Jets TakeOff! Preseason Week 1: New York Jets vs. Detroit Lions

December 9, 2012; Jacksonville, FL, USA; New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez (6) hands the ball of to running back Bilal Powell (29) during the first half of the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Rob Foldy-USA TODAY Sports

We are just a few hours away, ladies and gentlemen. Football is finally back. Tonight at 7:30 PM, Mark Sanchez, Bilal Powell, Geno Smith, and the rest of our New York Jets take on Megatron and the Detroit Lions. Mark Sanchez will start and quarterback, but we will also see Geno Smith taking snaps with the first team offense, so it should be an interesting night. Coach Ryan has said that the first teamers may need to play longer than in a typical preseason opener to accommodate both quarterbacks.

We are back with “Jets TakeOff!”. For those of you that are new this year, that is simply our game preview. In the preseason, instead of looking at keys to winning the game, I will give you things to watch. Some may be similar to Craig’s post from the other day, some might be different. Let’s get right to it.

MARTY MORNHINWEG AND HIS SCRIPT: We know that a characteristic of the West Coast offense is to script the first set of plays. This goes all the way back to the father of the system, Bill Walsh, and the point is that the offense feels confident about how they are going to start the game. Here, there will need to be a script for more than one quarterback, which will be interesting to watch. Are the plays similar, and how are they different?

THE QB COMPETITION: Obviously, this goes right along with the first point. Which quarterback performs better in the system in this opening battle? I am sure we will all have our eyes on this one.

RICKY SAPP: This guy has the potential to be one of the more exciting guys on defense. He could be the edge pass rusher we have been waiting for, and he is finally healthy. He has been getting to the QB with pretty free will so far this summer, but obviously not during game action. I am excited to see this guy out on the field, even if it is on tape delay due to Time Warner.

OFFENSIVE LINE: We have talked a lot about my feelings about the offensive line. In my opinion, the offense begins up front. If the offensive line looks good, everyone else on the offensive side looks better. If they don’t, everyone’s faults are magnified. Now, we go into a new year with 2 out of the 5 guys being new. Granted, the likely starters are veterans, Willie Colon and Stephen Peterman. But, they still need to gel, and tonight is the night that it begins.

SAFTIES: We know that this is a big one as well. It looks like Dawan Landry will start at one spot, how will be fill his brother’s shoes? Who will earn the right to start next to him? That quest begins tonight as well.

Welcome back football. We missed you greatly.