We at Razzball realize that exporting our views across the country has damaging consequences on the blogosphere. To help make amends, we are reaching out to leading team blogs and featuring their locally blogged answers to pressing 2010 fantasy football questions regarding their team. We feel this approach will be fresher, more sustainable, and require less energy consumption (for us anyway). The 2010 New York Jets Fantasy Football Preview comes courtesy of The Jets Blog.
1. Shonn Greene put on a show in the playoffs last season and had most fantasy players salivating. How and how much do you foresee LaDainian Tomlinson impacting Greene’s numbers this season?
It was great to watch Greene down the stretch of the season and into the playoffs, you could see him emerging as a player. Sadly though, the Jets offense derailed in the Colts game when Greene was sidelined due to a rib injury. As Greene has an exciting but punishing running style durability issues could be a concern during his career … which is why the Jets wanted to find another player who could help carry the load, as Greene’s workload will increase, and Thomas Jones best days are behind him.
I think that it will bear some watching out, but I do imagine that Shonn Greene will average around 20 carries a game, and they’ll work Tomlinson in as necessary .. but due to the “Ground & Pound” style of this team, Tomlinson still might get 10-15 carries a game himself.
2. After Santonio Holmes’ 4 game suspension how do you see him fitting into the offense? Whose numbers are hurt the most with him in the lineup?
I fully expect that the Jets will throw the ball more than they did last year, but the offense will still center around the running game.
Holmes will be a great addition to the offense, and while there will be more opportunities for the team’s receivers in 2010, I think Santonio could take some focus away from Edwards and Cotchery both, but Edwards more than Cotchery as Holmes and Edwards have are more similar styles than either do with Jerricho Cotchery, the trustier possession target for this offense. Once Holmes is back, it sounds like OC Brian Schottenheimer plans to use him all over the field, but that Holmes should see most of his time in the Split End spot as he learns the offense. As the season progresses, he might be more apt to move around, but as he gets comfortable, it might limit his time on the field. I do think that Holmes is the team’s most versatile receiver though, so while he’ll have a low value at the start of the season, patience and/or an opportune mid-season trade might be a smart strategy for a fantasy owner before his value jumps come November/December.
3. Dustin Keller made some big plays in the playoffs last season. Where was that during the regular season? Is there any chance he keeps that playoff juju going this year and becomes a #1 tight end?
Believe it or not, Dustin Keller was the very first TE or WR taken in the 2008 NFL Draft, and he is the exact type of Tight End / H-Back that Brian Schottenheimer had always wanted since arriving in New York back in 2006. Keller was a favorite for a time of Brett Favre, and as we saw during the playoffs that Keller became a favorite target of Mark Sanchez. After just 2 TDs all season in 2009, Keller exploded with 3 TDs in as many games in the playoffs. Keller is still working on refining his blocking, but over the course of his first two years in the league, he’s been a good target, but I think consistency with his QB will pay off now in his third year. he could be a nice sleeper TE for fantasy owners this year.
Just to note, I don’t think that Keller’s statistical absence during the 2009 season was entirely his fault. Mark Sanchez was playing terribly for much of the season, and was making some very ill-advised throws. More than anything, I think that Sanchez learned to play it safe as the season wore on, and I think that the rookie QB also learned to be content in taking some shorter gains over longer ones, so Keller became a big beneficiary of that lesson from his QB.
4. Joe McKnight has ability, but of course he isn’t slated to get much work this season. Who would you rather have backing up Greene on your fantasy team, LDT or McKnight?
I would have to go with LaDainian Tomlinson. While McKnight will be the team’s quick “change of pace” running back, I don’t think he’s going to be the go-to guy should Greene face an injury during the course of the season.
5. The Jets’ defense is easily the first D going in most fantasy drafts. That seems like a no brainer. But in IDP leagues what Jets defensive player do you think will give you the most bang for your buck?
It’s been a while since I’ve been in an IDP league, but as I recall, it’ really comes down to tackles, tackles and more tackles. If that’s how your league scores, then David Harris would be a must. In Year One of the Rex Ryan regime, Harris was more often the guy who handled the majority of rushing tackles on the defense, while Bart Scott generally used his kamikaze style on the lead blockers. Harris and Scott do “pass the MIKE” during a game, but in the end, it’s Harris job to corral the ball carrier more than it is Scott’s. In addition to his tackles, with 2 Forced Fumbles, 5.5 Sacks, and 2 Interceptions, Harris should also provide a few extra points on a semi-regular basis.
The one caution I would add is that the Jets defense plays to get OFF the field, so readers might be better suited with someone who’s going to be on the field a little more based on the competence level of the entire defense (see Carolina Panthers’ Jon Beason).
6. I haven’t seen any pics of Coach Ryan since his surgery. How is he looking?
No one is going to mistake him for Kate Moss, but he’s definitely looking thinner. You can see some recent footage of him from the recent Hard Knocks preview commercial for HBO, he looks downright svelte!
