Erik Boland: Inside the Jets

Boland--

Updating while on vacay!? Once again you go above and beyond the call of duty. You're the best of the best, dude. Enjoy your vacation--you've earned it.

Oh, and you should be set in terms of entertainment this week; I believe that photo was taken on Lake Erie.

Boland,

You're taking a vacation and the best you can do is Cleveland?

Damnit, Roger, you beat me to it.

A VACATION to Cleveland? Hell...you're better off going to Brazil and catching the Cleveland from one of those prostitutes. Yes, that's right, Cleveland is now an official STD.

Enjoy it Boland, and, if you want, I can impersonate you for responses....just offering, ya know?

Cleveland? To visit friends and family? That sounds more like work!!!

You have the perfect picture of a vacation and then you totally disregard it. So sad! Think I'll go do some fishing in the lake after seeing that pic. Say hi to the family. Stay away from the blog and enjoy the week.

Cliff,
care to enlighten me on the symptoms of the cleveland? too many nights spent in dank and shoddy hotels leave my mind uneasy.

There's fish in that picture? To hell with the symptoms, give us the cure!

Boland, have fun in Cleveland. Try not too get TOO sunburn while you're in the tropics of C-Land. Watch out for the midges.

He's just *saying* he's "vacationing" in Cleve-land. It's to engender sympathy from us. That bastid's probably at South Beach as I type this...

Cliff - you crack me up dude. But how do you know so much about STD's?

EB - when you are on the golf course in Cleveland, be careful, they don't allow the "Force Out Rule" there. In fact Cliff, you'll like this - I was actually in a strip joint in Philly the day of the infamous Baker force-out catch.

EB - Did you win the week in Cleveland in a contest? What was second prize, two weeks? (A tip of the hat to W.C. Fields).

Wow, guys. Midges, STDs, and W.C. Fields, oh my.

Jesus Erik, C-Town AND Cleveland.? You are really in the deepest part of the earth. What is the hammer head doing there? Great company though.

Wow, I'm glad people enjoy the comments...I always feel like they may be too off-color.

Anyways, having never been to Cleveland (or Brazil, for that matter), I'm not so knowing of the infamous Cleve, if you will. I'm guessing it results in a lot of smog, terrible agriculture and a feeling of worthlessness (just a guess, considering what its named after).

I'm starting to think maybe Darrell needs to take over for EB...possibly impersonate him...just so that we can hear the TRUE side of things.

Erik,
Enjoy the vacation and you'll be back soon for Browns vs Jets real soon. Maybe see you there.

Enjoy the vacation, and hit the Rock 'n Roll HOF while you're there. This is definitely the football dead zone time. Unless, of course, you're covering the police blotter.

Now you guys can see why I moved to Florida!

I think EB went to Clevland for a job interview...maybe getting home sick for the Dawg Pound...and sick of Mangini's sleepers, I mean pressers.

Sorry, Cliff. No can do. I'm about to go on a little sabbatical to Boise.

: P

Wow. Sabbatical? To Boise? Do you teach agriculture? God I hope, for your sake, that was sarcasm...I went to Boise with my school's basketball team last year and it was desolate...it hurt me.

No, I'm not really going... just wanted to let those vacationing in beautiful Cleve-land know what us real swingers do.

[/sarcasm]

Erik,

While you're in Cleveland see if you can get any tips on what to do when you have a sub-par defensive secondary. The Browns are probably the one team in the league in worse shape than the Jets in that regard.

Rich R.
Sorry have to disagree with you about the Jets secondary. Rhodes is one of the best safties in the league, Revis is a lockdown CB who could be an all-pro this coming year, Miller will surprise people and if his knee is ok will be a solid starting CB and Elam and Smith wil battle for that other safety spot.Depth wise Poteat,Coleman,Lowery,Hawkins and Woolfork will probably win those jobs.This secondary will be very good especially with the improved pass rush from the front seven. GO JETS!!!!

Erik - I have a question about PSLs.

Let's say the Jets mirror the Giants and charge between $1000.00 and $20,000.00 per seat. That means a Jet fan since the 1970s might get slapped with an $80,000.00 bill. Ouch! I'm going to guess many people with good seats won't be able to afford that bill. Will the Jets offer them an opportunity to buy less expensive seats?

