Being that I was freakishly accurate with my predictions last week, I think that “What To Watch For” is staying.  But then again, who’s really an expert right?

It doesn’t get any easier for Gang Green this coming Sunday when they travel to Music City to face the unbeaten Tennessee Titans helmed by QB Kerry Collins and rookie RB Chris Johnson.  If it wasn’t enough for the Jets to have to go to Foxboro and beat its division rival, now they have the pleasure of trying to dethrone the number one team in football ( 1A to the Giants).  Here’s what I think Jet fans should pay attention to this coming Sunday at 1:00 p.m.

NYJ:

1.  RB Leon Washington:  He’s become the fire to RB Thomas Jones’ thunder this season.  Washington leads the NFL in combined yardage (rushing, receiving, kickoff and punt returns) with 1,475.  Even though Jones leads the AFC in rushing yards this season, the tenth ranked run defense of Tennessee will be an interesting task for Jones and Washington to tackle.  If Jones gets stuffed by the D-line of the Titans, look for Mangini and Co. to look to Washington on quick screens and HB Draw’s out of the backfield pick up much needed yardage, considering the Titans passing defense is ranked sixth in yards per game.

2.  The Entire Jets Secondary:  Last week, the Titans trailed 14-3 going into halftime against the Jacksonville Jaguars.  Collins and friends came out and threw all over the Jags secondary to come away with the 24-14 victory.  Twenty-one of the Titans points were unanswered.  Gang Green’s passing defense is ranked 28th (ahead of Denver, Chicago, Seattle and San Diego respectively) and it showed last week against the Patriots and Matt Cassel (30-51 400 Yds 3 TD).  Being that the Jets D-line isn’t letting a breath of air through the down three of Ellis, Jenkins and Kenyon Coleman this season, if Johnson and RB Ledale White falter, look for Collins to spread the offense out with passes in the direction of TE Bo Scaife, WR’s Justin Gage and Justin McCareins.  And don’t forget about Brandon Jones.  He’s got a second gear that he hasn’t kicked into yet and he may surprise Darrelle Revis and Dwight Lowery if given the chance.

3.  Brett Favre:  obvious right?  He’s been tested by an array of passing defenses this year, but nothing quite like this one.  Led by LB Albert Haynesworth, the Titans are tied for second in the league for interceptions and are ranked first in points per game (13.1) and total points (131).  If there’s any game for Favre to play game manager (if he gets the chance) this is it.  In order for Gang Green to have a chance, they need this from Favre:  0 INT 0 fumbles and one or two touchdowns.  This is not the time for him to perform like the way he did against Kansas City in a few weeks ago.  Favre needs to play keep away if the Titans passing defense is its usual air-tight self on Sunday.  But the semi-good news for the Jets passing game is that CB’s Reynaldo Hill and Nick Harper haven’t practiced this week.  But remember, it’s only Wednesday. 

TENN:

1.  DE Kyle Vanden Bosch:  He’s another Titans cog that hasn’t practiced this week.  But rest assured that he’ll have a hefty role to play if he’s cleared for Sunday.  Vanden Bosch anchors a line along with DE Jevon Kearse and Haynesworth.  Those two draw double-teams almost every game which free’s up space for V-Bosch.  He and LT D’Brickashaw Ferguson will become well acquainted on Sunday if Mangini leaves “Brick” out on an island.  And if LB Keith Bulluck can go this week, it’s going to be a tough game for the Jets O-line.

2.  DB Cortland Finnegan-This guy’s a ball-hawk.  He always seems to make a play for the ball which is good and bad considering he could get burned by speedy WR’s Jerricho Cotchery and Chansi Stuckey.  Finnegan is tied for team lead in interceptions (4-Hope, Griffin) with one going back for a touchdown against the Texans in Week 3.  He could prove to be a thorn in the Jets side if Favre gets pass happy and forces one too many in the wrong places. 

