It’s been a crazy offseason in the AFC East. Everything is seemingly going wrong for the division favorites, the New England Patriots. No WRs return to the team, Gronkowski went through surgery and won’t be back by week 1 and now Tom Brady’s final target, Aaron Hernandez is in major legal trouble. Playing against New England will essentially be the Jets vs Tom Brady and Stevan Ridley. Earlier in the offseason I wrote a few articles on moves the Jets would have to make to become a competitive team in the division. Now, with all the trouble the Pats are going through, there’s one move that can make the Jets truly a favorite in the division (and not just by a long shot)
Jan 20, 2013; Foxboro, MA, USA; twide receiver Brandon Lloyd (85) catches a pass as Baltimore Ravens cornerback Cary Williams (29) defends in the second quarter of the AFC championship game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
PICK UP BRANDON LLOYD – I don’t understand how he’s still on the wire. He’s a player the Pats are likely going to have to go after if they want to give Brady any kind of weapon to throw to. Who else is out there for them? Chad Ochocinco? Not only will picking him up push the Pats into a corner, but the Jets receiving corps needs insurance (to say the least). There’s a chance Stephen Hill can be a great #2 WR and Santonio Holmes will hold down the #1 spot. But Stephen Hill is still dropping balls in practice and Santonio is coming off a major injury, so whether or not he returns to the path he was on last season is a big question mark. Picking up a proven #1 target like Brandon Lloyd GUARANTEES that there’s a solid #1 and a super solid #2 in Holmes. Holmes, coming off injury will also be a lot less pressured. All of the sudden the Jets look like they can be the favorite for the AFC East. Let’s look at the Jets vs the AFC East with the acquisition of Lloyd:
JETS
QB – Geno Smith/A Much Improved Mark Sanchez (I think Geno will start, the only way he doesn’t is if Sanchez starts playing like Matt Stafford)
RB – Chris Ivory
RB – Mike Goodson (can be solid, gained 100+ yards in every game he’s started in)
WR – Brandon Lloyd
WR – Santonio Holmes
WR – Jeremy Kerley
TE – Kellen Winslow
PATS
QB – Tom Brady, Tim Tebow
RB – Stevan Ridley
RB – Shane Vereen
WR – Danny Amendola
WR – Mike Jenkins
WR – Julian Edelmen
TE – Daniel Fells
BILLS
QB – EJ Manuel/Kevin Kolb
RB – CJ Spiller
RB – Fred Jackson
WR – Stevie Johnson
WR – Robert Woods
WR – TJ Graham
TE – Scott Chandler
DOLPHINS
QB – Ryan Tannehill
RB – Lamar Miller
RB – Daniel Thomas
WR – Mike Wallace
WR – Brian Hartline
WR – Brandon Gibson
TE – Dustin Keller
Right there on paper, the Jets seem like they’d be neck and neck with Miami for the AFC East. Rex Ryan will also most likely have them put up a top 5 defense. In each of his seasons except last and one wih the Ravens (where it’s been ranked #7) he’s fielded a top 5 defense. Last year he was the 7th best in the NFL, considering they lost their best player in week 2 and had to adjust, I’d say that’s pretty damn impressive. Now Rex knows who he has and picked up the players he think would contribute most in the first round. This pushes the Jets ahead of Miami in my book. Just imagine if they were able to able to add a back like Michael Turner who is in a similar situation as Tomlinson was back in 2010. Now all of the sudden the Jets seem like they can compete with almost any AFC team.
Jan 20, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Michael Turner (33) runs against the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter of the NFC Championship game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
QB – Geno Smith
RB – Michael Turner
RB – Chris Ivory/Mike Goodson
WR – Brandon Lloyd
WR – Santonio Holmes
WR – Jeremy Kerley
TE – Kellen Winslow
How could the above lineup not inspire any Jets fans to buy tickets to game #1 vs Revis and the Bucs?