I've been a season ticket holder since the late 80s and I reside on the upper deck. I should be able to afford my seat tax. However, here's what worries me. What happens if thousands of lower deck fans pass on good seats and opt for crappier ones? I can't afford $40K for two seats. Do I get pushed back or - worse - pushed out of the stadium?

J., from what I understand - and remember the Jets "policy" on this hasn't been announced yet as only the Giants have made PSLs official - higher-end customers don't necessarily get dibs on seat locations. In other words, you would get first option to buy seats in a similar location to what you have now, independent of what those in better seat locations decide to do. PSLs are disgraceful enough; if they did what you propose, that would make a bad situation worse. Let me know, please, if something like that happens.

As for everyone else, thanks for providing me with some entertaining comments to read through after finishing up on the golf course. Though, Darrell, comparing Cleveland to Boise...c'mon now:).

And Ira, yes, I'll be back here next month. Just booked the flight today. Are you telling me you travel for exhibition games too??? Amazing.

I wasn't comparing Cleveland to Boise. To my knowledge, Boise has never set a large body of water on fire.

Darrell,

I don't think there is any large body of water in Boise, maybe a large body IN water.

Erik,
I have in the past for games that are within driving range. This Cleveland game is possible because of the HOF visit since we would fly into Canton. We have to decide soon.

Hey Boland, do all the little chicks with the crimson lips say "Cleveland rocks!"?

define "little" chicks...I dunno if there's anything little about the chicks in Cleveland...Boise on the other hand, that's the one thing I can commend that area for.

Also, as Darrell clarified his sabbatical was merely a hoax, is it safe to assume that we can have you impersonate Bola then?

Cliffy boy, it's from the theme song of "The Drew Carrey Show"

Oh, come on Bryan, I loved that show (The Norm Show was better, though). I knew that, was just making a little pun since I've been in Ohio (not Cleveland, but close) and there's not much in terms of "little" chicks...but hey, I'm from Philly so I can't be too much of a judge.

NFL Network's Adam Schefter suggest the Jets, Chiefs, and Ravens as possible landing spots if the Packers decide to trade Brett Favre.

Why do they tease us so?!?!?!?!?

Cliff, I was born in South Jersey, right outside Philly, so believe me, I know the horrible experience of being near Philly fans. Good thing I was raised in the Big Apple. You know what's worse than being around Philly fans? Going to Cleveland for vacation.

Ganggreen31,
Thats ridiculous. Why would Farve comeback to play with the Chiefs or Ravens. The Chiefs will be a 4-5 win team while the Ravens are 6-10 or 7-9 team. The Jets are going to the playoffs but not with Farve.Everybody have a Happy and Safe 4th.

touche, Bryan, touche.

Well, coming to you here from lovely downtown Cleveland. The smell of sulfur and rotting cabbage fills the air. After settling in and seeing the old family (getting dad down outta the tree and shaving mom's back) I finally got a chance to look at some Jets news for you guys.

Hey, did anybody know that the Jets' colors are Green and White? See, this is the kinda in-depth analysis you've come to expect from such a dedicated, longtime Br... er, Jet fan. Also, I've noticed that men like pictures of scantily clad women. To hide obvious DNA-related shortcomings (Darrell and Cliff, you guys just calm down now) I only have to show chicks in bikinis. Hell, if I do it enough, this blog will continue to get the hits and the primates who inhabit the boardroom here at Intergalactic Media, will toss me a nice bonus. Did somebody say Jessica Alba in jello?

Well, that's all for now, I'm working on a super duper story for the sports page on how the Jets are moving to New Jersey. Gotta keep you guys up to date on all the latest.

Boland, as mentioned above, Schefter think the Jets would be a target for Favre if he came back.

Do you personally think that the Jets FO would jump at that opportunity if the cost was significant, but not over the top? (maybe a 1st rounder and a mid rounder)

I think that Boland's vacation has given this blog the kind of lively humor it needed. D-Bol, great impersonation. I think you gave E-Bol too much credit though, lets be honest...he'll probably write the Jersey article come February.

