NFL Playoffs Help Identify Jets "Holes"

Define “Need”

Try as one may, the NFL playoffs sometimes cause fans to reflect on their own favorite team’s previous season and future prospects. As we watch other teams and fans celebrate the inexplicably wonderful feeling of going to the Super Bowl (we’ve heard it’s a great emotional high…still waiting to experience it), it is impossible not to reflect on our favorite team’s roster and ponder what it might take to make the leap. Such is even more the case when the other team in your favorite team’s market is heading to the big game. So it is with we NY-based Jets fans.

So, as many of our friends and neighbors bask in the bliss of the G-Men having punched their ticket to Glendale (I still cannot believe I am typing these words), I, as a member of the green-and-white nation have taken this moment to reflect on the J-E-T-S.

More specifically, after watching three weeks worth of NFL playoff action and seeing the elements necessary for success, I’ve used this knowledge to identify those one or two minor “holes” that might prevent the Jets from taking the next step. Here are those findings:

Necessary Element: A quality quarterback who is shifty in the pocket, possesses a strong arm and makes solid decisions. And, yes, Eli now somewhat unbelievably fits these criteria.
Jets Status: Uhhh, yea. We need this…neither Pennington nor Clemens currently fit the mold.

Necessary Element: At least one big-time, and preferably big-bodied, receiver who can stretch the field, make athletic plays on the ball and “save” the quarterback from time to time. See: Vincent Jackson, Donald Driver, Plaxico Burress, Randy Moss, et al.
Jets Status: 0-for-2. Coles and Cotchery are very nice possession receivers, and I like them very much. We could use a big play guy.

Necessary Element: One or more bad-ass looking mofos in the secondary who run around making plays and laying out opposing receivers. Wherever possible, this individual should don dreadlocks. See: Atari Bigby, Ashanti Samuel.
Jets Status: Is anyone else starting to notice a pattern? While Kerry Rhodes is a Pro Bowl safety (it’s a travesty he’s not going to Hawaii, again), there’s nobody in the Jets secondary who would be classified as an intimidating run-stopper and/or guy you’re afraid to go across the middle on. I’m not quite ready to bet the house on Abram Elam. Revis was a great pick, though.

Necessary Element: Ridiculous athletes at linebacker running around and making plays…causing havoc on the pass rush…covering sideline to sideline. See: Merriman, Phillips, Cooper, Hawk, Barnett, Pierce, Vrabel, Seau.
Jets Status: We have David Harris. So, we’ve got that going for us…which is nice.

Other necessary elements: A stout offensive line, big, run-stopping defensive line up the middle, athletic play-making tight ends, pass-rushing d-ends.
Jets Status: OK, so “no,” followed by no, no and no.

So, based on this cursory analysis we have identified the Jets holes as “gaping” and “everywhere.” We do not envy Tannenbaum, Mangini and crew heading into the draft and this offseason. Identifying the holes will not be an issue, the problem will be determining which to address first in an excruciatingly long list. We’d go with offensive and defensive line…after that we should have plenty of time to look at receiver, tight end, quarterback, linebacker and any other areas of need.

With that, I’m now going to stare at the covers of the Post and Daily News and cry myself back to sleep. Did pitchers and catchers report yet?