New York Jets

The New York Jets are a fantasy football catastrophe. Everywhere you look there is a glimmer of promise that is sure to implode. Do you dare?

There is one story that could have a significant impact on the 2013 Jets that has not gotten much attention. The Jets signed Willie Colon to play guard back in March. It was not clear at the time on which side he would play. Initially, many assumed he would play left guard, which is where he played last year in Pittsburgh. Now there are reports Colon might find a home at right guard. If Colon's personal Twitter page is to be believed, he will be playing on the right side of the line. This seems like the right move for a two reasons. Reason one: Austin Howard was better than Wayne Hunter at right guard. He gets a good push in the run game when he can lock onto a defender. He is, however, a limited athlete. Pass protection is always going to be a challenge for him. It was not pretty watching Howard pass blocks during stretches in 2012. The steady play of Brandon Moore next to him was probably one of the biggest reasons he survived. Having Moore anchor his left side and help out when needed was a major help. Colon is going to be the steadier of the two guards. The starter opposite Colon will either be Brian Winters, a third round rookie or Stephen Peterman, who is frankly one of the worst guards in the league. It just would not be a good idea to have the two weakest linemen playing next to each other. It is better to have Colon protecting Howard while the other guard can be protected to an extent playing between Nick Mangold and D'Brickashaw Ferguson. Reason two: This alignment minimizes the weaknesses in the line as much as possible, but it also creates a strength. Mangold, Colon, and Howard are probably the three strongest run blockers. Putting them all in a row gives the Jets an area where they can run with the greatest success. Given the quarterback and receiver situation, this team is going to have to be very effective running the football to have success. There will be no arrangement of linemen stronger than the right side of this line for the Jets. So I think Colon on the right side is the best move. Colon has ended three straights seasons on IR, though, so this is hopefully not counting the Jets' chickens before they have hatched. A healthy Colon is even more important than the spot he occupies when healthy.

Happy Wednesday, Gang Green Gangsters! Here are your daily New York Jets links for today... The Jet Press: Nick Mangold continues to lead the offensive line. Eric Allen: Wideouts, Brian Winters and the quarterback battle. Seth Walder: Stephen Hill can't shake the reputation for bad hands. Rich Cimini: In body and mind, Kenrick Ellis is ready for a big year. So he's no longer a druggie, Rich? JetNation: Roster preview of the defensive line. Bucs Nation: Darrelle Revis paid Mark Barron $50,000 for No. 24. NOLA.com: Jason Smith is hoping to resurrect his career. Montreal Gazette: Wallace Wright is looking to overcome the odds one more time. Oh, Wallace! The Star Phoenix: The Roughriders are auditioning Brody McKnight. Sports Illustrated: Aaron Hernandez is questioned in a homicide probe. AP: Tony Gonzalez wins the PFWA Good Guy Award. AP: The Tennessee Titans bulk up the line to help the defense get stingier. ESPN: Chad Johnson says that he has learned his lesson. And now, some more 311: Have a great day, Jets fans!

Debby Wong-USA TODAY Images Nothing is set right now in regards to the New York Jets offense. From the top to the bottom, with the exception of Santonio Holmes, Nick Mangold, and D’Brickashaw Ferguson, nobody has a guaranteed starting spot on the team. At the running back position, newly acquired backs Chris Ivory and Mike Goodson are expected to be the front runners in the open competition, with third year back Bilal Powell a close second. This leaves out fourth year back Joe McKnight, however, he will still be a vital part of the Jets offense. McKnight could be entering a so called “make-or-break year” as he hasn’t really lived up to expectations. In three seasons, McKnight has just 112 carries for 502 yards and no touchdowns. What possibly is the only reason he remains on the team is that McKnight has thrived on special teams as a kick returner. It is way too early to get a sense of the kind of offense that the Jets will be running, but what has been learned of new offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg so far is that he likes to have a dynamic, fast paced, quick play offense. With four versatile backs in McKnight, Powell, Ivory, and Goodson, there may be one starter, but all pf them could potentially play multiple snaps in games. That would be something to see. And if that doesn’t happen, McKnight is still the best kick returner on the team. Last year he continued to provide the Jets with great field position, and there is no doubt that he will continue to do so this season. Whether it is being a versatile back in the Jets running attack or a kick returner, don’t think McKnight is going to go away with these new additions; he is still a vital part of this offense. Stephen Conway is a New York Jets writer for RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @stevie_con21, “Like” him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google.

