The NY Jets have started OTA workouts and apart from Chris Johnson asking for the team to trade for Andre Johnson with the Houston Texans, the team has a number of questions heading into the summer, including whether Geno Smith can keep Michael Vick from starting and also whether receivers Eric Decker, Jace Amaro, Stephen Hill and Jacoby Ford can turn the offense into a high powered unit in 2014.
The Jets made some big moves in the offseason after signing Decker and Vick to contracts and while the team has made it clear that Smith is the starter heading into the summer, things could change if he is outplayed by Vick. The Jets took Smith after the Mark Sanchez-Tim Tebow debacle year that was all their own fault and now they have given Smith some talent to play with, something the team did not do when Sanchez was there and now Smith will have to show that he deserves the job, as Vick will be competing right behind him and will be ready if he falters.
Smith had ups and downs as a rookie and while the Jets have shown confidence in him, many do not see Smith as the QB of the future for the team and if he struggles, Vick will get playing time this season. The Jets picked Smith in the second round last season and while they acted like he was their pick all along, they would have loved to been able to take someone like Johnny Manziel this year, but after forcing themselves to pick Smith because the press said they should, they are now in this situation. The team got some solid play from Smith, but he was not lights out as a rookie and now he has Eric Decker and Chris Johnson in the fold to help the offense.
The team spent over $35 million on Eric Decker and while he was a fine receiver in Denver, he will not have Peyton Manning throwing him passes and Demaryius Thomas on the field to break up coverage. Last season he had over 85 catches for 1,288 yards and 11 touchdowns and if he can get near that for the Jets they will be thrilled. Decker is a number two receiver in a number one spot now and he will have nowhere to hide if he doesn't perform. Decker joins Jacoby Ford and Stephen Hill at wide receiver and Hill needs to step up for the Jets as week after another down season in 2013.
Jace Amaro was one of the most intriguing picks in the draft and he has the chance to be a high impact player at tight end at 6-foot-5, 265 pounds. The team brought back Jeff Cumberland and that takes some pressure off of Amaro, who had over 1,300 yards last season and 106 catches at Texas Tech. Amaro is a matchup nightmare and he could be a great weapon for Smith and Vick this season. Johnson said the team should trade for Johnson and while that is unlikely to happen, the Jets do need another solid wideout.