The final 11 seasons for the Jets have been forgettable.
During that span, the Jets have zero playoff appearances and a report of 63-114, which is the third worst within the NFL behind solely the Jacksonville Jaguars and Cleveland Browns. Gang Green is hoping the 2022 season places the nightmares of their latest previous within the rearview mirror.
“We feel really good about our football team, feel really good about the guys that we have,” Jets head coach Robert Saleh mentioned. “Felt like numerous guys acquired quite a bit higher this offseason.
“I don’t want to jinx it, so I’m going to knock [on wood], we’ve been very healthy, with the exception of a couple of things here and there. I really like what we’ve gotten out of it.”
Coming off a 4-13 season and one other last-place end within the AFC East, the Jets added new items with hopes of turning into a constant playoff contender. General supervisor Joe Douglas and Saleh beefed up their protection and added high quality gamers offensively.
The key to the Jets’ season will come all the way down to the development of second-year quarterback Zach Wilson. Although he’s questionable to play within the season opener in opposition to the Baltimore Ravens, Wilson will probably be again both Week 2 on the Cleveland Browns or Week 3 in opposition to the Cincinnati Bengals.
Whenever the previous No. 2 general decide returns, the Jets must see enhancements in essential areas if he needs to be heralded as their franchise quarterback.
In 13 video games, Wilson threw for two,234 yards with 9 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. There had been flashes of star potential from Wilson in 2021, nevertheless, his general consistency and decision-making in the end put the breaks on crowning him as Gang Green’s quarterback of the long run.
Because of Wilson’s struggles in 2021, the Jets bolstered their offensive line and added extra weapons.
The signing of Laken Tomlinson provides the Jets a pleasant guard pairing together with Alijah Vera-Tucker. Also, including Duane Brown at left deal with and shifting George Fant to the suitable aspect ought to give the crew some stability on the skin of the road regardless of Mekhi Becton’s season-ending knee damage.
In addition to the O-line enhancements, the Jets added free agent tight ends C.J. Uzomah and Tyler Conklin to the fold. However, their greatest addition on the skin got here with the tenth general decide within the type of Ohio State star receiver Garrett Wilson.
There are nonetheless questions at receiver as Elijah Moore and Corey Davis each suffered season-ending accidents on the finish of final yr. If Moore and Davis keep wholesome, that might assist flip round a passing offense that completed twentieth within the league (208.3 yards per sport).
The Jets additionally chosen Breece Hall within the second spherical to present them a tag crew tandem of working backs to go alongside 2021 draft decide Michael Carter.
Defensively, the Jets have nowhere to go however up. The crew completed useless final in yards allowed as they gave up a mean of 397.6 per sport. To assist with that, Douglas and Saleh hope they discovered a possible shutdown nook in Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, who was chosen with the fourth decide within the 2022 draft.
Gardner was arguably the perfect cornerback in school soccer with the Cincinnati Bearcats as he didn’t enable a single landing reception all of final season. His lengthy arms and physique body at 6-3 ought to present an enchancment within the secondary from final season.
In addition to Gardner, the Jets added CB D.J. Reed as he came to visit from Seattle. They additionally signed S Jordan Whitehead from the Buccaneers, who was a key participant on their Super Bowl LV crew. Lamarcus Joyner, who performed in just one sport for the membership after tearing his triceps within the season opener in opposition to the Panthers, was re-signed as properly.
The Jets go rush wasn’t horrible final yr, however they missed Carl Lawson, who tore his Achilles throughout a joint follow with the Green Bay Packers in 2021. Getting Lawson again, who the Jets signed in 2021 to go alongside Jermaine Johnson, John Franklin-Myers and Quinnen Williams will give Saleh a dynamic mixture of rotational gamers onside the line of defense.
C.J. Mosley stays one of many extra constant linebackers within the league. However, there are questions surrounding the remainder of the group — Quincy Williams and Kwon Alexander — who had been signed after the beginning of coaching camp.
Alexander was a Pro Bowler in 2017 when he recorded 97 tackles and three interceptions. However, lately, he has but to regain that very same type throughout stops with the 49ers and the Saints.
The kicking scenario is about with the Jets as they selected veteran kicker Greg Zuerlein after releasing Eddy Pineiro, who the crew signed late final season. Gang Green is hoping they see the Zuerlein who was almost computerized for the Rams versus the inconsistent model displayed as a Cowboy.
With all the offensive upgrades, the Jets must see extra development and maturity from Wilson in the event that they’re going to take that subsequent step and contend in an AFC East with the Buffalo Bills, the New England Patriots, and an improved Miami Dolphins crew. The Jets roster isn’t good, however it’s undoubtedly higher than the one the crew had in 2022.
Wilson must construct on what he confirmed in the course of the ultimate six video games of the 2021 season when he threw for 1,021 yards, 5 touchdowns and just one interception. If he can proceed that pattern, the Jets ought to have the ability to enhance their win whole from final yr. If he can’t, then Douglas and Saleh will want front-row seats to scout the quarterbacks of the 2023 NFL Draft class.
()
Source: www.bostonherald.com