Erik, maybe you should funnel D-Bol's talented ideas....I can imagine it now: Meet the Bolands (Dad in a tree, Mom's back, CLEVELAND)...hilarity ensues....could even be another Arrested Development type family.

I think that Boland's vacation has given this blog the kind of lively humor it needed. D-Bol, great impersonation. I think you gave E-Bol too much credit though, lets be honest...he'll probably write the Jersey article come February.

Erik, maybe you should funnel D-Bol's talented ideas....I can imagine it now: Meet the Bolands (Dad in a tree, Mom's back, CLEVELAND)...hilarity ensues....could even be another Arrested Development type family.

Preseason can't come soon enough....

People, at what point did I lose control of the room here? Never had it, I know.

Darrell, good impression, though I'm not nearly as good a writer as you. All of which leads to the smartest thing Cliff has ever said, that preseason can't get here soon enough. (Arrested Development...sheesh)

dmb88886, there is no way the Jets FO would give up a first rounder for a 38-year-old quarterback who probably, at best, could give you one season. They won't pay that kind of price. That said, if there was a creative way - i.e. not decimating your draft - to bring in one of the top 10 QBs ever, you'd have to explore it.
But that's a fantasy. There's a big if here regarding if the rumors are even true, and if they are true, Favre will be a Packer. It's not like Aaron Rodgers is a Steve Young in waiting situation, the way the 49ers were set up after Montana. Interesting to think about, though.

Erik,
Couldn't agree with you more. Farve makes the Packers a SB contender. He will play for the Packers this year.

Erik,
That interview better be going well for you in Cleveland because Darrell's getting Glauber to write a letter of recommendation and setting up the interview as we speak!

I think the Jets would be laughed at for considering bringing in a former great QB like B. Favre. His experience would be negated by the transition to a new offense. The process would just set us back in the attempt to find our starting QB. No way Tangini sells out for that. The smell of desparation is already in the air after the FA splurge this would seal the deal.

JETVET, you said something interesting there: "The process would just set us back in the attempt to find our starting QB," which I agree with.
You follow that with, "No way Tangini sells out for that. The smell of desparation is already in the air after the FA splurge this would seal the deal."

What do you mean my desperation? I don't mean to put words in your mouth but the word "desperation" typically has a negative connotation, as in they overspent in the FA market and did so frivolously. OR, did you mean desperation because they're coming off a 4-12 season? Just curious. You always have some interesting viewpoints.
And Happy Fourth to everyone.

If I had to guess, I think JET VET meant that the jets overspent for the short term. At least half , if not more of the jet fans feel this way.

I believe the jets had so many holes to fill,they had no choice, but could have been a lttle more prudent.

Aside from that, I believe the jets did what they had to do and the team will be better off, but only in the short term. The depth problems and the lack of younger players with talent at key spots will hurt us in the near future.

The up side is even in the short term ,we have leadership to mentor and guide the younger players and pull the team together.

To sum it up,I can see the other side in that we didnt get enough bang for the buck and a couple of question marks in Pace and Woody for BIG bucks.

Time will tell if the right moves were made.

The only way in my opinion, that we have a winning season and get into the playoffs is if one of the qbs step up and blow the other away in the competition. If one qb just scrapes by the other, we will have a 7 or 8 win season which is still not bad considering all the changes.

If anything ,there will be alot of drama .

Yet their still remains the ? about our team and rightfully so, but they got some of the Top tier players that were on the market. Granted their was no Steve Hutchinsons or Shawn Merriman, and they even took Terrell Suggs off, but these players were highly coveted by other franchises.

As stated the addition of Faneca makes Mangold and Dbrick overall performance better plus if Woody cn pass block than his services will be more than plenty.

So since we didn't get a sniff of Suggs then we had to settle for the next best thing Pace. Our passrush was ranked in the low 20's and not to mention Gholston.

Is it management fault that this is what we had to pick from, no not @ all. But for as much as we added and you sum that up w/ our record in which we should have been 7-9 or 8-8, does anyone really not believe that we cant go 10-6 again or 11-5.

Granted QB is definetly our biggest ?, but over spend.......... well maybe too much guaranteed money, buy nah. We will be alright this season. Can't wait to read all of your blogs come mid-october.

I get chills when fans predict a 10 or 11 win season. We know what happend last year.

