The Final Score

Agree best they can hope for is the top wildcard.

A run in the playoffs, perhaps IF the defense really gels and Gholston is the real deal.

They open in Miami where Chad Pennington will undoubtedly have a better grasp of his new system then Favre has of his. That's followed by NE and a trip to SD. With Favre still acclimating himself to a new city and a new playbook, it won't be a shock to see the Jets lose to an improved Arizona squad. Mangini has yet to prove his team can play well in September and this is a tough start. It's not a stretch to see the Jets at 0-4 by the bye. In order to get to 9-7 after a 0-4 start, they'll have to play .750 football. I don't see that happening with all the new personnel on the roster.

My call: 6-10 and then they start over after Favre re-retires. Maybe 7-9 or 8-8 if they can get out of September with a couple wins.

J,

WHen did miami become such a juggernaut that the Jets, who are more improved and beat them twice last year, cant beat themin week one? Because pennington will know more plays? I would take breat knowing 10 plays over Pennington knowing 30 anyday along with the rest of the talent. As far as the question I think the Jets can be a 10-6 team cause of their easy schedule and maybe a playoff spot but it will be tight.

I agree with Jim, and its not because we share the same name. The improvement of the offensive line, along with the Favre trade, does something else that the Jets haven't been able to do in years: CONTROL THE CLOCK. With an improved run game, the Jets will be able to give that defense time to rest. There will be no more of this four and out business of years past. I believe the Jets have the motivation, confidence, and drive to overtake the Patriots this year. They very well might be the same offensive juggernaut that they were last year going 16-0 in the regular season, but their defense is one year older, and they lost some of their key players while the Jets added offensive weapons that Tom Brady has never seen the Jets have before. I think the Jets can win this division this year.

Mike: I wouldn't term Miami a "juggernaut" by any stretch of the imagination. But they have a great September home record, one that is aided by the south Florida heat. Couple that with Mangini's poor September record and my hunch that Pennington will be better prepared than Favre. Consider also that Pennington knows the Jets inside and out whereas Favre has hardly faced Miami and this game is anything but a given for New York.

I hope I'm wrong.

The Jets were vastly improved with out Brett, his addition only makes them more so. Sorry, but I don't see how you can have them losing to Tennessee and Denver. As for New England, 18 wins was a fallacy last year, as 6 of those games were played against Jets, Dolphins and Bills. While the Jets and Bills have improved significantly this year, and Miami a little better, the division will not be as easy for the Pats. The pats are showing signs of age, especially on Defense. They will be lucky if they win 10 this year. Seattle is another team who looks better than they are because they are playing in a weak division. Look for a major malaise in Holmgren's last year.

Rieber continues to show his one dimensional ways. Had to throw in that Ian Kennedy comment huh? Can you please try to post one blog without referencing baseball or better yet just focus on baseball because you are clueless in all other sports.

If they are lucky, the Jets will be 8-8, maybe 9-7. Better than last year, but likely not good enough for a playoff berth. Mangini will show the world this season that he is more a hack than a Belichick disciple.

To Ditch Digger - Where in the WORLD does it say the Jets are, how you say, VASTLY IMPROVED??? Let them play about 6-8 games that count (That's regular season for you Jet fans) before you make a statement like that...good grief!

Double last years win total would be a success here. But that won't get you into the playoffs. If the Jets can avoid a shaky start it will go along way to keeping us competitive and making the season interesting.
Mike is right on about Miami...If we can't beat them with our backup quarterback (Clemens) than we have definitely taken steps backward-no offense to Chad. Remember there are 21 other guys for Miami that have to line up and execute!
In the end of the day all roads lead through New England and we get two chances to prove ourselves. Opening home game in week 2 would be a good place to start...

Anthony's wrong. The Jets would definitely be favored over Denver, and they probably would be favored over Tennessee, also.

Probable Wins: @ Miami, Arizona, @ Oakland, Kansas City, St. Louis, Denver, @ San Francisco, Buffalo, Miami

Probable Losses: New England, @ San Diego, @ New England, @ Seattle

Toss-Ups: Cincinnati, @ Tennessee, @ Buffalo

Basically, the Jets should win a minimum of 9 games. If they win just one of the three against the Bengals, at the Titans, or at Buffalo (which is a conservative projection), they'll have 10 wins and likely be in the playoffs. If they can pull off an upset against New England or San Diego, they'll have a shot at 11 or 12 wins and possibly the division title.

you don't bring in Brett Favre to have "a year you can build on." Super Bowl win or the trade is a failure.

all it takes is one bad pass to turn a season on it's head.

