Monday Morning Quarterback: The New York Jets’ Offseason

Jun 17, 2014; Florham Park, USA; New York Jets quarterback

Geno Smith

(7) and quarterback

Michael Vick

during New York Jets minicamp at Atlantic Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

With the open of training camp this week, I thought it was time to be the “Monday Morning Quarterback” for the first time in 2014, and put a period on the offseason moves.

Overall, the Jets had a very good offseason on paper. We can’t obviously give a full evaluation until we see this team play, but everything looks good. John Idzik took the Jets’ needs, addressed them, and the roster appears to be stronger for it.

The X-Factor in looking at this off-season is going to be the cornerback on the opposite side of Dee Milliner. As we all saw, the Jets let a lot of excellent veterans go by the wayside. Instead, the acquisition was Dimitri Patterson. Patterson has been an active corner, with a great deal of interceptions when healthy. Healthy is the operative word, as he could be a steal if healthy for 16 games.

The other player at the position to watch for is Dexter McDougle. He is a confident guy, and has impressed so far during the minicamp sessions. Dexter showed a lot of skill while at the University of Maryland, but had some injury problems as well. Do the Jets have their man to lock down the other side of the field? We will find out soon enough.

With the departure of Antonio Cromartie, the Jets have the potential to have a very young secondary. If McDougle and Calvin Pryor start, the Jets would have nobody with more than three years of experience back there. As it is, the oldest player would be Dimitri Patterson, at 30 years of age. Sustainable success comes with having a core group of young players. The Jets will have just that. If they can come together, the sky is the limit.

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There is no way not to love the improvements at the skilled positions on offense. Eric Decker is a great move. I am not a buyer into this theory that he is not a “number one” receiver. Yes, some of his production was a result of Peyton Manning, but some wasn’t. The guy caught a significant amount of passes from Tim Tebow for heaven’s sake. Of course his production went down with Tim Tebow, so does everyone’s. It’s hard to catch passes that are air-mailed to Nebraska. Eric Decker will be just fine.

Chris Johnson adds a dimension the Jets haven’t had in years, a speed back. They finally have a guy that can get the ball in space, and make something happen. It was supposed to be Joe McKnight‘s job, but it just never panned out. Johnson may never reach 1,000 yards in the Jets’ system, but he will add a speed product that will excite Jets’ fans and ignite the Jets’ offensive attack.

The rookies, are the rookies. They may make a huge impact, maybe not, we shall see.

Let’s talk quarterbacks. You know my feeling about Michael Vick being here. I am not a fan. However, there are arguments to be made either way. I will, however, say this……

Geno Smith MUST be the starter for the Jets. It will be a step backwards otherwise.

Yes, Michael Vick has won in the past. However, he hasn’t won much lately, throws a lot of interceptions and is injured a great deal. Can he play in a pinch? Sure. But after starting a full season, sitting Geno Smith down will stunt his growth. Sustainable success is not putting a 34-year-old quarterback behind center by choice. It’s giving Geno Smith the chance to grow. I believe the Jets will be happy with the result.

So, who is ready for the season? LET’S GET IT ON!!!

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