This year there have been so many changes that it is more of a question mark than ever.

Yeah, on paper it looks good, but I will wait until the end of August before I give my final prediction. We don't even know who the qb is!

I am not tooting my own horn, but I have been very accurate the last several years.

At this point ,I can't see getting less than 7 wins,but way too early to say 10 or 11.

As we learn more about the "new team" this preseason, it will become clearer.

As I have stated , if anything it will be very interssting. And yes, Tangini is on the hot seat!

If Tangini is not on the hot seat after spending that kind of money and already having a free pass, we are the crapiest organization in the NFL! Who wouldnt make a change?

It is time to step up or go for a total house cleaning!

This whole notion that the Jets "overspent" is absurd. Anyone who pays attention knows that the salary cap is going to skyrocket over the next few years, and it could potentially be completely defunct once the next CBA is completed. If Tanenbaum isn't a great talent evaluator, he's still an excellent cap manager. So why Jets fans would complain about getting the best players available is beyond me.

Meanwhile, if there is any way to secure Brett Favre without giving up your first round pick, you do it. Period. Whether that's possible is an unknown, but you'd have to be a fool if you think the Jets shouldn't at least explore it.

Pace, Woody-the best $ value can buy? As for Farve , even giving up a 2nd rounder is foolish. Farve is done. It would take too long at his age to learn the jets complicated offense. By the time he does, he will be ready for the old age home. KC is a young gun and we must see if he has what it takes. If not ,CP will do less damage money wise than Farve and already knows the complex offense and has a chemistry with the WRs.

We poor deluded jet fans keep grasping and straws!

Meant to say "AT "straws ! Farve , please ! It will never happen.

Scott P dude, i'm sorry............. better yet no what i'm not sorry. Bro, you don't believe in change and you state the obvious on Boland's blog and Cimini's blog. So I guess that makes you consistent, but I for damn sure are glad your not the GM. You would probably bring back Browning Nagle...

C'mon man why not Favre? Complex offense, really!! Not to compare but, Eli didn't make his run last year until they simplified the offense and everything slowed down....

Now no comparison as stated but i bet Chad or Kellen doesn't know the whole offense and i'm pretty sure they don't run the whole offensive playbook in a game......... DUH!!!!!!!!!!!

So you bring Favre along slowly. By the end of the year he will have done grasp 3/4 of it. The guy is a Pro, and a Pros Pro @ that so it wouldn't be hard @ all.

Plus we could trade a 2nd rounder and Pennington to GB. How can they resist that. If they fill that Rodgers is ready then who's better to back him up than Chad. You make Brohm the 3rd string QB and your set.

Only if we can sign Favre for 3 years and he plays two.

I'm with Scott. I'm one of the few people that apparently realizes that Favre's numbers weren't as meaningful as they play it up to be. Yes, he's a hall-of-famer, yes he's one of the 10 best of all time, but is he top 5? No way. He's one of the 10 best all time because he played forever. He set a TD record while also setting an INT record. Hell, if Peyton plays as long as Favre, he could break that record by a giant margin. The fact of the matter is that Favre is old and his age and poor decision making has showed the past few years (see the playoff game against the Giants? HE GOT PICKED BY ONE OF THE WORST SECONDARIES).

If I'm giving up a 2nd round pick and CP, I'm going to get a guy who's going to be here more than 2 years....not to mention a guy who I'd see as still being good. For a 3rd round pick and CP we could maybe have a shot at Cutler. Hell, if the GMs had tried, they probably could've done D-Rob, a 3rd and cp for Cutler. All I'm saying is that, as Scott stated, Favre just doesn't make sense. Anyone who thinks otherwise needs to go sit in a padded room for a few weeks.

Plus, "reality jet fan", the reality about our Jets offseason is that we've got a defensive line and we've got an offensive line. But we STILL haven't just given KC the offense. He's going to get it, but he needs to have it all pre-season and he needs to have it guaranteed.

I can't even believe that any of you want Favre. Before last season everyone was thinking the guy was gone...he posts one ridiculous year (which he only stayed around for because he wanted the TD record) and everyone thinks he's worth anything still? I hope he stays retired...GB has a serious talent in Rodgers.

