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New York Jets
Posted: Sun April 19, 1998 at 9:51 p.m.
* compensatory pick
QB - Decent unit that really struggled to produce last season when the team needed it... QB Neil O'Donnell was fine until Bill Parcell's started playing mind games with him... he went straight downhill thereafter. O'Donnell needs a solid run game to be effective, and the Jets couldn't find one on a consistent basis. Backup Glenn Foley came off the bench to be effective as a short term solution, but Foley has never been starters material. He was re-signed this offseason, and may end up being the starter when all is said and done. #3 QB Chuck Clements spent the season developing. Athletic QB/WR Ray Lucas is a versatile guy that can do a lot of things, but playing QB should be last on the list. It doesn't look like the QB who can take them to that next level is on this roster right now.
RB - One of the strongest units in the NFL with the addition of RB Curtis Martin from the Patriots... the Jets will have to pay a huge price, and hope Martin's injury problems are a thing of the past. Parcells has said he wants to run the ball 500+ times this season, and he needs 2 quality backs to do that. Look for Adrian Murrell to back Martin up... Murrell went over the 1,000 yd. mark last season, but it was a struggle. He got off to a great start, but injuries to their OL, killed the run game the 2nd half of the season. #3 RB Leon Johnson is also solid, and could see more action in 1998. Johnson spent much of last season as a return man, and had an exc. year in that role, returning 2 punts for TD's. Solid unit that doesn't need any fixing in the draft.
WR - Solid but unspectacular unit... they have a lot of bodies, but didn't come up with enough big plays last season. Keyshawn Johnson was the #1 overall selection in 1996, and played better last year, but still isn't quite there yet. He continues to drop too many catcheable balls. #2 WR Jeff Graham got off to a solid start, but injuries hampered him late... he has good speed, and they need more big plays this season. #3 WR Wayne Chrebet is a solid possesion guy... he has exc. hands, and is tough to keep under wraps on 3rd down. 1997 draft pick Dedric Ward adds depth. May look for a speed guy late in the draft, and hope he develops into a big play threat.
TE - Not a very good unit. TE Kyle Brady continues to be a huge bust, and it's time for the team to cut its losses, and send him packing. It's becoming clearly apparent that Brady was overrated coming out of college. Backup Fred Baxter is at his best in the red zone... he is more a of a blocker/SY pass catcher type. Team needs to find a guy that can stretch the defense in the draft.
OL - Huge problem area last season. They were shaky when LT Jumbo Elliott and David Wiliams were healthy, but got real bad when both went out with injuries. Elliot injured his achilles, and Williams his back... Williams may be forced into retirement, and at Elliot's age, it will be tough to bounce back from an achilles injury. The depth here is shaky, and with no 1st rd. pick, they have problems... look for them to scour the waiver wire come June 1st. The one position they upgraded was OC with FA's Kevin Mawae and Mike Gisler. Look for Lamont Burns to continue to develop... they think he has the ability to become a future Pro Bowler. Jets are in big trouble if they don't address the OT spot before the season starts.
DL - Moved to a 3-4 defense last season, and DE Hugh Douglas struggled... Douglas didn't fit the defensive scheme, and they dealt him to Philadelphia this offseason. If they stay with a 3-4 scheme, he won't be missed. They added FA DE Anthony Pleasant who is a solid run stuffer. The biggest concern may be NT... they are hoping that Jason Ferguson will continue to develop, and be ready to start there this season. Solid unit, but they could use a veteran NT type, should Ferguson not be ready to move into a starters role.
LB - OLB's Mo Lewis and James Farrior are solid, but they need some help inside... Marvin Jones is not a prototypical run stuffing ILB, and Dewayne Gordon is more of a backup role player type. The run defense went south after the loss of ILB Pepper Johnson... Despite his age, he was solid as a SA run stuffing ILB. Johnson injured his achilles, and at his age, it is unlikely he can return and play at the same level. Need to find a big/dependable run stuffer in the upcoming draft.
DB - Up and down last season... the weakest link was DC Otis Smith... he had some big plays, but gave up far more TD's. He is a UFA that hasn't been re-signed. Aaron Glenn lacks size, but is a top notch cover DC on the other side. With Smith possibly not in their plans, they need to find some DC help. Backup Ray Mickens is solid as a nickle, but the Jets would give up a lot of height with him and Glenn in the same starting unit. Victor Green is solid at SS, but the team could also use an upgrade at FS for Jerome Henderson. Henderson is a role player that gets out of position when he plays as a full time starter. Will tinker with this unit in the upcoming draft.
ST - PT Brian Hansen has been up and down... will likely bring someone in to push him in the preseason. PK John Hall has the best leg in the NFL, but got a little inconsistent late in the year... his big leg is a huge asset on kickoffs, where he led the NFL in touchbacks. He will continue to improve his FG accuracy. The return game is in exc. hands with Leon Johnson... he doesn't have great speed, but is shifty in the openfield, and shows the ability to run through would be tacklers.
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