(Sports Network) - Whatever the current paradigm is for an NFL head coach, Rex Ryan doesn't fit it.

He's certainly nothing like his predecessor, Eric Mangini, who decided from his first day with the New York Jets that he was going to play the media- allergic Bill Belichick role, only without any of Belichick's credentials to back up his snooty behavior.

Unlike Mangini, Ryan is outspoken, giving of his time with the media, and has something to say that might provide the public with an inkling of what is going on within the team they love.

And though he's intense, much like Meadowlands mate Tom Coughlin, he's also unlike Coughlin in that he is viewed as being player-friendly. Those who worked for Ryan during his 10 years as an assistant coach with the Baltimore Ravens, including the final four spent as defensive coordinator, praised his abilities to both communicate with and coach them.

All of the initial buzz about Ryan has been laudatory and positive. Trouble is, Ryan hasn't coached, or more to the point lost, a game as the Jets' head coach.

Media and fans of Gang Green loved Herm Edwards too, until he lost a couple of big games and showed some limitations in the realm of clock management, among other areas.

Edwards remained cordial all the way up until the end of his tenure in 2005, but a defensiveness began to show that is all too predictable within the simmering cauldron that is the New York sporting landscape.

The first time the Jets suffer a three-game losing streak - and with a rookie quarterback likely to start, such a skid is probably coming sooner rather than later - it will be interesting to see how Ryan handles himself.

Like Edwards, his emotional and gregarious nature might be spun in the wrong direction by those who would seek to bury him, and you better believe those detractors will be vocal and many.

For now, though, Ryan is on his honeymoon in Gotham, and hopeful Jets fans are pointing to his credentials coaching one of the NFL's best defenses as evidence that the team has found the man to lead them to their first Super Bowl since Weeb Ewbank more than 40 years ago.

They're also reacting favorably to his candor and larger-than-life personality, and Ryan's job will be to prevent them from turning that perceived strength into a weakness.

Below we take a capsule look at the 2009 edition of the New York Jets, with a personnel evaluation and prognosis included therein:

2008 RECORD: 9-7 (3rd, AFC East)

LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE: 2006, lost to New England, 37-16, in AFC Wild Card Game

COACH (RECORD): Rex Ryan (first season with Jets, first overall)

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Brian Schottenheimer

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Mike Pettine

OFFENSIVE STAR: Thomas Jones, RB (1312 rushing yards, 36 receptions, 15 TD)

DEFENSIVE STAR: Darrelle Revis, CB (58 tackles, 5 INT, 1 sack)

OFFENSIVE TEAM RANKS: 9th rushing, 16th passing, 9th scoring

DEFENSIVE TEAM RANKS: 7th rushing, 29th passing, 18th scoring

KEY ADDITIONS: QB Mark Sanchez (1st Round, USC), RB Shonn Greene (3rd Round, Iowa), WR Aundrae Allison (from Vikings), DE Sean Conover (from Titans), DE Marques Douglas (from Ravens), DL Howard Green (from Seahawks), LB Larry Izzo (from Patriots), LB Bart Scott (from Ravens), LB Nate Harris (from Chiefs), CB Donald Strickland (from 49ers), CB Lito Sheppard (from Eagles), S Jim Leonhard (from Ravens)

KEY DEPARTURES: QB Brett Favre (to Vikings), QB Brett Ratliff (to Browns), RB Noah Herron (to Browns), RB Jesse Chatman (not tendered), WR Laveranues Coles (to Bengals), TE Chris Baker (to Patriots), DE Kenyon Coleman (to Browns), DE C.J. Mosley (to Browns), LB Cody Spencer (to Lions), LB Brad Kassell (released), ILB Eric Barton (to Browns), OLB David Bowens (to Browns), CB David Barrett (released), CB Ty Law (not tendered), CB Hank Poteat (to Browns), S Abram Elam (to Browns), S J.R. Reed (not tendered), K Mike Nugent (to Buccaneers)

QB: A new quarterbacking era will begin for the Jets this season, after the team traded up to No. 5 in this past April's draft in order to select USC signal-caller Mark Sanchez. Sanchez had just 16 games worth of starting experience at the collegiate level, but is believed to have the physical tools, decision-making abilities, and penchant for the spotlight that will serve him well in the NFL. If Sanchez doesn't start Week 1 at Houston, rest assured you'll see him shortly thereafter. Sanchez's eventual backup is Kellen Clemens, who started eight games in 2007 but simply doesn't look like he'll develop into an NFL starter. If the Jets keep three quarterbacks, 2008 fifth- round draft pick Erik Ainge will be the guy.

RB: No matter who plays quarterback for Gang Green, the strength of the offense will remain a running game that boasts Thomas Jones and Leon Washington (448 rushing yards, 47 receptions). Jones made his first Pro Bowl appearance last year after leading the AFC in rushing, and will be the load- carrier again despite a much-publicized contract squabble with the team. Washington also comes off his best season, amassing more than 2,300 all- purpose yards and scoring nine touchdowns on the year. Due to Jones' age (31) and Washington's effectiveness in the running game (5.9 yards per rush), the latter might see a few more touches this season. The third back figures to be third-round draft choice Shonn Greene (Iowa), a tough between-the-tackles rusher who will probably see most of his action on special teams. Fullback Tony Richardson (65 rushing yards) will be 38 before the season ends but played in all 16 games a year ago and isn't going anywhere. Ex-Michigan State basher Jehuu Caulcrick will have to prove his mettle on special teams.

