There are 6 players on any team that are the foundation of their success... or lack there of. Three solid leaders on offense, and three solid leaders of defense are required if you plan on winning games in this league, not to mention a championship.
Mark Sanchez is the obvious starting point of this discussion. He has shown me everything I would like to see from an NFL QB at this stage of his career. He had some real tough games and poor performances last year, and he also played some great games as well. Watching him get destroyed in the end zone of that Saints game last year was agonizing. The blind side hit (that should have been protected by our 60 million dollar LT) was vicious and the fumble was the cherry on top. Those moments are the ones that build character.
#6 made some real strides in the 2009 post season and I started to become a believer. I think that he is already progressed to the maturity level of Eli Manning after his 3rd season. He is way ahead of Eli and I expect him to do well again this year. He WILL struggle at times in 2010, there is no way around it. He is still young, but I think he will get it done when it counts. Either way, he is the kind of guy you can get behind as a fan and cheer for. He is likable, a good face of the franchise, and a true leader.
#2 on the offense has to be Nick Mangold. He is the best center in the league and I think it is often overlooked that he took over for a legend. Kevin Mawae was a staple in the green and white and the probowl. To step in the way he did as rookie and take over the offensive line was something to see. 1 game into his career most Jets fans were thing Mawae who??? I feel it is much more of priority to sign Nick than Darrelle. This young man has what it takes to win a Superbowl, with a few more solid players like him on the roster we can get it done. I hope he stays a Jet for life.
#3 on the offense for me is Braylon Edwards. He has never shown any leadership ability, but there is more than one way to lead. Jerry Rice was never a vocal player, but his teammates knew that he set the standard back in his 49er days. #17 needs to do his talking on the field. If he puts up a career season it will completely open up things for Cotchery, Holmes, Keller, and our running attack.
Edwards is one of only 10 or 12 players that can completely take over a game in the NFL. He NEEDS to come out of the gates this year on fire. Everything I have heard about him this offseason says that he is 100% sold out and committed to the Jets philosophy of 'Football First". By watching his BFF Kerry Rhodes get banished to the deserts of Arizona hopefully his eyes have been opened and he is ready to get it on.
My #1 guy on defense is Kris Jenkins. This guy is everything you want as the center piece of your defense. He would be regarded as one the top 10 overall players in the league if it wasn't for his history of serious injuries. If he stays healthy all season I see no reason we don't win the AFC East. We have developed some depth at the DT position and a steady rotation of players should help Big Jenks stay off the IR. These players like him, they respect him, and they are probably a bit scared of him as well. I recently saw him making the rounds on some T.V. sports shows and he looks fantastic (OK, this is officially a man crush LOL). He has dropped a lot of weight and he will be a force to be reckoned with... no question.
#2 is Bart Scott, the 'Mad Backer'. He talks a big game and has a huge salary to go with it. Now we just need to see some impactful plays on the field. I consider 2009 a disappointment for Scott. He is playing a complimentary role to David Harris who is our top ILB, so he should be able to use his savvy and experience to cause some real headaches for opposing offenses. Players won't start following him until he shows he can change games and earn his multi million dollar pay check. He is our real X-factor right now, we will only be as good on defense as he is.
#3 is not Darrelle Revis or Jim Leonhard. It's not either of our two high profile pass rushers Taylor or Pace. For me it's Sean Ellis. He is the longest tenured player on the roster. The Jets have had a few chances to dump or trade him over the last few years and they have kept him for two reasons. He is big and nasty. Thats it. He won't put up double digit sacks, he won't make the pro-bowl, and he is certainly not a great representative of this team off the field. He is still here because he is the type of player who knows how to dig in.
In any battle there are turning points where many men will consciously or unconsciously call it a day. Ellis is not wired that way, he simply can't give up. He is very aware that he has a chance to be a first round draft pick who plays his entire career with the team that drafted him. He is also in the twilight of his run in this league, and he has seen the Jets through some real ups and downs. As his career is ending he is playing for the best defense in the league and knows he has a real chance to go out as a world champion in NYC. Very few players have ever had the chance to do all of these things.
He has the best Defensive End job in the NFL and I think he will play like a man possessed this year. He won't make the pro-bowl, but when it counts Ellis is a post season proven, gritty veteran who knows how to make any RT's day pure hell. Don't squander this once in a lifetime chance Big Kat!
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