New York Jets Football Preview

Summary: Surprising many, the New York Jets came off a solid season in 2006. Having finished the season with a record of 10-6, the Jets won their last three games against Minnesota, Miami, and Oakland.

The Jets earned an AFC Wild Card spot in the playoffs, the number 5 seed and surprised most who predicted a less then stellar year. The Jets, however, did lose to the Patriots in the playoffs. No one saw head coach Eric Mangini's first season going as well as it did, but this year the team is hoping it can make another run into the playoffs, especially since they only lost one starter. But the Jets face a tougher path through the regular season with a difficult schedule. In the 2007 schedule the faces the Jets they will find a whopping seven games against teams that made the playoffs in 2006, thanks mostly to them drawing the NFC East which fielded three playoff teams last season. Despite the rough schedule looming ahead, the 2007 season should be looking bright for the New York Jets, especially their offense, even though they averaged nearly 20 points per game last season. Chad Pennington was healthy a season ago, and started all 16 games and also earned the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year Award. He will also have an entire off-season to get better, and his numbers should be improved this year. It will now be two years since his shoulder injury, so one can expect quarterback Chad Pennington to play better then he did in 2006. Pennington will still have wide receivers Jerricho Cotchery and Laveranues Coles at his disposal. These two wide receivers combined for 173 catches, 2,059 yards and 12 touchdowns last season in 2006. Also signed is wide receiver Chansi Stuckey who could also serve as a punt returner. Stuckey was sixth in Clemson history with 141 receptions and eighth with 1,760 yards receiving. There are high hopes that Stuckey&n bsp;will add depth for the Jets. And left guard Pete Kendall is staying so the Jets' offensive line will be together for one more year. And considering that Pennington was sacked just 30 times last season, it shows how talented New York's front is. One concern was New York's running game. One step in the right direction was the excellent offensive acquisition of the Bears running back Thomas Jones. Compared to any other running back on the Jets, this is a great upgrade. Last year, with the Bears, Jones compiled 1,210 rushing yards with the Bears in 2006 and six touchdowns. Jones was also the postseason's second-leading rusher with 301 yards, averaging 5.5 yards per attempt. He also scored four touchdowns in three playoff games. Also, with Leon Washington, the lightning-quick back, will be a nice change of pace who will keep opposing defenses on back on their heels. Washington's potential can be great considering he had 920 yards as a rookie from scrimmages. One under-the-radar signing was the addition of full back Darian Barnes who was with the Dolphins. Barnes, going into his sixth season with the NFL, played in all 16 games for the Miami Dolphins last season in 2006, recording three receptions for 22 yards. Barnes is an effective straight-line blocker who has explosive force. Barnes is a player that knows how to use his size and strength to create inside running lanes which the Jets need. As mentioned before, the Jets also have a very taxing schedule in 2007. Their games line up as Baltimore, Philadelphia, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and Dallas - all who are non-divisional foes. That being said, however, New York is expected to win on Washington, Cleveland, Tennessee, Kansas City and the Giants. New York Jets tickets will be selling fast this season it is recommended that you buy your Jets tickets from a ticket broker like BarrysTickets.com to get great seats.