Three Questions 1. Can Geno Smith develop into a quality NFL quarterback? Smith looked completely lost at times last season, but he also showed some promise. He should benefit from being placed directly into the fire last year, but it will take more than one year to refine his skills and reach the level of a quality NFL QB. 2. Will the Jets defense emerge as one of the league’s top units? Rex Ryan is a defensive genius, and the Jets have all the pieces in place to be an elite defense. If the team achieves its goal of reaching the playoffs, it will be on the back of this phenomenal unit. 3. Does Chris Johnson have more left in the gas tank? Johnson will never rush for 2,000 yards again but CJ2K is far from done. He ran for more yards than any Jets running back last year. On top of his rushing prowess, Johnson showed that he is still dangerous in the passing game, especially in the open field. He caught 42 passes and 4 TDs, including a 66 yarder against the 49ers. solidify one of the leagues best lines alongside Muhammad Wilkerson and Damon Harrison. Richardson was named the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year for his efforts. Wilkerson, another first round pick by the Jets, had an even bigger break-out season. Offensive linemen struggled mightily to stop Wilkerson from disrupting the backfield. He led the team with 10.5 sacks and added an interception to his already full stat sheet. Inside linebacker David Harris, the team’s defensive leader, led the team in tackles for the fourth time in the last five years. In that lone season, Harris was second by just one tackle. Fellow veteran Calvin Pace, who had ten sacks in 2013, and Quinton Coples, another emerging young talent that was drafted by the Jets in the first round, will flank Harris to round out a dominant front seven. The defense’s biggest area of concern is in the secondary. Over the last two seasons, the Jets have lost No. 1 cornerbacks Darrelle Revis, who is now with the rival New England Patriots, and Antonio Cromartie. The team will have to rely on second-year CB Dee Milliner, who struggled in his rookie season and was pulled from several games because of his poor performance. The Jets will attempt to strengthen the unit with the help of two draft picks: safety Calvin Pryor and CB Deter McDougle. CBs Kyle Wilson, another Jets first round pick, and Dimitri Patterson will add some depth to the relatively inexperienced group. Defensive Player to Watch Richardson had a breakout year that earned him NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. At 6-3 and 300 pounds, Richardson has the size to stop the run but he still maintains the athleticism to rush the passer. And with an impressive roster of players around him, Richardson is set up to have another spectacular season. In an effort to take the next step, Richardson has promised to be more disruptive on the field this season and cause more turnovers. With all of the promise that the defense showed in 2013, they forced just 19 turnovers. Rex Ryan is sure to put more emphasis on being physical, and Richardson will be key to that improvement. TEAM ROSTER JETS DEPTH CHART OFFENSE QB Geno Smith Michael Vick RB Chris Johnson, Chris Ivory, Bilal Powell FB Tommy Bohanon WR Eric Decker, Stephen Hill, David Nelson Jeremy Kerley, Jalen Saunders, Shaquelle Evans TE Jeff Cumberland, Jace Amaro LT D’Brickashaw Ferguson Ben Ijalana LG Brian Winters William Campbell C Nick Mangold, Caleb Schlauderaff Dalton Freeman RG Willie Colon, Oday Aboushi, Dakota Dozier RT Breno Giacomini Patrick Ford DEFENSE LDE Muhammad Wilkerson Jason Babin NT Damon Harrison, Kenrick Ellis TJ Barnes RDE Sheldon Richardson Kerry Hyder SLB Quinton Coples Jermaine Cunningham RILB Demario Davis, Troy Davis, Jeremiah George LILB David Harris Nick Bellore WLB Calvin Pace Garrett McIntyre LCB Dee Milliner Dimitri Patterson RCB Kyle Wilson, Darrin Walls Dexter McDougle SS Calvin Pryor Dawan Landry FS Antonio Allen Jaiquawn Jarrett SPECIAL TEAMS P Ryan Quigley K Nick Folk LSN Tanner Purdum
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