The Five Biggest Storylines Going Into Camp
Although there are some more practices between now and camp, what will be the big stories to track this summer? Here are my quick thoughts on what to watch.
1) Pete Kendall’s Status — It’s going to take some ballot stuffing for Kendall to be voted Co-Captain again by his teammates. Kendall has avoided the offseason “voluntary” conditioning program and has expressed displeasure with his contract. Kendall is a solid starter, and is the better guard for pulling plays and general steady performance. Adrien Clarke, who saw four starts in 2005 with the Eagles has been practicing at Left Guard in his place with the first team. Kendall is a professional, but it will be interesting to see how he handles himself and if the team views him as a liability during camp.
2) Justin McCareins Playing Time — McCareins stated after the playoff loss in January that he wanted to go play for a place that wanted him (to start). Unfortunately for him, he seems to be on a team who wants him, just not to start. I think the Jets would be more than happy to let Justin move on, but they aren’t going to help him with his packing if they can’t get something in return. As you might recall, the Eagles and Titans were the teams most notably interested in McCareins over the past few months. If Tim Dwight can make it back from his injuries and they keep McCareins, I think that this team could have one of the better ranked depth charts at WR 1-4. The issue with that is someone is going to get squeezed, and it’s likely to be Wallace Wright or Chansi Stuckey. The Jets are clearly letting the situation come to them … who’s to know if someone gets injured during training camp, no need to thin the roster now and suffer during the season.
3) Chad’s Backups — Any potential QB controversy was put to bed quickly in the offseason when Mangini announced the obvious, that Chad was his QB going into 2007. (Left the following out –B) What remains to be seen is whether or not Kellen Clemens is in fact ready to be the number two. The organization took a leap of faith (more of a step, actually) in releasing Patrick Ramsey and bringing in Tui. It seems an indication that they want Clemens off the scout team, and focusing on the nuances of the Offense. There has been a lot of scrutiny around Clemens in the recent OTAs, keep watch of how he looks during his reps, but don’t overread into the situation.
4) No Room at the Front Seven — The Jets added a lot of players to a D-Line that struggled last season, but it remains to be seen if the unit will be substantially better with the additions. With the many pickups, there’s only so many roster spots that the team can allocate going into the season, so camp will determine who gets to stay, and who will be looking elsewhere for a job. Hint: Unlike Herm’s regime, just because you are older, doesn’t mean you get to hang around.
5) Rookie Impact — How do the two top rookies, Darrelle Revis and David Harris look in camp? I imagine that Mangini will describe them as “swimming” at some point, but how quickly can they pick up their assignments, proper techniques and where will they fit on the depth chart? The Jets could use Revis and Harris immediately, but how Mangini and company assesses their progress is another matter.
21 Responses to The Five Biggest Storylines Going Into Camp
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swg says:
I love Chad, but I would have to say that his health (despite 16 games last year) will always be the biggest question for the Jets success every year. When he is on the field they stay in games and win more than they lose. When he is hurt, they have been awful.
He is not a pro-bowler, but he is a rhodes scholar, and that intelligence makes up for lack of arm strength.
Losing him is always my biggest fear.
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Ferragamo says:
Good stuff fellas. I’m really interested in seeing the outcome of everything discussed. Another thing I’m looking forward to watching is how the UDFA’s come along, most notably Leonard Peters. I know it’s hard to expect a lot of from undrafted players, but for some reason I’m expecting some kind impact from the kid, either on special teams or in the nickel.
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oscarfactor says:
I have to agree with SWG. The Jets have gotten to a point now where we can plug in players at almost every position and still compete. That statement holds true EXCEPT at QB if Chad goes down. I think Clemens will be the man after the 2008 season (it took three years for Chad to watch and learn, remember?) and although I am a Univ. of Washington alum, Marcus Tuiasosopo is still an unknown as an NFL QB.
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Joe B. says:
I also agree on the Chad Pennington comments- with him we have a fighters chance. On another note, I’m generally an “the glass is half full” person but I’m nervous about the defensive running game! We didn’t address the nose gaurd position and J. Vilma’s game was truley affected last year.
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wayne says:
Great synopsis, but another thing to watch is the salary cap.
Are they going to spend the money, and if so how? Do they bring in a high priced vet, structure the rookie contracts to impact on the cap this year, restructure and extend some of the important young players???
MOST importantly by far, will they ever get around to extending Mangini and Mr. T?
I understand Woody’s reluctance in this area after Herm backfired, but they need to tie up these guys so Kraft does not swoop in and steal them when Bellichek retires next winter.
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Joe I understand your fear about the NT position, I would have loved to see the Jets bring Sam Adams in but he signed with Denver. The Jets have a lot of faith in Dewayne Robertson and Sione Pouha, who missed all of last season with a knee injury, could be the run-stuffer we need in the middle of our defense at 6-3, 325 pounds. Let’s hope they can get some solid production from Robertson as the starter, with Pouha and CJ Mosley in a rotation.
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Bent says: Pouha is currently reportedly at around 310-315, as is Fitch. Clearly the Jets just don’t require that kind of bulk from their NT. That could backfire, but we’ll have to wait and see. It would worry me against some of the more physical teams.
