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