New York Jets team needs

by Dan Kadar on Jun 30, 2010 10:00 AM EDT

The Jets are one of the favorite preseason picks to go to the Super Bowl this season. With that reasoning, the team should be strong in almost every area. Even with Rex Ryan as head coach, the Jets have some questionable areas on defense. Although they have intriguing pieces at each of the areas of need, a better replacement could probably be found next offseason.

In no particular order, here's a look at the needs the Jets may have to fill:

Defensive end: Shaun Ellis is solid at one side, but a big issue facing the Jets is whether or not Vernon Gholston can handle 3-4 end. He's done nothing his whole career and this is his last chance to make it. Fellow end Mike DeVito is solid but more of a depth player.

Outside linebacker: Unless Jason Taylor can come in and play like he did five years ago, the Jets lack an elite pass rusher. Bryan Thomas is more of a run stopper. Calvin Pace is good on one end, but he's never had more than the eight sacks he registered in 2009.

Free safety: Jim Leonard is set at strong, but the team has a mix of players to figure out at the free safety position. The job appears to be a tossup between Brodney Pool, Eric Smith, undrafted rookie Donovan Warren and cornerback convert Dwight Lowery. The Jets need a bona-fide pass defender at free safety to allow Leonard to play the run, where he's better.

Kicker: The current kicker is Nick Folk, who was cut by Dallas, a dome team. It would be a surprise if Folk played any better in worse conditions.

Running back: Shonn Greene performed well in the playoffs, but that was only two games. This becomes a need if he can't be the kind of lead back the team expects. And don't get too excited about LaDanian Tomlinson either. He hasn't averaged four yards a carry since the 2008 season and will be a worn down 31 when the season starts.

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Gholston plays outside linebacker

by The Licensed Pessimist on Jun 30, 2010 10:35 AM EDT reply actions

he has been moved to end

think before you post

Oh momma I'm in fear for my life from the long arm of the law
Lawman has put an end to my running and I'm so far from my home
Oh momma I can hear you a'crying you're so scared and all alone
Hangman is comin' down from the gallows and I don't have very
long

If Troy, Harrison and Woodley are on top of their game, that is good for 9 wins right there, regardless of what is going on with their offense. - Mr MaLoR 28/6/10

by Josh Roberts (ESGB) on Jun 30, 2010 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions

Finally someone who is realistic with Shonn Green

Too many people are already calling him a top 10 back… BS! He’s got the talent but he has yet to consistently show it on the field

by DBroncs1414 on Jun 30, 2010 1:54 PM EDT reply actions

If the o-line can perform the way it did last season (where Thomas Jones gained 1400 yards), Greene should rush for at least 1600 yards this season.

by Crackback on Jun 30, 2010 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions

at least 1600, of course

maybe 2600

KEEP LEE!!!

by FreeBradshaw on Jun 30, 2010 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs

LOL

by DBroncs1414 on Jun 30, 2010 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions

+1

"Lord, beer me strength."

by TexansDC on Jun 30, 2010 7:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Its less excitement over Greene than it is an indictment of Jones. TJ never broke tackles and he never made anybody miss. All he did was run through gaping holes and rip off chunks of yards without being touched. Greene is both nore elusive (speed) and more powerful, meaning he’ll outperform TJ if the circumstances are similar.

TJ is grossly overrated.

by Crackback on Jun 30, 2010 11:27 PM EDT up reply actions

If you honestly expect Greene to be breaking multiple tackles a play

your wrong. Hes a power back. Yes, he proved pretty good in a couple of games but honestly no power backs usually are big play guys, especially a guy like Greene. TJ has better Field Vision than most backs. Greene is still learning the game. An honest, non homer predicition would be he will rush for over a 100. But to say at least 1600 is just retarded

by DBroncs1414 on Jul 1, 2010 1:04 AM EDT up reply actions

meant he will rush for over 1000

by DBroncs1414 on Jul 1, 2010 1:04 AM EDT up reply actions

Seeing as....

Only 20 RBs in the past 9 seasons have rushed for 1,600+ yards in a season, it’s a bit of a reach to predict that anyone tops 1,600 especially a guy who rushed for less than 600 yards last season.

"Lord, beer me strength."

by TexansDC on Jul 1, 2010 1:05 AM EDT up reply actions

Jones may be overrated

the Jets have an excellent run blocking OL (and really..that’s all they did was run) and Jones reaped the benefits.

But its funny how Jets fans sneeze at 1400 yards. That’s a lot for one back to achieve.

Maybe TJ doesn’t do that this year, but to expect Shonn Greene to not only match that, but surpass it…well, that makes Shonn Green grossly overrated as well.