Let’s hope the upgrades at DE, LB and CB have an effect.
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billvv says:
And the fun begins tomorrow!
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TOON2388 says:
The Kendall situation is far & away the most important story. If the FAs & rookies develop slowly or become busts, we are no worse off than we were last year – and still might be slightly better as it is year 2 and the incumbents should be more comfortable. Losing Kendall could have the same affect as losing Randy Thomas did 4 years ago.
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SackDance99 says:
This week’s “Jets Nation” on SNY featured a segment with a restrained Cimini. He mentioned that one of the players making a name for himself during the OTAs was UDFA Robert Turner, who is a 6’4″, 308 lb., LG from New Mexico. Of course, LG is Pete Kendall’s position.
The competition at RDE and LOLB should be intense. Coleman is the front-runner at RDE, with Hicks and Haynes pushing him and LOLB, with Bowens, Wadsworth, Hobson, etc. all vying for the starting spot. Those will be the most intense position battles.
I’m also curious about Brett Ratliff, he doesn’t have much of a college resume because he was a juco transfer and only started 1 year at Utah. He’s tall with a reputation as a dinker and dunker, but allegedly has a strong arm. And, I liked Chansi Stuckey the few times that I saw him, and I wonder if he will pan out. Also, I want to see Revis as the punt returner. If he’s good, the Jets special teams should be close to the best in the NFL this season.
And, I want to see Barnes lead blocking for TJ…will we actually have an interior running game?
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Bent says:
All good points. Seeing it laid out like that, we do have some options and will have to hope someone steps up in each of the question mark areas.
I worry about Revis with some of the reports about him struggling to handle punts, although this wasn’t an issue for him in college.
Ratliff could be a good back-up because from what I saw of him, he has the kind of poise to step in and manage the game at short notice. I wouldn’t be as confident in him as a starter.
Cimini made similar comments about Norm Katnik last year, who was actually an opening day starter, but not by design.
Agree with whoever it was that was excited to see whether Tutt and Smith can enjoy an increased role.
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Yes TOON, the Kendall situation is critical! The game begins upfront, without the front line it doesn’t matter who is QB or RB. I feel that Kendall is a good soldier and will be in the lineup come Sept. vs. the Pats.
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Mike A. says:
All great comments by you guys, but I agree with those that are concerned about the middle of our front seven. If we are going to be any good with the 3-4 we need a nose tackle that requires double teaming. I thought Sam Adams would have been a great insurance move.
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Aargh!!! D-Rob gets double-teamed every play, was probably the Jets second best defensive player last season (behind Rhodes), and is poised to be even better this season. Unlike Sam Adams, D-Rob is more versatile because he can play the run and the pass. In short yardage or against teams that only run, I’d like a Sam Adams too. But, in an “8 men in the box” alignment with D-Rob. The Jets didn’t collect NT/DTs because the real weakness in the DL was at RDE (Kimo or as I like to call him “Highway 67″). D-Rob needs a breather now and then and his arthritic knee won’t get better with age, but if he plays as well as he did the second half of last season for a full season, he’ll be in the Pro Bowl.
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SackDance, you’re the first one i’ve heard who’s so optimistic about DRob. Pro Bowl huh? I can’t say i’m as giddy as you, but if he has that kind of year the defense might actually be good.
Overall, the team seems to have a lot of upside on both sides of the ball, but it seems like all the stars will have to be perfectly aligned for them to have a good year. All the picks, trades and FA will have to work out. Players that under achieved in the system last year will have to play well this year. And some players will simply have to take their game to a new level.
It seems reasonable to forecast improvement at any given positioin, but collectively it seems like a lot to hope for. Truth be told, if all the moves Tangini have made during the offseason work out it would be nothing short of remarkable.
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love that “highway 67″ comment!
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Yes SackDance- I was pleased with D-Rob’s play in the second half of the season but to many times the center alone was able to turn him one way or another and the guards were pasting J. Vilma. How many tackles did J.Vilma make 4-6 yards down field!
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Joe B., early in the season, D-Rob allowed himself to be directed upfield by the center and would take himself out of plays. Then, he started to penetrate, read and react, which is what a 2-gap, 3-4 NT has to do and he did it very well. I thought the real problem was Highway 67. The other team would run to the weak side (away from D-Rob who would have to protect the strong side gap) and the weakside guard would seal off Vilma while the weakside tackle drove Kimo back. Then, it would be an RB one-on-one with Barton, who does not move well laterally. That was an instant 4 yard gain (at least) every time.
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Bent says:
Robertson has made slow starts and come on strong later in the past before though. Hopefully last year was a sign of him “getting it” and not an indication that he’ll be slow off the blocks this year too.
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Joe B. says:
Let’s collectively hope this is D-Rob’s year to breakout from the get go and be consistent! Go JETS!
Those are all great points. I’m also curious to see if there is a difference in Pennington with a full off-season of concentrating on football rather than rehabbing, as well as the impact of Thomas Jones on the running game, the development of Brad Smith and how Leon Washington will be utilized.
On the defense, I’m curious about the linebackers (Barton vs. Harris, in particular) and if Eric Smith gives Erik Coleman some competition at safety.