Before we can hypothesize what this team will look like next year, we need to figure out what it will look like next year. So, like we did after 4 weeks, let’s look at the team that has so befallen expectations.

(Note: No grades this time around, we don’t need to be reminded again.)

Quarterbacks - A month ago, I wrote “Clemens is unlikely to see the field unless the season gets completely out of hand.” Well, it’s out of hand, pocket and time at this point. It’s a season lost to the football gods and it’s time to see what Clemens offers. In his first start since the second game of the season, it was immediately evident that Clemens’ arm is much stronger than Pennington’s. It was none more evident than when Clemens rolled left and threw across his body to Justin McCareins 20 yards downfield. Also apparent was the advantage Clemens has in the legs department. Clemens scrambled for several first downs and was the second-leading rusher with 48 yards on the day. Never to be confused with Vince Young or Michael Vick, Clemens figures to be more along the lines of a Ben Roethlisberger who can create time in and out of the pocket with his legs and give his receivers the extra time they need to get open as well as tuck and run if needed.

Where Clemens clearly lacks though, is accuracy, sporting just 51% accuracy on the season. However, that’s to be expected from a young quarterback and when he misses he misses high, which is better than missing to the other team. It will be interesting to see how Clemens handles the rest of the season. This bye week should give him a good chance to reflect on second career start before a tough second half of the season that includes matchups with Tennessee, Pittsburgh, New England, and Dallas.

Former starter Chad Pennington has gone the way of Browning Nagle, Richard Todd and Ken O’Brien, and after being unable to fulfill expectations is likely to be on another team next year. It’s an unfortunate end to a good career for the former Marshall standout. I’ll always have a soft spot in my heart for Chad, and hope he lands on his feet next year… as well as landing the Jets a late round draft pick.

Running Back - Umm, can we just scrap this year and start over? Although Thomas Jones is at the age where most running backs suddenly “lose it”, this year seems more attributable to the offensive line, an unbalanced offense and spotty playcalling than Jones’ sudden loss of ability. There’s been several series and games when Jones has show the ability to make something out of nothing and to bounce plays outside for extra yardage. Jets fans have got to hold out hope that if the line is fixed up this offseason and Clemens’ presence and strong arm balances out the playcalling, then Jones could return to the 1,200 yard back of yore.

On the flip side of the coin, it’s likely Leon Washington’s role in the offense will continue to be minimal given his sudden revelation in the kick return game. However, Washington’s speed and ability to read the field makes him ideal on short passes and screens, giving the Jets offense a dangerous option if they choose to use it.

Wide Receiver/Tight End - Laveranues Coles’ concussion interrupted what could be Coles’ best season as Jet. Paired with Jerricho Cotchery, the duo gives new quarterback Kellen Clemens a dangerous tandem that isn’t afraid to go across the middle. Although Cotchery’s touchdown numbers are down, his receptions, yards, and yards per catch and yards after catch averages are all up and are likely to surpass the career highs he set last year. Developing WR Brad Smith is an athletic beast and an absolute sponge when it comes to learning the positional nuances. His growth in a season and a half is nothing short of extraordinary and Smith figures to develop even more when he has a full offseason and training camp to commit to learning the position.

With Pennington no longer under center, McCareins likely has a chance to audition himself for teams for next season and perhaps increase whatever trade value he has. TE Chris Baker continues to show his pass-catching ability and I’m thoroughly convinced that the Jets should go out and sign a Kyle Brady type in the offseason to stay in and block so Baker can be utilized more in the passing game. (Note: I said a Kyle Brady type, not Kyle himself.) Yes, that’s right, I have no faith in Joe Kowalewski or Sean Ryan to be the 2nd TE the Jets offense needs.

Offensive Line: I think the phrase “you win some, you lose some” adequately describes the Jets offensive line–either that or “terribly inconsistent.” There’s been rays of life; i.e. LT D’Brickashaw Ferguson shutting down elite pass rushers Jason Taylor, Aaron Schobel, and Osi Umenyiora in consecutive weeks. However, there’s been horrible, horrible misjudgments; i.e. Adrien Clarke. C Nick Mangold has had a solid second season, although certainly not the pro bowl season everyone expected and RG Brandon Moore has proven that he is a solid right guard, but certainly prone to replacement should one surface. RT Anthony Clement has certainly seen his time and it’s only a matter of time before he’s somewhere else. While I think Clement could be a decent depth player, he’s not a starter anymore and his play thus far this season has likely doomed him in the eyes of Jets management.

Honestly, it’s a mixed bag at this point and it’s become apparent that LG Pete Kendall really was the glue that kept the line together last season. However, it’d be rash to consider the line with Kendall this year as Clement and Moore have clearly regressed. Likely, the Jets will head into the draft looking for at least 3 new offensive linemen in an attempt to mimic the success of the better teams in the league.

(Defense and Special Teams to follow tomorrow…)