Bring Farve along slowly? You act as though he is 30 ! I thought we are looking to the future! We would just be prolonging the agony !

I only believe in change if it is positive , but not just for the sake of change without a clear and long term gain.

I know , we as jet fans are looking for the magic bullet, but lets not shoot a blank again and again!

PS- if you say CP still doesnt know the offense and he is a scholar and one of the most intelligent qbs of this era , what do you think Farve will do at almost 40 with a totally different scheme to learn!

I can still see him with snot running down his face against the Giants and being eaten alive! He is done.LOL !

I agree, the jets gotta look to the future, and Brett is not it. I remember everyone saying something about a 5 year plan that Tangini had for the jets when coming aboard. well, if you believe in that, then why take Favre now?

The jets gotta stay consistent and do whats best for the future. granted, the spending spree this off season smells a lot like win now, but at least its a win now with the future in mind. everyones been signed to at least a 4 year contract in which time the replacement is ready to step up and alls well. what future will the qb position have if we jeopardize KC's development by taking Favre? id rather miss the playoffs this year developing kellen than make the playoffs this year only to fall shy of the AFC championship again and put the next decade at risk.

lets face it, some of us may not see kellen as the future starter under center, but as a jets fan ill back him and to do so means having confidence in him now. In the end, i know Tangini will pass on Favre, which is what i think all of you believe too subconsciously, cause they know how to build a franchise.

Taking Favre is not the answer, so get over the fact that you wont see him in green and white, the only chance of that was drafting him, and that time has long passed.

Cliff and Brian, good posts! I couldnt agree more!

Take a break for a sec and go to MLB.com and vote for Giambi to get in the All-star game!!!!

Scott P,

Are you backing KC? Did you come over to the dark side (or at least the Clemens side)? I agree that Favre is a tempting thing that will only set us back a couple of years. The possiblity of Favre is 12 years too late.

Mr. Green T, I back whoever gives us the best chance to succeed. That will be determined by the qb competition. No matter who it is, it will be better than the old washed up Farve who will take too long to learn the complex offense.

I hope KC lights it up(much more upside), but I am skeptical. He deserves a shot anyway as does CP due to the horrible oline last season.

The best thing that can happen is that KC shines and is given the starting job, but if he still looks lost , CP will still make it interesting with a solid D and improved oline with a no quit ground game, while we find our qb of the future.

I am still not convinced CP can't do the job. That high ankle sprain took away much of his velocity and not having time to throw will effect a qb that dosen't have a strong arm even more so. With those two problems corrected,CP will be like night and day with his experience and savvy. If you throw in a solid running game where he can use his killer play action, he will be a real chain mover!

As recently as 06 he got us 10 wins and a trip to the post season with alot less around him than he has now. We didnt even have a true starting RB then.

As I stated, I will give that all up if KC can beat him out convincingly ,but that remains to be seen.

Bottom line ,let the best qb start. I would rather have a decent season under CP with the hope of getting into the playoffs ,even if he cant get us over the hump than a tanked season that will put the organization in a tail spin under KC if he is truly not starting material. It is up to Mangini to start the best QB.

This preseason will be huge.

Yeah, Mr. Green T: I think that was an endorsement for Kellen. A long shot from the old blog of CP this and I love Chad that.................Wow what a difference a change makes. Welcome Scott P. Hell i'll take you, its all in good Green and White anyway.

PS, I'll still take Favre over CP and Clemens.... And I like Clemens for the record!

RJF, thanks ,but I never changed my position. My bottom line has always been the same. I am a jet fan first before any one player. I will put my trust in Mangini to put the best qb out there.

As I have stated many times, the proof will be in who adapts better to all the changes that the jets have made.

I hope it is KC.He is younger , more durable and has a stronger arm , but he must show all the other intangibles which he has not. I am skeptical but hopeful.

Again, if he still isn't showing anything it will be better to go with the proven veteran.

That is what the qb competition is all about. We will have to wait it out.

Don't confuse what I want with what might be REALITY !

I love this next post:

By Cliff Mulhare on July 5th, 2008
I’ve written a couple of articles on how important the revamping of both our offensive and defensive lines were this offseason. Even if you are a casual Jet fan, and watched the horrific 2007 season it would have even been quite apparent to you.I refer to it as Football 101, the importance of the guys that go unnoticed in the trenches. Well last year they were noticed by the entire NFL fan base, players coaches, announcers etc….you get my point I’m sure.

