2008 New York Jets Season Preview

2008 New York Jets preview from MadduxSports.com. With the AFC East being one of the harder divisions to forecast in terms of nfl point spread success, be sure to have an ace in the hole on your side this season. That ace being Maddux Sports' weekly NFL picks.

2008 New York Jets Predictions
By Adam Barone

Rundown
Last season the Man-genius had some problems. The Jets went 4-12 and suddenly the fans stopped referring to him as “the Man-genius,” and started referring to him as “that idiot.”

When trying to find the recipe for a 4-12 disaster, combining the 18th ranked defense and 26th ranked offense is probably a decent start. Somehow there were seven teams with less than the Jets’ 188.4 passing yards per game.

Starting quarterback Chad Pennington played in only nine games last season, and lacks the arm strength to throw a 15 yard out route…and a five yard screen pass. Backup signal caller Kellen Clemens played in 10 games in 2007 and finished with a lovely 60.9 passer rating. The two will compete for the starting job.

How exciting.

Running back Thomas Jones topped 1,000 yards for the third straight season, but hit end zone pay dirt just once.

The free agent pickup of former Steelers’ guard Alan Faneca could help out both the air and ground games. Other new arrivals include running back Jesse Chatman, tight end Bubba Franks, enormous nose tackle Kris Jenkins, pass-rushing linebacker Calvin Pace, fullback Tony Richardson, cornerback Andre Woolfolk, and offensive tackle Damien Woody. Jenkins is a 335 pound scale-squasher who should prove to be the blocker-taker-upper the Jets have been seeking for a few years.

Notable losses for Gang Green include offensive tackle Anthony Clement, safety Erik Coleman, linebacker Victor Hobson, receiver Justin McCareins, nose tackle Dewayne Robertson, and star linebacker Jonathan Vilma. Robertson is a former fourth overall pick, but his lack of space-eating enormity never did fit the 3-4 scheme. Vilma, a pro-bowler, was sent packing in a trade with the Saints and will be missed.

Draft Analysis
The J-ET-S had two first round picks this April, but no second or third, adding to the pressure to make the first two count.

Having solved their need for a guard with the signing of Faneca, New York could focus on outside linebacker and offensive playmaker as priorities.

At sixth overall, the Jets chose widely-coveted Ohio State defensive end Vernon Gholston. Gholston is a highly versatile pass-rushing monster who will fit with the Jets at outside linebacker. He’s a bit raw, but scouts think he has the natural athletic ability to make perennial trips to Hawaii.

The other first round pick, the 30th overall, was spent on Purdue tight end Dustin Keller. Keller has big play capability and will team up with Franks to give whoever wins the starting quarterback job a dual safety net.

With neither Pennington nor Clemens exciting anyone who’s involved with the Jets in any way, fifth round pick Erik Ainge out of Tennessee could be the man under center in the near future. Ainge, a four year starter in college, can be consistent and is particularly adept at making well timed throws in traffic.

After viewing the New York Jets preview read about their rivals in the AFC East including the Dolphins, Patriots, and Bills.

Related Pages:
Jets Official Site
Pro Football Betting