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First of all stop the madness! It seems like some people care more about the draft then about the season actually hoping for another losing season so we can take a shot at some unknown hyped college player who could just as easily bust as make any real impact.
Check it out, we had a really good off season this year. In fact, we will win 6 or more games this year because of the following reasons:
Defense:
1. Scheme. We will play a 3-4 scheme this year and we have the personnel to do it. JT will be an outstanding pass rushing linebacker in this scheme and it's a scheme that Joey Porter really belongs in.
2. Our front 7 has significantly improved, therefore we will stop the run this year. With the additions of Ferguson, Starks, Merling, Akin Ayodele, Reggie Torbor, to go along with Crowder, JT, Vonnie Holiday, and Joey Porter we will stop the run and get pressure on the Quarterback. Rodirique Wright also has alot of potential, although I think Matt Roth may be hard pressed to keep his job with the competition that is going to be there. I think our front 7 is now the strength of this team once again.
3. Our secondary isn't as bad as people think. Could we use another really fast corner with a good nose for the ball? Of course we could, however, with the additions of Chris Crocker (Safety), the return of Jerimiah Bell, and with Jason Allen having another year under his belt, I think our secondary will be solid against the run and adequate against the pass.
We will stop the run this year and I predict that we will have a top 10 defense once again. You can turn a defense around pretty quickly and I think the Front office has done that with all of the Free Agent and draft pick additions.
Offense:
1. O-Line. Bottom line (pardon the pun) is that this line is already better than it was last year. We are going to knock people off of the ball with Jake Long, Justin Smiley, Samson Satele, Vernon Carey, and probably Shawn Murphy. The only question mark is that guard position where we also just released Mormino, however, guard is probably the easiest position to stock on the line and I think we have some good competition there not to mention the fact that this is Sparano's strength. As for Jake Long being a rookie, he will do just fine, and one way to take the wind out of the sails of some of those pass rushers is to run right at em and knock them on their butts, and we will do that early and often I predict.
2. Running Back. I believe Ricky Williams will be our starting Running back, because especially for a running back, it can take time to come back from a torn acl, so I see Ronnie contributing, but perhaps being brought back slowly. Even still, he should still be able to contribute, and I like this new fellow Jalen Parmalee. At 5 '11 225, he'll fit right in. We will have a power running game this season and we have a solid stable of backs.
3. Receiver. Okay, let's not sugar coat this one, or receiver corps doesn't keep any opposing Defensive coordinators up late at night. In fact, it is IMHO without a doubt the weakest area on our football team. There is small reason for optimism in that Ted Ginn will be better this year and has been by all reports working really hard during the off season. Also, the addition of the Tight end Faisano is an upgrade over David Martin in both the running and passing game. The addition of Ernest Wilford a big target who is solid if unspectacular to help move the chains.
4. Quarterback. This is going to be John Beck. Chad Henne is not ready and will not be able to overcome Beck's lead of one whole season and two off seasons. McCown has proven to be nothing but a journeyman Backup, so I really think Beck will end up winning this battle for this year at least, and he has also by all accounts been working his arse off. With improved line play, and a solid running game, whoever the QB is should have an opportunity to roll out alot and do some play action passing to take advantage of the 8 men opposing teams will put in the box against us to stop Ricky Williams and co.. Long and short of it, is that our QB should be in a better position to succeed in managing the game and the offense, which this year, considering the lack of depth and talent at the offensive skill positions is all we can really ask for.
Long and short of it, I believe we will have a good running game this year, which will eat up the clock and keep our defense fresh and allow our QB a better chance to succeed. It will be interesting to see if Beck can bounce back from his disastarous rookie campaign and take some significant strides this year. If he can, then this team will be a whole lot better than people think.
Special Teams:
This is an area where we really sucked last year. Many of the additions on this team (e.g. Torbor, Ayodele, etc.) will also significantly upgrade our special teams. This will Give Ginn more opportunities to take it to the house and leave our defense and offense with better field position. This is a basic area that if it was better last year might have been responsible for us losing at least a couple of games.
Schedule:
We have a much easier schedule this year.
Coaching: We have upgraded our coaching staff significantly from last year as well, which has also instilled a different attitude in our players. I think they believe they can win, whereas last year, I'm not sure they did.
Basically, we lost a number of games for a number of reasons by 3 points or even a touchdown or less. I think we've gone back to the basics, and will be much more competitive then many people realize, and best of all, we have the element of surprise, no one will see us coming. So, here it is, my prediction for the season: 8-8, which by the way would match what Parcells did after taking over the Jets in his first year in which they had gone 1-15 previously.
