My Take on the NYJ Preseason Opener

There isn't much question, the New York Jets are currently the New England Patriots' biggest rival. One can't read too much into the preseason, however certain aspects of the game can be viewed in relation to how it will be in the regular season. I will go over three positive takes and three negative takes regarding the Jets Preseason Opener.

1. Mark Sanchez may surprise in Year 3. I know a lot of us like to use the old "Mark Sanchez sucks" motto when dealing with most unruly Jets fans. He hasn't done much to prove us wrong either. However, if a QB is going to do ANYTHING, it usually happens in Year 3. While I don't think Sanchez will ever become an Elite QB, I think he can be a very solid QB. He looked very accurate on his throws, which isn't typically one of his strongest characteristics. Much has been made about Sanchez becoming a Team Captain, and wanting to "fight" Rex over his huddle. Us Patriots fans may shrug this off, but it could also be interpretted as Sanchez actually maturing on the field and becoming a leader.

2. Greg McElroy looked very solid. Despite being hit or on his back most of the night, McElroy performed very well for a rookie QB. Normally in a rookie QB's first time on the field in the NFL, if they were to be harassed as much as McElroy was, they might get an early case of "shell shock." McElroy stood tough and almost won the game for the team, if it weren't for a horrible drop on a perfect pass in the endzone.

3. Shonn Greene may be ready to take the job from LT. Greene ran very well when he was given the ball. Despite being a Preseason game, Greene lowered his shoulder as opposed to running out of bounds. While that can be considered careless and risking injury to do that during a preseason game, a Jets fan should be excited that he is running that hard, trying to improve his game. I think if the Jets coaching staff gives Greene the primary load of carries this year, we could see him top 1,000 yards on the season. If he is able to stay healthy.

Now on to the three negatives:

1. Vlad Ducasse and the O-Line in general are in trouble. The Jets do have very good linemen, primarily in Nick Mangold and D'Brickashaw Ferguson, their depth is really the issue. If the Jets even have a couple injuries along the line this year, Mark Sanchez is going to have a VERY long year. Ducasse looked completely outmatched, unable to block anybody coming near him. When is it the right time to give up on a 2nd Round Pick, when they are playing like him?

2. Muhammad Wilkerson may need more time. I know most Jets fans were excited with the pick of Wilkerson, and most Patriots fans were upset that we let him fall into enemy hands. Calm down Patriots fans, I don't think we have anything to worry about this year at the very least. Wilkerson looked like a rookie that was outmatched in his Pro Debut. He may improve as the season rolls along, however for the Jets everlasting Superbowl hopes, they may have been smart to retain Shaun Ellis to mentor Wilkerson, instead of letting Ellis fall into enemy hands.

3. Brodney Pool had a rough night. For a guy who is supposed to be a starting safety on this defense, he sure let the back up WR's have their way with him. I for one would love for Pool to continue these ways, however I think it was just a rough night. If he continues to make those kinds of mistakes, especially once the regular season starts, I would not be surprised to see him on the bench. The only problem with the bench is, who do the Jets have that would do any better?

I know it's the Preseason, and not much can be taken from the fact that starters play very little, coaches are trying to get looks at different players and schemes and the schemes themselves are very vanilla, however if the first week of the Preseason is any indication of the talent level of the Patriots and Jets, I would be willing to say that the Patriots are leaps and bounds ahead of the Jets.