Chris Baker’s 2007 season was his most productive as a pro.  He caught 41 passes for 409 yards and a 10 yds/catch average.  He continued to be a reliable red zone target and caught 3 TD passes. 

Unfortunately there are no formal blocking statistics for TE’s because Baker is one of the best in the league in this area.  He shows excellent technique in turning DE’s to seal the edge and in reaching LB’s at the second level.  When you watch tape of the 2007 Jet’s offense, you see many of their successful running plays occurred to his side with him making a key block, usually on a bigger opponent.

The Jets were rumored to be interested in a blocking TE during the off-season.  They cut Sean Ryan but failed to replace him when the Cincinnati Bengals won out on signing Ben Utecht of the Colts.

One year ago Mike Tannenbaum exchanged 2nd round picks with the Chicago Bears for the rights to Thomas Jones.  The Jets promptly signed him to a 4-year deal worth $20 million, $12 million of it guaranteed.  The Jets thought they finally had their franchise back for the next few years but after a disappointing 2007 could the Jets be rethinking the RB position?

The Jets might decide to go with a younger, more talented option simply because things might break that way in the draft.  The franchise might have a difficult decision to make on draft day should Arkansas RB Darren McFadden fall to them at the 6th spot.

Wide receiver has been one of the Jet’s steadiest positions in recent years because of Laveranues Coles and Jerricho Cotchery.  Coles is a warrior and is probably the toughest player pound-for-pound on the roster.  He played the second half of the season with a high ankle sprain yet continued to make big plays.

However, the wear and tear on a smaller player like Coles is unavoidable.  He has taken some big hits playing within the Jet’s system, which requires him to go over the middle quite a bit.  At 30-years old he is losing more and more time to injury and the Jets have to seriously consider drafting a receiver who can move into the #1 role.

Kris Jenkins was one of the most dominant defensive tackles in the league before injuries and weight problems diminished his effectiveness.  He has never played in the 3-4 scheme but his skills translate well to this system.  He was openly critical of the Panther’s organization for not renegotiating his contract and had a tumultuous stay in Carolina.  

Jenkins was on the trading block last year when he angered the coaching staff for being overweight.   After the Panthers failed to trade him during the 2007 draft, he was the only starter to miss the team’s June voluntary workouts.  His agent lobbied management for a new deal, but was rebuffed.  As a result, Jenkins

At the time of this writing, Chad Pennington is still a member of the New York Jets.  Most Jet beat reporters expect him to be moved in a trade before the start of next season but the team insists he will compete for a starting job. 

Chad is being paid starter’s money despite finishing last season as the back up.  Renegotiating a new deal is not an option, since Chad reworked his contract following the 2005 season, taking a substantial pay cut after his second shoulder surgery.  His base salary will be $6 million and his cap hit will be $9 million.