Thoughts On the Week That Was

If there would be a theme of this week, it would be a changing of the guard. As camp begins for the New York Jets, this team faces a lot of questions. Perhaps the biggest question is whether they will be able to make up for the loss of such fan favorites and key cogs like Shaun Ellis, Jerricho Cotchery and Damien Woody.

This is not the first time the Jets have been faced with such a task. Last year, the departures of Alan Faneca and Thomas Jones brought the same concern. The Jets responded with an 11-5 record and a second consecutive appearance in the AFC Title Game. However, one can only wonder how long a team can go parting ways with strong locker room presences in favor of more talented but troubled individuals.

This is not to say all is bleak. While there may be a change in leadership, training camp also brings a sense of optimism. Many have been impressed with Jeremy Kerley, the fifth round pick out of TCU. Rex Ryan has had positive things to say about first-round draft choice Muhammad Wilkerson.  While these two may not be asked to carry the team, it looks as if they will have an integral role in the success or failure of this season.

Many columnists have come out this week and said that Ryan has to do a better job of coaching and getting his team ready, something that was lacking in the first half of last year’s AFC Championship against Pittsburgh. I believe no one knows that more than the man himself. He has certainly painted quite a target on his team’s back and he knows what the stakes are. The success he has had these past two seasons have earned him the benefit of the doubt when it comes to his bluster.

If the Jets are to go anywhere this season, Mark Sanchez will be the key. In his past two postseason appearances, he has defeated Carson Palmer, Philip Rivers, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. Jet fans are now looking to see if he can do that during the regular season. He’s shown flashes of brilliance, but it is time to be more consistent.

As the first week of training camp concludes, the more things change, the more they stay the same. Whoever suits up for the Green and White this season, the expectations remain what they have been these past two seasons. Fortunately, there has been no change in that philosophy.