Gone is Thomas Jones and in his place in 2010 will be future Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson.  Make no mistake though, 2nd year RB Shonn Greene is going to do the heavy lifting in the Jets’ running game.  Greene played in 14 games (0 starts) as a rookie for the Jets last season in which he carried the ball 108 times for 540 yards (5.0 ypc) with 2 TD runs.  He’s not much of a receiver though as he didn’t catch any passes during the regular season.  He stepped up his game in the playoffs as the Jets rode his battering ram type running style all the way to the AFC Championship Game.

30-year old LaDainian Tomlinson might not have a lot of tread left on his tires but the Jets aren’t going to run him into the ground either in a attempt to keep him fresh and productive.  L.T. played in 14 games (all starts) for the Chargers last season in which he carried the ball 223 times for 730 yards (3.3 ypc) with 12 TD runs.  He also caught 20 passes for 154 yards (7.7 avg) last season.  Tomlinson, unlike Greene, is a good receiver which should get him on the field a lot on third downs.  Tomlinson has now played 9 years in the NFL in which he has appeared in 141 games (all starts).  In those games, L.T. has carried the ball 2,880 times for 12,490 yards (4.3 ypc) with 138 TD carries and he has also caught 530 passes for 3,955 yards (7.5 avg) with 15 TD grabs. 

The Jets drafted Joe McKnight out of USC to replace Leon Washington who was traded to the Seahawks during the NFL Draft.  McKnight will be a good change of pace for the Jets when he’s on the field as he is much faster than Greene or Tomlinson.  He should turn into a nice weapon for the Jets in 2010 and beyond.

25-year old Chauncey Washington will have a hard time making the team unless he excels on special teams.  Washington played in 2 games for the Cowboys last season but he didn’t touch the football.  He has played in 8 games (0 starts) in his two years in the NFL and he has carried the ball 4 times for 9 yards (2.3 ypc).  Washington has also caught 1 pass for 9 yards in his NFL career.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE JETS RBs in 2010:  B

23-year old Mark Sanchez didn’t play especially well during the regular season but he stepped up in the playoffs.  The Jets hope that Sanchez builds on his playoff success during the regular season in 2010.  He played in 15 games for the Jets last season and he completed 196 of 364 passes (53.8%) for 2,444 yards with 12 TD passes and 20 INTs (63.0 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 36 times for 106 yards (2.9 ypc) with 3 TD runs last year.  The Jets will likely take off the shackles and let Sanchez throw the ball more in 2010 as he has more than enough arm to make all of the throws needed.  They also hope that he learned to slide in the off-season so that he doesn’t get drilled too often like he did last year which caused him to miss a game.  The Jets were 8-7 (53.3%) when Sanchez started last season and they expect to improve on that record in 2010.

The Jets tried to trade 26-year old Kellen Clemens during the off-season but they found no takers.  That means that Clemens will return at Mark Sanchez’ backup in 2010.  Clemens played in 10 games for the Jets last season in which he completed 13 of 26 passes (50%) for 125 yards with 0 TD passes and 0 INTs (63.8 QB Rating).  Clemens also carried the ball 12 times for 1 yard (0.1 ypc) but most of those where kneel downs to run out the clock at the end of Jets’ wins.  Clemens has now played in 24 games in his four years with the Jets and he has completed 146 of 282 passes (51.8%) for 1,680 yards with 5 TD passes and 11 INTs (59.7 QB Rating).  He also has carried the ball 44 times for 119 yards (2.7 ypc) with 1 TD run in his NFL career.  The Jets are 4-5 (44.4%) in games started by Kellen Clemens and they would likely go super conservative if he were forced into action in 2010.

23-year old Erik Ainge has yet to appear in a game for the Jets in his career and he will have to battle 24-year old Kevin O’Connell for the #3 job during training camp.  O’Connell played in 2 games in 2008 for the Patriots in which he completed 4 of 6 passes (66.7%) for 23 yards with 0 TD passes and 0 INTs (73.6 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 3 times for -6 yards (-2.0 ypc) that season (they were kneel downs at the end of wins). 

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE JETS’ QBs in 2010:  B-

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-

The Jets wanted to improve their running game for the 2008 season and with that in mind they brought in 36-year old fullback Tony Richardson.  Richardson is a bit on the small side at 6’1″, 236 pounds but he is a solid blocker, a decent runner and a good receiver.  Richardson played in 14 games (3 starts) for the Vikings last season and he carried the ball 7 times for 13 yards (1.9 ypc).  He also caught 11 passes for 89 yards (8.1 avg) last season.  Richardson opened a lot of holes for the potent running game of the Vikings last season and the Jets hope he does the same for Jets’ running backs in 2008.  Richardson has now played in 186 games (106 starts) in his NFL career and he has carried the ball 407 times for 1,601 yards (3.9 ypc) with 15 TD carries.  He has also caught 201 passes for 1,498 yards (7.5 avg) with 9 TD grabs.  Richardson will do a good job for the Jets in 2008 and it was money well spent bringing him in. 

