MOST IMPORTANT OFFENSIVE PLAYER
Brett Favre. Did you have to ask? The Jets entire 2008 existence rests on the strong right arm of Favre, their celebrated acquisition at QB. Favre needs to be the QB he was last year (28 TDs, 15 INTs), not the one he was in 2005 and 2006 (18 INTS in 2006 and 29 in 2005).
MOST IMPORTANT DEFENSIVE PLAYER
Kris Jenkins. The Jets run defense has been poor under Eric Mangini and a reason for that has been no big man in the middle. Jenkins is a big man (350 pounds) who’s rejuvenated by his trade to New York and motivated to show everyone what he has left.
ROOKIE TO WATCH
There’s a lot to choose from on this team, but TE Dustin Keller could have the biggest impact most quickly with his pass catching ability. Top draft pick, LB Vernon Gholston, might be slow to make an impact with a transition to a new position.
STAR ON THE RISE
RB Leon Washington can do so many things to help win a game – run, catch and return kicks. With the addition of Favre likely to have teams back off with the eight-man fronts, the prospect of getting Washington in space to make big plays looms large.
BIGGEST GAME
The opener. The celebrated acquisition Brett Favre vs. the scorned Chad Pennington in Miami. There’s great pressure on the Jets to win this game, particularly with the Patriots and Chargers up next for them. A loss to the Dolphins brings an 0-3 start significantly into play.
BIGGEST COACHING DECISION
Eric Mangini’s ongoing tweaking of the playbook in order to get Favre comfortable as quickly as possible.
DON’T BE SURPRISED IF . . .
S Kerry Rhodes finally makes the Pro Bowl – an honor he definitely deserved two years ago and probably deserved last year.
SURE TO MAKE FANS GRUMBLE
If the revamped offensive line doesn’t protect Favre and doesn’t open holes for RB Thomas Jones.