Jets’ underrated offense could surprise in ‘07

By Connor Byrne  |   Thursday, May 17, 2007  |  Comments( 16 )

New York Jets
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The New York Jets stunned the football world last year by finishing 10-6 and earning a playoff berth after a lackluster 4-12 campaign in 2005. The main story line in the team's eye-opening turnaround was rookie head coach Eric Mangini, who managed to get the most out of what was considered a roster that wasn't exactly overloaded with top-flight talent.

The 2007 Jets, unlike a year ago, have plenty of expectations heaped on them, and one area to believe improvement will come is on the offensive side of the ball. New York's 'O' ranked a meager 25th in total yardage last season, and it was just 30th in yards per rushing attempt.

This offseason, however, the Jets took one big step to improve their ground game by trading for veteran running back Thomas Jones. The 5-foot-10, 220-pounder amassed consecutive 1,200-plus-yard seasons with Chicago, helping the Bears reach Super Bowl XLI last February. And in the team's 29-17 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, Jones accrued 112 rushing yards on only 15 carries in what proved to be his final game with the Bears. Assuming the 28-year-old maintains his effectiveness with New York, it will have gained an above-average ball carrier.

In 2006, the Jets were stuck with a poor backfield that included the likes of Kevan Barlow and Cedric Houston piling up over 100 carries. The lone bright spot was rookie Leon Washington, who had 920 total yards (650 rushing, 270 receiving) and four touchdowns, but he doesn't quite seem like featured-back material just yet. With Jones in the fold, Washington can slide into a complementary role, giving the Jets a high-caliber tandem at running back.

Aside from acquiring Jones, the Jets didn't do much else to change their offense this offseason, and that's probably a good thing. Returning, of course, is rock-solid starting quarterback Chad Pennington (16 regular-season starts, 3,352 yards, 17 touchdowns), who rebounded strongly from past injury issues to help the Jets reach the playoffs in '06.

Pennington, whom many still consider an injury risk, will be even better protected this season by an O-line that will improve simply from experience. The Jets' top two picks of last year's draft -- tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson and center Nick Mangold -- both had good rookie seasons, and they should continue taking positive steps in the pass-blocking department in '07.

The 30-year-old Pennington still has two very good receivers in seven-year veteran Laveranues Coles and the ever-improving Jerricho Cotchery. The 5-11, 193-pound Coles had one of his best seasons yet last year, racking up a career-high 91 receptions for 1,098 yards and six touchdowns. Cotchery, 24, matched Coles with six scores and added 82 grabs and 961 yards of his own.

The Jets' offense was undoubtedly somewhat of a hindrance for the team last year, but expect it to be better in the upcoming campaign. Jones will fortify the running game, the O-line should progress and keep Pennington safe, and the same two underrated wideout options remain on New York's roster.

With that in mind, don't expect the Jets to possess a high-flying attack, but the offense should certainly have the balance that Mangini and coordinator Brian Schottenheimer want. That can't be welcome news for the New England Patriots, whose heels the Jets are nipping on in the AFC East.

Original New York Jets insight, courtesy of RealFootball365.com
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CommentsComments: 16  |  Sign Up  View all comments
No.1
Michael Sluder		01:16 AM
05/18/2007
DREAM ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!......it takes more to be a good team than always being praised by the talking heads sitting moronically ...
No.2
Jaardan		02:12 AM
05/18/2007
Agree totally with Micheal. Jets were a one year surprise at best. Chad Pennington is the in the lower 20 quarterbacks in the ...
No.3
Michael Sluder		04:00 AM
05/18/2007
THANK YOU... Mr. Jaardan!!!! I also agreed with you after seeing your other post... if you want check out the crap on a couple of ...
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