The Jets will report to SUNY Cortland on July 25.? It won't be long now Poppa ChuloLas Vegas, NVQ: Are the Jets receivers going to be ready for a full season of Jets football??? In order for us to ...

One of the most common questions surrounding the New York Jets this year is “what is it going to take for Rex Ryan to keep his job?” The Jets have low expectations and many argue that the front office has set him up to fail so new General Manager John Idzik can bring in his own guy next off-season. Rex Ryan isn’t an optimum situation but I wouldn’t paint him as a dead man walking quite yet. The Jets are rebuilding because they need to rebuild. Their salary cap situation and talent level demanded it. There was no quick fix available and the front office has smartly taken a patient approach this off-season, setting the table for next year when they will have massive amounts of cap space and likely 12 draft picks. That being said, moves have been made this off-season to incrementally improve one of the league’s worst rosters in 2012. Make no mistake, the Jets had one of the least talented teams in football last season and Rex Ryan still had them at 6-7, playing meaningful football into December. They had the worst quarterback situation in the NFL, were giving major reps to Mardy Gilyard, Clyde Gates at wide receiver, had no playmaking ability at running back and were painfully slow at linebacker. Yet, they were 17 Mark Sanchez fourth quarter turnovers on Monday Night against Tennessee away from being in wild-card contention in week 16. Rex is going to keep this team competitive. This won’t be the 3-13 team that many project them to be. The defense will be good, particularly with an influx of speed at linebacker (Antwan Barnes and Demario Davis in a larger role) and defensive line (Sheldon Richardson). They also added a top ten draft pick at corner and while there are questions at safety, this is a defense that made the AFC Championship Game starting Brodney Pool and Eric Smith. The running game should compliment the defense well and help mask what is going to be a weak passing game. The real question becomes, what is good enough? Will Idzik be satisfied with a 7-9 team who is competitive throughout the season and shows progress as the year goes on? He should be. Rex is the least of this team’s problems right now. A 34-30 record with 4 playoff wins through 4 years is nothing to scoff at, particularly with the inconsistencies at the quarterback position and lack of playmakers present on offense. Rex is far from a perfect coach but he brings a needed energy to the organization that players like playing for. You want Rex on the recruiting trail for you next season when you have 40 million dollars of cap space. Who is out there that you want to start over with? Are you going to scrap the defense that Rex is building around Muhammad WIlkerson, Quinton Coples, Sheldon Richardson, Demario Davis, Dee Milliner and whatever other young players step up this year? Are you going to allow the new Head Coach to fire Marty Mornhinweg so Geno Smith is going to have to learn two offenses in two years? Nobody is saying Rex is untouchable. If this team is getting whipped week in and week out. It is time to go. If they lose something like 7 of their last 8 and none of the young players progress as the season goes on. It is time to go. Yet, if Rex goes out and has this team playing meaningful football in December? Idzik should bring him back and let him head up a team that should see a substantial increase in talent thanks to free agency and the 2014 NFL Draft.

