NY Jets - Reasons for Concern

As we enter the 3rd preseason game tonight against the NY Giants, there are several major concerns about the 2007 team. These include:
1) Weak Run-Defense
2) RB T. Jones Injury
3) QB C. Pennington's Weak Arm
4) Offensive line's hole at LG and lack of top OT talent

Let's address each briefly.

Weak Run-Defense
The run-defense was horrendous last year. The team ranked 24th in the league and yet played a very easy schedule. While run-defense is always a collective effort, there are 3 main positions of concern:
1) ILB J. Vilma - undersized and poor run defender in a 3-4
2) DT D. Robertson - not a 1-gap style NT
3) RDE K. Coleman - an upgrade from last year, but a career back-up and unproven as a starter

RB T. Jones Injury
This is huge. There is tremendous uncertainty about the injury, but there are fears it could intermittently flare throughout the season and result in substantial missed playing time. When healthy T. Jones is a solid every down back, but if he is limited by injury or misses time then the Jets will have a major void to fill. Back-up L. Washington is a change of pace back and not well suited to be an every down back.

QB C. Pennington's Weak Arm
This will never change. The Jets need to buy time until K. Clemens is ready to takeover.

Offensive Line
The trade of LG P. Kendall was successful because he did not end up on a division rival. However, the Jets made a clear decision to trade today for tomorrow. Meanwhile the play of both LT D. Ferguson and RT A. Clement is average at best. Ferguson must demonstrate substantial improvement in his 2nd year to justify his salary slot as a #4 overall in 2006. The C N. Mangold is excellent, but he is just one player.