3.  The Titans secondary:  I know I know, I just profiled one of the pieces.  But this unit is so sound that it could be the deciding factor in whether or not Gang Green beats them or not on Sunday.  Green Bay almost did it but fell apart and Jacksonville started out fast but it all went downhill after that.  With Finnegan, Hope, Griffin and players like Eric King roaming around the secondary, it’s hard to say that, just because they’re so good, that they’ll have at least one INT on Favre.  They’ve reaked havoc on top QB’s like Peyton Manning Aaron Rodgers and Carson Palmer (before he fell apart).  I’ll predict that at least one or two sportswriters will list Brett Favre vs Titans Secondary in the Sunday previews.

This is a game that I feel should be moved to the Sunday night spot on NBC.  Then again, i guess that’s why i’m in print journalism and not broadcast.  But seriously, IND vs SD on Sunday night?  That needs to be flexed.  Sunday’s game features two top-tier AFC teams which could potentially affect the 1 and 2 spots on the AFC Playoff totem pole if the Titans lose two or three down the stretch. 

Prediction: Ok. I’ll say it.  Jets 19 Titans 17

Thursday can’t come soon enough for Gang Green Fans across NFL Land.  The Jets take on the Patriots this Thursday in Foxboro on the NFL Network (don’t worry, NY and NE get it on channel 11 I believe but don’t quote me on it).  The Jets, coming off a smackdown against the Rams look to make good on the expectations that were bestowed upon them in the offseason when they spent 140+ million dollars on free agents and the blockbuster trade for Brett Favre.  Here’s what I think you need to watch for on Thursday.

1.  Dustin Keller:  Well…it’s about time he had “the game” that many expected him to have eons ago. Six catches 107 yards with a score sounds a lot more like the Keller Gang Green expected when they traded back into the first round last april to snag the 6′4″ TE.  If The Pats shutdown the wideouts or roll up double teams on Favre’s go-to-guy Jerricho Cotchery, look for Keller to find some holes in the sketchy secondary of New England.

2.  Kris Jenkins:  Is this guy pro-bowl material or what.  He’s done everything he’s been asked since he became a Jet.  Jenkins has become a force at the NT position and is a line-changing player since the run game of the Pats is without RB Lawrence Maroney.  Oh and I forgot, the Jets run D is ranked 5th against the run this year with the addition of Jenkins.  Last year this time, it was ranked 29th. 

3.  Dwight Lowery:  Look for Belichick and Co. to send Randy Moss and Wes Welker his way early and often.  The rookie DB has showed a lot of promise over the course of this season and is starting to develop a swagger that is needed at the CB position.  Having mentors like Darrelle Revis and now Ty Law to talk shop with undoubtedly helps his cause.  This would be a good time for Lowery to have a breakout rookie game considering what’s at stake.  With the Bills reeling from two straight losses, and with Miami creeping up in the hunt for a playoff spot, Lowery and the Jets need to stick it to the NE offense and then some.

NE:

1. Wes Welker:  With the loss of Brady this year, you figure Matt Cassel would throw more towards Moss right?  Wrong.  Welker leads the team in catches and receiving yards this year and has become Cassel’s primary target in key situations.  However, Moss is no slouch too.  He’s been struggling lately and I’m sure he’d love to have a big game against a division rival in what probably could be the deciding matchup in the AFC East battle.  But back to Welker.  Last year he led the NFL in catches.  This year not quite, but it’s safe to say he’s not having a down year.  Look for Gang Green to put multiple coverages on Welker this coming week considering they’ve been struggling in passing defense this season.

2.  Bill Belichick:  You’re probably saying huh? Well, Brett Favre put it very straight:  “He beats you with simplicity.  That’s why he’s so good.”  I’m sure Belichick was preparing for this game while Matt Cassel was driving the Pats toward a 20-10 victory last week over the Bills.  He know’s what’s at stake here.  As long as the Pats have this man pulling the strings, they’ll always have a chance.

3.  Jabar Gaffney:  Again, you’re probably scratching your head.  He’s always been a thorn in the Jets side.  He hasn’t done much this year (16 catches 154 Yards 1 TD), but with Moss and Welker drawing a lot of coverage this Thursday, look for he and guys like Ben Watson to get some looks.  And don’t forget about recent stud BenJarvus Green-Ellis who ripped up the Bills D this past Sunday.

