Who knew 2 months ago that this game would have been hyped up so much and that Pennington would be in a dolphins uniform plotting his vengeance against his former team, who cut him loose.
Quarterbacks:
Dolphins- Chad Pennington has a nack of making the right play at the right time. While his arm strength isn't anything to go wild over, his new release point could help him making passes to every area on the field. Being the thorn in our side for many years, we are glad to finally have Chad on our side.
Jets- Brett Favre is the true definition of a gun-slinger. He uses his arm strength to fit the ball into windows the size of a tic-tac and also makes sound decisions. He can, at times, be reckless with the ball through, sometimes forcing passes where they shouldn't be forced. He is also on the back end of his career, coming out of retirement again.
Slight Edge: Jets
Running Backs:
Dolphins- The R&R express will be unleashed to the world in this game, hopefully. If Ronnie cannot make this game, be prepared for the old Ricky Williams, who appears to have the edge over any defender in camp, and in the pre season. Look for a consistent running attack this game, unleashing CP to the play action pass.
Jets- Thomas Jones and Leon Washington are both viable weapons. Jones more on the rushing side and Leon more as a screen threat. These two could cause problems for any defense. Look for the screen early, as the Jets were very good in that area last year against us.
Slight Edge: Dolphins
Tight Ends:
Dolphins- With the addition of Anthony Fasano the team may have a pretty solid starting tight end. Last years starting tight end David Martin will be his backup, adding depth to the position. Both are decent receivers, while fasano is the more sound blocker. With fasano's age, 24, he could develope into a good tight end.
Jets: Chris Baker is coming off his best season in his 3 year NFL career, and looks to improve this season. He was a pretty good receiving tight end last year and could be a short passing option for Brett Favre.
No Edge
Wide Receivers:
Dolphins- Ted Ginn seems to be emerging as the clear cut number 1 receiver on this team, showing off his skills in the pre season. Derek Hagan also appears to solidify his spot as the number 2 receiver, with his consistent training camp performance. The number 3 receiver spot is up for grabs, as the team cannot find a consistent talent from the other receivers.
Jets- Jericho Cotchery and Laveranues Coles are the Jets 1-2 punch. they both have shown that they can be playmakers. Coles is not happy with the release of Pennington so who knows if he will put forth the effort this year.
Edge: Jets
Offensive Line:
Dolphins- this could be the most talented offensive line in a while. Rookie Jake long is anchoring the left side of the line, while Samson Satele anchors the middle, and the always consistent Vernon Carey anchors the left side. Justin Smiley is an upgrade at Guard and rookie Donald Thomas could prove to be a draft steal.
Jets- Ferguson, Faneca, and Mangold are 3 big time linemen for the jets, anchoring the left side of the line. They will play a big part in the kind of season Brett Favre has this year.
No Edge
Defensive Line:
Dolphins- Jason Ferguson is showing us why he was brought here, dominating the line. Holliday, Roth, Merling, Langford, and Starks will all be spending time at defensive end, while some time will also be spend at OLB, making this group extremely versatile.
Jets- Kris Jenkins will be a threat at nosetackle while Shaun Ellis always causes problems for offenses as well. While the Fins seem to have more depth, the Jets might have more playmakers at the defensive line.
No Edge
Linebackers:
Dolphins- The Fins went right to work in the offseason, grabbing Charlie Anderson, Akin Ayodele, and Reggie Torbor. Anderson is still unproven, while Torbor is a somewhat reckless playmaker, and Ayodele is a sound veteran who makes good decisions. Joey Porter might be out because of injuries, so the pass rush may take a hit. The dolphins are trying to get everybody time at OLB, including ends Matt Roth and Vonnie Holliday. This is a very versatile front 7.
Jets- Acquiring Calvin Pace and Vernon Gholston will only make the Jets pass rush better. However, the loss of Jonathan Vilma could leave a spot open in the middle for offenses to take advantage of. This group could get a lot of sacks this year, so the Fins offensive line needs to be ready.
Slight Edge: Dolphins
Secondary:
Dolphins- This has been an area of concern ever since Madison and Surtain left. Will Allen was consistent last year, and Michael Lehan may be a decent number 2 option. Yeremiah Bell is a pretty good safety, if he can stay on the field, and Jason Allen has all the tools to become a great safety. This is still an area of concern on our defense.
Jets- The Jets secondary is a good group. Revis and Justin Miller are two pretty solid corners and Kerry Rhodes is a very good safety. This group is a playmaking defensive backfield and will make quarterbacks think twice about forcing passes.
Edge: Jets
Special Teams:
Dolphins- Brandon Fields is a solid punter, and Dan Carpenter is an unproven kicker. Both can get power on the ball. Ted Ginn is a threat in returning punts and kickoffs, while rookies Devone Bess and Jayson Foster are trying the return game as well. Boomer Grisby, Keith Davis, and Chris Crocker were all brought over this offseason to solidify a shaky special teams unit last year.
Jets- Ben Graham is a good punter and Mike Nugent is an above average kicker. Leon Washington is a threat returning both punts and kicks. The special unit for the jets gets the job done most of the time.
No Edge
If i were a jets fan...
I would say the Jets win because the Dolphins are coming off of a 1-15 season. The Jets also made a bunch of Free Agent signings in the offseason, and traded for Brett Favre. The Offense and Defense are both solid units and barring catastrophe, the Jets should be a pretty good team this year.
Being a dolphins fan...
I say the Dolphins have more of a chance than most people think and have a good chance to upset the Jets the first week. Chad Pennington is a good quarterback and this group looks like it will overachieve greatly. Young talent is what we wanted and it is what we got. We improved on both sides of the ball and are an all around better team than we were last year.
