Confidence in the Jets isn’t limited to the team’s current head coach.
“I am going to go with a little underdog — the Jets,” Herm Edwards said when asked on ‘SportsCenter’ about the team to beat in AFC.
Edwards coached the Jets from 2001-’05 before leaving for the Chiefs amid speculation he would not return as the Gang Green’s head man. Edwards, who now works as an ESPN analyst, says the same keys that got the Jets to the AFC Championship game three weeks ago will take them at least one step further next season.
“I like the way they play defense — talking about giving up 14 points a game, they run the ball really well on offense, they have a rookie quarterback that got them in the playoffs,” Edwards said. “They finished the season on a hot streak. They probably have to do some things better on offense. They probably have to get a No. 1 receiver, but they have a good running game, a great defense, they can stop the run and have a wonderful corner out there to stop the pass.”
The Jets may already think they have a No. 1 receiver in Braylon Edwards, who Rex Ryan said the team plans on tendering to a one-year deal this offseason when he becomes a restricted free agent.
“I still say they need another receiver to compliment him,” Edwards said. “Jerricho Cotchery goes inside for them, they have a good running attack, a very good offensive line with a bunch of Pro Bowlers, and remember they had a rookie quarterback (this season).”
Ryan called the Jets the team to beat before the playoffs started, despite them being the lowest seed in the AFC. The Jets almost made good on Ryan’s boasts falling to the Colts, 30-17 in the AFC Championship game.
Most odds for next season put the Jets behind the Colts, Chargers, Patriots and Steelers in the AFC.
And just because …