The jets will be better, I will give them 8 or 9 wins. Remember though, things happen during the season that no one sees coming. We need a break during the season. It is very hard when so many teams are bunched up for 2 wild card spots. Its time for Brady to come down with an injury. Has anyone seen their backup QB? We need a little something to go our way and to me, this is my first choice.

WOW Just Remember Favre is a Great Quarterback Not a good one His Talent and the Jets offensive LOOK OUT AFC East You have to remember The Jets Were not to bad at the end and starting to Gel some good Defense coming on Just Watch and See You all be surprised Brett and all the talent Its going to happen, The Jets will Make the Playoffs this year, Favre Wants to meet the Packers in the Super Bowl Its coming this Year Remember I Said It Here First!!!!!

Who would care. I retire/No I don't? Big Shot Brett. He thinks he owns the world.

Ok Mr. Anonymous. So what you retired Wow What did you ever do for the NFL " NOTHING" And He does not think he owns the world what are you even talking about you idiot. He has did more for the NFL than probably anyone. No one said to Warren Moon at 43 Years old when are you going to retire Warren Because Moon never did what Favre Did When your that good people just want you to retire because they don't want to play you anymore There intimidated so lets start the Brett retirement rumor well he hears that time in and time out I makes him think. Should I Or shouldn't I, You must be pretty bored to come and say something like He thinks He owns the world, Thats rediculous That someone would even say that. Just take a look at what he did last year Buzzon Are you mad because you never did anything in your life that amounted to anything because thats what it sounds like. So sorry about your life but let the people that Play and watch the NFL comment here NOT WANA BEs

I give them 8-8 with a shot at a wildcard. Unfortunately, the gunslingin' exciting to watch Favre will choke in the big game or force a play and get intercepted. He seldom lets the offense work for him as well as it could. FYI, I am a devout Packer fan and have loved Favre since he first came to Green Bay. I have a feeling if he ever let the offense really work for him we could've won 2 more Super Bowls under him. I don't think he would've set the records though.

I have been a Green Bay fan since the days of Bart Starr. I was not too excited about Brett Favre when he first started. Very concerned about the "gunslinger" approach. That quickly changed.

Prediction: The Jets team will go to the playoffs this year. I have watched the teams built around him and the talent that the Jets has ... Just ask Bubba.

Eric, I think your analysis is a bit off. Your forgetting the style of Green Bay's offence has (almost) always been designed to leverage Favre's arm and aggressive nature. That is what the "west coast" offence is all about.(agressive quick passes, keep the chains moving) I can think of a few times the Packers had teams that were good enough for Favre to lead to the superbowl, but it was the rest of the team that let them down. 4th and 26 ring a bell?
People never seem to remember how smart of a quarterback Brett really is. They stereotypically think he is dumb with his southern background and hick accent. But has anyone every really listened to him break down play's? I agree he started out in the NFL as a newbie and didnt know a lot, Holmgren deserves a lot of credit.
I think Favre will flourish in an offence that doesnt to force him to make those throws, and use his brain a bit more

The Pats are NOT going to falter...sorry...just too much Brady-to-Moss to not win the division. Plus, the Jets don't have the receivers to complement Favre's "look for the ball even if you're not open" style. The Jets will be 2 games better...at most...with a daunting schedule, an aging QB...and a huge debt to pay for a new stadium housing a team nobody cares about.

Listen to all the Favre Haters out there and they have surfaced, this move makes the jets a vastly improved team with him than without him, the guy's a future hall of famer, I mean come on this move makes sence on so many levels, first of all, it makes the jets better second it helps with the financing of a new stadium, all the jersey sales, and favre being the face of the team off the field, I'd equate the move with one in baseball the mets getting Piazza, I understand that Piazza was not as old as favre is now, but Piazza had his issues as well, not good defensivly ect, but the mets did get to one world series, with him, and he hit a home run that transended sports on sept 21 a few weeks after the attacks on the World Trade Center, anyways thanks for the time

How do the Packers look, by stating a Hall of Fame Quarterback has to earn a starting role. Are you kidding me? Look, I don't like Brett Favre, but it is because he is so damn good. He broke my quarterback's records, thats right the GREAT Dan Marino. As you can tell, I'm a Dolphins fan and with Pennington this year we can make it to 8-8 and next year Henne takes over and we go 9-7 and the following year, the Dolphins make the playoffs and anything can happen when the playoffs start. As for the Jets, they finish 10-6 this year, next year they go 9-7 and Favre re-retires. Thats when the Jets drop to 3-13

