NFL
AFC East: New York Jets preview

Chad Pennington

E-mail this article Print this article Search archive Most read articles Most e-mailed articles

Other links Jets schedule

Predicted order of finish in the AFC East: Third

Coach: Herman Edwards, fourth season (25-23).

2003: 6-10 (fourth in AFC East). Started 0-5 without injured QB Chad Pennington.

Key additions: CB David Barrett, LB Eric Barton, QB Quincy Carter, OG Pete Kendall, WR Justin McCareins, S Reggie Tongue, LB Jonathan Vilma.

Key losses: CB Aaron Beasley, WR Curtis Conway, S Sam Garnes, P Toby Gowin, LB Marvin Jones, LB Mo Lewis, OG Dave Szott, QB Vinny Testaverde.

Pre-snap read: The Jets need find a way to stop the run and score more points. They were 28th vs. the run in 2003 (143 yards per game), and they were in the bottom third of the league in scoring (17.7 ppg). McCareins was obtained in a trade from Tennessee to complement Santana Moss, the speedster who broke out in his third season. Pennington, who missed the first six games of 2003 with a broken wrist, needs to stay healthy because the Jets' backup is Carter, a recent addition who was mediocre as the Dallas Cowboys' starter. Pennington, in his fifth season, has yet to start a season opener. RB Curtis Martin, 31, is aiming for his 10th straight 1,000-yard season. But the Jets want to get fourth-year RB LaMont Jordan more involved in the offense, too. The team added Kendall during camp after he was surprisingly cut by the Arizona Cardinals. He should provide a boost in the interior blocking. Donnie Henderson, who replaces Ted Cottrell as defensive coordinator, will run an attacking defense that involves everyone, not just DEs John Abraham and Shaun Ellis. He also will try to get the best out of the team's other young defenders — DT Dewayne Robertson and LBs Victor Hobson and Vilma.

What to expect: They will likely be on the cusp of the playoffs — and could make it if Pennington stays healthy and the defense improves. They'll have to take advantage of a seemingly soft early schedule because December won't be friendly.

The line on the line: The addition of LG Pete Kendall upgrades a weakness. Kendall will play next to All-Pro C Kevin Mawae, his one-time teammate with the Seahawks. OTs Jason Fabini and Kareem McKenzie are solid. Grade: B

Offensive leaders
Pos.	Player	2003 statistics
QB	Chad Pennington	2,139 yds, 13 TD, 12 INT
RB	Curtis Martin	1,308 yds, 4.0 avg, 2 TD
WR	Santana Moss	74 rec, 1,105 yds, 10 TD
WR	Justin McCareins	47 rec, 813 yds, 7 TD
TE	Anthony Becht	40 rec, 356 yds, 4 TD

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company

E-mail this article

Print this article

Search archive

More Seahawks headlines...