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Despite a report from the New York Jets beat, namely Rich Cimini and his unnamed sources that questioned the signing of a former first round pick, at a position the Jets are woefully thin at…we at TOJ felt it was time to give an unbiased view of Kellen Winslow Jr. College Career Kellen WInslow Jr, the son of Hall of Fame Tight End Kellen Winslow Sr, was a member of the Miami Hurricanes during their dominant run from 2001 to 2003. WInslow played sparingly during his freshman year, backing up an All-American in Jeremy Shockey, before exploding on to the scene in his sophomore season. WInslow became a finalist for the Mackey Award, awarded to the nation’s best tight end, after setting the University of Miami record for catches, yards, and touchdowns by a tight end with 57, 726, and 8 respectively. During his junior season, Winslow Jr. won the Mackey Award with 60 receptions, 605 yards, and one touchdown and was named a unanimous first team All-American. Despite the accolades he received, Kellen’s junior season was remembered mostly for the controversy surrounding his “I’m A Soldier” comments after a game against Tennessee. Professional Career Kellen was drafted sixth overall by the Cleveland Browns and Butch Davis, the fourth highest draft pick ever used on a tight end. Two games into his rookie year, WInslow tore his fibula and was sidelined for the rest of the season. He was expected to return in time for next season, but a motorcycle accident in the off-season following his rookie season led to WInslow tearing his ACL and being sidelined for the entire 2005 season as well. WInslow returned in 2006 and, after announcing that 90 percent of him is still better than any tight end in the NFL, hauled in 89 receptions for 875 yards and 5 TDs. His 89 receptions broke Ozzie Newsome’s franchise record for receptions by a tight end. The following season, Winslow earned a Pro Bowl nod with 82 receptions for 1,106 yards and five touchdowns. In the 2008 season, Winslow suffered a staph infection and missed 5 games while publicly bashing Browns GM Phil Savage for trying to hide the injury. WInslow was suspended one game for this, but Browns owner Randy Lerner apologized and rescinded the suspension. Winslow was traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after the 2008 season, and spent the next 3 seasons in Tampa averaging 72 catches, 792 yards, and 4 touchdowns and not missing a single game. After his third season with the team, and 3 years into a six year deal that made Winslow the highest paid TE in the game, WInslow was informed by the Bucs that they would be trading him. Winslow was traded to the Seahawks following the 2011 season, but was waived before the season began because he refused to restructure his contract. Winslow was signed by the Patriots two weeks after being released by Seattle, but then asked for his release from New England 9 days later. Verdict Why would three teams rid themselves of a talented, albeit outspoken, productive offensive weapon? In Cleveland, despite owner Randy Lerner siding with Winslow in his spat with Phil Savage, Winslow was traded to Tampa Bay for a 2nd and 5th round pick. In Tampa Bay, Greg Schiano didn’t like that Winslow would want to miss practice to rest his knee, and immediately shipped him out to Seattle. In Seattle, he refused to lower his salary and was subsequently released. There is one common denominator in all three of these situations; Kellen Winslow, Jr. Kellen Winslow was a highly productive player who didn’t display the most maturity at Miami or in Cleveland (the motorcycle accident and brash comments, plus arguments with the GM). However, when healthy Kellen Winslow was one of the most productive tight ends in the game and when he signed with New England, the signing was lauded as another shrewd move by that amazing New England front office. Kellen Winslow Jr., if healthy, will be an immediate upgrade over not only what the Jets have no

