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| | Tuesday, August 8 Jets: Plenty of room to Groh | |||||||||||||||
| By Mark Cannizzaro Special to ESPN.com The New York Jets are another AFC East team that has experienced a lot of change, not all of which can be considered good. Bill Parcells is gone. So, too, is defensive coordinator Bill Belichick, offensive coordinator Charlie Weis and personnel director Scott Pioli. Keyshawn Johnson, too, is gone.
You could make an argument for Groh here, but it's definitely Testaverde. From the day camp begins, all eyes are going to be on Testaverde to see if there are any lingering signs from the injury. How is he moving? How is he throwing? Is he limping? Has the year away hurt his accuracy? Can he still be a big-time quarterback without Keyshawn Johnson as a target? These are only a fraction of the questions that Testaverde will face. Key position battle The receiver position is very unsettled. Wayne Chrebet elevates to the No. 1 spot, and Dedric Ward is the No. 2. But Ward is unproven as a starter. He didn't flourish the way the Jets hoped he would last year when starting in place of the injured Chrebet. Former Dolphins' first-rounder Yatil Green was added to the roster last week, but he's unproven, having been injured most of his NFL career. Two players were drafted at the spot -- Laveranues Coles and Windrell Hayes, so perhaps one of them will work out. Biggest adjustment Without question the players' biggest adjustment will be getting used to the coaching staff -- particularly on defense, where the entire staff is new. The defensive players, who revered the game plans Belichick churned out, must get used to Mike Nolan. The linebackers, who loved Groh as their position coach, must get used to not having Groh every meeting. The offensive side should be more used to things, because Dan Henning has been a part of the offensive staff under Parcells, although Weis is gone. Rookie report There's a lot to talk about here, like four first-round picks. Shaun Ellis, the defensive end out of Tennessee, was the Jets' top pick. Then came South Carolina linebacker and pass rushing specialist John Abraham. Ellis could -- and should -- become an immediate starter. Abraham will be expected to be a third-down pass rusher to start and, perhaps when Mo Lewis leaves, mold into his starting spot. The third first-rounder, Marshall quarterback Chad Pennington, is a mere project at this point and will carry the clipboard and learn from Testaverde. Finally, West Virginia tight end Anthony Becht, picked 27th overall, is expected to become the starter. Coles, a third-round pick, is raw but has world-class speed and could be an immediate help in the return game. Hayes, a fifth rounder, is more polished but doesn't have Coles' speed.
| ALSO SEE Bills: It's Johnson's job, for now Colts: Taking the next step Dolphins: Diving into a new era Patriots: It's Belichick's team AUDIO/VIDEO   Wayne Chrebet is looking forward to the opportunity of moving into the top spot.wav: 102 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 Bryan Cox talks about the new outlook for the receivers.wav: 95 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 Curtis Martin says that Chrebet should be used to being the number one guy.wav: 127 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 | |||||||||||||||
