After a historic spending spree last year, the Jets can only do so much through free agency this year (especially depending on Brett Favre's retirement, which would free up 13 million dollars).
They are in decent position for the draft, with the No. 17 pick in the first round and one pick in every subsequent round.
The point I am making is that the Jets aren't going to be able to make multiple major additions to their team this year, so a good amount of their improvement is going to have to come from within.
Some of that has to come from the new coaching staff. They need to use their players and make sure that they all live up to their expectaions.
Here are five people in particular who aren't going anywhere, who the Jets need more from in 2009:
1. Jerricho Cotchery - 71 catches, 858 yards, 5 touchdowns and one 100 yard game? C'mon now No. 89, we need a little more from you than that, especially coming off a 1,130 yard season with Kellen Clemens and an injured Chad Pennington at quarterback. Cotchery needs to find a way to create more big plays, similar to the way he did in 2006 when he made countless clutch catches and big runs after the catch. He showed a few flashes this year, (most notably in New England) but the Jets need him to become a consistent 1,000 yard guy.
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2. Kerry Rhodes - Rhodes received a fat new contract and responded by having Abram Elam make more big plays than him. Some of the blame goes to the coaching staff, but he needs to produce more than 1 sack and 2 INT's. I know he isn't in the same league as Ed Reed, (because nobody is) but you would hope under Rex Ryan (if he is hired) that he could produce a few more impact plays.
3. Vernon Gholston - The Jets need something from the sixth overall selection. They drafted him to be a DeMarcus Ware/Terrell Suggs type player. I don't know if he will ever come near that level, but he needs to find some way to generate some type of pass rush next year. Is it so much to ask for 8-10 sacks from him next year, so we could finally cut ties with Bryan Thomas?
4. Leon Washington - It isn't Leon's fault. The Jets need more from him next year and it is the coaching staff's fault. If for some reason Brian Schottenheimer returns next year as the Offensive Coordinator, on that lamented paper he carries he needs to have this written down: No. 29 is very, very good. GET HIM THE BALL. Washington needs to be a Kick Returner and receiving a minimum of 15 touches a game on offense.
5. Dustin Keller - The rookie showed how he could be game changer against New England and Tennessee last year, but fell off down the stretch. I doubt the Jets are able to bring in Anquan Boldin or TJ Houshmanzedah next year through free agency. The Jets can't count on a rookie Wide Receiver to be a legit No. 1 right away, which means Keller will the Jets most dynamic pass catcher next year. He has the talent to be a 70 catch, 800-900 yard, 8 touchdown guy if he can keep improving and is used properly.