All in all, there’s a lot to watch for on Thursday.  But these things, some major, some minor (very minor) could play a more of a key role than many think.

Courtesy of NFL.com:

A standoff between the New York Jets and disgruntled tight end Chris Baker ended without fanfare and attention over the weekend when the two sides connected on a new deal.

Baker’s deal, which had two years remaining on it, was extended three years through the 2012 season. The new deal will pay him $12.2 million over those three new years, including $9 million of guaranteed money if Baker plays in 50 percent of the Jets plays this season and is on the roster the fifth day of the league year. But if the Jets opt against paying the guaranteed money, then Baker would become a free agent in March.

If Baker fails to play in 50 percent of the Jets’ plays, he still will get the three-year, $12.2 million extension –- just without any guaranteed money.

All together, Baker now has five years remaining on a contract that is worth $15 million.

The reason the deal has been kept so quiet is that Baker’s salary-cap number for this season did not change nor was there any guaranteed money paid to him this year. Thus, it was difficult to detect the deal through the updated contracts filed with the NFL Players Association’s. Plus, the deal was finalized Friday, two days before the Jets opened the season with a victory in Miami.

Each side could claim victory. Baker got the new deal that he said was promised to him. The Jets got their tight end in a peaceful and happy frame of mind.

Well, as most of you know, Tom Brady is out for year and the makeup of the AFC East has changed drastically.  However, the Pats can’t be counted out even though of the circumstances and that it’s only Week 1 (technically Week 2).  Essentially, it could be come a two-team race between the Jets and Bills if the Pats go into a nosedive (remember they barely held on to beat KC Sunday and I they’re going no where this year), weeks 8 and 14 hold more than just the yearly meetings of division opponents.  If the Pats slip, Buffalo is the only hindrance on Gang Green’s run. 

But remember, and I know he hasn’t started a game since high school, Matt Cassel has sat the bench since the plagues and knows the offense as well as anyone on that team.  He hooked up with Randy Moss on Sunday (6 receptions 116 Yards and 1 TD) and was accurate and poised in the pocket with an O-line that looked out of sync.  But then again, the Chiefs don’t have the same pass rush as Gang Green.  Lets not forget, Brady or no Brady, the Patriots are still the team to beat until they’re under .500 or playing so badly that Gillette defaults on their stadium naming rights agreement. 

Yes it’s REALLY early, but here are some things that I think need to go right for the Jets to make a run at this division:

1.  Sweep the NFC West:  I know I know it sounds trivial, but it’s not.  I see no reason why the Jets shouldn’t win at least three if not four games against the NFC West.  I think Donavan McNabb is still eluding STL defenders as I write this, Arizona could cause a problem but the Cardinals defense has too many holes and the corners aren’t fast enough to hold up against Cotchery, I’m not going to even debate San Francisco, and Seattle will be the only roadblock on this escapade since they play at the Seahawks and it’s tough to win there.

2.  Keep throwing the deep ball:  Again, obvious but crucial.  The Deep Ball hasn’t been around Gang Green in some time and they can’t let up now.  They have the pieces, they just need to keep putting the puzzle together (preferably Favre to Cotchery).  And when Coles gets back to “full” speed, that will up holes for Dustin Keller who could also line up at wideout a few snaps.  Lets not forget TE Chris Baker.  One of my stories from TC said that he should just let his play do the talking, well, he had his longest catch in three years Sunday. 

3.  Consistent play from Revis and Lowery:  Even though it was against Miami, Lowery and Revis look like they could become a DB pair for quite some time, as long as Lowery doesn’t hit the rookie wall or David Barrett decides to realize that his job security is getting lesser and lesser each time Lowery steps on the field.  Revisand Lowery both played key roles this past Sunday, with the 4th and Goal deflection by Lowery and the game ending pick by Revis.  Next week doesn’t get any easier.  They’ll both have the pleasure of containing WR Randy Moss (see above for last week stats) and WR Wes Welker (07 NFL receptions leader). 

