492 games. After starting just 16 games at USC, Sanchez is front and center, having beaten out Kellen Clemens for the starting job after just one preseason game. The Jets’ gameplan is simple: Run the football and play defense, thus taking some of the pressure off of the rookie quarterback. But the pressure will come from opposing defenses, much like the Ravens showed in Sanchez’s first start of the preseason. All first-year quarterbacks experience ups and downs, even the ones who go on to hall of fame careers. Sanchez looks like the type of kid who has the mental strength to make it through an NFL initiation. Today, we’ll begin to find out just how poised and ready he is.
Wide Receivers: Jerricho Cotchery is a given, but everyone else is a question. Laveranues Coles is gone. Though the Jets plan to be a running team, Sanchez must have targets to throw to. And as good as Cotchery is (71 receptions last season) other receivers must emerge or the Jets will struggle on offense. Chansi Stuckey and David Clowney are being counted on as complements to Cotchery. At least one must emerge as a viable target or Cotchery could have trouble getting open and the Jets will become too predictable on offense. Tight end Dustin Keller will be another interesting target to watch.
Running Backs: This is a huge strength. Thomas Jones, Leon Washington, and Shonn Greene comprise one of the deepest backfields in the NFL. The Jets will try to establish the run, and assuming the offensive line lives up to expectations, they should find success. The key: Get the ball in Washington’s hands as much as possible. The Jets talk about 300 touches for the all-purpose back. That should be music to Jets’ fans ears as he’s one of the most dynamic players in the game.
Defense: The Jets have the pieces on defense, even with the suspensions of Calvin Pace and Shaun Ellis. Darrelle Revis and Kerry Rhodes are as good as they come in the secondary and the addition of Bart Scott was one of the best Jets’ free agent signings in recent years. Ryan is a defensive guy who built a great one in Baltimore. When at full strength, the defense should be the strength of this team. Perhaps the most interesting player to watch will be Vernon Gholston, who must prove he was worthy of being the sixth overall pick in the 2008 draft.
Special Teams: The punting situation is a concern as the Jets have moved guys in and out at a rapid pace leading up to the opener… Washington is one of the most valuable players in football… Every time he returns a kick or punt the Jets will expect big things… Jay Feely is a solid kicker… Expect the Jets’ special teams coverage to be good.
Head Coach: Rex Ryan is a rookie head coach and that poses serious questions as well. His performance, much like Sanchez, will be evaluated week to week. His father, Buddy, said this when Rex got the Jets job: “Don’t mess this up. That’s my team.” Jets’ fans shouldn’t expect Ryan to “mess this up.” Ryan has the energy and enthusiasm that you like to see from your head coach. He proved to be a great defensive coach with the Ravens. The stage is much bigger now that he’s the head coach of the New York Jets. Ryan has talked tough since getting the job. Today in Houston it’s time to start backing that up.
