Finding the Positives: A Season in Review

by bobdolethesnapplelady on Jan 3, 2012 11:44 AM EST

Not all is lost, my friends. The season, while not ending the way we hoped, still had many positives come from it. This list is based on comments in a previous thread by myself and GGNer Noble_Lance. It is in no particular order.

Our draft picks from this year and last, including Muhammad Wilkerson, Jeremy Kerley, Kyle Wilson, Vladimir Ducasse, and Joe McKnight, all stepping up and doing well.
Leading the league in red-zone efficiency at 66%.
Acquiring Aaron Maybin, who led the team with 6 sacks and 4 forced fumbles. We watched as he developed into the speed rusher we so sorely need.
Antonio Cromartie becoming a much more consistent cornerback as the season progressed, and giving us arguably the best CB tandem in the league.
Shonn Greene becoming the bell cow and reaching 1,000 yards for the first time in his career. We also saw him becoming much better as a receiver.
Although we did not have the personnel of the Patriots, we still saw a significant number of two-TE sets with Keller/Cumberland and Keller/Baker.
Perfect use of LaDainian Tomlinson as the 3rd-down RB. As we all saw during the Miami game, he still had burst at the end of the season. He was used properly this year.
Mark Sanchez posting career numbers in yards, touchdowns, and accuracy.
Plaxico Burress giving us a red-zone presence that we badly, badly needed.
Matt Slauson and Sione Pouha becoming dependable rocks on their respective lines and becoming leaders in the process.

There is a lot for the New York Jets to improve upon, but make no mistake about it. This year was not all bad.

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Exactly!

Now that the emotions of not making the playoffs are dissipating, the FO is all about evaluations — players, coaches, et al. The strengths and weaknesses of the team will be recognized and made stronger and remedied, respectively. The strengths of the team will get more depth and ‘next-generation players’ acquired, e.g. CB, OL, DL. The weaknesses will be addressed, e.g. Safety, WR ‘burner’, OL and QB depth, OLB/MLB.

Now, it’s all about the off-season, i.e. FA, Draft, and, yes, coaching changes. Payroll/Cap moves are, I’m sure, already being compiled, along with the FO setting up its Draft Board. No one is more anxious for next season’s planning to start than the Jets FO. Then, again, maybe us Jets fans are!

by JetLogic on Jan 3, 2012 11:58 AM EST reply actions

this year sucked

by sturdi11 on Jan 3, 2012 11:59 AM EST reply actions 1 recs

i would add harris to that list

good to see a guy perform after he gets paid

if its for you it won't pass you

by tinley24 on Jan 3, 2012 12:03 PM EST reply actions

YES

Total Snub on the pro bowl.. same as with McKnight. I like A-Brown, but he wasn’t that good.

by Rei34 on Jan 3, 2012 12:22 PM EST up reply actions

Ducasse

How can vlad ducasse be included in the list of good draft picks? He didn’t come here to be a blocking tight end in jumbo packages, he came here to start! If the guy can’t even win a starting job over WAYNE HUNTER he is not second round material. I get that its hard to go from guard to tackle to guard to tackle, but he’s had two seasons now and the coaching staff has zero confidence in him and neither should we. The guy stinks

by jetrangermetfan on Jan 3, 2012 12:07 PM EST reply actions

I think the point is that these players improved, although only incremental in some cases.

by DesertJetFan on Jan 3, 2012 12:10 PM EST up reply actions

Hey jetrangermetfan

Ducasse was asked last year during the season to not learn RT but RT, RG, LG, LT and then had no offseason. HE was asked to learn every position rather than one. Which is why Kyle Wilson sucked his freshman year, he was asked to go from being a nickle corner, to a #2 then back to nickle. And Nickle corner is the hardest corner to be.

And the home of the .... JETS!!!
Now lets get a G-D snack!!!
"You might not like that. You might be very cynical about that. Well, f**k it, I don't care what you think."-Roy McDonald

by Noble_Lance on Jan 3, 2012 12:16 PM EST up reply actions

so according to you we should be happy with vlad ducasse?

by jetrangermetfan on Jan 3, 2012 12:17 PM EST up reply actions

I'm saying this

You can’t call the kid a failure. He’s been asked to go from what he knows to being spread thin with his knowledge across the line.

being a blocking TE on the right side is like being a RT, not in the strictest sense cause there is the extra guy there, but its a step in the right direction to replacing Hunter. A FULL Offseason learning RT exclusively will be beneficial for Ducasse if he is to succeed in the NFL.

