Jets Are Better or Worse?

Key Additions:                                        Key Losses:
Plaxico Burress - WR                              Brad Smith - WR
Donald Strickland - CB                          Jerricho Cotchery - WR
DaJuan Morgan - S                                 Shaun Ellis - DE
Derrick Mason - WR                              Braylon Edwards - WR
Mo Wilkerson - DE                                 Drew Coleman - CB
Kenrick Ellis - DT                                   Jason Taylor - OLB
Bilal Powell - RB                                     Damien Woody - OT
Jeremy Kerley - WR

   Normally I'm a glass half full guy when it comes to the Jets and their offseason transactions. But the only way to spin this one is to feign confidence in raw youth and natural improvement.
   First thing, and of importance, the wide receivers. The Jets lost their #2 and #3 receivers and replaced them with a 37 year old #3 with more talent than Cotchery, and a previously-incarcerated question mark in Plaxico Burress. From an X's and O's standpoint most people view the turnover as a wash in terms of talent. I, however do not. As explained in previous posts I don't think the familiarity factor between QB and WR can be underplayed here. Yes, Plax and Mason are just as, if not more talented than the previous guys, but a new rapport must be created between a young QB and his much older targets. My evaluation: downgrade.
    Next, the defensive line. The Jets lost Jason Taylor, Shaun Ellis, and Trevor Pryce. The former and latter were way past their prime and have seen better days. I was completely comfortable with losing their "situational abilities" and replacing those 30-40 snaps with the two promising rookies in Mo Wilk and K. Ellis. However, the one move that makes me shudder is losing Shaun Ellis to the Pats. His experience and big play ability, can not and will not be replaced. My evaluation: downgrade. (Only way this is a wash is if Mo Wilkerson plays decently well in his first year, but please find me a D-lineman picked in the late first round who has made a significant impact in his rookie season).
   Next, the offensive line. This unit is not being discussed as publicly as it should, well no one ever talks about the big uglies. Damien Woody, who retired, was a force at Right Tackle, now he will be replaced by a journeyman OT who has had trouble finding a starting role in his 8 years in the league. Wayne Hunter, perennial backup will take over the right tackle spot, and Rex and co. of course continue to spin this as an equal swap. FYI, it is not. Wayne Hunter is capable, as he showed during the Pats playoff game last year, but what wasn't mentioned was the fact that he was getting help from TE's and RB's against the speedier DE/OLB's. Ahem, the dude's slow as hell. The unit as a whole is very strong but I fear this will be somewhat of a downgrade as well.
   Now in conclusion, not all is lost, if "natural progression" and youth deem capable. In other words, Rex and the FO are counting on rookies to play to their potential (not impossible but unlikely), and they're counting on the natural improvement of their younger players. This is more plausible as our CB's have another year in getting acclimated to the very confusing system, and guys like OLB Jamaal Westerman, Shonn Greene, and Mark Sanchez all have another year under their belts to improve. SO, barring injuries and assuming our young QB and RB's and WR's and CB's all take the next step forward, the Jets should find themselves in the playoffs again. The only question that remains is what can get them over the hump, is it Plax and Mason, is it a younger fresher D-line, or is it a more experienced offensive system? Only time will tell.
- Tone