Jets’ Future Bright with Rex’s Defense and Sanchez’s Potential

The Jets finished the 2009 regular season ranked number one in total defense, passing defense, points allowed and rushing offense. It didn’t translate into an 11 or 12 win season because parts of the Jets went AWOL in particular games. Their special teams took a day off in one loss to Miami and their defense was nowhere to be found in the other. Mark Sanchez threw five balls to Bills players in an overtime loss and the Jets held the Falcons to just a field goal until under two minutes left in the game and lost 10-7. The Jets lost five games by five points or less. 

A top rated defense and a top rated running game is a formula for success in the NFL. In the past, teams that have led the NFL in those two categories usually have had postseason success. The Jets were no different until they ran into Peyton Manning and the Colts Sunday in the AFC Championship. Amid all the disappointing regular season losses, the Jets still made a nice run in 2009, but it ended two wins short. What they did in the latter part of the regular season and playoffs is showing of a team that will be a contender for quite some time.

Peyton Manning may have taken the wind out of the Jets’ sails a game away from the Super Bowl, but this team is going to be a contender for the next several years. Their future is very bright with Rex’s defense, Sanchez’s maturation and a phenomenal offensive line that will produce a strong running game. They have a young group of players and a coach that the players have bought into. Tighten a few areas up, workout some kinks, add a few other pieces like another cornerback and receiver, and the Jets will get back into the AFC Championship soon and hopefully be able to go one step further and get into the Super Bowl.

What’s not to look forward to? They have a defensive guru, Rex Ryan, as their head coach, who has earned respect after his first year on the job no matter how much he talked. They have a young quarterback, Mark Sanchez, who matured right in front of our eyes this season and had an incredible performance in the AFC Championship game and playoffs as a whole. They have a young running back, Shonn Greene, who made some eye-popping runs during the playoffs and has great potential if combined with another running back. They have a tough, physical and consistent offensive line that will open up holes and protect Sanchez for years to come. They have a young tight end, Dustin Keller, who will excel in the passing game and has improved his blocking this season. They have two great players, Kris Jenkins and Leon Washington, that are going to come back next year after missing this season with injuries (their return is like acquiring two great players). They have a slash-type of player in Brad Smith who can do it all and plays well on special teams and in the Wildcat. They have a great front seven on defense that will keep getting better the more time they spend in Rex’s defensive scheme. They have one of the premiere cornerbacks in the game, Darrelle Revis, who can be left alone to cover an opponent’s best receiver. 

Doesn’t it make you smile thinking about what the Jets have? This will be a critical offseason for the Jets. Keeping offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer will be crucial for the offense and Mark Sanchez in particular. He has one year under his belt in Schotty’s offense and he’ll be better next season. Adding the right pieces could mean the Jets have the opportunity to get back to the AFC Championship as soon as next season.