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Thursday, August 31
Jets looking to return to playoff ways

By Jim Corbett
Pro Football Weekly

Curtis Martin believes there is playoff-quality life for the Jets after Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick and Keyshawn Johnson.

Vinny Testaverde's health is the biggest concern for the New York Jets.

If Testeverde is healthy, he gives them consistency, leadership and decision-making properties that neither Ray Lucas nor Chad Pennington possess. If Vinny's not healthy, the Jets' chances of winning obviously decrease; but after last season, when Lucas looked pretty good replacing Testeverde, this team understands what they'll have to do to play behind Lucas.

The personality of the team will change, but they won't be in a horrible situation. If they have any aspirations of going deep into the playoffs, Vinny does have to stay healthy, Curtis Martin has to have a big year in the backfield and somebody has to step up opposite Wayne Chrebet.

"Bill Parcells? Great guy, coaching legend," Martin said. "Keyshawn Johnson? Definitely a star. But they're gone now, and there's life after them.

"I feel we're as good as we've been since I've been here. I can't see any reason why we can't do what we've done when we were at our best in 1998. We plan to do it all. We plan to be the best this year."

A 2000 playoff run may ultimately hinge on how well the WR corps complements Wayne Chrebet and compensates for the trade of Johnson to Tampa Bay. Will the Jets pay the price for passing on tall targets Sean Dawkins and Carl Pickens and opting for Vincent Brisby? Dawkins and Pickens have both been more productive than Brisby, but both are also more expensive.

Brisby is a 6-3, 200-pound possession receiver familiar with the Jets' system, which former Jets offensive coordinator Charlie Weis is now running in New England. But over the last four seasons, Brisby has started only six games and caught only only 48 passes.

Rookie WRs Laveranues Coles and Windrell Hayes showed flashes of big-play potential during the preseason. But both are shorter than 6 feet and have committed rookie mistakes that could cost a team counting heavily on their sudden and substantial contributions.

Fellow rookies Shaun Ellis and John Abraham appear capable of creating the perfect pass-rushing storm someday soon. The Jets and first-year head coach Al Groh need them to create such havoc from Game One.

In cornerstone players such as Chrebet, Martin, QB Vinny Testaverde, LBs Mo Lewis and Marvin Jones, Pro Bowl C Kevin Mawae and Pro Bowl P Tom Tupa, the Jets have playoff-caliber talent. But are they too much a team in transition to make a run at the division title this season?

"I think we're a team that can definitely be in the playoffs and can have a shot to go all the way," DL coach Ray Hamilton said. "We're one of those teams that, on paper, should be in the tournament. Once you get there, it's a matter of how things fall."

Offense
Quarterbacks: If the Jets are to return to the playoffs after a one-year hiatus, they need Testaverde to recapture his Pro Bowl form of 1998. Testaverde had looked sharp and impressive in his comeback from Achilles tendon surgery 11 months ago. But Sam Adams, the Ravens' 6-3, 330-pound defensive tackle, sprained Testaverde's left big toe during a preseason sack. Now the question is whether the injury will be a nagging one that affects Testaverde's performance. He was limited to 44 preseason snaps before getting hurt.

Ray Lucas has the confident, polished look of a quarterback who went 6-3 as a starter last season. He is good enough to start for some teams. Chad Pennington, who has been labeled the quarterback of the future, flashed promising potential until suffering a sprained left knee in the third preseason game.

Testaverde, Lucas and Pennington give the Jets the excellent depth they lacked most of last season.
Grade: A


	Curtis Martin is preparing to carry the load for the Jets in the 2000 season.

Running backs: Martin took his game to another level this offseason -- a level 33 floors up. After a discussion with director of football operations and mentor Parcells, Martin rededicated himself to his conditioning. Because the Pitt Stadium stairs he used to work out on were torn down, Martin turned to running the 33 floors inside his Florida condo. It paid off. Martin, who gained a franchise-best 1,464 rushing yards last year, has looked even sharper.

Richie Anderson is the Jets' version of "Slash." The eighth-year H-back is effective as a lead blocker for Martin, a receiver and a runner. Jerald Sowell, Bernie Parmalee and rookie Vaughn Sanders add depth.
Grade: B

Wide receivers: Like Martin, Chrebet has taken his game to another level, running with the chance to be the go-to receiver. Chrebet is faster and lighter following his offseason condition program. The question is: Can the Jets find anyone to take some of the heat off Chrebet? Dedric Ward will enter the season as the other starter and, like Chrebet, is looking to rebound from a disappointing '99 season.

Coles and Hayes must be more consistent, but the Jets may have found themselves an insurance policy in Brisby. Rookie TE Anthony Becht is a pass-catching threat over the middle who could help compensate for Johnson's loss. Becht's 6-5, 267-pound frame and sure hands will be assets in traffic.
Grade: C

Offensive linemen: Mawae is the best center in the game. He anchors a young, improving line. Jason Fabini has been solid in his transition from right tackle to left tackle. Randy Thomas continues to show signs of developing into a Pro Bowl-caliber right guard.

ORT Ryan Young gives the Jets the size and attitude they want in the running game, and Kerry Jenkins is solid at left guard. The return of Jumbo Elliott gives the Jets solid experience at left tackle, while backup OG Dennis O'Sullivan has taken over for rock-steady LS John Hudson.
Grade: B

Defense
Defensive linemen: Ellis, the first of the team's unprecedented four first-round picks, is the key. The Jets are counting on him to produce as quickly as he can rush the passer. If Ellis can start at left end and Jason Ferguson remains a force at nose tackle, the Jets will have a deep and experienced DL rotation that also includes Rick Lyle, Shane Burton, Dorian Boose, Jason Wiltz and Anthony Cook.

The concern is that Ellis, Burton and Cook are all new to the team's 3-4, two-gap scheme.
Grade: C

Linebackers: This unit remains the team's strong suit. Lewis is the restless soul of this relentless group. He is a fierce playmaker who figures to be gone after this season following the team's failure to lock him up with a long-term deal. Groh plans to play him on only first and second downs.

Abraham, a third-down edge rusher, is being groomed as a strong-side linebacker. Jones has regained his health and his swagger. OLB Roman Phifer looks comfortable after a slow start last season. ILB Bryan Cox is healthy again, and Dwayne Gordon and James Farrior are athletic, savvy backups.
Grade: A

Defensive backs: CB Aaron Glenn is motivated to rebound from a subpar season. Marcus Coleman led the team with six interceptions last season. Ray Mickens may be the league's best nickel back, and SS Victor Green felt snubbed after posting Pro Bowl numbers last season but being left off the AFC team.

FS Omar Stoutmire lacks classic speed but has good instincts. Rookie Tony Scott, Kevin Williams, Scott Frost and Chris Hayes are the backups.
Grade: C+

Special teams
Tupa looks better than ever coming off his Pro Bowl season. John Hall has sharpened his accuracy. Dwight Stone is as good as ever in his 14th season returning kicks. Ward seems like more of a fair catcher than a punt returner. Scott could eventually win that job. Chris Hayes and Parmalee lead one of the league's better coverage units.
Grade: B-

Material from Pro Football Weekly.
Visit their website at http://www.profootballweekly.com

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