Newz Forum: FOOTBALL: New York Jets Preview 2004

J-E-T-S... is this really necessary? While yours' truly detests the Gang Green franchise, especially that chant, who believe's the Jets have a legitimate shot of making it back to the promised land, somewhere they didn't visit in last season's 6-win debacle. In 2004, though, they'll have starting QB Chad Pennington right from the beginning, unlike last year, when he broke his wrist and missed the first seven weeks of the season (The Jets were 2-4 during that stretch). Furthermore, the Jets will have returning WRs Wayne Chrebet and Santana Moss, who endured a break-out performance in 2003 with 74 catches and 10 touchdowns, as well as WR Justin McCareins, acquired for a 2nd-round draft pick from the Titans.

RB Curtis Martin will also be back, of course, as he looks to add an amazing tenth-straight 1,000-yard rushing season to his resume. His current nine-year streak is already an NFL record. The biggest problem the Jets had last year was their defense against the run, and made some minor improvements to that unit by adding CB David Barrett, SS Reggie Tongue, and LB Eric Barton. It's all up to Chad, though. Stay healthy, retain your 2002-form, and you're going to the playoffs.

Football About.com

While most of the attention in the Big Apple is on Eli Manning, Kurt Warner, and the new-look New York Giants, the other team that calls the Meadowlands home is conspiring to steal the spotlight. The New York Jets, coming off their first losing season since 1996, are quietly formulating a plan to put themselves back among the NFL elite. Quarterback Chad Pennington, who two years ago was one of the league's top signal-callers, is back and fully healthy. His best receiver, Santana Moss, comes off a breakthrough season and will be joined by another pass-catching talent in Justin McCareins. The running game, led by the ageless Curtis Martin, doesn't look to be slowing down, and the offensive line got better in a hurry when it signed Cardinals castoff Pete Kendall. The defense will be in the trusted hands of coordinator Donnie Henderson, who formerly worked wonders with the secondary of the Baltimore Ravens. There are several concerns for Herman Edwards' team, with depth and the defense's ability to grasp a new scheme chief among them. But even if the Jets don't realize their postseason goals, the club should be able to prove the Eli vs. Kurt-obsessed public of one fact: the best team playing in Giants Stadium isn't the Giants.


For the Jets to be successful this year, it is imperative that Pennington remain relatively injury free. He is one of the game's up-and-coming stars at the position, but if he were to miss significant time again this year, it would be disastrous for the Jets chances to be competitive. Over the past two seasons, the Jets are just 3-8 without Pennington in the lineup, and with virtually no experience on the bench, they might be hard pressed to match those feeble numbers if their No. 1 guy isn't available.

During the off-season, the Jets brought in former Titan Justin McCareins to start opposite Santana Moss. McCareins will have to adjust to moving from the slot to the outside, but he gives Pennington a big-play threat with his ability to stretch a defense. Having another legitimate weapon in the lineup will take a lot of pressure off Moss, who should thrive in the No. 2 role. He lacks size, but he is very elusive and is good at racking up yards after the catch. Veteran Wayne Chrebet will play the slot in three-receiver sets, and while he is nearing the end of his career, he still plays with intensity and isn't afraid to take a hit. Rookie Jericho Cotchery, who was drafted in the fourth round of this year's NFL Draft, and youngster Jonathon Carter will fill the fourth and fifth receiver roles. Anthony Becht is a decent receiving and blocking tight end, but he lacks the speed to stretch the middle of the defense. Backup Chris Baker is a hard worker, but he lacks size and discipline in his route running. Overall, the receiving corps is solid, but depth is a major concern. One injury could have a devastating effect.

The Jets aren't necessarily weak in any area outside of the secondary, but that doesn't mean they'll have a strong year. Edwards' team has some of the worst depth in the league at quarterback, running back, and on both lines, and could be a couple of injuries away from having their season spiral out of control. It's a wonder they didn't learn their lesson when Pennington went down in 2003. If the Jets stay mostly injury-free, they'll have a chance to challenge Buffalo for the No. 2 spot in the AFC East, and could even be a major player in the hunt for a Wild Card berth. But staying injury-free in the rugged NFL is an extremely risky proposition, which is why the Jets will probably crash after a seven- or eight- win 2004 campaign.



[Edited on 13/9/04 by TRD]

Martin proved he wasnt old, and chad prove dhe is ready to go

If they stay injury free you think they have a chance at the no 2 spot in the AFC east?

Originally posted by TRD
If they stay injury free you think they have a chance at the no 2 spot in the AFC east?

Even if theyhave some injuries, i'd expect at least the # 2 in the east. Unless the Bills surprise.

Jets safety McGraw fined for helmet hit on Chargers quarterback

New York Jets safety Jon McGraw was fined $7,500 Friday for a helmet-to-helmet hit on San Diego Chargers quarterback Drew Brees, who sustained a concussion.

McGraw was called for roughing the passer late in the third quarter of the Jets' 34-28 win on Sunday. He was fined for hitting Brees in the chest and head area with his helmet, NFL spokesman Vince Casey said.

Brees declared himself ready to start Sunday's game at Denver after being cleared by the team's medical staff on Wednesday. The NFL injury report Friday listed Brees as a probable starter against the Broncos.

Despite the hit, Brees stayed in for 12 plays and threw a 33-yard touchdown pass. He wasn't happy to get pulled with less than four minutes left, tossing his helmet on the sideline and having a heated discussion with coach Marty Schottenheimer.

The Jets are off Sunday and play Miami on Oct. 3.

source

CBS

This team has been, to me at least, a pleasent surprise so far. I didn't really expect too much from them, since they didn't do too much last year, and didnt' seem to add too much in the off-season. But, with a rejuvinated Curtis Martin, a solid D, and Pennington staying healthy, they have cruised to a more than respectable 4-0 record. I f only they didn't play in the same division as the patriots...

New England's Richard Semour grabs onto Jets quarterback Chad Pennington and won't let go.