This is a smart move. His guys are getting used to the tempo they will be playing at during the season and it should not matter that they are showing their cards early.

Ryan’s defense is based on confusion and has so many different blitz packages, they are impossible to prepare for. With the exception of Darrelle Revis, the defensive starters are in place and the unit has an opportunity to be an even more dominant than last year.

We know what the returning players can do so this week’s game against Washington is all about evaluating the new faces.Jason Taylor, Antonio Cromartie and Brodney Pool will be on display to see how they have acclimated to a new scheme.

On offense there are fewer players to evaluate except for one who could very well hold the team’s fortunes.Mark Sanchez is only in his second year but because of the team’s success last season and the high expectations this year, it seems like he has been around much longer.

Expectations for second year quarterbacks are usually modest. They rarely deliver significant returns until their third year. That is conventional NFL wisdom but Sanchez will have to develop quickly if the Jets are to have any chance at a Super Bowl crown.

He looked sharp against the Giants but struggled to move the offense in Carolina, which makes this week’s match up against Washington, his most important start of the preseason. He needs to establish more consistency from play to play and that is born out of his decision-making.

He looked tentative against the Panthers because his initial reads were not there and was forced to hold the ball more than he liked. Although he throws well on the run and is a creative QB, he is still not comfortable improvising.

Against Washington we need to see Sanchez go through his progressions, slide in the pocket when he gets pressure and find his secondary targets. Doing that with more consistency is the key to his season.

In addition to Sanchez, here are more developments Jets fans should be looking for in this week’s action.


Santonio Holmes Needs Work with Sanchez

With his suspension drawing closer, Santonio Holmes needs to show rapport with his starting quarterback. He has clearly been the best receiver in training camp but has taken a lot of second team reps in games. I would like to see him work more with Sanchez.

One of Holmes’ strengths is his ability to work back to the quarterback when a play breaks down. Since Sanchez showed some ability to improvise last season, I would like to see these two develop some chemistry on these types of plays before Holmes goes out.


Cromartie Must Show More Toughness

Cromartie has freakish athletic ability and could be a shut down corner but I have major concerns about his tackling and overall toughness. All Rex Ryan-coached players have to tackle so I have no doubt Dennis Thurman and Mike Pettine have put him through his paces in tackling drills this summer.

But I want to see him play more aggressively defending the run. Against Carolina he had opportunities to come up with authority but instead merely got in the running back’s way and dragged him down.

Tackling is a mindset and I am not sure Cromartie has it. There will come a time this season when he will have to make a big stop and so far I have not seen the technique or the aggressiveness to make that happen.

Against Washington I would like to see him stick his nose into the action and bring a running back down without any help. If we see more of these types of plays, we can feel more confident that he can protect the perimeter.


Taylor Has to Flash Some Playmaking Ability

That was the reason Miami did not sign him. At 35 he does not have the same quickness off the snap as he used to but in Ryan’s system that is not essential.

Calvin Pace does not have the “quick twitch” athleticism many successful pass rushers possess but he thrives in Ryan’s system because he is relentless. Taylor does not have to be deceptive. He just has to keep coming on his pass rush and the scheme will generate some plays for him.

Taylor has always had a great work ethic, which is why he should be successful in this defense, but I’d like to see him make a play or two. He has been quiet so far this preseason and needs to make his presence felt.


Guys on the Bubble

Starters will get a lot of playing time in this game so players on the bubble will have to make an impression on special teams if they hope to make the roster.

Chauncey Washington blew up a punt return last week and looked good running the football but he will have to continue to stand out on special teams to overtake Danny Woodhead who could have a leg up on some other players.

Woodhead dressed for 10 games last year and contributed as a third down back and receiver. The coaching staff loves him because he works hard, knows his assignments and makes plays. If someone is going to overtake him as the special teams favorite, they will have to show a ton of consistency in a short period of time.

Fullback Jason Davis could be that guy as he has impressed the coaching staff as well but it is hard to believe the Jets will keep a third FB even if he is a solid special teamer.

With Laveranues Coles in camp, he could supplant David Clowney as the team’s fifth wide receiver. Despite recovering a fumble against Carolina, Clowney is not regarded as a good special teamer (as we saw on Hard Knocks) and he has frustrated the coaching staff for three years.

Clowney is the ultimate tease and could find himself out of a job by September.

The tight end position is pretty intriguing. The team will keep three guys and has one spot open behind Keller and Hartsock.Jeff Cumberland has flashed some playmaking ability and the coaching staff likes his athleticism but he is not as good on special teams as Matt Mulligan who is also a solid blocker.

Cumberland will have to make some plays if he wants to beat out Mulligan. Coaches tend to go with the better special teams player and Cumberland has not distinguished himself in this area.

With Ropati Pioitua lost for the season the team needs a defensive end to step up but I am not sure Rodrique Wright, Ty Steinkuhler or Matt Kroul is the answer. However, the best of the lot could earn a spot on the practice squad.

Brashton Satele, Lance Laury and Corey Reamer are battling it out for the last ILB spot and right now I have to give the edge to Laury. Satele has been banged up all preseason and has barely made it on to the field. Reamer has some potential but he looks like a practice squad guy. Laury has produced on the NFL level and is a proven special teamer.

I would put my money on Laury grabbing the last inside linebacker spot.

Donovan Warren is another guy who might be a practice squad player. He has the versatility to play cornerback or safety but he has not stood out on special teams either. Assuming the Jets keep six corners, which is likely, Marquice Cole will probably grab the last spot. That would leave Warren out of the mix.

Of all the guys on the bubble, I am pulling for Woodhead. He is the most consistent of the bunch and can be counted on to contribute in a variety of ways.

With a void at defensive end, I expect the team to scour other teams’ rosters for veteran players who might be too expensive for their present teams. There are always players like this available during final cuts.

One player who would have been perfect was Marques Douglas who played well last year but the Dolphins picked him up earlier this summer after they had a few injuries. The Jets will need to find a similar guy.


Written by Alan Levin