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Talented Jets face rough skies

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Posted: Friday August 27, 1999 11:58 AM

Bill Parcells has been warning the New York Jets that they're not ready for the challenge of making it to the Super Bowl. The so-called experts proclaim them the favorites in the AFC. So who's right?

The Jets stayed remarkably healthy last year. However, they're again counting on a number of older players (Vinny Testaverde, Jumbo Elliott, Steve Atwater, Eric Green, to name a few) to carry the team. Older players take longer to heal, and an injury to any of them, especially Elliott, would be tough to overcome.

New York does have some young stars, especially at receiver. Keyshawn Johnson is a winner and is living up to his own predictions for greatness. Everybody's favorite football player Wayne Chrebet can't be covered on his break and the defensive coaches I've polled say he belongs in the Pro Bowl.

But what makes this group exceptional is the emergence of Dedric Ward. He has great speed and he looks like he can get behind people and open up lanes underneath for the other receivers. The three-wide receiver set will also open up the field for Curtis Martin, who needs to improve on his 3.5 yards per carry. Testaverde had a tremendous season in '98 and I believe that will be near impossible to duplicate. One AFC East defensive coordinator told me, "We didn't prepare for Testaverde last year, but this year we worked harder on him than any QB in the league and we have a few tricks for him." I don't worry about tricks, but I do worry about pass protection, especially from his two new, inexperienced guards. Left guard Kerry Jenkins and right guard Randy Thomas have shown some ability, but as one NFL scout told me, "the added pressure on center Kevin Mawae has hurt his effectiveness."

The Jets arguably have the best set of linebackers in the league. Mo Lewis is a 260-pound one-man wrecking crew. And the return of Marvin Jones gives them another big hitter.

The safeties hit as hard as the linebackers. Strong safety Victor Green usually has over 150 tackles a year and the addition of Atwater speaks for itself. Aaron Glenn is an All-Pro corner and I think Ray Mickens is the best nickel back in the NFL.

But will the Jets make the Super Bowl? I look at their division, the age of their key players, their green guards, and I say no way. Then I look at the leadership of Parcells and Bill Belichick and their playmakers on offense and I say absolutely. So for now, I'll say they'll get real close, but will fall short again if they have to play the AFC Championship Game on the road.

 

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