East495 55 Posted July 15, 2013 Rex Ryan was spared the firing finger of Woody Johnson after the chaotic 6-10 season, but the walls did come down around him. GM Mike Tannenbaum was canned, as was offensive coordinator Tony Sparano. Defensive coordinator Mike Pettine jumped to Buffalo. Grizzled special teams coach Mike Westhoff retired. Tannenbaum was replaced by John Idzik, Jr, who'd previously spent 6 years as VP of Football Administration for the Seahawks. Idzik played a role in bringing Pete Carroll to Seattle, and prior to that, learned the ins-and-outs of management in 12 years with the Buccaneers. When Tampa Bay won Super Bowl XXXVII, Idzik was the assistant GM. Sparano's replacement would be Marty Morninhweg, who comes off 10 years in Philadelphia as assistant head coach and offensive coordinator. Morninhweg, like ex-boss Andy Reid, has a tendency to reply way too heavily on the pass, and the balance of playcalling suffers as a result. Then again, maybe passing frequently wouldn't be the worst idea. The Jets didn't retain running back Shonn Greene, choosing to go forward with Bilal Powell (437 yds and 4 TD on 110 carries), Joe McKnight, and acquisitions in Lex Hilliard, Chris Ivory (via trade), and Mike Goodson (who's been recently beset by legal troubles. On paper, the running game doesn't strike as much terror as some teams, but perhaps behind an improving offensive line, they'll surprise some folks. Austin Howard is a vastly improved run-blocker on the right side of the line, and he enters his second full season at starter. D'Brickashaw Ferguson and Nick Mangold remain as reliable cogs. With the tackles solidified, Ivory, as an outside runner, has the greatest chance to thrive. The receiving corps looks pretty much the same between Jeremy Kerley, Stephen Hill, and a healthy Santonio Holmes. Dustin Keller is no longer tight end, having signed with the Dolphins, so four-year vet Jeff Cumberland (359 yds, 3 TD in 2012) slides into the starting role. Former secondary coach Dennis Thurman is promoted to defensive coordinator, and recently made the emboldened statement that his secondary, 'is the best group it's been in years,' even without Revis. Among in-house chances to the defense is the move of Quinton Coples to outside linebacker. That gives Barnes, Richardson, and Muhammad Wilkerson their natural positions to work from, especially in a 4-3. Coples is expected to drop at least 10-15 lbs to adequately play linerbacker, however. Thurman also stated that Milliner 'would compete' for the second starting corner spot next to Cromartie, but that seems to be more of a motivational technique than anything. With a new GM, many radical changes to the coaching staff and roster, and an owner griping, albeit not so harshly, about the previous 2 seasons, it seems as though Ryan could be one false move away from looking for work in 2014. Things don't look so bad when you consider the trenches. The offensive line looks like it could be its strongest in years, and the defensive line could bring great pressure in a 3-4 infused with lots of aggressive youth. Laugh at the Jets now, but they might be better than you think. Still New York remains a news-magnet, making headlines this offseason once again with the outright release of Tim Tebow, and the trading of Revis to Tampa Bay for a first round pick (Richardson) and one pick next year. Tebow was used for little more than gossip fodder, while the Jets at least found a suitable replacement for Revis in Milliner. The Jets have begun renovation on their offensive line, adding veteran Willie Colon. He'll likely start at guard, along with either third-round pick Brian Winters or Lions veteran Stephen Peterman. Improving right tackle Austin Howard was re-signed by the club. On defense, the Jets added injury-plagued nose tackle Antonio Garay and underrated linebacker Antwan Barnes from the Chargers, and in-house veteran linebacker Calvin Pace was re-signed on April 16, two months after the Jets released him. Projected Starting Lineup: QB - Mark Sanchez RB - Chris Ivory FB - Lex Hilliard WR - Stephen Hill WR - Santonio Holmes TE - Jeff Cumberland LT - D'Brickashaw Ferguson LG - Willie Colon C - Nick Mangold RG - Stephen Peterman RT - Austin Howard DE - Muhammad Wilkerson NT - Kenrick Ellis DT - Sheldon Richardson OLB - Quinton Coples ILB - Demario Davis ILB - David Harris OLB - Antwan Barnes CB - Antonio Cromartie CB - Dee Milliner FS - Josh Bush SS - Dawan Landry K - Nick Folk P - Robert Malone LS - Tanner Purdum 2013 Prediction: 8-8 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BwareDWare94 723 Posted July 15, 2013 The Jets' outlook? They can see for miles, but that's usually the case when you're standing at the edge of a cliff. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted July 15, 2013 I agree with 8-8. Every year, like 5+ receivers reach the 1000+ yard marker. IMO Hill could reach that feet. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RazorStar 4,025 Posted July 15, 2013 Hill is just the next Limas Sweed. If any receiver makes an impact for the Jets it'll be Jeremy Kerley. They're the worst team in the division right now, 5-11 seems reasonable, but it could be worse. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JetsFan4Life 542 Posted July 25, 2013 I see the Jets finishing somewhere between 4-12 and 6-10. 8-8 sounds like a pipe dream. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
East495 55 Posted July 25, 2013 I see the Jets finishing somewhere between 4-12 and 6-10. 8-8 sounds like a pipe dream. Yeah...I know, wishful thinking right? When I first read this and posted it here, it kinda gave me some hope. Maybe not so much now. I still dont think we're really all that bad to finish with 4-6 wins. So I'm gonna go 7-9, or am I still asking for too much? lol Dont answer that! (TGP Nation) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