4.  Vernon Gholston needs to stand up:  Gholston did next to nothing on Sunday, but was in the mix on special teams.  His role as an OLB is crucial in getting pressure on the outside with Kenyon Coleman at RE.  Gholston needs to start reacting more instead of thinking too much out there on the field, a very common statement in the New York and national media concerning the former Buckeye.

5.  Steady play at the RB position:  Yes Thomas Jones had a great game Sunday, but this week will be the real test to see if this revamped O-line is what it is.  Last year he churned out 1,119 behind an offensive front last year that barely supported it’s own weight let alone the pressure of 300 pound defenders.  Even though it’s September, Jones appears to have arrived after having a relatively quiet camp and preseason.  Hopefully, in Gang Green’s case, he’ll keep performing like he did on Sunday so that the Jets don’t have to rely solely on #4’s right arm.

WR Larry Brackins-Showcased good leaping ability during his stint at TC.

RB Jehuu Caulcrick-Was pretty solid most of camp.  Needs to sharpen blocking skills.

OL Stanley Daniels-Ran a lot of laps.  Didn’t show much at OT but did okay inside at guard.

DB James Ihedigbo-Had a nice INT during the preseason but let up too many big plays.

OL Matt McChesney-I was shocked when they cut him.  I thought he had a roster spot.  At least he’s on the team.

DE Ropati Pitoitua-Showed good penetration in the run game but looked lost on passing downs.

WR Paul Raymond-Other than that bad drop in the preseason, he showed he can play.  I said he’d either end up out of the game or on PS.  It ended up being the latter.

LB Brandon Renkart-Pretty fast for a 236 pounder.  But like Pitoitua, looked puzzled during passing situations.

Here’s some things that popped up and should be paid attention to as Week 1 in Miami approaches.

1.  Dwight Lowery should start:  I know I said that Miller was pulling away with the job, but Lowery has shined at the right time, during the game.  Miller has been a practice stud, but Lowery has shown that he deserves the chance to play opposite DB Darrelle Revis.  With four tackles (five if you count the combo he had with Bowens in the second quarter), and 1 pass deflection last night, Lowery has outplayed the rookie class of 08 in terms of performance. 

2.  Calvin Pace should blitz more often:  Until recently, Pace hasn’t shown why Woody Johnson decided to hand out a payday for a guy who has 14 sacks over five years.  However he was injured in 2005 and was limited to five games.  Last night might have been a preview of what he brings to the 3-4 if they keep Pace blitzing.  He was all over the field last night, even on plays that he didn’t make a tackle.  He was around to support the run defense as well.  Look for him to create a stir in blitz packages, considering they’re facing a below average line Week 1 against Chad and the Dolphins. 

3.  Smith making a play for 3rd spot:  With Clowney out, Stuckey saw extensive time during the battle for NY bragging rights, and didn’t do much (2 receptions 10 yards).  He needs to step it up if he wants to be on the field with J-Co and LC.  Brad Smith on the other hand has shown that he hasn’t lost a step, unlike when camp started and he seemed out of sync with himself.  Stuckey has a lot of ground to cover due to Smith’s emergence in practice and last night.  Who knows, maybe Smith has the third spot locked up. 

4.  Erik Ainge:  With the fourth preseason game that may end up as a scrap game for players trying to make the team, Ainge needs to start playing like he deserves a spot on this team.  I had high hopes for him when the Jets took him in the fifth round in April.  But then again, I didn’t expect Ratliff to shine or Brett Favre to show up in Hempstead.  Obviously the Jets will carry three quarterbacks, and without a doubt Ainge isn’t one of them.  He needs to play well in Philadelphia on Thursday.  His inevitable destination is the practice squad.  Yet I wouldn’t be surprised if they cut him.

5.  Thomas Jones:  He did (and the running game for that matter) next to nothing last night against a defense that lost four key players to free agency and retirement and now injury (Umenyiora out for year).  I know Jones had 1000 yards with no one in front of him last year, but now that he has a revamped line and a Hall of Fame QB in front of him, he needs to step it up.  The running backs in general need to step it up because it doesn’t get any easier after Week 1 with their home opener against the Pats and Week 3 against the Chargers.

