2001 JETS
	Chad Pennington will miss at least 12 games.
	Head coach: Herman Edwards (Third year). 2003 record: 9-7. AFC East finish: 1st. Season opener: Sept. 4 at Redskins. Schedule | Depth chart

No team made more headlines for the players it lost in free agency than the Jets, who watched Laveranues Coles, Chad Morton, Randy Thomas and John Hall depart for the Redskins.

Let's hear it for the schedule-makers, folks. What could be a more delicious season opener -- in prime-time, no less -- than the Jets vs. the Jetskins on Thursday night, Sept. 4?

Head coach Herman Edwards has done what no other Jets coach has done, leading the team to the playoffs in each of his first two seasons. But now Edwards faces the start of the regular season without starting quarterback Chad Pennington, who fractured and dislocated his left (non-throwing) wrist in preseason action vs. the Giants. He immediately underwent surgery and was expected to miss at least 12 weeks with the injury. Vinny Testaverde, who was 1-3 as a starter last season before giving way to Pennington, takes over the starting role.

Combine that with age creeping up on running back Curtis Martin and several defensive starters, and a playoff berth is far from certain.

In the third year of Paul Hackett's West Coast offense, the players finally have gotten it, but when Testaverde was in last year, the offense stalled. Testaverde saw very little preseason game action.

At Edwards' behest, Hackett has emphasized the deep passing game. The potential pitfall is the running game, which didn't have time to get going in camp because Edwards brought Martin along slowly after his severe ankle injuries in '02.

On defense, the Jets have only two new starters after going into the 2002 season with six. Speed at linebacker and cornerback remains questionable, but at least this group will start the season with a concrete plan as to the best schemes to play.

Offense
Quarterbacks: The Jets entered training camp with 17-year veteran Vinny Testaverde as the backup. But because of Pennington's devastating injury, the longtime veteran is thrust back into a starting role. Experience won't be a problem, as Testaverde turns 40 in November, even though he received almost no work in preseason games. He hasn't taken a meaningful snap since last September, but he knows the offense. As for Pennington, he is expected to miss the majority of the regular season. Sixth-round pick Brooks Bollinger is the backup of the future. Ninth-year veteran Jamie Martin was signed for insurance and will likely soon move ahead of Bollinger on the depth chart.
Grade: C-plus.

Running backs: The Jets' playoff hopes begin and end with Martin. Edwards rested him throughout the offseason, and his ankle injuries finally have healed. But Martin, in his ninth season, is one leg-tackle away from another season of pain. The amount of time it took to heal this offseason has caused even the optimistic Martin to contemplate his own longevity. Should Martin falter, third-year player LaMont Jordan would get his chance. Jerald Sowell, who replaces Richie Anderson at fullback, can do everything Anderson did except split out and beat linebackers with speed. Third-round pick B.J. Askew looks like he'll contribute.
Grade: A-minus.

Receivers: As long as he can stay healthy, 11th-year veteran Curtis Conway will stun some doubters as Coles' replacement. He is steady, reliable and has shown surprising speed. The key to Pennington's new arsenal will be Santana Moss, who has been a virtual nonfactor on offense in his first two seasons. Healthy for the first time, the gifted Moss presents the biggest question mark and the biggest upside on the team. Wayne Chrebet, who finally has accepted a complementary role, remains one of the league's most dangerous receivers in the clutch. Tight end Anthony Becht and fourth receiver Kevin Swayne held off challenges in camp. Becht, in particular, needs to assert himself more in the passing game. Tight end Chris Baker will add versatility in two-tight end sets.
Grade: B-minus.

Offensive linemen:The Jets thought they solved their right guard problem when they signed veteran Tom Nütten to replace Thomas. But Nütten, 32, was nagged by injuries and abruptly retired after losing the starting job to converted tackle Brent Smith. Even if Smith makes the transition, the Jets are in trouble depth-wise at this position. Smith was supposed to be the backup swing tackle. Edwards was so disappointed in backup tackles Will Ofenheusle and Chris Smith that he refused to put Testaverde into preseason games behind them. Although they're one injury away from disaster, the starting offensive line could be outstanding if everyone stays healthy. Smith, who hasn't played since 2000 due to injuries to both knees, is the only question mark.
Grade: B-mins.

Defense
Defensive linemen: The Jets hope to have found their own version of Warren Sapp with fourth-overall pick Dewayne Robertson. With defensive ends John Abraham and Shaun Ellis and nose tackle Jason Ferguson, the Jets will have one of the better lines in the league. But it will take Robertson a while to catch on. The team will be hurt more than anyone has predicted by defensive tackle Josh Evans' indefinite drug suspension. Though he lacked stamina, Evans was a monstrous force in the middle of the line last year. His absence forced Robertson to start from Day 1 and led to the signing of Chester McGlockton, who may or may not have anything left in the tank. It's a do-or-die year for second-year defensive tackle Bryan Thomas, who contributed nothing as a rookie.
Grade: A-minus.

Linebackers: Middle linebacker Marvin Jones and strong-side linebacker Mo Lewis are nearing the end of productive careers. Though Lewis should have more agility after offseason hip surgery, the Jets simply don't have the speed at linebacker to play their style of defense. A hamstring injury to Jones in the preseason highlighted the fragility of this aging group, as well as a glaring lack of depth. James Darling, who signed with Arizona, will be missed dearly because he could back up all three positions. Weak-side linebacker Sam Cowart has taken over Darling's important dime duties. A massive year is expected from Cowart, who should benefit from double-teams on Robertson and Abraham. Second-round pick Victor Hobson is a keeper.
Grade: C-minus.

Defensive backs: Jon McGraw will be a major upgrade at free safety over Damien Robinson, who hurt the team with boneheaded plays and his aloof attitude. Strong safety Sam Garnes remains somewhat of a liability in coverage, but the Jets know how to use him now -- and he's determined to be a leader. Cornerback Donnie Abraham would have made the Pro Bowl last season if he hadn't dropped at least five or six interceptions. He's hungry to restore himself to that level. Aaron Beasley underscores the lack of speed in the secondary, but he's a smart, physical player who knows how to compensate for his weaknesses. Ray Mickens remains one of the best nickel backs in the league. But Tyrone Carter, signed to play in the dime, had a disappointing camp. The Jets' experiment with Jamie Henderson at safety was short-lived, so the Jets neared the end of preseason in need of safety depth.
Grade: B.

Special teams
The loss of Morton to the Redskins was devastating. Not only was Morton a great kickoff returner, but he was one of coach Mike Westhoff's best coverage men. But make no mistake: Westhoff will have the Jets at or near the top of the league in field position once again. Most of his favorite blockers and coverage players are back. Albert Johnson appears to be an adequate replacement for Morton on returns. Punter Dan Stryzinksi's effectiveness has been one of the biggest surprises of camp, but the jury is still out on PK Doug Brien.
Grade: B.

Material from Pro Football Weekly.
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