Preview of ‘07 Jets
By Adam Kiefaber
AFC EAST PREVIEW
The Mangini Surprise
NEW YORK JETS
2006 Record: 10-6
Last Year Summary: First-year Head Coach Eric Mangini turned around a 6-10 ’05 Jets team to a 10-6 playoff team. Mangini used to be part of the Bill Belichick coaching staff, but unlike Romeo Crennel (HC of CLE) and Charlie Weis 
(HC at Notre Dame), Belichick didn’t think Mangini was ready to be a head coach. Mangini proved him wrong by beating the Patroits 17-14 on the road, earning him the nickname ‘Mangenius’. That win began a streak where the Jets won six of eight to end the season, which allowed the young team to clinch a playoff berth. However in the playoffs, New England got their revenge by crashing the Jets 37-16.
Additions: RB Thomas Jones (Chicago), DE Kenyon Coleman (Dallas), DE David Bowens (Miami), DE Andre Wadsworth (comeback), QB Marques Tuiasosopo (Oakland), RB Darian Barnes (Miami), and DE Michael Haynes.
Subtractions: QB Patrick Ramsey (to DEN), RB Kevin Barlow (to PIT), DE Dave Ball (to CAR), FB B.J. Askew (to TB), RB Derrick Blaylock and OT Trey Teague.
2007 Season Prediction: The best part about going 6-10 in ’05, is that your schedule will be much easier the following season. Some argued that the main reason for the Jets success last year was the easy schedule. Well, we will find out this year- tough road games include Baltimore (Sept. 16), Cincinnati (Oct. 21), Dallas (Nov. 22), New England (Dec. 16) and Tennessee (Dec 23). Tough home games include New England (Sept. 9), Philadelphia (Oct 14), Pittsburgh (Nov. 18) and Kansas City (Dec. 30). The Jets biggest weakness last year was not having a go-to running back. Welcome Thomas Jones from Chicago. Jones rushed for 1,210 yards and six touchdowns last year for the Bears. Also, he had 36 receptions out of the backfield. I expect the Jets to struggle against a very tough schedule. However, they have a good young team and could compete for one of the last wild-card spots.
Best Rookie: CB Darrelle Revis- The Jets traded up to get the DB from Pittssburgh. The debate going into the draft was- Who is the best cornerback available, Revis or Leon Hall? Revis has already impressed his HC- “I like the way Darrelle jams the line of scrimmage,” Mangini said. “He’s a very physical player. I like his competitiveness. He’s consistently working toward the ball. He’s trying to work with the older guys to understand some of the things they’ve learned through time. You like to see that proactive approach that he has.”
Big Games of the Year: vs. New England (Sept. 9- 1:00pm-opener), at NY Giants (Sept. 30- 1:00pm), at New England (Dec. 16- 1:00pm) and vs. Kansas City (Dec. 30- 8:15pm- last game of regular season)
Projected Record: 7-9
Futures (Bets): The current odds for the Jets to win the AFC East is 4/1. I would consider that a bad bet because you have to figure the Pats will win the East. If you like the Jets, you might as well bet them to win the Super Bowl (odds @ 25/1) Also, the win total betting is set at 8.5 games.