As most of you know, WR David Clowney is said to need surgery on his collar bone, effectively ending his campaign as sleeper of the year.  Myself, and the other writers were talking this kid up going back to OTA’s.  There was something about him, watching him running around on the field, even though it was in shorts and and no pads at the time.  He was deceptively fast and had great hands.  He always caught balls that came his way.  I’ll be the first one to say that I honestly thought that he could push Marcus Henry for that 5th WR spot and maybe even 4th if Brad Smith didn’t wake up during the week leading up to the Redskins game.  This is always the story with this type of player:  A practice squader that never really shined where he started, went to a new team, opened up the eyes of team brass and faithful, to only see it all go to nothing during a meaningless preseason game. 

Clowney could have been that home run hitter that Favre uses on third and long or on the deep pass play he so lovingly likes to utilize.  Hopefully the reports are wrong about Clowney’s surgery, but Jet fans better be ready to see their little firecracker on IR in the coming days. 

Who can fill the void for Clowney? 

Marcus Henry:  Really didn’t show anything during camp due to an ankle injury, but showed flashes of speed and quickness during the Redskins game.  Even though he needs to gain some weight (credit Doug Bonjour on that observation), he could be that WR in 3rd and Goal on the two where Favre can just flutter a fade route to the corner of the endzone for Henry to go up and grab.  He is 6′4″ you know. 

Wallace Wright:  Kind of overshadowed due to the success of Clowney, but has been solid in practice and in the first two preseason games.  He had two nice tackles against Washington, and showcases good hands in practice.  He’s not as fast as Clowney, but he could fill the void of that 5th spot if Henry decides to have a bad next few weeks.  However, Wallace Wright’s immediate future is probably on the practice squad or special teams.

Paul Raymond: He’s the odd man out in the WR battle.  During minicamp he shined; really shined.  Now he’s become an afterthought due to a disappearance in practice and that drop in the endzone at the end of Sunday’s game.  He may end up on the practice squad or on the next bus out of Hempstead when camp is all over and done with.

Gang Green owner Woody Johnson, GM Mike Tannenbaum, and legendary QB Brett Favre addressed the media for the first time as a New York Jet prior to the Jets preseason game against the Cleveland Browns.  Favre, with his new jersey into tow, sat with two of the Big Three (minus Mangini).  Over three thousand Favre jerseys have been sold online.  As you probably already know, Chad Pennington has been released.

Woody Johnson started off the presser, welcoming the media.

“We’ve got Brett Favre as a new member of the Jets,” Johnson said.  “We went through this process with Mike and Eric to improve this team.”

Johnson expressed his sadness for the situation with Pennington. 

“It was difficult with Chad because he came in the same year I did,” he said.  “We owe a lot of gratitude for his dedication and his team oriented mind.”

GM Mike Tannenbaum: 

“I have all the respect for what Chad has done on and off the field,” Tannenbaum said.  “We’re all looking forward to getting past this stuff and play some football.”

Now it’s Favre’s turn.

Brett Favre! Icon, legend, and NFL giant, in his first presser as a member of Gang Green, looked like a guy who was just thrilled that this circus is over. 

“The last 24 hours have been crazy,” he said.  “The last two weeks, three weeks, this whole offseason has been…bizarre, whatever you want to call it.  It is what it is, I’m a member of the Jets and I’m excited about the opportunity.”

I’m sure Packers fans aren’t feeling so hot now that their golden boy is headed to East Rutherford.  How should they move on? 

“I can’t answer that for them,” Favre said.  “I’ve always wanted to be a Packer.  I think I’ll always be a Packer.  Sixteen years is hard to forget for everyone and I’d like to think that people will say it was the best sixteen years of their lives.  It was a lot of fun for me.  It’s time for me to move forward.”

He wasted no time in expressing admiration for his new bosses.  Favre was told by numerous people to talk to Tannenbaum over the last month.

“No one works as hard as this man right here,” Favre said about Tannenbaum.  “I wouldn’t talk to him [Tannenbaum] until about 24 hours ago because I knew I’d be convinced once I talked to him. 

