Link: ESPN AFC East Mailbag
By popular demand, I’m starting a thread to discuss the comments in Tim Graham’s AFC East mailbag.
Here’s the comment that’s got everyone going:
Garrett from New Jersey is incredulous ESPN.com listed the New York Jets at 20th in our recent power rankings. He asks “What do the Jets need to do before opening day to be considered a playoff contender?” He also can’t figure out how they could drop from last year’s final ranking of 17th.
Three spots isn’t exactly precipitous. Yes, the Jets added some weapons on defense, but they haven’t named a quarterback yet and haven’t replaced Laveranues Coles. As to the second issue raised, here’s what the Jets must do to be considered a playoff contender for a preseason poll: Rent a time machine and dial it back to the Bill Parcells era. They were the third-best team in the division last year. If they play well, they’ll move up.
Thoughts?
18 Responses to Link: ESPN AFC East Mailbag
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Fred says:
in 07 Browns were 32 and they ended up 10-6. Dolphins were 32 in 2008 and they ended up 11-5 divison champions over the 16-0 patriots. This means nothing.
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“what the Jets must do to be considered a playoff contender for a preseason poll: Rent a time machine and dial it back to the Bill Parcells era.”
Thanks for that piece of wonderful analysis and insight Graham…
…that has got to be one of the dumbest remarks I have ever read!
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Pats09 says:
if not 20th, then what would you honestly rank the Jets….I’m a Pats fan, and I personally think the Jets would be 17, not 20, but I think anything higher than that is pushing it.
Unproven coach, unproven QB, no WR’s ( at least none that can handle a #1 corner), and no depth, especially on defense,
the only real bright spots of the Jets is the OL and the RB, but I would be shocked if Jones and Washington had the same types of year again now that defenses can and will stuff the box with an unproven QB
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GREENBLOOD says:
Cool stats Fred
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Bent says:
Pats09 – the Jets are hard to project because they have so many unknown commodities. New coach, new QB, new faces on D. Based on the known commodities, 20 might be fair, but many Jets fans are optimistic that some of these things will have a positive impact.
I have numerous concerns about the Jets but, bizarrely, I’m quite comfortable with the WR situation, which I can’t see being that much different from the past few years (when the WRs weren’t great but overall the Jets still fared reasonably well).
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hank/naples says:
Bent:
Again we are pound wise, dollar foolish (or however that saying goes! ) We let coles leave withou having a sure replacement and to compound the problem our resident GENIUS Mr. Tannenbaum got zilch for him. It’s just one more core player we have to materialize from our pocket$.
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Bent says:
I think it’s “penny wise”.
You may prove to be right, but having followed Chansi throughout college I have a good feeling about him and I’m hopeful Keller, Smith and/or Clowney can pick up the slack too. I’m usually pessimistic about stuff like that, but for some reason, I’m confident they’ll cope without Coles, especially if they run the ball a lot.
Far more worried about the depth throughout the team and uncertainty at QB (just to prove I’m not being a homer).
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StvDoe says:
If I’m an outsider I’d guess I’d put the Jets middle of the pack, or lower.
9-7 last year with Favre. To the outsider the “loss” of Brett might hurt us. The aforementioned unknown HC and the “loss” of Mangini. The actual loss of a proven WR in Coles. A rookie QB who either won’t start or be unlikely to be successful if he does.
On the plus side some quality FA pick-ups and a promising #3 RB. That’s about it.
Of course from our perspective many of these facts are viewed differently. Favre and Mangini addition by subtraction. Finally an aggressive defense. A positive HC who speaks his mind. A QB that most of us seem to think will be a really good one.
So I won’t let a silly ranking by a bunch of outsiders upset me. I’m just looking forward to a chance for a NEW Jets team with a NEW attitude to show it on the field.
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ESD says:
I’m not sure how much trade value LC was going to have.
He is a little bit long in the tooth.I’m also comfortable with the WRs on the roster.
The biggest concern is telegraphing based on packages.
For instance, if Clowney is in, look for a deep route.
If Dustin Keller is the lone TE, probably not a rushing down.With that said, execution is the key rather than schemes.
As my old wrestling coach said, “you know you’re good when you can tell the other guy how you are going to beat him, and he still can’t stop you.”The Pats will dump it off to Welker and Moss all year, and most teams won’t be able to stop them.
Similarly, we’ll hand it off to our running backs, and most teams won’t be able to stop us.
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Tim is right that these polls dont mean much. I do think they put too much weight in the QB question when comparing 2008 to 2009. The fact is Brett Favre in 2009 played just like Kellen Clemens did in 2008. Other than a name there is very little difference in play. I’d also argue that the Jets were probably the best team in the division last year though they ran much hotter and colder than New England and Miami. Miami was the worst team of the three despite the division title.
I also thin Bent has a good point about the unknowns with the team. I dont see the team being very good this year, but there has been a trend lately of new coaches really overachieving in year 1. I also think that Stuckey and especially Dustin Keller could be something on offense. Again the drop of Coles is not great unless you are just wrapped up in “name value” of players.
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Pete F says:
hahhah Power Rankings in may/june………less useful that baseball standings after April
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pats09…..go home
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JDB says:
OMG fred by that logic the Lions are going to be in the playoffs.
actually I think the Lions will be better than people expect this season. two years ago they were knocking on the door of the playoffs.
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trevor says:
i like where this yr is going it is a test yr
ryan is testing his wrs, his qbs his defense to get ready for that year. that super bowl yr. he knew he couldnt get it all in one year, so he stacked the defense and those sparks on offense will be there. the holes can be filled in 2-3 yrs max and were right there!!! super bowl contenders
all we need is a solid wr, de, qb to come trough(aka sanchez) and were solid
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to come through*** my bad
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jetsfandan says:
pats09, i see what your saying in some aspects about the coach and QB situation, but as far as the WR, we are pretty sound, i think Cotchery has the speed and hands to go up against any corner out there. Our RB situation is about as good as you can want. and as far as our defense goes, the jets will have the best D in the afc, maybe even best in the NFL, the depth on that squad is alot deeper then you think. if I were you i’d be more concerned about about brady and his (bum?) knee, and i can assure you defenses around the league will be looking to end his career and coming for that knee. and not to mention some key losses for the pats on defense this year. to bad bill can’t cheat anymore huh?
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dmazz says:
Long time Jet fan here –
I don’t expect a different record out of this team than last years. The fact is that we have alot of question marks on Offense and also depth. If we lose any of our weapons on Offense it might be pretty frightening. Injuries are a big part of football and we have been somewhat fortunate for the past few years. But losing LW , Keller or Cotchery would really sour this teams chances at competing.
Power rankings mean nothing, even more so in June. So prior to playing a single Down of football with our new scheme, we are better then 11 other teams. I’ll take that in June.