I think it will be interesting to see and NFC QB (one of the better ones) play in The AFC. Everyone talks about Bradey like the guy makes his team run. Realy he is just a solid QB that makes good desicions with a very above average team on now headline players until last year (Rady Moss). Until last season the Pats won games with their defense and a consistent offense. Last year they were beat by the giants because the giants defense frustrated the pretty boy group. Did anyone watch Bradey get more and more frustrated as he picked himself up off the ground (a couple times without the ball). He didn't know what to do.
Without wide open receivers and all the time in the world Bradey is a bust except that he does not throw interceptions. I will be interesting to see if Favre can be more successful in a leage with outstanding teams and really crumby teams. As for the jets they did some good things in the off season and with Brett they are definately better than with Chad. Know the plays or not Brett Knows Football and can play. If you have watched him at all he does things when there is not play left on the field and his guys are there waiting because they know he can. The players with the Jets know who Favre is and I bet they are excited to get the chance to play with a player that just loves to play football. If Brett does well this season I say it makes a huge statement about the differences between the AFC and NFC and then we will know just how good Bradey really is or if he is just the luckiest QB in history (right place right time). All though he could keep his level of play from last year and then I would begin believing in the Bradey Train. You take an Elway, Marino, Young, Cunningham or any of the former greats and give them the caliber of team Bradey had and you would have seen back to back undefeated seasons and Superbowls. Will be fun to watch and I will still root for the packers in the superbowl this year against the jets I will just be pissed as hell that they booted the guy that could of helped them win it.

Having been a Packer fan my entire life, I have watched almost every Packer game since Favre first took the field in 1992 and have always considered myself a big fan of his. Having said that, I think Jim is off base in one important area when he states that Brett has "deep-ball ability". There is a big difference between a strong arm and deep-ball ability. What Favre lacks is accurancy on the deep throws. Where he excels is in quick slant routes, reading defenses, improv skills when a play breaks down, and of course, his almost legendary durability.
My biggest concern for Favre and the Jets is that Brett has shown a tendency to fall apart in big games since his last MVP year in 1997. A look at his stats will show that he has a 3-6 record in the playoffs since that year with 16 td's and 18 int's, compared to 9-4 with 23 td's and 10 int's prior to that year. Sure it can be argued that he had better teams in the early years, but many of his pics were desperation throws when things started going badly. If this happens in the New York media pool full of sharks, things could get ugly...especially if fans jump on him as well. He is not used to booing fans or negative media.

Well said John. Brett is a lot of fun and frustration. He will be an asset to the Jets because he will bring excitement to their lifeless offense. However, if they are expecting a superbowl run I think it could get ugly for Brett.

I know this is a debate but come on people. Let the real debaters debate. All the Favre haters stay away. Just because he caused a big uproar doesn't change the fact that for the past 16 seasons he has produced. And there have been plenty of changes over those 16 seasons in the Packers organization that he had to contend with. What's the difference here? Let the man be what he is, a great quarterback and if he does great, stumbles a bit or if he falls flat on his face he is the one who has to live with it. It's not like the Jets are out anything for giving him a shot. Let Favre be Favre and we will all still enjoy watching him. And those that don't get the NFL package and watch another game.

As a lifetime packer fan I feel the need to chime in here. Brett isn't the Hall of Fame quarterback that everyone thinks he is, I say this having watched his every move since 1992, so I say it confidently. Is he probably the most recognized and loved player (definately quarterback) of all time, most likely. Brett will do extrodinarly feets in regular season games with not much on the line at times, however he not only disappears in big time games, he actually stinks up the field and breaks alot of die hard fans hearts. The reason that Jets will not see the playoffs this year is because Brett is very very inconsistent, lacks motivation at times, and also is way past his prime, his talents has deminished significantly. Just for example, of the 4,000 yards Brett threw for last year, 2,000 of those were YAC (yards after catch), Green Bay has a very talented young team that helped Brett have that monster year last year. The difference in Green Bay's receiving corps and the Jets's is night and day. I'm sorry to say this Jets fans and I don't mean to be rude, but you guys aren't in for the season that you are expecting with Brett. He is not the quarterback he once was which is why Green Bay has been trying to part ways with Brett for the last 3 years, Brett has always been a fan favorite and always will be, but he is now past his prime and has always been a bit over-rated. Jets fans have a lot to learn about Brett this year as the packers fans have over the years, which is why this hasn't been as hard on many Packers fans up here in Wisconsin as the media would like to portray. I'm sorry Jets fans but your expectations will not be met with Brett Favre.

