What, Exactly, is the Jets 2012 Offseason Plan?

Sep 25, 2011; Oakland, CA, USA; New York Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum during the game against the Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE

This offseason has certainly been an interesting one for Mike Tannenbaum and the New York Jets, has it not? Interesting is one word for it. Puzzling might be another word. It has had its quiet moments, where we thought we would have heard more from the Jets, and there have been the active moments, where the Jets have come out of nowhere to do the unexpected (we know who that is we don’t need to say his name). The Jets certainly know how to stay in the news, don’t they?

My question is, what is the plan? How are they really improving the team for 2012?

Let’s take a look at things to date.

One of the Jets biggest needs is a safety that can cover someone better than Eric Smith. That translates into, the Jets need a safety that can cover anybody. Smith made it clear that he cannot do that. So what do the Jets do?

They go out and get Laron Landry. Notable name? No doubt. He is also an active player, especially in the run game. However, what he isn’t known for is his ability in pass coverage. He is actually suspect in his pass coverage, with no more than 2 INTs when he played a full season. Does that help? We don’t really know, do we?

He is also coming off of injury, which is never good.

Another big need is for a number 2 wide receiver, with the loss of Plaxico Burress. So what do the Jets do? Chaz Schilens. He’s a young guy, at only 26 years old, and he has showed some potential as a deep threat, averaging 15.1 yards per catch in his rookie year. However, potential is a very key word here.

He has not caught more than 29 passes in a season so far. Is this the number 2 receiver on a team with Super Bowl aspirations? Maybe, I don’t know.

And then there was the need for a backup quarterback, all the while keeping a watch on the fragile Mark Sanchez.

We don’t need to talk about that anymore, it has been discussed at length.

Finally, the Jets have failed to address their biggest need of all, and that is the need for a pass rusher off the edge. This also has been well documented. The Jets leader in sacks didn’t even play every down (Aaron Maybin), and didn’t show that he would be an every down player any time soon. The Jets need a guy off the edge desperately.

And they have done nothing. They weren’t even in the mix for Mario Williams.

Very un-Tannenbaum like.

With the draft coming up, there still is a lot to be played out here for the Jets offseason. A lot of these problems may be addressed in the draft. To this point, however, the Jets have failed to address their biggest need, and have made some dubious acquisitions at the other positions of need.

It’s very hard to see the Jets plan right now. I hope Mike Tannenbaum knows what he is doing.