Prediction:
Dolphins 24
Jets 21
Quarterbacks:
Dolphins- Chad Pennington has a nack of making the right play at the right time. While his arm strength isn't anything to go wild over, his new release point could help him making passes to every area on the field. Being the thorn in our side for many years, we are glad to finally have Chad on our side.
Jets- Brett Favre is the true definition of a gun-slinger. He uses his arm strength to fit the ball into windows the size of a tic-tac and also makes sound decisions. He can, at times, be reckless with the ball through, sometimes forcing passes where they shouldn't be forced. He is also on the back end of his career, coming out of retirement again.
Slight Edge: Jets
Running Backs:
Dolphins- The R&R express will be unleashed to the world in this game, hopefully. If Ronnie cannot make this game, be prepared for the old Ricky Williams, who appears to have the edge over any defender in camp, and in the pre season. Look for a consistent running attack this game, unleashing CP to the play action pass.
Jets- Thomas Jones and Leon Washington are both viable weapons. Jones more on the rushing side and Leon more as a screen threat. These two could cause problems for any defense. Look for the screen early, as the Jets were very good in that area last year against us.
Slight Edge: Dolphins
Tight Ends:
Dolphins- With the addition of Anthony Fasano the team may have a pretty solid starting tight end. Last years starting tight end David Martin will be his backup, adding depth to the position. Both are decent receivers, while fasano is the more sound blocker. With fasano's age, 24, he could develope into a good tight end.
Jets: Chris Baker is coming off his best season in his 3 year NFL career, and looks to improve this season. He was a pretty good receiving tight end last year and could be a short passing option for Brett Favre.
No Edge
Wide Receivers:
Dolphins- Ted Ginn seems to be emerging as the clear cut number 1 receiver on this team, showing off his skills in the pre season. Derek Hagan also appears to solidify his spot as the number 2 receiver, with his consistent training camp performance. The number 3 receiver spot is up for grabs, as the team cannot find a consistent talent from the other receivers.
Jets- Jericho Cotchery and Laveranues Coles are the Jets 1-2 punch. they both have shown that they can be playmakers. Coles is not happy with the release of Pennington so who knows if he will put forth the effort this year.
Edge: Jets
Offensive Line:
Dolphins- this could be the most talented offensive line in a while. Rookie Jake long is anchoring the left side of the line, while Samson Satele anchors the middle, and the always consistent Vernon Carey anchors the left side. Justin Smiley is an upgrade at Guard and rookie Donald Thomas could prove to be a draft steal.
Jets- Ferguson, Faneca, and Mangold are 3 big time linemen for the jets, anchoring the left side of the line. They will play a big part in the kind of season Brett Favre has this year.
No Edge
Defensive Line:
Dolphins- Jason Ferguson is showing us why he was brought here, dominating the line. Holliday, Roth, Merling, Langford, and Starks will all be spending time at defensive end, while some time will also be spend at OLB, making this group extremely versatile.
Jets- Kris Jenkins will be a threat at nosetackle while Shaun Ellis always causes problems for offenses as well. While the Fins seem to have more depth, the Jets might have more playmakers at the defensive line.
No Edge
Linebackers:
Dolphins- The Fins went right to work in the offseason, grabbing Charlie Anderson, Akin Ayodele, and Reggie Torbor. Anderson is still unproven, while Torbor is a somewhat reckless playmaker, and Ayodele is a sound veteran who makes good decisions. Joey Porter might be out because of injuries, so the pass rush may take a hit. The dolphins are trying to get everybody time at OLB, including ends Matt Roth and Vonnie Holliday. This is a very versatile front 7.
Jets- Acquiring Calvin Pace and Vernon Gholston will only make the Jets pass rush better. However, the loss of Jonathan Vilma could leave a spot open in the middle for offenses to take advantage of. This group could get a lot of sacks this year, so the Fins offensive line needs to be ready.
Slight Edge: Dolphins
Secondary:
Dolphins- This has been an area of concern ever since Madison and Surtain left. Will Allen was consistent last year, and Michael Lehan may be a decent number 2 option. Yeremiah Bell is a pretty good safety, if he can stay on the field, and Jason Allen has all the tools to become a great safety. This is still an area of concern on our defense.
Jets- The Jets secondary is a good group. Revis and Justin Miller are two pretty solid corners and Kerry Rhodes is a very good safety. This group is a playmaking defensive backfield and will make quarterbacks think twice about forcing passes.
Edge: Jets
Special Teams:
Dolphins- Brandon Fields is a solid punter, and Dan Carpenter is an unproven kicker. Both can get power on the ball. Ted Ginn is a threat in returning punts and kickoffs, while rookies Devone Bess and Jayson Foster are trying the return game as well. Boomer Grisby, Keith Davis, and Chris Crocker were all brought over this offseason to solidify a shaky special teams unit last year.
Jets- Ben Graham is a good punter and Mike Nugent is an above average kicker. Leon Washington is a threat returning both punts and kicks. The special unit for the jets gets the job done most of the time.
No Edge
If i were a jets fan...
I would say the Jets win because the Dolphins are coming off of a 1-15 season. The Jets also made a bunch of Free Agent signings in the offseason, and traded for Brett Favre. The Offense and Defense are both solid units and barring catastrophe, the Jets should be a pretty good team this year.
Being a dolphins fan...
I say the Dolphins have more of a chance than most people think and have a good chance to upset the Jets the first week. Chad Pennington is a good quarterback and this group looks like it will overachieve greatly. Young talent is what we wanted and it is what we got. We improved on both sides of the ball and are an all around better team than we were last year.
Prediction:
Dolphins 24
Jets 21
