Here are some of the more intriguing story lines as the Jets head to Carolina.

Mark Sanchez

Mark Sanchez has looked very sharp. Ryan has already identified him as the team’s most improved player from last year, which is a good thing because the team will go only as far as he can take them.

Sanchez, like most of the starters, will play only one quarter against Carolina and needs to continue making good reads, checking down to his hot receivers and recognizing defensive fronts and adjusting his protection accordingly.

Last year he was decisive with the football but this year he is even better. He is releasing the ball with authority right at the end of his drops. The ball is coming out quickly and that is what you want to see from a young QB. He will need to be decisive in week one when he will face a lot of pressure from an attacking Ravens team.

Sanchez also threw the ball well on the run. Expect to see more throws from him on roll outs and bootlegs. Brian Schottenheimer likes to sneak Dustin Keller into the flat on bootlegs and with Sanchez’ ability to sell fakes, this usually opens up the field for Keller to make a play. I expect to see a couple of these against the Panthers.

The Jets’ offensive line looked rock solid against the Giants, even without their anchor, Nick Mangold. Sanchez barely got touched as the starting o-line provided great protection throughout. I want to see how Sanchez reacts when his protection breaks down.

This was an area last year where he threw a number of interceptions. Let’s see if he has grown in this respect. I want to see Sanchez throw the ball away more when he is under duress.


Back up DB’s

Ryan did not name names but after the Giants game, he said some players who have been counted on for significant playing time in the past had not played well, he was essentially talking aboutDwight Lowery and Drew Coleman.

Both guys see a lot of action in nickel and dime packages and both were schooled by an unknown free agent receiver out of Massachussetts - Victor Cruz. Cruz had his way with both corners and victimized each of them for a touchdown. He added a third against Marquice Cole, another young corner who earned some playing time last year.

Cruz finished the game with 6 catches for 145 yards and three touchdowns. It is inexcusable for these three to struggle against an unproven player like Cruz. They will be counted on to cover a team’s third or fourth best receiver and cannot afford the same lackadaisical play they exhibited Monday night.

The most disappointing was Lowery who not only forfeited his job as the team’s nickel back to rookie Kyle Wilson but he may have lost his confidence as well. He had good coverage on Cruz’ first touchdown but looked totally lost on two other throws that went for first downs.

The Jets’ second and third string defense allowed Jim Sorgi and Rhett Bomar to complete 14 of 22 for 213 yards and 2 touchdowns. They had a combined QB rating of 136.4. I’m sorry but those two QB’s are not THAT good.

Against the Panthers, Lowery, Coleman and Cole will have to show much better technique. They were all victimized by back shoulder catches, which are simple routes to defend. They are giving excessive cushions at the line and are not closing well on quick slants.

Something tells me these guys got plenty of work in practice this week and will be given plenty of chances to erase the memories from Monday night.


Vernon Gholston

No one gets more attention in the preseason than Gholston. Jets Nation is just waiting for this guy to break out and his head coach seems to think he is on the cusp but I don’t see it when I watch game film.

He does not get off the snap, has trouble shedding blocks and struggles at times locating the football. To be fair, he is still adjusting to life as a 3-4 DE, he saw multiple double teams against the Giants and he did get pressure on three pass plays. But a guy with his talent has to shine more when he is going up against second and third string players.

The fact that he is still not making plays at this point of his career is very troubling. Ryan is doing the right thing by being supportive and trying to keep the guy’s confidence up but overall he is not making much of an impact. If Gholston cannot distinguish himself against Cliff Louis (Giant’s OT) how can we expect him to contribute against someone like Jake Long?

Against Carolina, Gholston will have to show some playmaking ability – a sack, a couple of pressures – anything that establishes his presence on the field. If Gholston is really making progress, as his coach insists, I’d like to see him translate it from the practice field to real game action.


Special Teams

Not much is being said about the Jets’ special teams but this year’s group could be among the league’s best. Without Wallace Wright, James Dearth and Jay Feely you might think the units would be short on talent but with the team adding guys like John Conner, Lance Laury and Nick Folk they might be even better this year.

Conner has been flattening guys in practice on a daily basis. Against the Giants he knocked three guys on their backs including one on a kick return. This guy is a bull dozer and is just hammering anyone who gets in his way.

Lance Laury is flying under the radar and the only attention he has received came from Sanchez mocking his walk on Hard Knocks. But Laury is an excellent tackler and plays with a lot of intensity. He had a great shot on Giants’ back up QB Jim Sorgi who just got rid of the ball in time to drop a pass into Victor Cruz’s arms for his second TD. Laury will make his presence felt this year.

Nick Folk must still prove his doubters wrong and might have to wait until the regular season to do so but he has been solid in the preseason so far. He hit 3 of 4 against the Giants (missed a 46-yarder) and put four of his five kickoffs into the end zone (while maintaining solid hang time on all of them).

An unofficial count of his field goals in practice has him at 90%. Folk clearly has the leg strength and the talent to be a solid place kicker. The only thing we do not know is how he responds to pressure. The answer to that question will have to wait till the regular season.

Eric Smith blocked a Matt Dodge punt to set up a Jets field goal. Smith and his namesake Brad are top-notch special teamers as is James Ihedigbo who led the team in special teams tackles last year with 26

With Mike Westhoff drawing up unique schemes and a bevy of talent to work with, the Jets “specials” could be special in their own right. Look for guys like Laury, Conner and Ihedigbo on kick coverage and returns against Carolina because all three make their presence felt when they are out there.


Players to Watch Against Carolina

Kenwin Cummings is a rock solid player. In his second year out of tiny Wingate College, he provides excellent depth behind Bart Scott and David Harris. He is smart, hits like a ton of bricks and is a good special teamer. He should get a decent amount of playing time on Saturday.

Kris Jenkins deserves some attention. I know what you are saying, “Why do I have to look at Jenkins? I know what he can do”. Well, the veteran nose tackle is having an unbelievable camp. After ACL surgery he looks revitalized and is playing better now than before his injury.

As we are seeing on Hard Knocks, Jenkins is the emotional leader of this defense and he is making his presence felt on nearly every play.

Both he and Sione Pouha played extremely well against the Giants. In fact, Ryan had both guys on the field together in more 4-3 alignments. Don’t be surprised if we see more of these schemes this year, particularly near the goal line.

Jenkins returns to Carolina for his first action against his old team. He will be pumped up! Look for him to be talking a lot of smack in this one.

Although Matt Slauson will probably be the opening day starter at left guard, I really liked how Vladimir DuCasse played against the Giants. He looked more comfortable as the game wore on, particularly in his pass sets.

There were sequences where he just dominated his opponent. The guy is so strong that once he gets his hands on someone it is all over.

I expect him to get a ton of playing time this week because he seems to be get better the more he is out there. It may not be long before DuCasse masters his play against back ups and forces Ryan to trot him out there against some starters.

I could happen before the preseason is over. If that is how this competition unfolds, it will only be a matter of time before he takes over for Slauson.


Written by Alan Levin