The Jets will likely run the ball a lot more often than they have in recent seasons to protect whichever young QB they decide to go with in 2009.  Jets fans want rookie Mark Sanchez to be thrown into the fire right from Day #1.  But, he will have to beat out Kellen Clemens to get the nod in September.  Remember, Sanchez only started 1 season at USC….but he was great last year for them.  He can make all of the throws needed to succeed in the NFL.  It will be interesting to see how he handles the speed of the game.  Kellen Clemens had a chance to beat out Chad Pennington a couple of seasons ago and it didn’t go too well.  While he does have good physical skills he often throws the ball where he shouldn’t resulting in turnovers.  Still he will be given a chance to compete with Sanchez for the starting job in 2009.  Erik Ainge is clearly the #3 QB on the Jets.  He was suspended last season by the NFL for taking a banned substance so he’s in the Dog House with the Jets already.  But, he was a decent QB in college so maybe the light bulb over his head will turn on soon.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2009 SEASON:  D

The Jets have claimed 24-year old Martrez Milner off waivers from the Giants.  The 6′4″, 260 pound Milner did not play last season.  Milner has played in 8 games in his NFL career and he has caught 9 passes for 50 yards (5.6 avg).  The Jets have little depth at TE so Milner might luck out into some playing time during the 2009 season.

The Jets have done the NFL’s all-time leading passer a favor releasing him so he can continue his career in the league.  The 39-year old Favre played in all 16 games for the Jets last season and he completed 343 of 522 passes (65.7%) for 3,472 yards with 22 TD passes and 22 interceptions (81.0 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 21 times for 43 yards (2.0 ypc) with a TD last season.  The Jets are going in a different direction in 2009 going with the youthful Mark Sanchez and Kellen Clemens.

The Jets have signed undrafted safety Emanuel Cook.  Cook was expected to be drafted in the 6th or 7th round according to Pro Football Weekly.  He’s strictly a in the box strong safety who should help the Jets out on special teams.  He is not a good pass defender but he brings the pain in the running game to both the opposition and himself.  Cook is only 5′9″ but he’s a solid 205 pounds.  Cook played in 35 games (23 starts) in his three years at South Carolina and he made 226 tackles, broke up only 5 passes, had 3 interceptions (72 yards), forced 3 fumbles and he recovered 1 fumble. 

The Jets have released 27-year old punter Reggie Hodges.  Hodges played in 12 games for the Jets last season punting the ball 44 times for 1,884 yards (42.8 avg).  He also had 5 touchbacks (11.4%) and pinned the opposing team inside the 20-yard line 14 times (31.8%).  The Jets won’t miss Hodges in 2009 at all.