“Did I ever think that the scenario would present itself?” Favre said.  Am I excited about the opportunity?  Yes I am.  I’ve had a great career in Green Bay.  Things that have happened there this offseason and the last few days are over and done with.  I’ll use their term, we’re moving forward.”

Why wouldn’t he talk to him?

“The decision or decisions that were made this whole offseason, right or wrong, I knew I’d face with another tough one,” Favre said.  “Jon Gruden, I tip my hat to him too; he sold me as well.  There’s nothing more to it than that.  I knew it would be a tough decision.  Mike’s a worker, I woke up this morning and the trigger was pulled.”

But wasn’t he not interested in NY?

“I was never not interested in the Jets,” he said.  “My interest at first was to stay in the division.  Maybe that was vindictive nature, competitive nature, I don’t know.  In the end, that might have been the wrong motive.  Everything you can imagine was sent from the Jets to my house and he [Mike] told me everything that I needed to know.”   

Favre thinks the fans who continue to be Brett Favre fans are die hard.

“Packer fans are Packer fans,” he said.  “There’s a 40,000 waiting list for a reason.  I’m not a traitor.  I’ve given everything I’ve possibly could give and I hope Jets fans feel the same way.”

On if his jersey will be retired in Green Bay.

“I hadn’t really thought about it,” Favre said.  “They talk about statues, and having streets named after me but that’s not what it’s about.  I look back and my experience there and it’s much more important than the records.”

Favre’s got some catching up to do.

“I’m a little out of shape compared to the other guys,” he said.  “I’m so excited and I tell you may family and everyone involved has been treated unbelievably.”

Favre just wants to get back into the swing of things.

“I’m here to help the Jets win,” he said.  “The sooner I can get to that, the better.  I’ve never looked forward to doing a conditioning test as much as I have.  I’m so tired of doing interviews or talking about this or talking about that.  Tomorrow, after the morning, I hope to have the conditioning test noon tomorrow.”

Well, for Jets fans at least, he’ll be out there Saturday.  It was a full house the days leading up to the Jets first preseason game.  It’ll probably be a mad house once Favre steps onto Hofstra’s campus. 

Favre is looking to build chemistry with his new team and feels that it’s a very important part in winning in the NFL.

“To me the most important aspect of winning is chemistry,” Favre said.  “The Giants are a good example of that.  They started off shaky, but as chemistry got better, they got better.”

I guess that conditioning test and Saturday’s practice can’t come soon enough for Gang Green fans. 

Well…i said it before that I’d believe it when i saw it that Brett Favre was coming to NY…and I believe it…I’m humble enough to say that I was dead wrong that Favre would not be a Jet…As you’ve already seen on Sportscenter, JI,Boland, Cimini and other various blogs….Favre is coming, hide your hearts…(or is that Eli’s song?)….Anyway I’m just curious as to where Chad will end up whether it be trade or his release…and when Favre will make his debut at Weeb Ewbank Hall for practice…all he has to do is pass a physical which I’m sure he’ll do right..I mean come on he hasn’t missed a start since I was in single digits in age…..Where do you guys and gals think Chad will end up?..KC?  Maybe Detroitsince their QB situation isn’t so solid?..even though they have Jon Kitna and Drew Stanton on the depth chart…Congrats Jets Fans…you just got yourself a legend under center.

Just a short post for now:

http://savebrett.net/ 

The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel is currently crediting SaveBrett.net with breaking the story worldwide that the deal is all but done. 

Who knows if it’s accurate, but I guess we’ll know when 6PM Sportscenter airs if it is.  But it looks like Brett Favre is heading south for the winter.  Now Jets fans may have to deal with what they most likely were going to deal with anyway in the coming 2008 season, with CP or KC as their men at the helm under center.  What I don’t understand is that Favre didn’t want to go to Tampa, he didn’t want to go to New York.  Now, all of a sudden he’s ready to throw on his pirate hat and head for Buc Town?  This is why I say I’ll believe it when I see it that Favre is traded.  Sportscenter in 14 minutes.  Now we play the waiting game.