Although I agree with some of what you say Jeff, it is a big stretch to say Favre has "always been a bit over-rated". His MVP years were special...some of the best ever by a quarterback, so lets give him credit for that. He has been average for several years until last year, when he had a very good season only to end with yet another critical mistake in a big game. Which leads me to my next comment...
I stand by my post from yesterday. He does make a lot of mistakes and tends to crack under pressure, especially in big games. I was happy to see him retire when he did because I thought it was inevitable that his skills would begin to deteriorate soon and the mistakes would start to pile up because of his "go for broke" mentality. I am afraid this could happen in New York and the fans/media will have no mercy.

I don't Know what world Your living In Jeff And John. First of all I have been watching the Pack since the days of Bart Starr, Favre has had problems alright but it's not only him Don't forget about the field goal the Giants Missed before the Stupid interception Where his receiver was not where he should have been and didn't even Try Oh Yeah That's Donald Driver If you Look at the game you will see he had plenty of time to react to that pass. Second the Giants Won the Super Bowl and made Dallas Look bad and The Pats. So give them some credit hey, Three Bretts Thumb was dislocated for two years without getting it fixed. Four Now look what Brett Favre did last year when his thumb wasn't bothering Him Ecellent tied for MVP Again. I don't Care what anyone say's he is finnished thats a Joke. He is 38 Years old only, and has never missed a game because of injury bad thumb, Elbow Ankle, ect... NEVER. Fifth, Greenbay Trades and switched players so much and Coach's General Manager. I mean Geeze give the man a break Hey, If he Fails He will have to live with it not us. But I doubt that will happen. He is and will always be a number one Quarter Back and a Hall Of Fame Star That will never be forgot. I can't believe a Packer Fan Would say that about a man that brought the Lombardi trophy Back where It Belongs, Just remember Your team Is a team Not just One guy If everyone on the Jets gels together Watch Out They will be In the Playoffs And could definitely win the big Game. Do you think Brett hasn't been booed, Well He was in Atlanta and guess what happen after that He became the Quarter Back He Is now and will always be. And yes I do agree with one thing at least He does throw the ball sometimes into places it may have not been, But 75% of the time he connects with a receiver But you have to look at How he can put the ball into places no one else could do. You have to think this way How many are better in the NFL right now I can think of 3 off the top of my head the compare to Favre but they all have teams that have Gel d together and are great TEAMS, So I am And will always be a Packer Fan And I will Always be A Quarter Back Fan, The Montana's, Marino's Elway's Warren Moon. Kenny the Snake Stabler,Oh Yeah No one said to Warren Moon at 43 years old when your going to retire Humm wonder why, Dan Fouts, Steve Young, Boomer, Kurt Warner, Starr,Plunket, I mean what are you talking about, Look at those Names and tell me Honestly Brett shouldn't be Mentioned ? I think A lot more people think he is above most and below few, How old was Elway when he did his thing I mean these guys Know what there doing with there bodies and we are all living longer and more healthy, Anyways it gets me when a Packer Fan Says Stuff like thats Over Rated I just can't even think a True Fan Of the Game could think such Nonsense, I Myself am wondering How long will Aron Rodgers Last And I hope He does Great, And No I don't think Brett should have been back at the Packers They where already set in there System with Rodgers so to bad For Brett, But at Least after 17 Seasons of some of the Greatest Games ever out of Greenbay, They should Have Gave Him What He Wanted, I mean Why Not You don't want him, If you think He's washed up why would Greenbay not want to Play him if he would have went to Min. or Chic. I can Answer That Question Because They Don' t want to Face Him in a Game, I am a die Hard Packer Fan But I think that Was the most Chicken Poop thing I have Ever Seen. If he is washed up It should be easy to beat a team he is on Right ? Well any ways I just had to say what I thought, He is one of the Best Most Durable Men that Ever Played the Game, So Lets Hope Rodgers Can Stay Healthy and get to the big one. For Brett I believe He will do what he has always done when Healthy be Number One Like he alway has been. Most Of all Would that Be the Biggest Super Bowl Ever In The History Of The NFL. \
NEW YORK JETS VS. GREENBAY PACKERS:: The Rating would Be A Record In itself.... WOW Could You Believe, Not But if it could I no Nobody Would Complain., Take Care Hope I didn't affend anyone, Lots Of Luck to Greenbay And The Jets,