Offseason Acqisitions:New York Jets

The Jets mean business when it comes to competing for an AFC East title and the organization hopes an AFC Championship as well.  Under Rex Ryan’s some might say cocky and charismatic leadership the Jets advanced all the way to the AFC title game with rookie Mark Sanchez starting at QB.  They will hope to build on this win no mentality bringing in three big name free agents in OLB Jason Taylor, RB LaDanian Tomlinson, CB Antonio Cromartie, and trading a 5th round draft choice for former Super Bowl MVP WR Santonio Holmes.

Taylor spent the majority of his career playing in South Florida with the division rival Miami Dolphins.  He went to Washington for a year via trade, then returned to the fins last season.  Ladanian “LT” Tomlinson rushed for over 12,400 yards in his nine year career with San Diego.  Last season he only ran for just over 700 yards.  He broke Emmitt Smith’s record of single season TDs with 28 in 2006.  Antonio Cromartie had 10 picks in 2007 and Holmes  had 79 receptions last season for the Steelers.  Thats a whose who off offseason free agent pickups.

Not to mention, even though the Jets only had four draft picks, they selected 3 potential future starters.  Second rounder Vlad Ducasse out of UMass may be asked to step in and replace released veteran Alan Faneca on the O-Line.  Joe McKnight out of USC will join LT and 2nd year RB Shon Greene in a 3-deep backfield.  Kyle Wilson, CB out of Boise, was the 29th overall pick in the draft and may be called upon early to play opposite Cromartie if Darelle Revis doesn’t play because of contract issues.

The bottom line is that Rex Ryan and the Jets showed they know how to operate in the offseason.  They showed it on the field last season that everyone buys in to the defensive philosopy of the team.  The only question will be is if Ryan and Sanchez will have a sophmore jinx or if they will be able to successfully fuse their acquired talent and take the team to the next level.