And the home of the .... JETS!!!
Now lets get a G-D snack!!!
"You might not like that. You might be very cynical about that. Well, f**k it, I don't care what you think."-Roy McDonald

by Noble_Lance on Jan 3, 2012 12:26 PM EST up reply actions

Actually. Yes

He was a project from the start, Has shown dominating qualities in the run game and even got on the field this year. For a project to do that in their second year shows promise. I count that as a positive
His natural position is still in question at this point and people are too quickly piling on him for hunter sucking.

by Can'tWait on Jan 3, 2012 12:55 PM EST up reply actions

He wouldn't even be in jumbo sets if Turner was healthy

I agree, the guy has shown nothing beyond being able to double down on a DE or take out a much smaller LB when blocking in line. Most 2nd rounder non-QBs that don’t get on the field much in their 2nd years wind up as failures.

by J-Nasty on Jan 3, 2012 2:24 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Noble this is My own thoughts here

what Jets are lacking on OL, is a player that can play More than 1 position!!!!.I mean there are quite a few players in the league that 1 game can fill in @ Guard or during the game switch to say Tackle..But jets dont have those type of players and that HURTS!!!.. look @ our #1 Rival they drafted a rookie..had No off season(rookie camp etc) But the Kid can play RT-LT-RG-RT and TE.!!!! and did it all yr!!!.why cant jets find/draft players like this..I mean by having someone like this ALLOWS Team to add Others in areas we need more help….and it isnt Just our Rival doing this BUT other teams around the league except Jets!!!!

But thoughts about #8 on the above list, I am sorry I for 1 dont see where one thinks His accuracy went up!!!..especially not with 18 INT..and how many pick-6;s or how many balls thrown over-under thrown!!!..and this is of the opinion of many Jets fan.s, a few I know been fans since Last superbowl win…they like me see a regression not a growth…

by Jack2466 on Jan 3, 2012 12:29 PM EST up reply actions

Nate Solder was a beast, he had high football IQ and was good on his reads. Ducasse was more raw than Solder was.

wrong, statistically he improved

http://www.nfl.com/player/marksanchez/79858/careerstats

2009- 53.8%
2010- 54.8%
2011- 56.7%

Sure he got 18 INTs but its not the worst of his career, and those 26 TDs sure make it better.

And the home of the .... JETS!!!
Now lets get a G-D snack!!!
"You might not like that. You might be very cynical about that. Well, f**k it, I don't care what you think."-Roy McDonald

by Noble_Lance on Jan 3, 2012 12:42 PM EST up reply actions

I read somewhere that Ducasse just started speaking English this year.

Not that he doesn’t know English or anything, but he said he was so unsure of the English language that he didn’t really speak all of last season. Now take that and imagine how hard it is to communicate to learn a position, let alone 5 positions as a rookie in the NFL. He did say that this year he is talking to his teammates a lot more. Maybe he’ll shape up given another off season in which he actually talks, and asks questions in meetings, and practice.

by manuvsteal on Jan 3, 2012 7:20 PM EST up reply actions

I seriously doubt he doesn't speak English after going through college at the NFL level.

And the home of the .... JETS!!!
Now lets get a G-D snack!!!
"You might not like that. You might be very cynical about that. Well, f**k it, I don't care what you think."-Roy McDonald

by Noble_Lance on Jan 3, 2012 8:04 PM EST up reply actions

Great list guys. Thank you for pushing through all the debbie downers with some nice positives.

by Can'tWait on Jan 3, 2012 12:10 PM EST reply actions

so , after going 8-8 , were looking for positives ? forget about all the negatives huh?

by sturdi11 on Jan 3, 2012 12:12 PM EST reply actions

troll harder.

If you were here long enough you’d have seen that every comment, every fanpost is full of depressing everything must effing go screw the Jets blah blah blah. This was to remind people that in the midst of failure there is hope.

