P-Rez25

To give their anemic running game a shot in the arm, the Jets have turned to former Nebraska coach Bill Callahan, whose title will be assistant head coach/offense.


Interestingly, one of the reasons Callahan was run out of Nebraska was that people felt he hadn't concentrated enough on the running game, a longtime Cornhuskers' staple. The university that became famous in previous decades for the I-back was running a West Coast offense under Callahan.


Nebraska was seventh in the Big 12 in rushing offense in 2007, Callahan's final season, in which the Cornhuskers went 5-7. And Callahan was a well-respected offensive line coach for Philadelphia before becoming Oakland's offensive coordinator in 1998. He became the Raiders' head coach in 2002 after Jon Gruden left for Tampa Bay.


"Bill brings valuable experience as an assistant coach and head coach on both the college and NFL levels," Jets coach Eric Mangini said when Callahan was hired. "His expertise with the running game and with protections will be a big asset."


Mangini's comment made it clear that Callahan will work with the offensive line. Tony Wise, one of two offensive line coaches last season, likely won't be retained.


The Jets averaged only 3.8 yards per carry last season and are hoping that Callahan can bring a fresh approach to the ground game, which also sputtered in 2006 when the Jets used running back-by-committee in the absence of the injured and soon-to-be-retired Curtis Martin. In 2006, the Jets averaged 3.5 yards a carry.


They expected to reap a big improvement from their March trade with Chicago for proven back Thomas Jones, but he gained only 3.6 yards per attempt en route to his lowest per-carry average since his second NFL season in 2001, when he averaged 3.4 yards for the Cardinals.


"I am excited about the opportunity to join the New York Jets," Callahan said. "Coach Mangini has assembled a fine coaching staff and I look forward to working with them and contributing to the team."


Oakland led the NFL in rushing in 2000 when Callahan was offensive coordinator. Brian Schottenheimer, who was a candidate for the Baltimore head coach position, will continue to handle the play-calling as offensive coordinator.


But no matter who is coaching the offensive linemen, they need to get better. And the Jets still must look to upgrade, especially at left guard and right tackle, which are both positions that need to be fixed at this point.


Notes, Quotes
• The expected dismissal of embattled defensive coordinator Bob Sutton hasn't happened yet, and now there's a good chance it might not.


What happened is that neither of the Ryan brothers became available. Rob Ryan figured to be out as Oakland's defensive coordinator, as it was believed that head coach Lane Kiffin wanted to replace him with Kiffin's father, Monte. However, Raiders owner Al Davis stepped in and blocked Ryan's firing.


As for Rex, he was fired by Baltimore along with head coach Brian Billick and the rest of Billick's staff, but was rehired four weeks later. He will remain as defensive coordinator on new head coach John Harbaugh's staff and has been given the added title of assistant head coach.


Coach Eric Mangini knows both Ryans very well, and was on the same staff with Rob in New England.


• Owner Woody Johnson indicated before the Super Bowl that he was rooting for the Jets' co-tenants in the Meadowlands to win. After the Giants' upset of New England, he issued a statement.


"On behalf of the New York Jets organization I would like to congratulate the Mara and Tisch families, Coach Coughlin and the entire New York Giants organization," Johnson said. "They played with tremendous heart and determination, earning a hard-fought and well-deserved victory in Super Bowl XLII. I also want to congratulate the Kraft family, Coach Belichick and the New England Patriots. Tonight's loss in no way diminishes the remarkable success they achieved in this historic season."


Although he hasn't said anything publicly, coach Eric Mangini probably wasn't heartbroken at seeing estranged mentor Bill Belichick go down to defeat.


Quote To Note: "I'm a premier running back, too. ... I'm assuming I'm here unless somebody tells me different." -- RB Thomas Jones, when asked about the possibility of the Jets drafting Arkansas RB Darren McFadden.


Strategy And Personnel
The Jets lost seven games by seven points or fewer in 2007 on their way to a 4-12 season, as they usually were unable to make game-deciding plays. An influx of speed and game-breaking ability is needed on both sides of the ball.


The Jets need impact players on both offense and defense. It's imperative that the Jets bring in more talent during the off-season.


They also will have to deal with several key players of their own, such as WR Laveranues Coles, TE Chris Baker and SS Kerry Rhodes, who are looking for contract extensions. A repeat of the Pete Kendall fiasco would be devastating.


TEAM NEEDS/OFFSEASON STRATEGY


General manager Mike Tannenbaum must be more proactive than he and the Jets were during the last off-season, when they made only minor tweaks to their roster other than the trade with Chicago for RB Thomas Jones.


It's believed they're seriously interested in New England CB Asante Samuel, who played for Eric Mangini when they were both with the Patriots. But Darrelle Revis, who will be in his second NFL season in 2008, looks like a future lockdown corner already, so do the Jets really need two of those? More of a pass rush up front would allow them to get by with Revis and a serviceable corner opposite him.


Linebacker Victor Hobson, a UFA, likely will depart, but the Jets must lock up strong safety Kerry Rhodes, who would become an unrestricted free agent after the 2008 season if he doesn't receive and extension.


1. Offensive line: The Jets need starters at both left guard and right tackle to bolster a unit that allowed 53 sacks in 2007.


2. Outside linebacker: The pass rush was spotty and speed off the edge is desperately needed.


3. Wide receiver: The Jets need a speedster who can stretch defenses, something they haven't had since trading away Santana Moss. Or they could use a tall wideout who would be a great red-zone target for fade passes, one of their staple play-calls.



Medical Watch: WR Laveranues Coles (high left ankle sprain), expected to be ready for voluntary mini-camp.


• WR Chansi Stuckey (foot). Stuckey had foot problems at Clemson, so the Jets shut him down early, hoping that will alleviate the condition and prevent it from being a chronic situation. He is expected to be ready for voluntary mini-camp.


• CB-KR Justin Miller (torn ACL in right knee), expected to be ready for voluntary mini-camp.


• LB Jason Trusnik (foot), expected to be ready for training camp.


• FB Stacy Tutt (knee), expected to be ready for voluntary mini-camp.


• CB James Ihedigbo (broken wrist), expected to be ready for voluntary mini-camp.


• LB Jonathan Vilma (right knee surgery), still rehabbing, status uncertain for voluntary mini-camp.


FRANCHISE PLAYER: None.

TRANSITION PLAYER: None.

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS


• FS Erik Coleman was passed on the depth chart by newcomer Abram Elam and Eric Smith. The Jets don't like his lack of aggressiveness and he won't be back.


• LB Victor Hobson will be allowed to test the open market and probably won't be re-signed. Didn't help his value with a pedestrian 2007 season.


• LB Brad Kassell is one of the Jets' best special-teamers. Expected to be back.


• CB Hank Poteat is a favorite of coach Eric Mangini and thus likely will be re-signed, although he might not retain his starting job.


• TE Sean Ryan has decent hands and is a capable blocker, but the organization doesn't seem too high on him. Likely to leave.


• OL Wade Smith is versatile and could be re-signed, especially because there will be a lot of turnover on the line.


• QB Marques Tuiasosopo is a reasonably-priced insurance policy. He could be back.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None.

EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS


• FB Stacy Tutt (knee) finished the 2007 season on injured reserve, but the Jets like his potential.



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