To get ready for Friday's Detroit Lions game, I sent five questions to John B from Gang Green Nation, SB Nation's New York Jets blog. You can check out his answers below.
1. Jim Schwartz and Rex Ryan are the lone survivors from the 2009 head coaching class. What do you think it will take this season for Ryan to continue on as head coach of the Jets in 2014?
The Jets hired a new general manager, John Idzik, this year. Keeping Rex Ryan for 2013 was a condition for getting the job, but Ryan will have much less job security after this season. Usually in cases like this, the general manager wants to bring in his own guy, so I think it will probably take at least a trip to the playoffs and possibly a spot in the divisional round to save Ryan's job. This is set up for Idzik to have cover for firing Ryan. The Jets do not look that great on paper, and it would not be hard to justify a coaching change if the team misses the playoffs a third straight time.
2. Mark Sanchez is set to start at quarterback on Friday, but who do you think will be the starter when the regular season opens?
I think the job is Geno Smith's to lose. Sanchez starting feels like more a courtesy to the veteran than anything else. Smith is likely to start the second preseason game. The Jets wouldn't have picked Geno if they wanted to go forward with Sanchez, so I get the feeling he's their man unless the competition is so lopsided that they couldn't justify going to the rookie.
3. What are some other position battles that Jets fans will be keeping an eye on during Friday's preseason opener?
Wide receiver has a number of contenders. It doesn't look like Santonio Holmes is going to be healthy for the start of the season, which opens up potential playing time to guys like Braylon Edwards, Clyde Gates and Ryan Spadola. The safety spot opposite Dawan Landry is also up for grabs between 2012 seventh-rounder Antonio Allen and reclamation project Jaiquawn Jarrett. There is one other notable competition we will discuss below.
4. One of the biggest moves in the NFL this offseason was the Jets' trade of Darrelle Revis to the Buccaneers. The Jets also pulled off a trade to get running back Chris Ivory, and he has been mentioned by many as a sleeper in fantasy football. What are your expectations for him in 2013?
With Ivory, it comes down to health. When he's in the lineup, he can be a devastating runner, but he has been hurt seemingly every year in his career going back to college. Some guys can be effective playing through pain. Ivory has a tough time getting himself on the field when he's banged up. If he's healthy, I could see a 1,200 to 1,400-yard back with an average over 4.5 per carry. I could also see a scenario where the hamstring ailment that has bothered him to this point in camp prevents him from being effective at all in 2013.
5. Former Lion Stephen Peterman is currently listed as the Jets' starting right guard. Do you think he will continue to be the starter going forward, or is he just keeping the seat warm for someone else (similar to the Lions' current situation at right guard)?
Third-round pick Brian Winters seems to be the man of the future at that position. Peterman is keeping the seat warm. Winters has a chance to win the job. Most Jets fans seem to be pulling for him to start, so Peterman might not have much time to keep that seat warm.