Now I would like to switch it over to the importance of fortifying that horrible pass rush that we as Jet fans had to endure for the past couple of seasons. Visions of Tom Brady having 8 seconds to throw and exposing our DB’s are still in my head..but they WILL be a thing of the past this upcoming 2008 campaign!

Not only did the FO draft the best available option with the #6 overall pick in Vernon Gholston (a player that WILL wreck havoc on opposing QB’S), but as we know, they really went out of their way to lure Calvin Pace in free agency..a player that is much more comfortable in the 3-4, to become a Jet. He is going to surprise alot of Jet fans. The sacks and pressures (sometimes we forget about the importance of QB pressures) will be there. Don’t count his money, count his sacks and pressures. By the end of the season, when we are AFC East champs..everyone will forget the contract.

But what about Kris Jenkins? If he does his job (and he will), by constantly tieing up a couple of blockers..then expect David Harris to be blasting up the middle! He had 5 sacks in half a season with the wrong guys around him! He is sure to be in double digits this year, he is THAT good.

Then there is “Hollywood”. He must be chomping at the bit! Where is he going to be coming from on blitz packages? The outside or the inside? Throw in Bryan Thomas getting his head out of his ass, and reverting back to the player he was in 2006, and David “under the radar” Bowens, and the Jets have the makings of a top flight pass rushing defense! I even expect Shaun Ellis and Kenyon Coleman to be chipping in on stunts, and outright Mangini confusion now that he is getting the right players for this type of complicated defense…a defense where every player is accountable to know where their teamates should be.

Alot of fans continue to say that we are weak at the #2 corner and free saftey positions. With a pass rush like our HC has developed, whatever “weakness’” Jet fans are concerned about will not be exposed! Why? Because the opposing QB will now have to get rid of the ball very quickly, or he will be on his ass!

Watch and enjoy the 2008 season! This defense is going to be NASTY!!!

Whoever starts at QB, this D will be HUGE and just what we need !

Hey, that last post by Bryan wasn't me, but it certainly was a good point.

Scotty P for Newsday Blog MVP.

This is how the Jets will win 10 games.
AFC East 4-2
AFC West 3-1
NFC West 2-2
Titans/Bengals 1-1
And thats how they will get to the playoffs.

Scott,
I am with you about the QVB position. This team is built to win with either QB. Kellen just gives them other options of what they can do on offense. But he will have to prove he ccan win the job. Chad we all know will get them to the playoffs if he plays 16 games. This team will be in the top 10 in rushing and the defense will finally get to were Eric envisioned it to be. They finally got the missing piece with Jenkins at NT. The Jets will surprise a lot of people this year. Go Jets!!!!

The running game will only be effective with a QB that can keep the chains moving. I've seen Chad do it. I haven't seen Clemens do it.

I'm not to say that Clemens can't, just that I haven't seen it yet. If you look at last year, it won't tell you much about either Chad or Kellen, except that neither one is good enough to carry the team without a supporting cast or an O-Line that can protect the QB.

I don't know what you guys are thinking, but most running games aren't effective if the QB can't stretch the field....Let's be honest, if the QB can't keep the safeties honest by throwing some deep patterns then there will be a wall of defenders every play...

The keys to the season is both lines. If they can gel and be the team they are on paper, the QB and the secondary can look better than they are. If we are beasts in the trenches, it will reduce our two major weaknesses. I can't wait for August! 31 days till Cleveland!

Boland i hope you are out stealing secrets in Cleveland. Or at least hanging out with the Matt Walsh AV club dancers.

You don't need a qb who can throw 50 yds to keep defenses honest.That is a myth! CP will have much more velocity with his injury out of the way and some time to throw, courtesy of the improved line.Don't be misled by last season.

We also have TJ ,who with the Bears had the box stacked and still ran for 1200+. It is the blocking that will open everything up and in turn the run game that we didnt have last season.

Also the team is built around CP with the backfield and TE mix and matches. Teams will fear loading the box with Keller being able to burn them .

