It Takes More Than A Quarterback

The focus at Jets training camp has been the battle between Chad Pennington, Kellen Clemens and Brett Favre's ghost for the starting quarterback spot. The reasons behind the quarterback competition (and trying to acquire Favre) are obvious. Clemens and Pennington combined for 15 touchdowns and 19 interceptions last season, the offense averaged 16 points a game and most importantly, the team posted a 4-12 record. With numbers like those, the quarterback position is going to be scrutinized. But, when you finish a NFL season with 4 wins, it means your team has plenty of holes. The Jets are no different. As bad as the Jets quarterback play was, their offensive line was worse. The Jets rushed for a paltry 3.8 yards per carry and gave up 53 sacks. General manager Mike Tannenbaum addressed the woeful line, signing Pro-Bowl left guard Alan Faneca and veteran offensive lineman Damien Woody, who is expected to play right tackle. Are those players upgrades over the revolving door of left guards and right tackles that played last season? Yes, but Faneca's age and Woody's lack of experience at tackle along with the lack of depth along the line, are definite concerns. The defensive side of the ball has questions to answer as well. While the Jets dropped major coin improving the front seven through free agency and the draft, the secondary is at best, a work in progress. Kerry Rhodes and Darrelle Rivas are entrenched as starters at safety and corner respectively. However the candidates to fill out the rest of the defensive backfield are far from awe inspiring. The names that will compete for playing time in the secondary include: Justin Miller, David Barrett, Hank Poteat, Andre Woolfolk, Abram Elam, Eric Smith and Artrell Hawkins. When you combine those players with the lack of a top-tier pass-rusher, the Jets pass defense does not strike fear in the hearts of quarterbacks around the NFL. So while quarterback competitions always get the headlines, the Jets have work to do in other areas. Otherwise, Joe Willie Namath in is prime could be under center, and the Jets will still be a 4-12 team.