Posts Tagged ‘Shonne Green’

2009 New York Jets: Five Things to Watch For

The Jets accepted the fact that Eric Mangini wasn’t quite the “genius” everyone thought he was, and after saying good-bye to Brett Favre, began a true transformation.

With the hiring of Rex Ryan and drafting of Shonne Green, the Jets proved that they were heavily committed to running the football and shutting down teams with an aggressive defense.

Top it off with a new franchise quarterback, and the Jets have the makings for a competitive playoff team that could contend for years to come.

The question is, will one of those year’s be 2009?

Read on to see five things to watch for this season.

5. Mark Sanchez vs. Kellen Clemens

Sanchez was highly touted, and rightfully so, and is easily the best quarterback on the Jets roster, already despite being a rookie. While Kellen Clemens is a “veteran”, very little about his game would actually suggest it. Sanchez may not be polished in some respects and have NFL-ready game-managing skills, but he’s a true gamer, and has better instincts than Clemens.

Despite Clemens being dubbed the “opening day” starter for the pre-season, it’s unlikely he holds onto the job.

Sanchez can make things happen on the run, has a better arm than Clemens, and would give New York a Joe Namath, young-gun mystique that it hasn’t had in almost 40 years.

Look for the rookie to win the job.

4. The Rex Ryan Era

Ryan new how to build defenses and get them to perform at the highest level in Baltimore, so why would that change in New York?

The only difference now is the colorful Ryan has the ability to choose all of his players, rather than have his personnel decisions handed down to him and made for him.

Ryan knows talent, and he knows potential. But the best part is that he knows, with a deeper understanding than most, that there’s a difference between the two.

Eric Mangini left a solid corps of players that Ryan can easily work with, while some former Baltimore defenders, Jim Leonhard and Bart Scott, who were both successful in his system, joined the team.

Another thing to note is that Mangini has been around contending teams that had in-experienced or rookie quarterbacks. Just look at Joe Flacco.

The tools are there on both sides of the ball, and if we go by history, the Jets should be very competitive.

3. The Progression of Vernon Gholston

After being a rookie bust in 2008, while registering just 13 tackles, Gholston finally has life.

With Rex Ryan in town, he should receive the best guidance and teaching he’s ever gotten, and should every change to succeed in Ryan’s aggressive 3-4.

Gholston is even the starter to start the season, and he was picked to be Calvin Pace’s replacement after Pace was suspended for four games.

It may be difficult to hold off Pace when he gets back, but Gholston is too athletic to not make things happen in a Rex Ryan system.

Anticipate a break-out season for the second-year player.

2. Can Thomas Jones Do It Again?

Before Brett Favre, Jones was just cracking 1,000 yards and scored one measly touchdown in 2008. With Favre? Jones is still relishing in a 13-touchdown Pro Bowl season.

Post-Favre? You tell me.

Jones is 32, more than likely just hit the highest numbers he’ll ever get, and has fierce talent around him weighting for more carries.

Leon Washington, despite being in contract discussions, is still a home-run threat every time he touches the ball, making it an almost certainty that his touches will increase.

Throw in the rookie, Shonne Green, the Jets pre-determined “closer”, and Jones is suddenly in a very quiet RBBC.

If that is indeed the case, which it plainly is, there’s no way Jones scores over 10 touchdowns again, and could even struggle to top 1,000 yards.

But hey, if it means a division title, who cares, right?

1. Can Jerricho Cotchery Survive On His Own?

Probably not.

Cotchery isn’t particularly fast, and isn’t overly reliable in traffic or on deep balls.

To be honest, Cotchery has been living in an elite receiver’s body, but has put in very average results.

It didn’t help that he has never had any truly elite help to take the focus off of him, but being the top (and only) option sure doesn’t hurt your stock, either.

There is no true second receiver behind Cotchery that is scary to opposing defenses, while Dustin Keller and Leon Washington are the only other effective options in the passing game.

If another receiver can’t emerge from the mix to help out Cotchery, he may fold up. Like a lawn chair.

Fantasy Football: Top 5 Rookies

There won’t be a Matt Ryan or Joe Flacco this year.

Mark Sanchez could see his team get the playoffs, but it will undoubtedly not be because he throws for 3,000 yards and 20+ touchdowns.

There’s not going to be an Adrian Peterson, or a slew of Chris Johnson’s, Steve Slaton’s, and Matt Forte’s.

Realistically, there are only two rookie running backs worth drafting in the top five rounds.

That might even be a reach.

Wide Receivers are no different.

There are a few with a solid chance at starting, and a few more with duties in the slot almost guaranteed.

But superstars? Not even Michael Crabtree.

If you must take a chance, or are investing for a dynasty or keeper league, here’s the top five guys that could pan out, just as you’d hoped.

Honorable Mentions: Donald Brown, Shonne Green, LeSean McCoy, Kenny Britt, Percy Harvin

5.Michael Crabtree, WR, San Francisco 49ers

Regardless of what some biased scouts said about him, the guy can flat-out play.

He has the hands, smarts, and body control of a dominant NFL wide receiver, and that’s exactly what he’ll be-some day.

Crabtree is still behind Isaac Bruce, Josh Morgan, and probably even Jason Hill.

Due to missed practices and the depth ahead of him, Crabtree is in danger of starting his rookie year as the fourth option.

He’s still been going high (eighth) round, so you may have to fight for him.

But I suggest you let someone else take that chance.

4. Brian Robiskie, WR, Cleveland Browns

If there’s any receiver who is a shoe-in to start, it’s Robiskie.

He has exceptional hands and body control, and reportedly runs routes and handles coverage like a veteran.

He may not have blazing speed, but Robiskie is vastly underrated, and projects to snag the number two spot before the season starts.

Robiskie would make for a nice steal in rounds 8 to 10.

3. Knownshon Moreno, RB, Denver Broncos

He could very well end up being the best player on this list (this year, and beyond), but his offensive system and depth at his position really don’t suggest so.

Head Coach Josh McDaniels runs 3-4 backs at all times, and prefers the pass over the run. If Kyle Orton does well, they’ll stick to that plan, which could have Moreno falling short of 1,000 yards, despite being “the starter.”

2. Jeremy Maclin, WR, Philadelphia Eagles

There’s simply too much talent ahead of him for him to start right away.

Kevin Curtis has paid his dues and is still effective, while it’s unrealistic to think the electric DeSean Jackson will take a back seat to the rookie.

Maclin’s talent is off the charts, though, with excellent size, speed, and hands.

He won’t start the season as Philly’s go-to receiver, but he’s likely to send Curtis to slot duties, eventually.

1. Chris “Beanie” Wells, RB, Arizona Cardinals

Don’t buy the hype.

Tim Hightower is a failed experiment, and Arizona spent a first rounder on Wells for a good reason: to start him.

He may be eased into the role, but there’s no reason to have him sit behind the ineffective Hightower.

Hightower has a slight advantage in the passing game, but expecting that to keep Wells off the field is simply laughable.

The Cardinals aim to have a more balanced attack, and if Wells can help make that successful, he could post the best numbers of all the rookies.