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AFC East
Cotch a Rising Star: By winning 8 of their last 11 games to complete a double digit win season, the Jets learned a lot about themselves. Coach Eric Mangini wasn’t about to allow any deceleration of his franchise; contrary to his critics belief, he put the pedal to the metal this off season. Mangini wasn’t through expunging the locker room riffraff, escorting such malcontent veterans like QB Patrick Ramsey, DE Bobby Hamilton and RB Derrick Blaylock out the back door while graciously informing RB’s James Hodgins and B.J. Askew and OT’s Wade Smith and Anthony Clement that their services were no longer needed. And with more than $15 million in cap room available, the Jets didn’t waste time investing in their own.
WR Jerricho Cotchery sucked up some of those funds by agreeing to terms on a 5-year, $20 million contract extension, including a reported $7 million up front. The former 4th-round selection from N.C. State wasn’t scheduled to become a free agent until 2008, but Mangini and company are exhibiting a fresh approach to the free agent market: lock up your talented youth before their value peaks. Cotchery seized the moment when Wayne Chrebet suffered a career-ending concussion in the 2005 season and he never looked back. He came on strong in his third season, nabbing 82 balls for 6 TD’s, giving everyone reason to believe that Laveranues Coles and Cotchery are wide receivers #1 and #1A. Cotchery will only be 25 this June and his best years are definitely ahead of him. Now, if we can just find the Jets a quarterback to consistently get the ball down the field . . . . .
Under My Thumb: Mangini finally made it official: Chad Pennington is the Jets’ starting quarterback entering training camp in 2007. Pennington actually garnered most of the “comeback player of the year” votes, and he did a nice job of executing Mangini’s offense while leading the Jets back to the post season. But word out of the Big Apple is that New York privately wants Kellen Clemens to win the starting job. Pennington is scheduled to earn a $2 million roster bonus, and the Jets are happy to pay it, but the fixation on Clemens is unmistakable. Clemens has a much stronger arm and is more capable of providing the Jet offense with a down field necessary to open up throwing lanes underneath. To wit: 55% of Pennington’s 313 completions were caught by Cotchery and Coles, yet the two speedy wideouts averaged only 11.9 yds/catch between them. Pennington is plenty accurate (64.5% in ‘06) but his limited arm strength is a definite liability in the Meadowlands.
We Got Us a Football Jones: The Jets have satisfied their insatiable appetite for a running back, and the selection was made off the free agent menu. Thomas Jones, who rushed for almost 3,500 yards in three seasons as a Bear, will provide leadership and direction to a youthful Jet offense. This was a no-brainer: Barlow was a cap casualty (and a non-performer), Cedric Houston is slow, and Leon Washington is too brittle. Jones will get the opportunity to do what he has set his sights on ever since he was selected 7th overall in 2000 - to be an unconditional featured back. Mangini promises to give the 28-year former University of Virginia All-American plenty of work; any props, however, will have to be earned.
ERSlant: Cotchery owners are probably smirking about know; you got him cheap and should have him locked up long term. He will produce for you week in and week out, and when Clemens finally takes the reins, watch out. Speaking of the Jets’ future at quarterback, Clemens’ owners are probably going to have to wait out another season before he finally emerges in 2008. Short of an injury to Pennington - or an unsightly Jet season that is over by November - Clemens won’t see the field much, if at all, in 2006. But again, owner patience will be rewarded next season with a rocket arm and unwavering leadership. And for those of you who haven’t given up on Thomas Jones, pat yourself on the back. Jones should feel right at home in New York’s run first scheme, and will provide you with plenty of game-changing fantasy points during the course of the upcoming season.
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