This is a huge offseason for the Jets. They have surprisingly few core players that don't need to be evaluated:
Keller, Conner, Kerley, Ferguson (though he is pricey for his production), Mangold and Moore on offense. Pouha, Wilkerson, Harris, Revis and Cromartie on defense. Only 11 players in the starters and top reserves.
They have a handful of players that desperately need to be replaced...Hunter, Slauson, Ducasse, Mulligan, Scott, Pace and ESmith. The good news is that this list can be addressed effectively through the draft if they hit all their picks.
The real issue is that they have a couple of players that will determine if they make fundamental changes this offseason or if they still believe they have the team to win a Super Bowl:
- Sanchez is the obvious starting point. He didn't make a leap forward this year so there are doubts that he is capable of being a top QB. Likely he gets another year but he is now playing for his job.
- Greene is a fine RB but doesn't look to be a guy that can carry an offense on his back. No disgrace in that but the Jets may be tempted if a real workhouse becomes available.
- Holmes and Burress will be the real determiner of change. Holmes will be back pending him literally firebombing the team's facilities. Burress is old and slow but was a reliable outlet. If he comes back, that really means the organization has convinced itself that they have a title contender.
- Scott and Pace are not producing anywhere near their pay level. With BThomas already gone, that means a near complete revamp of the LBs on a 3-4 defense. Maybin teased enough to return but he is only a situational player. If the Jets whiff on their LB replacements, their defense could follow their offense into mediocrity.
- Leonard is a glue guy in the secondary but he is amazingly limited. With Pool not being much of a leader, Leonard likely stays to babysit the new players in the back 8.
With the Pats just looking to sign their own (Welker, Carter, Anderson) and plug a couple of holes with 5 top 100 draft picks and plenty of cap space...
And with Miami being a consistent QB away from taking a step up in the division...
And with Buffalo showing signs of improvement (if they can stay healthy) having lots of talented youngsters...
The Jets have to be torn whether to stay the course and risk a slow decent to division doormat or to make fundamental changes and risk a rebuilding year that could lose jobs in the front office. Nervous days indeed in the swamps of Jersey.