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