2007 New York Jets Predictions & NFL Season Preview
Don’t expect our 2007 Jets predictions to show the same kind of success the team enjoyed in their 2006 campaign. Expectations last year were understandably low when new head coach Eric Mangini took over. The team was 4-12 in 2005 without a starting quarterback and Mangini hadn’t been a head coach anywhere else. This year the team brings back almost everyone important from a year ago, plus they will get help at running back with Thomas Jones. You can imagine people everywhere are expecting big things out of this group.
At quarterback we aren’t sold that Chad Pennington can stay healthy for two straight seasons. When he isn’t out due to injury he’s a winning QB who can be very accurate, 64.5% of his passes where completed last year, and manages a game well. Pennington was also last year’s NFL Comeback Player of the Year after a pair of shoulder surgeries. The running back position should be solidified this year with Thomas Jones replacing the committee of Barlow, Washington, and Houston. This is a guy that can produce 1,500 yards if given the chance, which the Bears weren’t willing to do with Benson waiting in the wings. At receiver the team has speed with Laveranues Coles and Jerricho Cotchery and both of these guys can be deep threats. The knock on both of them is their size as the Jets are lacking a red zone threat who can go up and get the ball.
The front of the 3-4 is the weakness of the defense, but after a year in the new system we should see some improvement. Tackle Dewayne Robertson is a pretty good run stuffer and Shaun Ellis should be better this season. At inside linebacker the team has a pair of talented guys in Victor Hobson and Jonathan Vilma and on the outside there is a talented Bryan Thomas to go with whoever else they can muster. The secondary is set at the safety position with Erik Coleman coming off a slightly down season and Kerry Rhodes of a Pro Bowl-caliber type. At corner you have Andre Dyson and a bunch of question marks. Hank Poteat and Darrelle Revis are the likely two who will see time.
This team is a pretty hot commidity right now, but we have plenty of doubts as to whether or not they can repeat the magic. First of all, they are going to have a tougher schedule and teams are not going to be looking past them. We think this team won’t be in contention with the Pats, but has a shot at 8 wins. However, we would take the UNDER, just like the sportsbooks are planning on, so we are passing on this prop.
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