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