They will either soar or crash this
season, but on Monday night the Jets preseason takes flight with a trip to
Reliant Stadium to battle the Texans. Metro takes a look at the preseason
opener with “Three Things to Watch” during the game in Houston:
1. You won’t be seeing Plaxico Burress
The big signing of the offseason, the 6-foot-5 target wide receiver Plaxico Burress, is being held out of tonight’s game with an ankle injury suffered in noncontact work two weeks ago.
Burress still has not participated in contact drills as he continues to get into football shape after two years in prison. Head coach Rex Ryan said Burress got an MRI on Friday and that he’d rejoin the team this Wednesday.
Burress wasn’t too concerned about that injury. “Just a classic tweak. Nothing serious,” Burress said.
2. We are all living in Wayne’s World
Versatile offensive lineman Wayne Hunter had to come in and play right tackle for a stretch of games for the injured Damien Woody twice last year.
Hunter was rewarded this offseason with a four-year, $13 million contract for his willingness to play anywhere along the line, line up for special teams and even some spot duty in goal-line defense situations.
Now Hunter must play consistently game in and game out, something he has never been asked to do.
3. The secondary is now primary
The pursuit of Nnamdi Asomugha is over and failed, but the Jets didn’t do too poorly when they reinked Antonio Cromartie to a deal.
Cromartie had a rough start to his Jets career, but he showed his value late in the year. While Asomugha would have been devastating opposite Darrelle Revis, the freed-up money allowed the Jets to re-sign the very solid Eric Smith and bring back some nice depth in Brodney Pool. The secondary should be the deepest and best part of the team.
Follow Kristian Dyer on Twitter @KristianRDyer.
