Jets Training Camp Preview

After moving their training camp from Hofstra to Cortland, the Jets are underway in year one of the Rex Ryan regime. Here are some interesting storylines to keep an eye on during training camp.

1) Quarterback Situation: Everyone is wondering who will get the nod Week One in Houston between Kellen Clemens and 5th overall pick Mark Sanchez. We know the USC star might be the pick amongst the girls, but Rex Ryan is not about popularity with the girls, but rather winning football games. I could understand the Jets going with Clemens to start the year so they do not throw Sanchez right into the fire as an inexperienced rookie. However, Clemens is not that polished himself because he only has seven NFL starts under his belt. Jets owner Woody Johnson loves these star queterback types (Brett Favre), so for Clemens to win the job, he will really have to blow Sanchez away. If the Jets had a seasoned vet at the position, then I would definitely think Sanchez would start the year as the backup. But that is not the case, so this is clearly an open competition, and there is no doubt that Rex Ryan will play the guy that gives him the best chance to win right away.

2) Carries at running back: Thomas Jones had a pro bowl season last year with 1312 yards and 13 TD's on the ground. He really benefitted from the Jets being able to stretch the field with Brett Favre at quarterback. Leon Washington was their change of pace back that accumulated 448 yards and six TD's. He also had the ability to break the game open on special teams with his kick and punt return abilities. I would expect a lot of pouting from both players in camp since they are both disgruntled with their contract situations. Washington even skipped day one. On the other hand, expect an intense camp since both guys will want to play well to earn more carries to have the chance to flourish in contract years. Shonn Greene, the rookie RB from Iowa, will also have an opportunity to earn some carries.

3) WR's after Jericho Cotchery: Chansi Stuckey, David Clowney, and Brad Smith. Most people who are not part of Jets nation have no idea who any of those guys are. Well, they are not receiving much respect from the media either. In an article on foxsports.com, the Jets unproven WR's are sick and tired of hearing they are not good enough. The three players I mentioned above have combined for 86 receptions in their careers, and they will be replacing Laveranues Coles, who averaged almost 80 catches a season for Gang Green. I would expect a fierce battle in camp for the number two receiver role behind Cotchery, and someone needs to step up to make an unsettled QB situation a little better. Jets fans should expect a heavy ground attack this year because of the lack of wideouts, and a new quarterback under center.

4) Rex Ryan in his first camp: The former Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator has a lot on his plate in his first training camp as the head coach. A quarterback competition is enough for a head coach to handle, but major questions at wideout, your running backs upset about their contract situations, and a team that collapsed down the stretch last year makes for an interesting camp. But Ryan has come in and immediately put his footprint on this team. It seems like he motivated all the players to come into camp in great shape, and everyone, especially the guys on defense, look like they are very pumped to play for him on Sundays. Ryan dealt with the media pretty well in his press conference on Friday by answering questions honestly and joking around a lot. The best thing he can do is do a thorough evaluation of the QB position and pick between Clemens and Sanchez so the offense can have continuity going into the season.

5) Defense: The Jets defense was pretty good last year, and it will only improve with the guru Rex Ryan coming over from Baltimore. Ryan's defenses have been consistently rated near the top in Baltimore. The Jets also brought in two big time players in LB Bart Scott (4 years $40 million) and CB Lito Sheppard. The two main things to look for in camp are Vernon Gholston's performance and a cornerback battle between Sheppard and Dwight Lowery. Gholston said in an article on foxsports.com that he is looking forward to putting last year's dismal season behind him. He has the chance to be a starter for the first four games while Calvin Pace serves a four game suspension for PED use. He definitely has a lot to prove, but Ryan likes what he saw of him in tape and has confidence in him to have a breakout year. Sheppard comes over from Philadelphia and will be pushed by Lowery for his starting cornerback spot. Ryan really liked what he saw from Lowery on the first day of camp and expects a heated battle for the position. Aside from these position battles, it will be interesting to see how Ryan molds this defense as a whole.

(Photos courtesy of Getty Images)