List of current NY Jets Defensive Lineman on the roster: # Name Pos. Height Weight Age Exp. College 71 Garay, Antonio DL 6-4 320 33 8 Boston College 70 McDonough, Jake DL 6-5 305 23 R Iowa State 96 Wilkerson, Muhammad DL 6-4 315 23 3 Temple 99 Aumavae, Junior DT 6-2 310 27 1 Minnesota State 61 Coleman, Lanier DT 6-4 322 26 1 Louisiana-Lafayette 93 Ellis, Kenrick DT 6-4 346 25 3 Hampton 92 Finau, Tevita DT 6-5 288 27 1 Utah 94 Harrison, Damon DT 6-4 350 24 2 William Penn Last year, the area of the game where the Jets showed the most potential going forward was at the defensive line position.  Second year DT/DE  Muhammad Wilkerson (70 tackles, 5 sacks) and rookie Quinton Coples (30 tackles, 5.5 sacks) had promising years.  Veteran Sione Po’uha struggled to stay healthy for the full season, and has since been released by the team. For 2013, the Jets strength of the defense is arguably their defensive line.  With 13th overall pick Sheldon Richardson, veteran free agent Antonio Garay, third year DT Kenrick Ellis and Damon “Snacks” Harrison, the Jets have a considerable amount of depth and experience that could make them the defensive front that Jets fans have hoped for under Rex Ryan. Through OTA’s and minicamp, the Jets have moved these versatile players around from standing outside pass rushers to 3-technique (outside shade of the offensive guard) to 5 technique (head up on the offensive tackle).  Sheldon Richardson could be seen as a defensive tackle on first down and then bumped out to defensive end on 3rd down.  Richardson’s off the ball explosiveness and his ability to play two gaps will allow the Jets some flexibility in where he can play.  There will be growing pains, as there would be with any rookie, but his motor and his immense strength off the ball could make Richardson the guy Rex Ryan cannot take off the field. Wilkerson has emerged as a budding star in the league in terms of defensive linemen.  One could argue that he played at a Pro-Bowl level last season and the Jets are looking for him to take the next step and get there this season.  He has all the physical attributes to create havoc for opposing offenses with his ability to play the run and rush the passer.  Wilkerson will be used in many different positions on the line to get him to the quarterback.  He has not only become a young, future star, but he has become a leader by example on the team.  His hardwork and willingness to assist the younger players shows he’s captain material (even if Ryan doesn’t make captains again like he did in 2012). Damon Harrison could fill the role of Sione Po’uha, a “do-your-job” run-stuffing defensive tackle.  Unlike Po’uha, Harrison has shown the ability to rush the passer and bat down passes, as well.  Harrison had a solid Spring and the coaches have been quoted talking about how hard he works and his non-stop motor.  Harrison played briefly last season in five games not recording a tackle, but there should definitely be a spot on the roster for a guy who has worked as hard as Harrison has this offseason.  You can’t teach hard work and in Harrison’s case, his work and motivation is paying off.  He still will need to prove his worth once the pads come on, but there should be a spot on the roster for “Snacks.” The Jets will look to use a front with Richardson-Ellis-Wilkerson rushing up the middle with linebackers like Coples and Antwan Barnes to blitz off the edge.  With the depth of talent the Jets have at this position, they will be able to be creative in their schemes to help them become the dominant defense they were when Rex Ryan first became head coach. Other players vying for a roster spot include:  Tevita Finau, Lanier Coleman, Junior Aumavae and a guy who has impressed coaches in Spring, Jake McDonough.  These four guys along with Leger Douzable, who was brought in on a tryout basis in minicamp (the Jets have

And then you realize, it's only Tuesday. I hope your week is going well, Gang Green Gangsters! Here are your daily New York Jets links for today... NFL.com: The Jets plan to be less conservative and blitz more. SB Nation: The Jets may have the worst wide receiver unit in the league. Rich Cimini: What happens between now and Cortland? Kristian Dyer: Rex Ryan and John Idzik play odd couple in the Jets hierarchy. NYJets.com: "Jets Talk Live" with Marty Mornhinweg. Randy Lange: The guard thread from Alan Faneca to Willie Colon to Brian Winters. Randy also mentions that with Travis Tripucka released, Chris Pantale has taken over #44, making the #81 available for Kellen Winslow. Conor Orr: Muhammad Wilkerson says that he is not worried about the weight of expectation. Brian Costello: The Jets think that Quinton Coples is prepared to match lofty expectations. Brian Costello: Antonio Cromartie is unexpectedly becoming a team leader. Deadspin: Kerry Rhodes is claiming to be the father of Kim Kardashian's baby. USA Today: Rhodes, Brandon Moore and John Abraham are among the best remaining free agents. Pro Football Focus: Top ten edge rushers for five seasons. See which Jet made the list for run defense. Yahoo!: The Jets will spend more on Tim Tebow this year than the New England Patriots over the next two seasons. Chargers.com: Dan DePalma is catching on quickly. Scarsdale Daily Voice: Boomer Esiason will appear in Scarsdale. Mile High Report: A few good questions with Von Miller. Over the Cap: What could Colin Kaepernick be worth in 2014? AP: Football writers honor Indianapolis Colts HC Chuck Pagano. AP: Chad Johnson is released from jail. AP: Georgia radio hosts mocked Steve Gleason, who has ALS, and get fired. And now some sweets for the sweet: Have a great day, Gang Green Gangsters!