Converted linebacker A.J. Schable is currently the #2 fullback on the Jets’ depth chart.  Schable is a big guy at 6’3″, 281 so he should have no problem with the blocking part of the job.  He played in 11 games (0 starts) for the Cardinals last season and he made 10 tackles.  It will be interesting to see if he can handle the position switch.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON:  B

The New York Jets appear to be moving towards running a power offense this season.  They have added two nasty run blocking linemen (Damien Woody and Alan Faneca), a good fullback (Tony Richardson) and two big running backs (Jesse Chatman and Musa Smith).  It all adds up to the Jets trying to run the ball a lot more in 2008 than they did in 2007.  Thomas Jones will still likely be the main man in the running game after he had a disappointing 2007 season.  Jones needs to run with more authority this season and he needs to catch the ball a little better although that has never been a strength of his game.  Jones played in 16 games (14 starts) for the Jets last season and he carried the ball 310 times for 1,119 yards (3.6 ypc) with only 1 TD rushing.  He also caught 28 passes for 217 yards (7.8 avg) with 1 TD grab.  Jones had better turn it around this season as the Jets have more options behind him than they had in 2007.  Jones has now played in 116 games (77 starts) in his NFL career and he has carried the ball 1,659 times for 6,503 yards (3.9 ypc) with 35 TD runs.  He has also caught 243 passes for 1,593 yards (6.6 avg) with 1 TD grab.

Jesse Chatman is a bowling ball type running back as he does most of his damage between the tackles.  He will likely be the goal line back for the Jets this season and he could be much more than that if Thomas Jones doesn’t improve soon.  Chatman played in 14 games (6 starts) for the Dolphins last season and he carried the ball 128 times for 515 yards (4.0 ypc) with 1 TD run.  He also caught 27 passes for 161 yards (6.0 avg).  Chatman has a lot of tread left on his tires as he didn’t play for a couple of seasons so look for the Jets to give him the ball a lot in short yardage situations.  Chatman has now played in 55 games (6 starts) in his NFL career and he has carried the ball 207 times for 943 yards (4.6 ypc) with 4 TD runs.  He also has caught 37 passes for 276 yards (7.5 avg).

Leon Washington will likely be the third down back for the Jets this season and he has the prefect skill set for that role.  He has good hands and he’s very fast giving him the potential to score from anywhere on the field.  Washington is on the small side however and that’s why the Jets try to watch his workload.  He played in 16 games (4 starts) for the Jets last season and he carried the ball 71 times for 353 yards (5.0 ypc) with 3 TD runs.  He also caught 36 passes for 213 yards (5.9 avg).  Look for Washington to make a mark on the Jets offense despite having a limited role.  Washington has now played in 32 games (12 starts) in his NFL career and he has carried the ball 222 times for 1,003 yards (4.5 ypc) with 7 TD runs.  He has also caught 61 passes for 483 yards (7.9 avg).

Musa Smith’s game is very similar to Jesse Chatman’s as he is a big back that likes to push the pile.  He’s not very fast but he can get a tough yard when it’s needed.  Smith played in 16 games (1 start) with the Ravens last season and he carried the ball 75 times for 264 yards (3.5 ypc) with 2 TD runs.  He also caught 27 passes for 192 yards (7.1 avg).  Smith has had durability issues in his career but he doesn’t have a lot of mileage on his body so he should be fresh this season.  Smith has now played in 49 games (1 start) in his NFL career and he has carried the ball 132 times for 496 yards (3.8 ypc) with 4 TD grabs.  He also has caught 54 passes for 363 yards (6.7 avg).

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON:  C

It will be interesting to watch the competition between Kellen Clemens and Chad Pennington to see who will start at QB for the Jets in 2008.  Kellen Clemens appears to have a slight edge because of his arm strength but he wasn’t near as efficient running the offense as Pennington was last season.  Clemens played in 10 games (8 starts) for the Jets last season and he completed 130 of 250 passes (52%) for 1,529 yards with only 5 TD passes and 10 interceptions (60.9 QB Rating).  Clemens also carried the ball 27 times for 111 yards (4.1 ypc) with 1 TD run.  Clemens can get the ball deep which is something that Chad Pennington can’t do anymore because of all of the surgeries he has endured in his career.  Clemens has now played in 12 games (8 starts) in his NFL career and he has completed 130 of 251 passes (51.8%) for 1,529 yards with 5 TD passes and 10 interceptions (60.7 QB Rating).  He also has carried the ball 29 times for 121 yards (4.2 ypc) with 1 TD run.

Chad Pennington is the crusty old veteran QB of the Jets.  He is smart and knows where to go with the football but sometimes his arm can’t get the ball there.  That often constricts the Jets’ offense and helps the opposing defense because they get closer to the line thus taking the running game and the short passing game away.  Pennington lost his job because the Jets’ offense was not good last season and everyone blames the QB for that.  He played in 9 games (8 starts) for the Jets last season and he completed 179 of 260 passes (68.8%) for 1,765 yards with 10 TD passes and 9 interceptions (86.1 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 20 times for 32 yards (1.6 ypc) with 1 TD run.  No one will ever question Pennington’s toughness as many QBs would have retired due to all of the cutting he’s endured on his right shoulder.  But, Pennington is still a decent QB and I wouldn’t be surprised if he upsets Clemens and starts this year.  Pennington has now played in 69 games (61 starts) in his NFL career and he has completed 1,259 of 1,919 passes (65.6%) for 13,738 yards with 82 TD passes and 55 interceptions (88.9 QB Rating).  He also has carried the ball 147 times for 396 yards (2.7 ypc) with 6 TD runs.

Rookie Erik Ainge has a lot of the same traits as a young Chad Pennington as he is a game manager.  He doesn’t have the best arm but he’s efficient.  Ainge also has problems staying healthy which is one of Pennington’s worst traits.  He will be holding a clipboard this whole season unless Clemens and Pennington both get hurt.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON:  C-