To try and get a better idea of what Jets fans are thinking heading into the season, we're reaching out to other Jets fans and reporters with five questions about 2009. Today the excellent site Holy Joe Namath was willing to step up to the plate.
1. If you could go back to January, would Rex Ryan be your first choice to coach to 2009 Jets. If the answer is no, who would you choose? Eric Mangini? Somebody else?
The Jets play in the AFC East, it doesn't get much tougher than that. With a strong running game and tough defense, they have a great shot. The wild card in all of this is the quarterback play. If Clemens/Sanchez can play smart and not lose any games, we have a great shot to get there.
After the Miami game I was truly hoping to see Mangini fired and was incredibly excited when it happened. I watched a lifeless team lose the will to play strong football and when you bleed Jets green, that hurts to see. After the firing, I quickly fell into the Bill Cowher hype but snapped back to reality. When it came down to it, it seemed the Jets two choices were Rex Ryan and Steve Spagnuolo. Ryan was my choice all the way and I found myself rooting for the Ravens in the playoffs but also rooting against them so that Rex would become available. It's been awesome to see the life injected into this team and it can only get better.
2. What are your thoughts on the offseason the team had? What did you like? Is there anything you wish the front office had done differently?
The hiring of Rex Ryan was a big move, and it set the tone for the rest of the offseason. To go along with Rex, we get his pupils Bart Scott, Jim Leonhard and Marquis Douglas which should push our defense to the next level. As far as the drafting of Mark Sanchez, I could not be happier. A new regime, and in essence, a new team needs their own franchise quarterback. It's a new Jets team, which is a good thing because the Jets have not done too much winning in the last forty years.
3. What scares you the most entering the season?
I have a few fears as we enter the 2009 season. The first of which is that we are sitting here with both of our star running backs very unhappy with their contracts heading into training camp. With either an unexperienced or rookie quarterback in, we will need all the talent running the ball we can get. I'm also somewhat worried about our pass rush entering the season. Rex Ryan's scheme is about pressure and without pressure, it's easy to spread open and take advantage of. Calvin Pace is suspended for the first four games, Vernon Gholston is still lackluster during practice, Bryan Thomas is very inconsistent, and our defensive ends are built more to play the run than to create problems for a quarterback. Hopefully these issues can get dealt with.
4. The biggest difference between the 2008 Jets and the 2009 Jets will be...
Fire. The 2008 Jets seemed to go through the motions but never seemed to hit a high note of intensity and take care of business. Even after going 8-3, the team still had me worried based on their play. This year we should see a more balanced attack and a defense that is much improved. Obviously the team reflects it's coach, and Rex Ryan is the complete opposite of Eric Mangini. Also, I see the Jets making the playoffs which we couldn't do in 2008.
5. Will the Jets make the Playoffs if they stay healthy?
The Jets play in the AFC East, it doesn't get much tougher than that. With a strong running game and tough defense, they have a great shot. The wild card in all of this is the quarterback play. If Clemens/Sanchez can play smart and not lose any games, we have a great shot to get there.
Many thanks to Adam of HJN for taking the time to answer our questions. If you haven't seen that site, check it out. It's a must read for Jets fans.