Out With the Old in with the New: A Look at the Wide Receivers

There seems to be a youth movement sweeping through the New York Jets locker room like a tornado. Every position has new faces and a fan can tell that the organization has a plan to get younger and build as a team.

Since entering the league Mark Sanchez has never had consistency at the wide receiver position which drastically hurts the chemistry of the team. Successful quarterbacks use skill along with familiarity to thrive. The media picks apart Sanchez for his timing and decision making, but it is not completely his fault when he is throwing to strangers half the time.

Sanchez has some of his weapons coming back this year highlighted by Santonio Holmes the clear cut number one receiver. Santonio was one of the best clutch receivers in 2010, single handedly winning the games against the Lions, Texans, Browns, and Broncos. Without these wins the Jets could have missed the playoffs all together. That clutch receiver was not the same man last year and everything seemed to decrease including his blocking and physical nature. Santonio did have 8 touchdowns but he was not the game changer that a number one receiver needs to be.

When an individual thinks about a number one receiver 1,000 yards should be a given. Even though Sanchez is very up and down 654 yards on 51 receptions just is not good enough especially in a year where ground and pound was not necessarily the main priority. The 2012 season has a new feel for Holmes compared to last year when his bad attitude alienated him for teammates and coaches. His relationship with Sanchez is growing and they have been working out together in the offseason.

Chemistry is key and Holmes has the chance to be the bona fide leader at the wide receiver position.

Stephen Hill is not just a wide receiver; he is a weapon for Sanchez to have fun with. Hill has been outstanding at OTAsand many Jets fans and media figures view him as their best draft pick overall. Although Hill’s receptions weren’t many last year with only 28, he made them count going for 820 yards and 5 touchdowns. That is an average of 29.3 yards per catch which is outstanding and gives him the ability to score every time he touches the ball. The Jets are dying for a vertical weapon that can stretch the whole field and not just within the 20’s like Plaxico Burress. His size is great at 6’5” and his hands are incredible. The Jets got a gem when they drafted Stephen Hill.

Every team needs a great slot receiver to be productive while the big men on the edges do their thing.Jeremy Kerleyis a great compliment to Holmes and Hill in this offense. His numbers may have been on the low side last year withonly 314 yards on 29 receptions, but with new speed and youth expect Kerley to have a good year. Along with his receiving skills, he is also a decent punt returner. If he can fix his problem with muffing the ball he could very well be the permanent guy at that position especially with Jim Leonhard departing. If that fails he could always play quarterback, he did have a 100% completion rating completing his lone pass for a whopping 41 yards!

The receivers mentioned above are all but cemented as the top three at their position which leaves a battle for the remaining roster spots. Two men at this point seem to be competing for the fourth receiver spot, Chaz Schilens and Patrick Turner. Bothmen have great things going for them. With Schilens, it is his past experience with Sanjay Lal his wide receiver coach in Oakland who now has the same position with the Jets.

Patrick Turner on the other hand has experience with the team especially Mark Sanchez who was his quarterback not only in the NFL but in college at USC as well. Patrick Turner seems to also have a good relationship with fellow receiver Santonio Holmes when they teamed up during offseason training. The question comes down to what means more, experience with coaches or experience with teammates? That is a concept that needs to be taken into account along with playing ability. At this point it is way too early to determine which man will win the competition but it is a good thing when you have two quality receivers with great height and speed battling for a reserve spot.

All of the other receivers on the roster will need to perform at a very high level to get on the field for the Jets. There are always hidden gems on an NFL roster that overcome adversity and help their team. The player that I believe could fill those shoes for the Jets at the receiver position is 7th round draft pick Jordan White. When you have 140 receptions for 1,911 yards and 17 touchdowns I don’t care what college team you played for, you are special. A player like White gets questioned because of the lower caliber of competition he faced in college, but even if you cut his numbers in half they are still impressive. White has experience with being a return man as well so if Kerley starts muffing punts there is a backup plan.

The preseason will be a proving ground for receivers who wish to make this team. The amount of receivers that the Jets will keep is unknown at this point and will depend on the talent of the group. A man like Scotty McKnight who has experience with the team can push for the sixth spot along with White or a dark horse can emerge and surprise the coaches.

Victor Cruz is a great example of how a playmaker does not necessarily have to be the most popular name. Eron Riley, Dexter Jackson, DaMarcus Ganaway, and Royce Pollard could fill those shoes. There is no telling who will step up when the game begins and the ball starts slinging. There are plenty of players who have the talent to play wide receiver, a select few can do it in green and white.

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