Things The New York Jets Have To Do To Get Back To Playoffs
Dec 17, 2012; Nashville, TN, USA; New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez (6) drops back to hand off against the Tennessee Titans during the second half at LP Field. The Titans beat the Jets 14-10. Mandatory credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports
Yes, I realize we’re only a few days removed from the 2012 NFL season, but that’s when teams get right back to work. The New York Jets have been really busy since their season ended. They have a brand new coaching staff, and new general manager. Now, they must work on improving their roster in hopes of making the playoffs next season.
No, that was not a joke.
This team will be a whole different one from the one we saw collapse last season, and even the season before that. There will be a new offense under new OC Marty Mornhinweg, a new quarterback coach and new faces–hopefully–in the locker room that produced two seasons of mediocrity after back-to-back AFC Championship games.
The following are a few things the Jets have to do to get back into the playoffs:
Fix the quarterback situation
It’s no secret the Jets’ quarterback situation is a massive mess. Last season, we all witnessed a circus with Sanchez and Tebow…then Greg McElroy. It’s obvious, due to Sanchez’s current contract, that he’s not going anywhere–thank you Tannenbaum–so they need to find a way to put a fire under him. It can either be by bringing in a serviceable backup/replacement through free agency, or through the draft.
Fix the offense
Can new offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg fix an offense that ranked 30th last season?
Let’s hope so. While Mornhinweg was the coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles, they finished ranking in the top-10 in offense for five of their last seven seasons. Mornhinweg did a great job coaching up Donovan McNabb and Michael Vick. But, of course, Sanchez is no McNabb or Vick.
If Sanchez is the starter next season, the Jets need to surround him with talent. It would be hard for most NFL starting quarterbacks to be successful with the offense Sanchez was working with. The Jets need to concentrate on picking up new running backs; Shonn Greene is not cutting it. They need to bring in (or keep Braylon Edwards) a veteran receiver that can be a No. 2 while they develop Stephen Hill. The team also needs to look at adding some depth on the offensive line.
Figure out what to do with Darrelle Revis
New general manager John Idzik needs to figure out what to do with the Pro Bowl cornerback. Either re-sign the best player on the team, heck, the best defensive player in the NFL, or trade him while his value is still up.
Should Idzik take a risk. Revis needed ACL surgery this past season, so he doesn’t know how Revis will come back. How can you pay someone big bucks if their health is questionable? Whatever he decides, it is imperative that he makes a decision soon before it becomes a distraction. Idzik has to concentrate on fixing other things as well.
Smart decisions in the draft
The Jets’ past few drafts have been terrible (the last good one was in ’07). They need to change that around this upcoming draft and make smart decisions. The Jets don’t have much money to work with so they have to pick up some quality players–for cheap–to rebuild the roster around.