Check it out, we had a really good off season this year. In fact, we will win 6 or more games this year because of the following reasons:
Defense:
1. Scheme. We will play a 3-4 scheme this year and we have the personnel to do it. JT will be an outstanding pass rushing linebacker in this scheme and it's a scheme that Joey Porter really belongs in.
2. Our front 7 has significantly improved, therefore we will stop the run this year. With the additions of Ferguson, Starks, Merling, Akin Ayodele, Reggie Torbor, to go along with Crowder, JT, Vonnie Holiday, and Joey Porter we will stop the run and get pressure on the Quarterback. Rodirique Wright also has alot of potential, although I think Matt Roth may be hard pressed to keep his job with the competition that is going to be there. I think our front 7 is now the strength of this team once again.
3. Our secondary isn't as bad as people think. Could we use another really fast corner with a good nose for the ball? Of course we could, however, with the additions of Chris Crocker (Safety), the return of Jerimiah Bell, and with Jason Allen having another year under his belt, I think our secondary will be solid against the run and adequate against the pass.
We will stop the run this year and I predict that we will have a top 10 defense once again. You can turn a defense around pretty quickly and I think the Front office has done that with all of the Free Agent and draft pick additions.
Offense:
1. O-Line. Bottom line (pardon the pun) is that this line is already better than it was last year. We are going to knock people off of the ball with Jake Long, Justin Smiley, Samson Satele, Vernon Carey, and probably Shawn Murphy. The only question mark is that guard position where we also just released Mormino, however, guard is probably the easiest position to stock on the line and I think we have some good competition there not to mention the fact that this is Sparano's strength. As for Jake Long being a rookie, he will do just fine, and one way to take the wind out of the sails of some of those pass rushers is to run right at em and knock them on their butts, and we will do that early and often I predict.
2. Running Back. I believe Ricky Williams will be our starting Running back, because especially for a running back, it can take time to come back from a torn acl, so I see Ronnie contributing, but perhaps being brought back slowly. Even still, he should still be able to contribute, and I like this new fellow Jalen Parmalee. At 5 '11 225, he'll fit right in. We will have a power running game this season and we have a solid stable of backs.
3. Receiver. Okay, let's not sugar coat this one, or receiver corps doesn't keep any opposing Defensive coordinators up late at night. In fact, it is IMHO without a doubt the weakest area on our football team. There is small reason for optimism in that Ted Ginn will be better this year and has been by all reports working really hard during the off season. Also, the addition of the Tight end Faisano is an upgrade over David Martin in both the running and passing game. The addition of Ernest Wilford a big target who is solid if unspectacular to help move the chains.
4. Quarterback. This is going to be John Beck. Chad Henne is not ready and will not be able to overcome Beck's lead of one whole season and two off seasons. McCown has proven to be nothing but a journeyman Backup, so I really think Beck will end up winning this battle for this year at least, and he has also by all accounts been working his arse off. With improved line play, and a solid running game, whoever the QB is should have an opportunity to roll out alot and do some play action passing to take advantage of the 8 men opposing teams will put in the box against us to stop Ricky Williams and co.. Long and short of it, is that our QB should be in a better position to succeed in managing the game and the offense, which this year, considering the lack of depth and talent at the offensive skill positions is all we can really ask for.
Long and short of it, I believe we will have a good running game this year, which will eat up the clock and keep our defense fresh and allow our QB a better chance to succeed. It will be interesting to see if Beck can bounce back from his disastarous rookie campaign and take some significant strides this year. If he can, then this team will be a whole lot better than people think.
Special Teams:
This is an area where we really sucked last year. Many of the additions on this team (e.g. Torbor, Ayodele, etc.) will also significantly upgrade our special teams. This will Give Ginn more opportunities to take it to the house and leave our defense and offense with better field position. This is a basic area that if it was better last year might have been responsible for us losing at least a couple of games.
Schedule:
We have a much easier schedule this year.
Coaching: We have upgraded our coaching staff significantly from last year as well, which has also instilled a different attitude in our players. I think they believe they can win, whereas last year, I'm not sure they did.
Basically, we lost a number of games for a number of reasons by 3 points or even a touchdown or less. I think we've gone back to the basics, and will be much more competitive then many people realize, and best of all, we have the element of surprise, no one will see us coming. So, here it is, my prediction for the season: 8-8, which by the way would match what Parcells did after taking over the Jets in his first year in which they had gone 1-15 previously.
