Problems at pivot could drag down Jets

After four years of 26-38 football, the grace period that two straight trips to the AFC Championship bought Rex Ryan finally ran out and the New York Jets are in the midst of a culture change. In the place of Ryan’s bombast comes the unassuming Todd Bowles.

Will a 180 on coaching philosophy and an elite defence be enough to overcome persisting issues at the quarterback position and allow the Jets to take advantage of an open AFC East?

Offensive Breakdown

Questions at QB

Much like their cross-state rivals in Buffalo, the Jets’ offence will go as far as its quarterbacks will take them.

Before he was released, linebacker (and now Buffalo Bill) IK Enemkpali made his mark on the starting QB conversation by breaking the jaw of incumbent Geno Smith in a locker room dispute that will sideline the third-year quarterback for the immediate future. Smith struggled mightily last season, turning the ball over 41 times, so he wasn’t by any means a lock for the starter’s job, but he probably had the inside track over the man slated for the job now in Ryan Fitzpatrick, who is greatly familiar with new offensive coordinator Chan Gailey’s offence from their years together with the Bills. Acquired in the offseason from the Houston Texans, the veteran Harvard grad has gotten progressively better in the preseason as his rapport with his receivers has grown, but Fitzpatrick will never be any more than solid, if not very unspectacular. Last season with the Texans was the first time in five years that Fitzpatrick’s turnovers (eight picks and three fumbles) didn’t eclipse his touchdowns (17). Should the 32-year-old bring a steadying presence at pivot for the Jets, the job is likely Fitzpatrick’s even when Smith returns. Bryce Petty, taken in the third round out of Baylor, could figure into the team’s future plans at the position.

Fitzpatrick isn’t the only former AFC East foe joining the Jets’ offence this season with Stevan Ridley coming over from the Pats. Ridley, who tore his ACL and MCL last October, won’t be ready to start the season, but could emerge as the best option in a crowded and decent, albeit not great, backfield also featuring Chris Ivory, Zac Stacy and Bilal Powell.

Player to Watch: Brandon Marshall - Though he might not be the player he once was, Brandon Marshall represents a massive upgrade to the Jets’ receiving corps and will give Fitzpatrick or Smith a sure-handed, hulking target.

Marshall’s production did drop off greatly from recent years a season ago, but that’s mitigated by the fact that he did miss three games. Even still, Marshall will give a much-needed boost to a team that hasn’t had a red-zone offence any better than eighth worst in the past three seasons and his presence should open the field for Eric Decker and Jeremy Kerley.

Defensive Breakdown

What's Old Is New Again

With the team tied for dead last in interceptions last year with just six and it being safe to call Dee Milliner a bust, the Jets have revamped their secondary by bringing back Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie.

While the pair remain two of the top corners in the game and will garner the headlines, the signing of slot CB Buster Skrine from the Cleveland Browns could prove to be a masterstroke…that is if he can keep the penalties at bay. A tenacious player with good hands, Skrine had four picks last season, but also accumulated 17 flags to lead all corners in penalties.

On top of the additions at corner, Calvin Pryor returns to strong safety with the arrival of Marcus Gilchrist.  Barring injury, the Jets’ secondary will be significantly improved in 2015.

The embarrassment of riches that is the Jets’ defensive line got even greater through the draft with the sixth-overall selection of Leonard Williams out of USC. Williams joins Mo Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson as three of the top young linemen in the AFC. Though both Williams (knee) and Wilkerson (hamstring) are banged up coming out of the preseason, neither is expected to miss any regular season action. Richardson, however, will miss the first four games of the season due to suspension.

More worrying for the Jets is the groin injury to outside linebacker Calvin Pace. He’s expected to be ready for Week 1, but Pace is 35 and already showing it. If Quinton Coples isn’t able to improve on his slow development, edge rusher could develop into a sore spot for defensive coordinator Kacy Rodgers.

Draft Review

The Jets did an admiral job of addressing long-term needs in their 2015 draft and it’s up in the air as to how soon any of this spring’s class will make an impact on the team. Williams has star potential, but is behind Wilkerson and Richardson in a 3-4 and if Petty gets any significant playing time this year, that will likely be the result of the offence completely melting down. Second-round pick Devin Smith out of OSU is an interesting proposition as he is a speedy, deep ball threat, but is still very, very green.