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New York! New York! in the NFL (Part 1)
By Allock of the Week | November 26, 2008
Well, it’s almost the end of November and the playoff picture is starting to develop in both conferences. For fans in New York, it’s a special year since both local teams, the Jets and Giants, are both setting their sites on football in January. Let’s take a look at each squad’s performance up to now, and what the future may hold for them.
Our first look will be at this writer’s favorite team, the J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets. After making some huge moves in the free agent market, this team is poised to make a return to the playoffs which eluded them last year.
While Brett Favre might have been the biggest name acquired in the offseason, he may not actually be the most important. That nod will go to nose tackle, Kris Jenkins. The Jets have been terrible against the run over the last few years as Dwayne Robertson has been overmatched as an undersized nose tackle. Jenkins came into camp in better shape than his final year in Carolina and he’s been nothing short of a beast. He will definitely challenge Albert Haynesworth for the NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Newcomer Calvin Pace has also made his mark on this revamped defense with his pass rush alongside rookie corner Dwight Lowery. Add that to the solid foundation of Kerry Rhodes, Darrelle Revis, Bryan Thomas and Shaun Ellis and the Jets are showing that they have a defense that can carry them far into the postseason.
Now let’s look on the other side of the ball. Yet again, while the biggest name acquired in the offseason would be Brett Favre, it’s also possible that he’s not the most important one. On the offensive side, I’m going to give that distinction to offensive guard, Alan Faneca. The five time All-Pro and seven time Pro-Bowler has solidified a line weakened by the defection of Pete Kendall and has perhaps even taken it to a new level. He has provided a steady presence between Freeport’s own, D’Brickashaw Ferguson and Nick Mangold that was lacking last season. Toss in former Pro-Bowler Damien Woody as the new right tackle and the Jets’ line has looked more impressive than it has it previous years.
As for the new signal caller, Jets’ fans were drooling at the announcement of the trade for Brett Favre and he didn’t disappoint us tossing a 56 yard bomb to Jerricho Cotchery in the first series of the opener against Miami. Unfortunately, Favre left off where he did last year against the Giants by tossing a few ill-advised interceptions over the next few games which lead to Coach Eric Mangini asking Favre to assume a new role of game manager and the Jets have ripped off 5 straight, including a beatdown on the previously undefeated Tennessee Titans. With a solid running back corps of Thomas Jones and Leon Washington and equally solid receivers Laveranues Coles and Jerricho Cotchery, the Jets have put together an exciting offense that could take them deep into the playoffs…perhaps even to the big game.
Finally, special teams has also been another source of excitement for the Jets this season. Leon Washington should garner a nod to the Pro Bowl with his outstanding play as a kick returner. Jay Feely has done a solid job filling in the for the injured Mike Nugent on field goals. Unfortunately, the punter spot has been shaky this year starting with the torture of Ben Graham. Reggie Hodges currently holds the position, and has done a better job than Graham…although that doesn’t say much.
more to come including the G-Men in part 2…
Topics: NFL Football |
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