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| Daniel Benjamin. 8th September, 2011 - 1:59 pm
 On Sunday, the New York Jets made a plethora of roster moves to finalize their opening day 53-man roster.
The Jets, who have signed or traded for six players since the beginning of the month, finalized their roster by claiming QB Kevin O'Connell, center Colin Baxter, safety Andrew Sendejo and WR Mardy Gilyard off of waivers. The Jets had previously acquired rookie guard Caleb Schlauderaff (trade) and defensive back Isaiah Trufont (free agent). To make room for the newcomers, the Jets released LB Aaron Maybin; NT Martin Tevaseau and Trufont. The Jets also placed third string quarterback Greg McElroy (thumb surgery) on injured reserve which effectively ends his season and traded defensive back Dwight Lowery to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a conditional draft pick.
As of right now, the Jets will have 51 healthy bodies as they have elected to keep injured players WR Logan Payne (wrist surgery) and backup OL Rob Turner (broken leg) on the active roster. Payne, who made the roster as the fifth receiver, is expected to miss six-to-eight weeks while Turner is out at least two months after suffering a broken leg in Week 1 of the preseason. Turner is the only Jets offensive lineman besides the starters to have any NFL playing experience.
In addition, the Jets filled their practice squad with NT Tevaseu, LB Matt Berning, OG Trevor Canfield, DT Jarron Gilbert, OG Matt Kroul, CB Julian Posey, WR Patrick Turner and Trufont.
O'Connell's familiarity with the Jets is reason for signing
A few months ago quarterback was a strength for the Jets, at least in quantity, as the Jets had six quarterbacks on their roster prior to cutting ties before training camp with Kellen Clemens and Kevin O'Connell. The Jets released Clemens and O'Connell because they were comfortable having 40-year old Mark Brunell as Mark Sanchez's backup and seventh round draft pick Greg McElroy, who lacks elite NFL arm strength, as the third signal caller.
Now with McElroy out for the season (who was having an outstanding preseason), and Brunell's Week 1 status in question, the Jets are an injury to Sanchez away from having major issues at the position. Initially the Jets were hoping not to have to put McElroy on IR however with Brunell's calf still not completely healed, they basically were forced to sign another quarterback. Thus enter O'Connell who was claimed off of waivers from the Miami Dolphins. The fourth-year pro O'Connell, who has thrown four career regular season passes, spent the past two seasons with the Jets. O'Connell was on the Jets' practice squad in 2009 and IR in 2010 recovering from a torn labrum in his shoulder.
O'Connell, who was a 2008 third round draft choice of the New England Patriots, has been touted as having all the tools of the modern quarterback since coming out of San Diego State. O'Connell, who possesses strong leadership qualities, has good wheels and a strong arm.
Depth at wide receiver and offensive line is a problem
Health is a major concern for the Jets heading into the season, especially at wide receiver and along the offensive line.
The Jets, who currently have five healthy receivers on their roster with the addition of Mardy Gilyard, have three solid veteran receivers who are capable of taking the passing game to the next level. But health and continuity is a legit concern for those three as Santonio Holmes, Plaxico Burress and Derek Mason are all over the age of 30 and only on the field for 18 plays together during the preseason.
The Jets are most concerned about the 34-year-old Burress, who hasn't played a regular season game since 2008. Burress, who was spectacular in Week 2 of the preseason catching three passes and scoring a touchdown, only played two games and was completely shutout by Giants in Week 3.
However, Burress' performance in his debut demonstrated that he will be valuable to the Jets, especially in the red zone. Burress, who doesn't have the explosiveness that once made him a premier receiver, should be able to use his savvy and six-foot-five frame to win many balls in the end zone. In addition, Sanchez has identified Burress as his safety net.
Health is also major a concern with Mason (left knee) who is 37-years-old and was slowed by a sports hernia last year. Mason, who is known as a possession receiver, should be productive as the team's third receiver if he can remain healthy. Expect Mason to be involved in short routes like quick slants, 10-yard Ins and crosses along with wide receiver hooks.
Holmes is a proven receiver and the Jets best deep threat in years. Fifth round draft choice Jeremy Kerley and second-year Mardy Gilyard will add depth. Kerley is an exciting versatile player as he will be used as a wide receiver, kick returner and take snaps as the Wildcat quarterback. The five-foot-nine Kerley has excellent moves and is a handful to bring down however, he does need to improve his route running ability. Though Kerley is not seen as a big play receiver, he could be that guy as a kick returner. Gilyard, who was claimed off of waivers from the St. Louis Rams, was an exciting playmaker at the University of Cincinnati two years ago. If Gilyard can master the Jets system and get on the field, he could be a surprise player for the Jets.