I’d say he’s got a good shot at getting 1000 yards given the likely event that Sanchez will still be coddled. But 1600yards is no easy task..unless you got inside info the 18 game season is happening in 2010

KEEP LEE!!!

by FreeBradshaw on Jul 1, 2010 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions

will that line be excellent with ducasse in place of Faneca and with Woody aging a bit?

I teach good life choices. That’s why I almost didn’t graduate High School.

by bross09 on Jul 1, 2010 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Thomas Jones, as of now, is better than Shonn

So to expect that Greene walks into the same O, and to get better stats is just homerism. Who knows, he could have a breakout year, but there is no way you can honestly say he is “at least 1600”!

U, my friend, are exactly what I meant by people having to curb their Greene expectations. and if you honestly expect LT to sit back and become the #2 guy with no issues, your crazy. He always was a quiet, level headed guy in SD when he was their guy, now that he’s not the guy, he’s coping with it by constantly talking to the media. If Greene even slightly struggles, expect LT to beg to the media for more carries, and from their your team will be screwed

by DBroncs1414 on Jun 30, 2010 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions

he showed it consistently, he just hasn’t showed consistency for an extended period of time.

I teach good life choices. That’s why I almost didn’t graduate High School.

by bross09 on Jul 1, 2010 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Thats my point

Its not consistent ifits not over an extended period of time

by DBroncs1414 on Jul 2, 2010 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions

and that may be how you define consistent, but someone can be consistent if not over an extended period of time.

for example, my favorite baseball team has a rookie catcher who has been one of their most consistent hitters (carlos santana). However, he has not played a ton of time in the majors so has not been consistent over at least a whole season. However, he has shown consistency in the time he has been given…I would consider that short term consistency but still consistency.

I teach good life choices. That’s why I almost didn’t graduate High School.

by bross09 on Jul 7, 2010 11:42 PM EDT up reply actions

The Jets have no needs

they will go undefeated. Sanchize will throw 25 TD’s to Braylon Edwards alone. Shonn Greene will break every rushing (and sack) record. Rexy is such a great coach he might even get Vernon Gholston on the field.

World Series Champs 2011, NY Jets.

Signed…Jet fans.

KEEP LEE!!!

by FreeBradshaw on Jun 30, 2010 5:29 PM EDT reply actions

Hahaha.

"Everything is a lie. Except that last statement."

"God I'm excited for those two to fail miserably." - SBNation writer Andrew Sharp on Josh McDaniels and Tim Tebow.

Quitter's People United Member #18

by Tempestuous Binary on Jun 30, 2010 5:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Dont forget

They’ll replace the knicks in NY and win an NBA championship LOL

by DBroncs1414 on Jun 30, 2010 8:10 PM EDT up reply actions

I hear the Jets are the leading contender to sign Lebron this summer. This should solve all pass rushing problems as soon as he’s converted to OLB.

by Legoman0721 on Jul 1, 2010 12:12 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Awwww

No D. Wade? You must be a Jets hater, like Jets fans think everyone who doesnt like their team is lol

by DBroncs1414 on Jul 1, 2010 1:05 AM EDT up reply actions

I actually do like the Jets, but I think it was a mistake to release Thomas Jones. I’ve been very high on Shonne Green, and I said the Browns should’ve drafted him, but I think he would be best utilized in a multiple RB rotation.

by Legoman0721 on Jul 1, 2010 8:12 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

And then converted to play DE opposite Gholston?

IMO

by Foilhat on Jul 2, 2010 7:34 PM EDT up reply actions

yup, all true

by Yankees10 on Jun 30, 2010 8:28 PM EDT up reply actions

this is why i love you

Signed,

Giants hating, green-bleeding Eagles fan

by birds'n'raiders on Jun 30, 2010 10:12 PM EDT up reply actions

I was a little surprised they didnt try and add a edge rusher early

But I like both their early picks

IMO

by Foilhat on Jul 2, 2010 12:57 AM EDT reply actions

The only way I can justify it

is that Rex Ryan is confident enough that he can create pressure through his scheme instead of the more traditional approach (specialized pass rushers).

Kyle Wilson was a good pick but when he was the consesus #2 CB on draft boards, and tied with or above Haden on others, and then he turns out to be the 4th CB taken makes me somewhat curious as to why that happened. Does anyone know why this happened?

by DBroncs1414 on Jul 2, 2010 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Corners come in different flavors

And the difference between the top 4 guys taken wasnt as big as people thought apparently. Some teams take the approach of drafting a projected number 1 stud, and others just attempt to get the best player for their system expecting him to start in his first year. All I can say about the top four guy corners taken, is I think NE got the best one for whatever thats worth

IMO

by Foilhat on Jul 2, 2010 7:33 PM EDT up reply actions