From: ruthd@aix.rpi.edu (Davis Paul Ruth)
Subject: Re: Why the Jets?
Distribution: usa
Date: Sat, 11 Apr 1992 00:03:29 GMT

un040251@wvnvms.wvnet.edu writes:
>will have a lock on the title (or virtual lock) by the 2/3 mark through the
>season.  I would be surprised if any of the divission mates gve then any more
>trouble than that.  To say the jets will challenge for the title after 1 WC
>berth is naive.  I can understand it since the Jets jhave had such a long
>drought of winning times, but it is still naive, and If I knew
>that 1 of the AFC east's teams would win the title and it wasn't going
>to be Buffalo I would still pick Miami over NY.  If it doesn't make sense
>to you then you ought to look at the two teams.
>QB-Miami has Dan Marino who, when Montana is out of the picture, could be
>           the league's #1 QB show
>   NY has O'Brien who is pathetic, and Nagle who is virtually a rookie
>           since he has 0 playing time.

O'Brien is hardly pathetic, and Nagle has lots O'Talent.
 No one says they are better than Marino.

>RB-Miami looks to have finnaly found a feature back in Mark Higgs and a good
>           third down/blocker/recieving back in Paige 
>   NY has Blair Thomas who despite his moments has yet to really get a
>           consistent role down, Baxter who seems to fade in and out of
>           favor, McNeil who is just to damn old and run down, or Hector
>           who I dunno what.

Will Someone please volunteer some proof that McNeil is washed up!
  He averaged over 6 yards a carry last year. And he is a great guy to
   have for spot duty.  Baxter is a GREAT FB and a great short distance
  goal-line, 3rd-and-1 runner. Hector is a more than adequate back-up.
  B.Thomas has yet to show me any thing, and I still wish they had
  drafted Rodney Hampton instead Thomas.

Higgs had one decent year and is hardly a notable "feature back".
     and what depth do they have.
 
The Jets had a much MUCH much better running game than Miami, and
  that is a fact. 


>OL-Miami doesn't hve a great line anymore But with Marino this weakness is
>           somewhat offset.
>   NY has  better OL but it isn't particularly super either

The Jets Line was much improved and above average, Marino was sacked almost 
as often as O'brien last year, and the Jets had a much better yds/carry.

>WR-Miami has the edge because they have two good veterans in Clayton and
>           Duper while they are getting older for 1 more year they are still
>           a better tandem than Moore and Toon.
>   NY's Toon and Moore are a good combo but Toon shows his age more and more
>           each year, while Moore is still a young guy a little wet behind
>           the ears still though he should cure that middle this season.

The Jets get the edge at WR , Toon and Moore vs. Duper and clayton
T&M get more receptions for less yardage per rec. but this is because
the jets don't go deep nearly as often as Miami, and if O'Brien was so
pathetic then T&M must be amazing.  Also the jets have a lot more
depth with Mathis, Burkett, Dawkins. And the Jets have the edge in youth
 

>DL-we all know of Miami's woes here, and this is where lageman resides
>           and he is the team's only impact guy

M. Washington and Dennis Byrd are very solid , and Jets gave up
 around half a yard less per carry than Miami. 

>LB-will go to miami if Offerdahl comes back in peak condition.

Clifton is as good as there is in the middle, Mo lewis is good and shows
promise after his rookie year. Jets need an impact OLB ,, thats what
they need to become a dominant defense.

>DB-edge to NY but not by a lot.

Total Defensive edge:  BIIIIIIIIIIIGG Edge to Jets

Total Offense:  Relatively even (Only because Marino)

>Coach-BIIIIIIIIIG edge to SHula though Coslet is not going to harm the team.

>all and all the 'Phins have the better Offense/coaching staff and that
>will give them more explosiveness which means if one of these
>two teams is destined to put the explosive Bills out of the title streak
>they are on, I would say the Phins are the team to do it.  Now if
>I were voting on who would beat the Bills, I would go for NY cus of
>their style...it is the style that hurts the Bills the most, but
>in a 16 game season you have to go for the team with the most explosive
>ability...ecspecoially if they get their front 7 help.
>Brian mulhollnd

Jets were 8-8 last year and lost 4 or 5 close games that they Should
 have one, and would have if Leahy wasn't injured throughout the
 season.  He Missed FGS against the Bears(in REG. and OT)
  Missed 3 FGS in a 1pt loss to the Colts
  Against NE they missed several FGS incl. 2 inside the 20
   and didn't even atempt 3 or 4 opting to go for it on 4th down
  instead, in a very close game.
They should have won both games against the Bills.

And they BEAT the mighty Dolphins TWICE last year.

The Jets won't make as many mistakes as last year, and are young
  and  improving.  They will have a better record than last year.