Clowney starting, but Keller is Jets' real No. 2
After hiring old-school coach Rex Ryan and cutting 70-reception wideout Laveranues Coles, the Jets traded up to draft Mark Sanchez fifth overall. They expect the 16-game college starter to lead them onto the field in Week 1 against the Texans.
Only six teams in the AFC threw more than the Jets (529 attempts) last year. They kept coordinator Brian Schottenheimer's spread-hybrid offense in place, but it's safe to expect New York to throw at least 50 fewer times this season (Gregg Rosenthal projects a drop to 465). This is going to be a run-first offense, which became even more evident when the Jets traded third-, fourth-, and seventh-round picks to move up just 11 spots in round three for Iowa power back Shonn Greene.
Opposite Jerricho Cotchery, 2008 preseason superstar David Clowney ran as the Jets' starting split end during Thursday's OTA practice. Clowney is ahead of Brad Smith on the depth chart. Chansi Stuckey is behind Cotchery at flanker, but Stuckey's main role is slot receiver.
Clowney has an outstanding chance to win the "X" receiver job despite one career reception. He has much better vertical ability than Smith, can catch the ball over his shoulder, and will look better in practice.
Clowney will generate pre-fantasy draft hype, but Dustin Keller and Cotchery are much stronger bets to dominate targets over the middle and outside. As we've established, this team will rely heavily on a game-managing QB, an aggressive defense, and a potential three-headed backfield monster. The Jets aren't going to take chances down the field too often. Clowney could also end up rotating snaps with Smith, as Smith is the more polished run blocker.
As it stands, we have the following catch totals projected for New York's pass-catching corps:
Cotchery -- 79
Keller -- 64
Stuckey -- 41
Clowney -- 34
Smith -- 15
Clowney should help the Jets because he's a field stretcher and will command some attention, but don't expect anything close to fantasy fireworks. Keller will be the Jets' No. 2 receiver.
Comments
Are you expecting Todd Heap (when he was good) type production?
Posted by: Matt G | May 14, 2009 05:11 PM
From Keller, Heap's second season (68-836-12.3-6) is the upside. That 2000 Ravens team threw 504 times -- somewhere between the 2008 Jets and Gregg's projection for the 2009 Jets. Still, it isn't out of reach.
Posted by: evan | May 14, 2009 05:41 PM
I still firmly believe that with the extra cap space they have, that a veteran wide reciever will find his way onto the field for the Jets.
Posted by: Bart | May 15, 2009 10:52 AM
I think you are overrating keller alot. His stats were inflated last year because farve forced the ball to him...much like he did in green bay for years (i.e. donald lee). He won't see nearly as many targets nor will he get as many red zone attempts because the jets offense is going to struggle to score points like they did pre-farve. Also, you forgot to include Leon Washington's catches up there, he could easily be 3 or 4 on your list.
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