New York Jets Predictions 2008
July 21, 2008
Head coach Eric Mangini will be under the hot seat to bring immediate improvement to a Jets team that has spent over $120 Million in the off-season to upgrade their 4-12 2007 squad. The Jets threw enough money to upgrade talent on both sides of the ball on paper. The 2008 New York Jets NFL betting line to win the 2009 Superbowl are at 25-1 odds.
Neither Chad Pennington or 2006 2nd round pick Kellen Clemens hasn’t provided much danger to opposing defenses, and the Jets will be limited on offense until one of them proves otherwise. NY’s offense will stay on the conservative side on offense with their lack of a true game breaking weapon. The Jets best offensive player is WR Lavarneus Coles who can still fly (4.35 40-time), but he isn’t a player defenses have to adjust to like a Randy Moss. #2 wideout Jerricho Cotchery has good hands and knows how to make the tough catch, but he has only average speed. The Jets #3 man former QB Brad Smith has 4.45 speed but has only average hands and route running skills. Rookie TE Dustin Keller was a nice rookie addition that could provide the Jets with a much needed red-zone threat. The planes big problem in the passing game is still the play at QB. the bottom line has been that Pennington no longer has the arm to be a starter and Clemens doesn’t lacks the pocket presence to be a quality starter in the NFL.
Starting RB Thomas Jones was a complete flop for the Jets last season after big expectations but the 30-year old back shouldn’t be written off just yet. Jones is a one cut back that relies heavily on his O-line to create running lanes. Last season the Jets diminutive line couldn’t give Jones running room but the new revamped line will. Four former 1st round draft picks will man a physical line that should be among the NFL’s top 10 units. Backup RB Leon Washington could be the gamebreaking threat that the Jets need but they must get the ball in his hands more. The 5’8″ 200 Lb. Washington is a poor man’s Brian Westbrook that could be a serious weapon with his 4.30 speed and soft hands out of the backfield. Former All-Pro FB Tony Richardson will be a valuable addition to the red-zone short yardage game.
Head Coach Eric Mangini’s heavily involved in the Jets base 3-4 defense that is very disciplined. The biggest splash that Jets really made on their team will be the addition of DT Kris Jenkins. Jenkins is an anchor the middle that uses his 370 Lb. frame to punishing running backs. Disruptive defensive end Shaun Ellis is a powerful man with excellent technique and a nice array of pass-rush moves. NT Sione Pouha is a massive backup that could start for most teams and adds good depth to the Jets rotation up front.
The addition of Calvin Pace to the linebacking corps makes this a formidable faction. Pace is an above-average pass-rusher off the edge that can do a little bit of everything and should thrive in the 3-4. Pace might no be worth the six-year deal worth $42 million that New York threw at him, but he is a solid upgrade over the departed Victor Hobson. Replacing Jonathan Vilma on the inside will be David Harris who is an emerging star. The physical 6’2″ 243 Lb. Harris had 5 sacks and a team leading 127 tackles last season despite not starting until game 8. Rookie 1st round draft pick Vernon Gholston will be counted to contribute immediately. Ohio State alum Gholston is a freaksihly strong 6’4″ 265 Lb. “tweener” that can bench press over 500 Lbs. while running an amazing 4.45. Gholston had big consistency issues in college however so the jury will be out. Veteran inside linebacker Eric Barton is a smart LB that has only average ability but plays hard every down. Bryan Thomas adds depth as a pass-rushing threat but was a waste for the $25 million that New York spent on him.
Second year cornerback Derrelle Revis has All-Pro ability and NY is building the defensive backfield around him. At 5’11″ 205 Revis is a physical specimen that has outstanding ball skills and tackling power. Revis could be an All-Pro for the next decade after showing that he could lock horns with the likes of Randy Moss and Braylon Edwards as a rookie. Opposite of Revis is an open competiton between 4 pedestrian cover men with vetrean David Barrett expected to win the job. Strong safety should be in fine shape with the all-around abilities of Kerry Rhodes. Rhodes is an explosive tackler with good height and ball skills in coverage. Rhodes is an aggressive playmaker that is great in zone coverage but below-average in man coverage with his stiff hips. 3rd year man FS Abraham Elam 6’0″ 207 plays with a mean streak but is still is very raw in coverage. The Jets have good depth at this position.
The special teams have a dynamic weapon with returner Leon Washington who had 3 TD returns last season in a seven game span. Kicker Mike Nugent is accurate with above-average leg strength nailing 29-36 from inside 50 yards last year. Punter Ben Graham is a weak punter that could lose his job in the preseason. The Jets took a hit on their coaching staff when they lost special teams coach Mike Westhoff who was one of the NFL’s best.
2007 NY Jets NFL Betting Record: 6-9-1 ATS
2008 NY Jets NFL Betting Power Ratings
Coaching: 7
Quarterback: 6
Running Backs: 7
Offensive Line:7
Wideouts: 7
Defensive Line: 8
Linebackers: 7
Secondary: 7
Special Teams: 7
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