WR/TE: The biggest area of concern offensively, apart from perhaps quarterback, is right here. The free agent defection of Laveranues Coles leaves a void where a pair of reliable hands used to be, and thrusts Jerricho Cotchery (71 receptions, 5 TD) into the unquestioned No. 1 role. Cotchery figures to elicit his share of double-teams unless someone else in the group emerges. Chansi Stuckey (32 receptions, 3 TD) looks like the best No. 2 option at the moment, but either utility player Brad Smith (12 receptions, 113 rushing yards) or intriguing third-year pro David Clowney (1 reception) could alter the depth chart there. Holdover Wallace Wright and ex-Viking Aundrae Allison (10 receptions with Minnesota) are trying to stick as well. At tight end, Dustin Keller (48 receptions, 3 TD) proved last season that he was worth his first-round designation, and should be a huge part of the attack. There is little behind him at the moment, with undrafted free agent Jack Simmons (Minnesota) and, ex-Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Kareem Brown looking like the top backup candidates there.

OL: If and when Sanchez is pressed into duty, he shouldn't have to worry too much about an offensive line group that returns intact. Though run-blocking is the trench unit's strength, they also did a decent job protecting Brett Favre last year and should continue to improve. From left to right - tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson, guard Alan Faneca, center Nick Mangold, guard Brandon Moore, and tackle Damien Woody - are steady. Even the team's top two backups should be the same, with Wayne Hunter serving as the swing tackle and Robert Turner filling a utility role along the o-line. The team's third and final 2009 draft choice, sixth-round guard Matt Slauson (Nebraska), is competing for a job as well.

DL: A key to Ryan's standout defenses in Baltimore was the work of the d-line, so the new head coach will have high expectations of this group. At the literal center of what the team will do defensively is nose tackle Kris Jenkins (50 tackles, 3.5 sacks), who remains a powerful force and one of the strongest nose tackles in the league. The ends are sketchier. Shaun Ellis (60 tackles, 8 sacks) turns 32 during the season and needs to reverse the perception that he's in decline. Ellis will begin the year with a one-game suspension after violating the NFL substance abuse policy. Replacing the departed Kenyon Coleman at the other end is Ravens castoff Marques Douglas (36 tackles with Baltimore), also 32 years old and used mainly as a backup last year. Reserves along the d-line should include holdovers Sione Pouha (23 tackles) and Mike DeVito (24 tackles), and the team might have to choose between ex-Seahawk Howard Green (21 tackles, 1 sack with Seattle) and 2008 practice squad member Ropati Pitoitua, who they are high on.

LB: In a league where you either rush the passer or you die, the work of the Jets outside linebackers will be well worth watching. Calvin Pace (80 tackles, 7 sacks) did a decent job coming off the edge last year, but he'll spend the season's first four games on the shelf after violating the NFL's steroid policy. That will put the spotlight on Bryan Thomas (57 tackles, 5.5 sacks) and, in all likelihood, 2008 first-round draft choice Vernon Gholston. Gholston did not start a game last season and finished with just five tackles on defense. Holdover Marques Murrell (9 tackles) is the best alternative option if Gholston continues to struggle. Things look better on the inside, where the steady David Harris (75 tackles, 1 sack) returns and Ryan convinced ex-Raven Bart Scott (82 tackles, 1.5 sacks with the Ravens) to come over with him from Baltimore. Scott will have to shed the suspicion that he can't be as effective when not playing next to Ray Lewis. Backups on the inside should include special teams ace Larry Izzo (12 tackles with New England), and free agent Jamaal Westerman has a shot to make the team too.

DB: Though the pass rush is worrying, Jets fans should be encouraged to know the team appears as deep as any in the league at cornerback. Darrelle Revis is arguably their second-best defender, next to Jenkins, and Lito Sheppard (21 tackles, 1 INT with Philadelphia) will be a playmaker opposite Revis if he is healthy. Dwight Lowery (64 tackles, 1 INT) and journeyman Donald Strickland (38 tackles with San Francisco) both have starting experience and will help out against multi-receiver sets. Former first-round pick Ahmad Carroll (20 tackles) and Drew Coleman (23 tackles, 1 sack) were helpful on special teams last year but could be caught up in a numbers game. Kerry Rhodes (84 tackles, 2 INT, 1 sack) will return to the strong safety role, and former Raven Jim Leonhard (69 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT with Baltimore) should be reliable at free safety, though he might not look quite as good away from Ed Reed. Holdovers Eric Smith (32 tackles, 1 INT) and James Ihedigbo (8 tackles) are the top backup candidates at safety.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Kicker Jay Feely (24-28 FG) and punter Reggie Hodges (42.8 avg.) probably shouldn't worry about making Pro Bowl reservations, but neither face any real competition in the preseason and figure to be back. Leon Washington (25.6 kickoff return avg. 1 TD, 10.4 punt return avg.) made the Pro Bowl last year for his work on returns, but with Leonhard (11.6 punt return avg. with Baltimore) coming over from the Ravens, it looks like he'll only be asked to return kickoffs. James Dearth is back for his ninth season as the Jets' long-snapper.

PROGNOSIS: The Jets don't figure to challenge the Patriots at the top of the AFC East, and it's risky to predict playoffs for any team likely to use a rookie quarterback, but there is plenty of talent on this roster and Gang Green could surprise if the stars align. Obviously, Sanchez's maturation is going to have much to say about where this team goes, and if he can manage the game a la Matt Ryan in Atlanta or Joe Flacco in Baltimore last season, the Jets can win some ball games. Put them near the bottom of a list of a handful of realistic Wild Card contenders in 2009, with a chance to make some real noise in Ryan's and Sanchez's second year in North Jersey.









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