Former Jets tight end and guest SNY analyst Anthony Becht breaks down the team’s preseason opener and why he thinks the Jets could make the Super Bowl jump this year.
Q: What was your take from the first preseason game?
A: I wanted to see some of the younger linemen, obviously Vladimir Ducasse is a guy I had my eyes on. He had some growing pains; he’s still in his second year. He needs to get better with his technique and his swarm and I think those game reps are going to help him. Across the board, with the depth of the offensive line it’s always tough to gauge their performance the first time out.
Q: What were your thoughts on the rookie defensive linemen — Muhammad Wilkerson and Kenrick Ellis?
A: Wilkerson had good presence. He’s a big guy, gets up the field well and he’s trying to find his way. He’s like Shaun Ellis in that he can be effective in the run and pass game. Ellis had good burst and push. They are big strong guys with a lot of promise. The mentality of the Jets organization is that we want to win now. This is the process of maturity, and eventually it’s going to start clicking for them.
Q: What’s the biggest reason you think this team can jump from an AFC Championship Game appearance to a Super Bowl team?
A: The fact that (Mark) Sanchez made big plays so early in his career, it really gives you a generation jump. This guy’s been through things that quarterbacks that have been in the league for 10 years have never accomplished. He’s in a big market, and often being criticized, yet he’s been able to find himself and make big plays.
Q: Is it realistic for the Jets to expect Plaxico Burress to be a No. 2 receiver for a team with Super Bowl aspirations after being away from football for two years?
A: You can look at it like he will be fresh, he didn’t lose two years off his career and once he gets his legs back and gets acclimated he will be fine. You will really see where he is when we get to Week 10, Week 11 and players have to stay strong for that push after that punishment starts adding up. That’s when you have to make the push and he hasn’t done it in two years, so it really is a question mark.
Q: What are your goals now for your broadcasting career?
A: Coming back to New York (he lives in Tampa), I think it’s great. I’ve kept close ties with a lot of people in the Jets organization. I really like the market and the team, and I’m doing as much as I can. I am not a guy that had 20 Pro Bowl seasons. So, it’s just like football. You have to work your way up, work through the loops and go that way.