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Editors note: I recently had the pleasure of chatting with JetPress editor Luis Tirado Jr. about the New York Jets. Below are the questions I asked him about the Jets heading into training camp, and over on JetPress, you can see my responses to his questions about the Patriots.
Connor Fulton: It was an offseason of change for the Patriots, highlighted by the departure of Darrelle Revis. How high did you jump when you heard about Revis returning to the Jets?
Luis Tirado Jr.: I couldn’t believe it when I saw that the Jets were able to bring him back into the mix. I figured it was a longshot but to see the Jets be aggressive for a change during free agency and get one of the top defensive players to bolster a major weakness on the team was huge. I definitely jumped really high when I saw it was 100% confirmed he was coming back.
CF: Brandon Marshall will line up against Revis throughout the dog days of summer. Will he be able to improve the Jets’ aerial attack?
LT: Marshall will hopefully have a major impact on the Jets’ offense due to a number of factors. It’s been quite a while since the Jets had a legitimate No. 1 receiver on the team with a resume as impressive as his when healthy. He will also allow Eric Decker to go back to his natural position as a No. 2 receiver which he thrives in. Finally, he’ll be able to elevate those around him to achieve more, especially quarterback Geno Smith if he ends up earning the starting spot at the end of it all this summer. It was a very smart acquisition by the Jets.
CF: Revis wasn’t the only Super Bowl XLIX champion to sign with the Jets this offseason. What do you think Stevan Ridley’s role will be in New York?
LT: The running back situation for the Jets continues to be a good one thanks to all the new additions. Chris Ivory is figured to be the starter with all the other spots up for grabs. Considering that offensive coordinator Chan Gailey is going to be installing a new spread offense, guys like Stevan Ridley will be working hard to land a backup or a utility role in the backfield. Ridley is explosive and could be a nice surprise during training camp if he returns to his old form. In 2012, Ridley rushed for 1,263 yards and 12 touchdowns which would be a nice dimension to have on offense from the running game.
Next: Luis on Sheldon Richardson's suspension
Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
CF: How much of an impact will Sheldon Richardson’s four-game suspension have on the Jets in the first month of 2015?
LT: It will definitely have a major impact since Sheldon Richardson is one of the top defensive performers on the Jets. He made a boneheaded move that came at a terrible time since optimism is high with the leadership change and all the new solid talent across the team. It also hurts his chances to get a massive contract down the road from the Jets when it’s time to see how to handle his contract situation in the future. This does however give a great opportunity to Leonard Williams to prove his worth as a rookie and show why he’s a first-round draft choice. I think Richardson will regret getting suspended since it gives his competition a chance to step up and deliver when his team needs it most.
CF: As the Jets shift away from the culture Rex Ryan instilled in the locker room and welcome Todd Bowles, how do you think the team will self-identify?
LT: New head coach Todd Bowles is a welcomed and refreshing change from Rex Ryan. He’s more professional and brings an old-school mentality to have integrity and hard work be what defines his players. He’s already been impressing many with how he’s been handling the team and media of New York. Unlike Ryan, he’s not claiming the Jets are onto the Super Bowl this year or trying to go after Belichick’s championship rings, he’s just saying and doing all the right things considering it’s his first year on the job trying to turn the team from pretenders to contenders again.
CF: Give us your best- and worst-case scenario predictions for the Jets this season.
LT: I personally predict the Jets will go 10-6 as long as their quarterback situation is average at best. I don’t see Smith emerging into the next top quarterback in the NFL but I believe whether it’s him or Ryan Fitzpatrick under center, Gailey will make a simplified offense that yields decent results. The Jets’ defense is what will win them plenty of games this upcoming season so I’m thinking positive in that they earn a Wild Card berth. Worst case scenario, nothing comes together and the Jets’ offense is utterly terrible. Their defense will be good but not good enough to make a rebounding season worth anything as the Jets will end up as a 6-10 team with the Patriots and Dolphins battling it out to win the AFC East.
CF: Thanks for stopping by Musket Fire, Luis. You guys do some great stuff over there at JetPress.
LT: Thanks a lot for the opportunity Connor as this was fun! Keep up the great work here at the Musket Press and I look forward to seeing the Jets and Patriots play this upcoming season!