And the home of the .... JETS!!!
Now lets get a G-D snack!!!
"You might not like that. You might be very cynical about that. Well, f**k it, I don't care what you think."-Roy McDonald

by Noble_Lance on Jan 3, 2012 12:14 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs

by Clarke W. Griswald on Jan 3, 2012 3:51 PM EST up reply actions

Agree with most of your comments ....

but I wouldn’t put the better statistics for Sanchez as an indication that Sanchez’s performance was good news. Forgetting for a minute whether it was him, the week o-line play on the right side, Schotty or other factors ….. I think any objective look at Sanchez’s play this year would have to conclude that he took a step back ….. even if his stats were slightly better.

by Jeff I on Jan 3, 2012 12:31 PM EST reply actions

Don’t underestimate that he was playing without an offseason, behind a porous line, and without a credible running game. Considering that he didn’t do half bad.

www.ganggreennation.com

by bobdolethesnapplelady on Jan 3, 2012 12:37 PM EST up reply actions

Agree w/ Bob Dole

Can’t expect Sanchez to pass like Peyton or Eli manning when he’s getting knocked around like Archie Manning.

by Black Dog Jet on Jan 3, 2012 12:48 PM EST up reply actions

or Jay Cutler

And the home of the .... JETS!!!
Now lets get a G-D snack!!!
"You might not like that. You might be very cynical about that. Well, f**k it, I don't care what you think."-Roy McDonald

by Noble_Lance on Jan 3, 2012 12:51 PM EST up reply actions

Speaking of Eli Manning...

Although bone-headed plays like the interception Sanchez had late in Sunday’s game (when he thought it was a good idea to release the ball while getting dragged to the ground) make me question his decision-making abilities under pressure, I’m still trying to remain hopeful.

That being said, I looked up some stats of other QBs (primarily Eli Manning). Eli’s first 4 seasons were less than stellar, with completion percentages of 48.2%, 52.8%, 57.7%, and 56.1% (the year they won the superbowl). In fact, his 4th year was worse than Sanchez’s 3rd season (almost) across the board, with Sanchez posting more TDs and fewer INTs, as well as a passer rating of 78.2 compared to Manning’s 73.9.

I’m sure you remember the seemingly hight number of INTs that Eli used to throw, the moments where he looked completely clueless out on the field. Looking back at how bad Eli looked early in his career and where he is now (considered to be EliTE), it’s hard to say for certain that Sanchez is a bust….and I’m hoping he’s not. But something needs to change in order for him to make the jump like Eli did…I’m thinking coaching is one, but what do I know, I’m just a fan.

by holachidito on Jan 3, 2012 4:00 PM EST up reply actions

That 6th one you posted is true

The Jets were gonna be a 2 TE base offense with the 6’4 250 lb Jeff Cumberland being the 2nd TE. The guy runs a 4.4. Can you imagine what the season would have been if he hadn’t gotten hurt? All preseason you heard that he was the standout player. This could have been a completely different season, had he not torn up his knee. At least he did it in week 1, and he’ll be full strength next year.

by manuvsteal on Jan 3, 2012 12:37 PM EST reply actions

No, Jeff was out I think in week 3, cause he caught a pass in week 2

and was active week 3.

And the home of the .... JETS!!!
Now lets get a G-D snack!!!
"You might not like that. You might be very cynical about that. Well, f**k it, I don't care what you think."-Roy McDonald

by Noble_Lance on Jan 3, 2012 12:45 PM EST up reply actions

Couple of things i would like to see

1. Kyle Wilson needs to jam more at the line. Every time he got beat, and there were a lot of them, it was when he was giving the receiver a soft cushion and trying to not get beat deep.
2. Vlad… We’ll see about this one. He looked terrible at times and i’m hoping that an entire off season will help him get better. Hopefully Brick will work with him, and they can both improve.
3. Let Sanchez throw the ball down the sideline. It worked well during his first 2 years, and we didn’t do it once this entire season.
4. i still have faith in Schotty not being here next year. I’m hoping that once the Jags pass on him, so do the Jets.
5. We need to bring back Scott and LT. Sure they are both old, and have lost a step, but they are the leaders on both sides of the ball.

"Schotty... You Suck!" - Mark Sanchez

by jetsbill on Jan 3, 2012 12:41 PM EST reply actions

I would be really worried about the offense if LDT retires

He’s all they have in reguards to a leader on that offense.
Lets hope passing Bettis in yards this season wasn’t enough to get him to hang em up.

by Can'tWait on Jan 3, 2012 1:16 PM EST up reply actions

As far as Kyle Wilson

I think as a nickel corner playing the slot receiver, you basically can’t jam him unless you’ve got a safety over the top. Since you can’t rely on the sideline to help you, once the WR gets his release Kyle’s trailing him with no clue as to where he’s going to break. You’re asking to get burned.

I think his performance has been seriously underrated. As a nickel corner that gets little help behind him (and when he did it was help from safeties who suck in coverage), I’d defy you to find me a better one this year. And remember that this was only his second year.

by Exystence on Jan 3, 2012 1:52 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Given how quickly Wilson improved while shadowing Revis in the offseason,

I think I’d like to see a Revis-Wilson-Cromartie “Camp for Corners” at Revis’s place in Arizona. It’ll be the defense’s version of Jets (South)West.

