2006 NY Jets Predictions

The New York Jets, coming off a 4-12 season, made a lot of good moves this past offseason that will help them in the future. Unfortunately for Jets fans, those moves won't pay dividends for a few years. With few immediate impact acquisitions, it will be another long season in New York.

New coach Eric Mangini, the youngest head coach in the NFL at 35, already had his work cut out for him. Now, word out of New York is that RB Curtis Martin, the NFL's No. 4 all-time leading rusher, may be forced to retire.

Martin was placed on the physically-unable-to-perform list July 27, the day before training camp opened. He initially got hurt last season and underwent surgery in December to clean out his knee. Martin was so concerned about his knee in April that he told the Jets to draft another running back because he was struggling to recover from knee surgery. The 33-year-old insists he still wants to play, however. "I'm trying to do my best to be as good as I could possibly be and be back as soon as I could possibly be back," Martin said.

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Key Additions: DE Kimo Von Oelhoffen, LB Matt Chatham, WR Tim Dwight, DBs Andre Dyson and Ray Mickens, QBs Patrick Ramsey and Kellen Clemens (rookie), OT D'Brickashaw Ferguson (rookie), C Nick Mangold (rookie).

Key Subtractions: C Kevin Mawae, OT Jason Fabini, DE John Abraham.

Sportsbook Odds: The Jets will be lucky to match last season's win total. WagerWeb.com's -$130 odds for the Jets to win less than 6 games looks like a good bet. New York is +$100 to win more than 6 games. Don't even waste your time looking at AFC championship or Super Bowl odds for the Jets, as they have no chance.

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Player To Watch: Quarterback Chad Pennington is returning from another shoulder surgery. The team sent him a message bringing in former Redskin Ramsey as well drafting Clemens to compete for the starting job. Pennington has played well in camp and remains the clear favorite to be the Jets' starter. If he can regain his form and hook up often with No. 1 receiver Laveranues Coles, New York might be able to make up for the lack of a running game.

Outlook: The Jets will struggle to put points on the board. They are in a transition period and will go through some growing pains. Fourth-round draft pick RB Leon Washington from Florida State may be forced into a starting role with the uncertain status of Martin. With a young offensive line and a fragile quarterback, New York fans may have to cover their eyes when the Jets have the ball.

By Mike Brody of WagerWeb