He had 87 tackles and three interceptions his rookie year with no pass rush.Those numbers are likely to improve since Revis got better as the season went on. Also, if the quarterback has less time to throw, the secondary will be much more likely to make plays on the football.Revis is a very good cornerback, both in covering receivers and in helping stop the run While he struggled at times, he acclimated himself well. With a better team around him, he’ll put up the numbers to get significant Pro Bowl consideration.Rhodes has been one of the league’s top safeties for the last few years. He was the worst Pro Bowl snub in 2006, but ESPN, Sports Illustrated, and the Associated Press all gave him the respect he deserved, naming him to their All-Pro teams. That year, he had five sacks, four interceptions, three forced fumbles, 99 tackles, and 13 passes defended.His 2007 season started off very quietly, but like many in the Jets’ defense, he improved his play dramatically after Harris received a starting job.
His numbers were down, with 68 tackles, two sacks, five interceptions, two forced fumbles, and ten passes defended. But most of that was in the second half of the season.Both Rhodes and Revis have prototypical size and speed for their positions, and both are on the verge of being stars. Rhodes will get recognition as soon as he and the Jets get more press, while Revis and Harris are both on the verge of being great.Through the improvements around them, and through their own work, it’s not a stretch to think that at least those three will be Pro-Bowl caliber this 2008 season. 4. The offense is respectable.This article is about the defense, but football is much too complicated to make a clean separation between the two sides of the ball. While the quarterback position is still the most pressing question on this team, that might not matter.Let’s look at all the pieces the Jets acquired to help improve the offense.OG Alan FanecaOT Damien WoodyTE Dustin KellerTE Bubba FranksFB Tony RichardsonRB Musa SmithRB Jesse ChatmanAnd Justin McCareins is gone!The one thing in common with everyone they signed is size.
Faneca, Woody, Franks, and Richardson will all provide major help to the team’s run blocking. Chatman and Smith might get a few carries behind them.The new offensive line, with Faneca and Woody complimenting D’Brickashaw Ferguson, Nick Mangold, and Brandon Moore, will be much better. There are also few fullbacks with as much talent at lead blocking as Tony Richardson. All signs point to a ball-control offense with Thomas Jones and Leon Washington leading the way.There’s little reason as to why the quarterback position should be such a detriment that the running game can’t at least be above average.Kellen Clemens, my pick to be the starter, is a talented, former second-round pick with enough arm strength and athletic ability to be a starter in the league.