Wilson even has his locker next to Revis’s. A collective “awwww” for cuteness.

by MiaJets on Jan 3, 2012 2:03 PM EST up reply actions

Thanks Bobdole. You give me hope for the future.

I was happy to see J. McKnight show something this year after his disastrous rookie season. And I can’t wait to see more Sanchez/JKerl hookups next year.

Also, I will be working out here in Maryland with my future husband A. Mabin so he will be ready to kick some ass next year- hey a girl can dream right.

Love with a LEO is like a drug.. One taste and your addicted!

by MDGeekyGrl on Jan 3, 2012 1:06 PM EST reply actions

by Clarke W. Griswald on Jan 3, 2012 3:56 PM EST up reply actions

Okay maybe not so much in that pic...but he's still yummy

Love with a LEO is like a drug.. One taste and your addicted!

by MDGeekyGrl on Jan 3, 2012 7:49 PM EST up reply actions

Hear that.

A.Maybin is a sweetheart. A sweetheart who can pummel QBs into the ground.

Love it.

by MiaJets on Jan 3, 2012 4:00 PM EST up reply actions

I know right....Makes me wish I was a QB

Yummy

Love with a LEO is like a drug.. One taste and your addicted!

by MDGeekyGrl on Jan 3, 2012 7:49 PM EST up reply actions

The team really pulled some diamonds out of the rough

Fans were ready to sell Joe up the river.
Kerley came out of nowhere,
Maybin was “Zero to Hero” personified.
It gives me some hope for a guy like Powell who seems to be getting the “McKnight treatment” right now.

by Can'tWait on Jan 3, 2012 1:13 PM EST reply actions

Recked you for positive thinking.

You barely missed a playoff spot, I would hope there are some positives that you could get out of the year.

"I’m sorry for all the people who want us to run the ball 40 times a game, but we’re going to put the ball in No. 9’s hands and he’s going to make plays for us like he did today," Lions coach Jim Schwartz said. Amen to that Jim!

by NorthLeft12 on Jan 3, 2012 1:16 PM EST reply actions

Here's another silver lining with us having the 16th pick in the draft

We have all of our picks this year. Remember last year we gave up our second rounder as part of the Cromartie trade. Next consider this: In some order our 4 biggest weaknesses are right tackle, safety, linebacker, and wide receiver. This draft is loaded at 2 of those 4 positions- linebacker and wide receiver.

Last year one of our biggest weaknesses was defensive line. We addressed that by using our first 2 picks (1st and 3rd round) on defensive lineman. This year defensive line was one of our deepest and most reliable positions other than corner. The front office has certainly made mistakes, but don’t think they can’t see the same weaknesses that we see. Here’s what I’m looking forward to, 114 days till the draft.

by Joe-P on Jan 3, 2012 1:55 PM EST reply actions

thanks for posting this

the season wasn’t a TOTAL fail, we just have some big holes that need to be filled up.

by darshv3 on Jan 3, 2012 2:40 PM EST reply actions

Agreed.

With good draft picks,some resignings and pickups in FA we will be back in contention. Add some o-line depth, pickup another WR, pass rusher and safety help. hopefully schotty is axed and our offense can become more consistent

by jets4life24 on Jan 3, 2012 7:36 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Mayhem

Is maybin under contract for next year or could we loose him?

by Trencher on Jan 3, 2012 3:23 PM EST reply actions

He's free to roam but I dobut they will let him off the leash.

And the home of the .... JETS!!!
Now lets get a G-D snack!!!
"You might not like that. You might be very cynical about that. Well, f**k it, I don't care what you think."-Roy McDonald

by Noble_Lance on Jan 3, 2012 3:46 PM EST up reply actions

No matter how hard you try and polish a terd its still a piece of crap.... NIce try to lift the spirits though....

by DJ. Quillz on Jan 3, 2012 3:46 PM EST reply actions

After this weekend half the teams in the playoffs will be in the same boat

And it will include the Texans, Giants, Bengals, so it’s not that big a deal. Probably Pittsburgh will be out soon too with the injury to Mendenhall. So if you look at it, 8-8 and you get to pick 16, or to be a 1st round exit in the playoffs it’s no big deal. I just hope the Packers don’t win it again. Build through the draft! Go Jets!

by manuvsteal on Jan 3, 2012 7:25 PM EST reply actions