Depth is also a concern for the Jets on the offensive line as they will only have eight healthy bodies available against the Dallas Cowboys on opening night. Another cause for concern is that none of the available backups have any NFL game playing experience. The backups include second-year Vladimir Ducasse, rookie Colin Baxter and Caleb Schlauderaff. In addition, Ducasse has struggled all preseason allowing sacks and committing costly penalties.
Baxter, who will backup center Nick Mangold, was claimed off of waivers from the San Diego Chargers. Baxter was an Outland Trophy nominee during his final season at the University of Arizona. Schlauderaff, who the Jets got from the Green Bay Packers for a conditional draft pick, is a fierce competitor with some nastiness. Shlauderaff, who was demoted to third string prior to the Packers last preseason game, is mostly a run blocking left guard. However, the Jets may try Schlauderaff at other positions until Turner returns.
The good news for the Jets is that they have five solid starters on the offensive line, headlined by left tackle D'Bricksaw Ferguson and Mangold. Ferguson, who has made the Pro Bowl the last two years, is one of the league's best while Mangold, who also was a Pro Bowler last season, is the Jets O-line signal caller. Both right guard Brandon Moore and left guard Matt Slauson had solid seasons last year round. While reliable Wayne Hunter is a starter for the first time in his career.
Jets defense
As expected, the Jets first unit defense was solid all preseason. The first unit, which returns 10 starters, allowed just 10 points in 16 possessions.
Although the defense is the Jets backbone, there are still some minor issues. The main issue for the defense is can the Jets get to opposing quarterbacks without blitzing as much? Under coach Rex Ryan, the 3-4 defense has relied heavily on several blitz packages to apply pressure. The Jets may have to continue that trend this year since they have such an inexperience frontline as the Jets wanted to get younger and bigger.
A few other causes for concern are pass coverage in the middle of the field and that they are vulnerable against running backs and tight ends in the open field. To combat these issues the Jets are considering using more zone coverage this year.
Inexperience upfront
Of the six defensive linemen the Jets have on their roster starting tackle Sione Pouha and starting end Mike DeVito are the only two with significant playing experience. However, the line is big as each member weighs at least 295 pounds.
Pouha, who anchors the line, is a seven year vet who has produced the last two-seasons he has started while DeVito is known for blowing up running plays. First-round draft pick Muhammad Wilkerson, who didn't do much in the preseason, is the other starter on the defensive line. The Jets do have high hopes for Wilkerson, who had nine sacks and 70 tackles at Temple last year, as a pass rusher. Wilkerson is also a good run stopper. Rookie tackle Kenrick Ellis, who is a run stuffer with the ability to get off the line of scrimmage quickly, will add depth as will Marcus Dixon and Ropati Pitoitua.
Plethora of linebackers and defensive backs
The Jets have 18 linebackers and defensive backs on their roster, which includes a couple of surprises.
The linebacking core of Bart Scott, David Harris, Calvin Pace and Bryan Thomas are solid as each player brings something to the table. Starting outside linebackers Pace, who is the Jets best pass rusher, and Thomas do most of the blitzing for the Jets. Inside linebacker Harris, who is one of the cornerstones of the defense, is an aggressive every down player while Scott is the team's emotional leader. The Jets also kept promising youngsters Jamaal Westerman and Josh Mauga along with rookie Nick Bellore and Garrett McIntyre. Westerman, who has shown promise during his three years with the Jets, and Mauga have been impressive this preseason. So has Bellore, who is an aggressive tackler, and McIntyre, who won his spot as a pass rushing specialist.
The Jets are set at cornerback with shutdown corner Darrelle Revis and his partner Antonio Cromartie, who needs to be more consistent but is capable of coming up with big plays. Nickel back Kyle Wilson has shown improvement after an up-and-down rookie campaign.
The team apparently was comfortable with Brodney Pool and Emmanuel Cook as the main backups to safeties Jim Leonard and Eric Smith since they dumped playmaker Dwight Lowery. Leonard, who missed eight games last year after suffering a broken leg, is the glue in the backfield. |