Even with loading the box, with solid blocking, a run game, TE action and backfield options, CP will thrive with his play action! He has shown with the right suporting cast he can move the chains!

Throw in a MUCH better D and CP wont have to play catch up and who better to manage a game than CP. I couldnt count how many times the D lost the game last season and forced CP into mistakes. Not the case in 08 as our D will be at a new level. Very few qbs can come from behind in todays NFL.You have to be a top qb to constantly pull a team threw.

I am still hoping KC wins the competition, but I also believe CP will make real noise with this improved team !

We have much to look forward to !

First off, sorry for the confusion, different Brian...

I agree that both the defensive and offensive lines will be much improved, that's obvious after the off season signings. however, i still feel like there are a lot of question marks on the D. About half of the players filling the box are currently unproven in NY, and what do you make of the abundance of DE/OLB? I almost want to say that the situation is similar to that of the giants last season, trying to toss in Mathias to gain playing experience for the inevitable Strahan departure. I know the analogy may be a little inaccurate, but the idea of comparing us to the giants defense was all too exciting for me. so the question remains...

who will be the 4 starters filling in the DE/OLB beginning the season? who will be the 4 starters at the end?

also, i feel that Miller will take the 2nd CB spot. after seeing the breakaway speed Miller had on his way to earning a probowl appearance two seasons back, i am confident he can keep up with the best WRs. the question is his mentality. he was burnt all too often because his pro instincts just werent there. after a whole season to think about those mistakes, i think hes ready to take the spot.

and for a change of pace, whos the #3 WR? I cant help but lose interest in Brad Smith after seeing him shut down by defenses that season. after seeing him run his trick plays and options galore, the defense just knows all too well what to expect of him, and i dont know if hes ready to transform into our #3. stuckey, from what ive heard, has been showing real improvements, but that remains to be seen this preseason, becuase i still havent seen him play for myself. So what does everyone think about the #3 spot...Stuckey or Smith, or neither?

The sad part is, even if Stuckey or Smith is the real deal it will take a while for them to develop. If one of C&C goes down we are in big trouble. We need to sign a veteran WR and fast. Coles is one hit away from toast and we all seen how effective JC is with that scenario.

That is why the problem with CB is bigger than one thinks.

He adds a solid dimension to the game, especially if we are weak and thin at WR, we will need other options !

Franks is in serious decline/inury prone and Keller is only a rookie and not even a true TE.

That is too thin for our own good.

Hey guys...I'm starting to get a little frustrated with how down people are about Coles and Cotchery. Last year these guys had to run cross routes and quick slants because the QB had to throw quickly...this left them open to get plowed in the middle. I agree that we need to sign another guys (Even if its Chris Henry, for 8 games a year, I'd love to have the guy). Coles is and always will be a Plaxico...he's that speedy guy on the outside who can catch the ball and make things happen. HE IS NOT AN OVER THE MIDDLE KIND OF RECEIVER. In all honesty, I don't think Cotchery is either. Cotchery hears foot steps and gets a little scared as well...that's where these TEs come in. If we've got Franks and Baker to catch and make things happen in the middle, then our 2 WRs can do their thing on the outside. I'd argue that Coles and Cotchery are a better tandem than Plax and Toomer or Plax and Moss.

No matter how you cut it, our offense needs to let guys do what they're meant to do and what they're good at doing. CP is a good clock manager, TJ is a good feature back, Coles is a good catch and run guy, Cotchery's a good 3rd and 5 kind of receiver. The major difference between every professional team is their mentality. What makes a good team? They've all got talent, its just how they go into games and how they handle themselves in the games. If the coaches put the players into the roles that they're comfortable with, well, its going to make the team roll.

Coles has a lot more in his tank than people really give him credit for having. When I saw Coles last year, I always noticed him running slants...when the ball actually reached his hands, he was always looking to make that cut and get into space. He's always played injured (even at the end of the season last year, with his ankle injury, he was on the field...if the Jets were in the same situation as the Giants were, I bet you'd be reading Coles' name where Plaxico was). Anyways, lets see what happens before we start trashing our pieces...its too early to say we overspent, its too early to say that Coles and Cotchery aren't good enough and its sure as hell to early to say that either CP or KC deserve the job.