New York Jets Preseason Mailbag
Back with our first New York Jets mailbag of the 2016 NFL season. Thank you to everybody who submitted questions via Twitter. You can find more Jets analysis all season long right here and subscribe to our podcast on KFC Radio right here. The latest episode is embedded at the bottom of this article. On to the questions…
@TurnOnTheJets worst fan base in the afc east?
— Dean McGowan (@deanmcgowan) August 17, 2016
What a challenging question to kick us off. It depends on how you define “worst.” Is worst not giving a crap about your team and letting your stadium be filled with opposing fans every week? Then the answer is Miami. Is worst ending up on Deadspin every Sunday for some drunken savagery in Zubaz pants? Then the answer is Buffalo. Is worst being a smug SOB who just started liking the team in the early 2000s? Then the answer is New England. Is worst being irrational and angry with a sense of entitlement for rooting for a constant underdog? Then the answer is the Jets.
@TurnOnTheJets who do you think will be the #Jets most valuable rookie at the end of the year?
— AJ (@big_sanch_20) August 17, 2016
Second rounder Christian Hackenberg isn’t going to play this year, either is fifth rounder Brandon Shell. Fourth rounder Juston Burris is likely to be a situational player and special teamer. Seventh round punter Lachlan Edwards will be the guy but hopefully his punting isn’t the most valuable thing out of this entire class. Seventh round pick Charone Peake has looked good at receiver but isn’t going to see many targets with Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker here. Third rounder Jordan Jenkins will likely play the most reps but first rounder Darron Lee will provide more impact plays. Jenkins is a safe bet but hopefully Lee is a full time player by the end of the year and can take the most valuable spot. One other player to watch is UDFA WR/KR Jalin Marshall, if everything breaks right he could be the team’s punt returner, kick returner and start in the team’s three receiver sets.
@TurnOnTheJets … Petty trade possibility? Who gets cut: Ross/Peake/Marshall? Are Trevor Riley and Sudfeld locks for their ST ability? — Dan Mosher (@DMosher_NYJ) August 17, 2016
Three for the price of one. There is unlikely to be a trade market for Petty. He either sticks if the Jets decide to keep four quarterbacks, gets put on the practice squad or on the IR with an “injury.” Right now, I’d guess all three stick but Ross is then cut when Devin Smith gets taken off the PUP list he eventually gets put on. I don’t think either Riley or Sudfeld are locks because the Jets have guys like Bruce Carter, Lee, Burris and Rontez Miles to lead the way on special teams. They will have to earn their way on via defense and offense, respectively.
@TurnOnTheJets is Ryan Fitzpatrick elite? — RangersTownUSA (@RangersTownUSA) August 17, 2016
Hell no. But the Jets do not need him to be. Just protect the football and throw it in the general vicinity of Brandon Marshall, Eric Decker, Matt Forte and Bilal Powell. Let those four guys do the heavy work on the offense.
@TurnOnTheJets can jets survive with ijalana starting at tackle — PartJetsEliteFanBase (@RobbyJerzee) August 17, 2016
Maybe. Brent Giacomini is not very good to begin with but at least he has a ton of experience, particularly here under his belt. Ben Ijalana has barely played the past few years, despite a second round pedigree (2011 draft). However, if Giacomini is not back in the next week or so, we may see Ijalana get a chance. It will be hard to be a downgrade from last season.
@TurnOnTheJets record prediction? — conner crosson (@ConnerCrosson7) August 17, 2016
For now, I am saying 9-7.