| The New York Jets are hoping to bounce back | | | | agency. Trey Teague was signed away from |
| from a dismal 4-12 campaign that saw Herm | | | | Buffalo and will take over at center, |
| Edwards pack up and leave for what he | | | | allowing Pete Kendall to move back to guard. |
| believes are greener pastures in Kansas City. | | | | Rookie Nick Mangold will challenge Teague. |
| New coach Eric Mangini brings the system he | | | | Brandon Moore will join Kendall at guard. |
| learnt under Bill Belichick in New England to | | | | Rookie stud D'Brickashaw Ferguson should step |
| New York with the hopes of revitalizing a | | | | right in at left tackle and start for the |
| sagging franchise.Mangini was busy from the | | | | next 10 or so years. Adrian Jones will man |
| get-go in changing the face of the Jets. | | | | the right side, but free agent signee Anthony |
| Numerous free agents were brought in, some | | | | Clement (49ers) also is there.Defense: This |
| top stars were let go and for once the New | | | | unit is where the biggest change will take |
| York fans loved what the franchise did in the | | | | place. Mangini was the defensive coordinator |
| draft. So maybe there's a ray of light after | | | | for the Patriots and most likely will switch |
| all?Offense: This is a unit that has nowhere | | | | the Jets from a 4-3 to a 3-4. Another factor |
| to go but up. Last season the Jets scored 255 | | | | will be how this unit regroups after the loss |
| points, only the Cleveland Browns had less. | | | | of John Abraham. He might not have been a |
| With Chad Pennington getting injured once | | | | good locker room guy, but his 10.5 sacks will |
| again and Curtis Martin finally showed signs | | | | be missed.In this new look defense, Shaun |
| of age - this offense went nowhere | | | | Ellis and free agent pick up Kimo Von |
| fast.Pennington returns for another season in | | | | Oelhoffen (Steelers) will be at the defensive |
| Jetsville, but competition has been brought | | | | end spots. Dave Ball and rookie Titus Adams |
| in because Mr. Pennington is as brittle as a | | | | should see playing time as well. Dwayne |
| dry, dead leaf. The Jets went out and signed | | | | Robertson will hold down the nose tackle spot |
| Patrick Ramsey from the Washington Redskins. | | | | with Adams possible sliding over too.Jonathan |
| Ramsey's situation is similar to Joey | | | | Vilma returns as the unquestioned superstar |
| Harrington's. He came out of Tulane with a | | | | of the Jets defense. He followed up his |
| huge reputation and high ratings from the | | | | Rookie of the Year season with an even more |
| scouts. Instead of living up to that rep, | | | | impressive sophomore one. There were no slump |
| Ramsey has been a career underachiever. He | | | | here as Vilma racked up 169 tackles and a |
| hopes to change that in New York. Brooks | | | | trip to the Pro Bowl. Victor Hobson, Eric |
| Bollinger, last seasons starter, and rookie | | | | Barton and rookie Anthony Schlegel should |
| Kellen Clemens are also in the mix.Martin was | | | | make up the rest of the starting corps.Ty Law |
| bothered by injuries in 2005, but one has to | | | | took his 10 interception season and left |
| think that time is finally catching up to the | | | | town, but all is not lost at the cornerback |
| future hall-of-famer. His string of 10 | | | | position. David Barrett (five interceptions) |
| consecutive thousand-yard seasons was snapped | | | | returns along with Justin Miller, who had a |
| (he finished with 735 yards and five | | | | solid rookie campaign. Also added via free |
| touchdowns) and he didn't seem to have that | | | | agency were Ray Mickens (Browns) and Andre |
| extra something to shed defenders.But make no | | | | Dyson (Seahawks). Barrett and Dyson should be |
| mistake he's still a threat, even at the ripe | | | | the starters.At safety, Erik Coleman and |
| old football age of 33. Martin comes into | | | | Kerry Rhodes return after a solid 2005 |
| 2006 with 14,101 career rushing yards, 484 | | | | seasons. Coleman registered 121 tackles and |
| receptions and 100 career touchdowns. His | | | | two picks, while Rhodes made 105 stops, good |
| presence in the locker room alone is enough | | | | enough for second and third on the team |
| to help the Jets. Cedric Houston (302 yards) | | | | leaderboard. Rashad Washington, Andre Maddox |
| saw his workload increase late in the season | | | | and rookie Eric Smith provide depth.Special |
| and that could carry over. Derrick Blaylock | | | | Teams: Kicker Mike Nugent had an impressive |
| and rookie Leon Washington will see time as | | | | rookie season, going 22-28 in field goals and |
| well. B.J. Askew returns at fullback.Longtime | | | | 24-24 in extra points. With more experience, |
| New York fan favorite, Wayne Chrebet, called | | | | he'll only get better. Ben Graham (43.7) |
| it a career and the Jets need to find some | | | | returns as punter. Miller is the kick |
| people to stand up. This was one of the | | | | returner (26.3), while Dwight will most |
| weakest receiving groups in the NFL last | | | | likely replace Cotchery returning |
| season. It didn't help much that the | | | | punts.Outlook: Mangini will bring his |
| quarterback position was in flux | | | | knowledge and a badly needed winning attitude |
| either.Lavernues Coles (73-845-5) is the | | | | to the New York franchise. But the unsettled |
| number one and will be counted on to lead | | | | situation at quarterback, an aging Curtis |
| this group once again. Justin McCareins | | | | Martin and weak receiving unit, spells |
| (43-713-2) will be the number-two man with | | | | trouble with a capital T. The Jets will |
| Jericho Cotchery playing in the slot. Free | | | | struggle to score points once again and it |
| agent pickup, Tim Dwight, will be the fourth | | | | may take them some time to absorb the 3-4 |
| receiver. Rookie Brad Smith, former | | | | scheme on defense.Prediction: Mangini will |
| quarterback at Missouri, will get a look at | | | | make the Jets a better club. They'll play |
| wideout as well. Doug Jolley (29-324-1) and | | | | hard and be competitive, but a lack of talent |
| Chris Baker (18-269-1) return at tight | | | | on the offensive side of the ball spells |
| end.There could be major changes on the | | | | another losing season for the Jets. Look for |
| offensive line, thanks to the draft and free | | | | a 4-12 or 5-11 record from New York. |