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 acquired 38-year old QB Brett Favre from the Packers for a draft pick that will hinge on his performance.  Favre was solid last season for the Packers as he started all 16 games for them.  Favre completed 356 of 535 (66.5%) passes last season for 4,155 yards with 28 TD passes and 15 interceptions (95.7 QB Rating).  Favre also carried the football 29 times for 12 yards (0.4 ypc) last season.  While it’s true that the Jets don’t have the surrounding cast that the Packers did last season Brett Favre is a winner and he will make the Jets a better football team from Day #1 until the end of the season.  Favre’s arrival will likely end Chad Pennington’s time in New York with young Kellen Clemens learning from the Master.

Brett Favre has played in 257 games (253 starts) in his NFL career and he has completed 5,377 of 8,758 passes (61.4%) for 61,655 yards with 442 TD passes and 288 interceptions (85.7 QB Rating).  Favre has also carried the football 555 times in his NFL career for 1,786 yards (3.2 ypc) with 13 TD runs.  Favre is the NFL’s all-time leader in completions, passing yards, passing TDs and interceptions.  This was a fantastic move for the Jets as Favre is a leader both on and off the field and he will show the Jets how to win.

NEW PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE QB POSITION IN 2008:  A

26-year old Mike Nugent has a big leg to hit long field goals and he might need to hit a lot of them due to the offense of the Jets.  He played in all 16 games for the Jets last season and he converted 29 of 36 field goals (80.6%) and 23 of 24 extra points (95.8%)…he had one blocked.  The Jets used a high pick on Nugent three years ago feeling that he would be one of the best kickers in the NFL but he hasn’t made it near that level yet.  Nugent has now played in 48 games in his NFL career and he has converted 75 of 91 field goals (82.4%) and 81 of 83 extra points (97.6%).

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON:  B

The Jets have brought in some new blood (Dustin Keller, Bubba Franks) to compete with Chris Baker to light a fire under him.  Baker has never lived up to his potential for the Jets.  He played in 15 games (all starts) for the Jets last season and he caught 41 passes for 409 yards (10.0 avg) with 3 TD grabs.  It will be hard for Baker to put up better numbers than he did last season as there will be more competition for playing time at tight end.  Baker has now played in 83 games (38 starts) in his NFL career and he has caught 124 passes for 1,311 yards (10.6 avg) with 12 TD grabs.

6′2″, 248 pound Dustin Keller was a first round pick this past April for the Jets and he will compete for the starting job in training camp.  He played in 13 games (all starts) for Purdue last season and he caught 68 passes for 881 yards (13.0 avg) with 7 TD grabs.  Keller has soft hands and enough speed to make teams pay if he’s left in single coverage with either a safety or a linebacker.  Keller played in 46 games (26 starts) in his career at Purdue and he caught 142 passes for 1,882 yards (13.3 avg) with 16 TD grabs. 

30-year old veteran Bubba Franks had the worst season of his NFL career for the Packers last season.  He played in only 8 games (1 start) for the Packers last season and he caught 18 passes for 132 yards (7.3 avg) with 3 TD grabs.  Look for Franks to possibly be a go to guy near the end zone as he was with Brett Favre in Green Bay.  Franks has now played in 114 games (94 starts) in his NFL career and he has caught 256 passes for 2,300 yards (9.0 avg) with 32 TD grabs.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON:  B

The Jets have a solid pair of starting WRs but they don’t have much depth.  26-year old Jerricho Cotchery had a breakout season for the Jets in 2007.  He played in 15 games (all starts) and he caught 82 passes for 1,130 yards (13.8 avg) with 2 TD grabs.  He also carried the ball 5 times for 38 yards (7.6 ypc) last season.  Look for Cotchery to possibly have an even better season in 2008 if the Jets get improved play out of the QB position.  Cotchery has now played in 59 games (32 starts) in his NFL career and he has caught 189 passes for 2,402 yards (12.7 avg) with 8 TD grabs.  He also has carried the ball 11 times for 67 yards (6.1 ypc) in his career.

Laveranues Coles took a beating last season and it’s looking like his odometer has a lot of hard miles on it.  Coles played in 12 games (10 starts) last season for the Jets and he caught 55 passes for 646 yards (11.7 avg) with 6 TD grabs.  Look for Coles to have problems this season if he can’t stay healthy from all of the shots he has taken over the last few seasons.  Coles has now played in 121 games (109 starts) in his NFL career and he has caught 561 passes for 7,245 yards (12.9 avg) with 37 TD grabs.  He has also carried the ball 33 times for 212 yards (6.4 ypc) in his NFL career.

24-year old Brad Smith will likely be the #3 WR for the Jets this season.  The converted QB is starting to look comfortable at WR.  Smith played in 16 games (9 starts) for the Jets last season and he caught 32 passes for 325 yards (10.2 avg) with 2 TD grabs.  He also carried the ball 12 times for 45 yards (3.8 ypc) last season for the Jets.  Look for Smith to possibly double his career totals this season for the Jets.  He has played in 32 games (12 starts) in his NFL career and he has caught 41 passes for 386 yards (9.4 avg) with 2 TD grabs.  He has also carried the football 30 times for 148 yards (4.9 ypc) in his career.

Chansi Stuckey could also battle for the #3 WR job on the Jets if he can stay healthy.  He did not play as a rookie last season after injuring his foot in the pre-season.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON:  C-