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Examining who faces the most challenging season for the Jets and why.

Tony Sparano is very likable and well-respected in NFL circles. But even he might not be sure exactly what he's getting into by taking over the New York Jets' combustible offense.

Sparano was a longtime rival of the Jets as former head coach of the Miami Dolphins. He's well aware of the talent but also the personalities in New York. Sparano's biggest responsibility this season isn't X's and O's. It's fixing chemistry and getting everyone to play as a group.

Quarterback Mark Sanchez and No. 1 receiver Santonio Holmes didn't get along last season. Neither did Holmes and right tackle Wayne Hunter. The defense also bickered with the offense last season for not holding up its end. Oh, by the way, there's also a brewing quarterback controversy between Sanchez and wildly popular backup Tim Tebow. This is a lot for Sparano to manage.

In terms of strategy, Sparano has to step up his game. The Sparano I saw in Miami was very conservative and often criticized for going for (and celebrating) too many field goals. That won't fly in New York. It's Sparano's job to produce more touchdowns on the field and better chemistry off it.

1. New England Patriots: To say New England now has abundance at this position would be a massive understatement. Wes Welker’s and newly signed Brandon Lloyd’s roles are pretty clearly defined, but the Patriots also have Deion Branch, Anthony Gonzalez, Jabar Gaffney, Donte Stallworth, Chad Ochocinco, Julian Edelman, special-teams star Matthew Slater and seventh-round pick Jeremy Ebert all competing for roster spots and roles in this offense.

Welker turned 31 this month, but he has caught more than 100 passes in four of the past five seasons, including a whopping 122 last year. How much does the premier slot receiver of this generation have left? That is hard to guess, but Welker still creates all sorts of problems for every defense he faces and Tom Brady has extreme confidence in him.

With Lloyd in the picture, Welker’s catch total could decrease, as Lloyd is sure to find some favorable matchups now on the perimeter -- often deep downfield. He is an acrobatic receiver who has a ton of big-play ability. Lloyd’s downfield ability is a huge reason New England added him to an already extremely potent passing attack.

Branch will be 33 before the season starts and has appeared in all 16 games only one time in his 11 seasons. Branch is a Brady favorite, but Lloyd is going to cut into Branch’s production in a big way. Still a solid receiver, Branch isn’t someone who can consistently torture single coverage like Lloyd can.

Gaffney hasn’t missed a game in five years and quietly had a pretty good season for the Redskins last year, despite a questionable supporting cast. He is also over 30. I could see him sticking in New England, as the Patriots were very aggressive in pursuing him after his release in Washington.

Gonzalez didn’t play a snap last year and has appeared in only 39 games in his five-year career. Durability is clearly the biggest knock on Gonzalez, but at one point, he and Peyton Manning had a good thing going. This former first-round pick might surprise in a new uniform if he is able to stay healthy.

The 34-year-old Ochocinco was a great player in Cincinnati, but did next to nothing in his first year in New England. He lacks the discipline in his route running to be a regular contributor and is wildly inconsistent, with very few impressive showings. Ochocinco was not a good fit in New England from the start.

Stallworth is yet another over-30 wideout with a checkered history. He is also a former first-round selection and still has the speed to get deep, which is an element the Patriots look to infuse back into their passing attack. One interesting aspect of choosing which wideouts to keep from this huge group is that most of the veteran receivers discussed above offer little-to-nothing on special teams. But any way you cut it, the Pats are pretty loaded at wideout.

2. Buffalo Bills: Although the Bills locked up Steve Johnson, wide receiver is a spot where you can argue they are not noticeably improved from a year ago. Johnson is clearly the top option at wide receiver for Buffalo, but the Bills also will have Donald Jones, David Nelson, Marcus Easley and third round pick T.J. Graham competing for playing time in an offensive system that could feature a high percentage of three-wide receiver sets.

Johnson eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards in each of the past two seasons and crossed the goal line 17 times over that stretch. He has had some ups and downs and isn’t a special talent when comparing him to other teams’ top wide receivers, but there is also a lot to like about what Johnson brings to the Bills’ offense. He has done some of his best work against the top corners in this league.

Jones played only eight games last year, catching just 23 passes with one touchdown. But he has good deep speed and flashes some big-play ability to go along with enough size to be a starter opposite Johnson. Nelson is a big-bodied slot receiver in the Marques Colston mold. He stepped up for the Bills last season and is the second-most reliable member of this group. I especially like what Nelson offers in the red zone.

Easley showed promise coming out of college but has no production yet in the NFL due to injuries. But he is big and fast. Keep an eye on him. I like his chances in this offense. Graham has a ton of work to do with his development as a wide receiver, but he has extreme speed and explosiveness. It might take time for him to be able to get on the field, but once he does, Graham could open up a lot of room for everyone in this offense.

He isn’t a wide receiver so I am not including him in my ranking process, but with Fred Jackson back to being healthy, I expect C.J. Spiller to line up more on the outside and run wide receiver routes.

3. New York Jets: I am still very much a believer in Santonio Holmes as a player, but outside of Holmes, the wide receiver cabinet is rather bare for New York. You can blame the quarterback play for sure, but there is no way around it -- Holmes had a dismal season for the Jets last year. A player who has shown up huge on the biggest of stages, Holmes was clearly frustrated with his situation last season en route to accumulating a measly 654 receiving yards. I can’t say I condone Holmes’ behavior last season, but his numbers likely would have been much better with more efficient quarterback play.

To bolster this position for the long term, the Jets used a second-round pick on Stephen Hill. Hill is the ultimate size/speed prospect and should immediately have an impact on deep routes to help keep the Jets’ opponents off the line of scrimmage to some degree. But Hill has a lot of work to do with the route tree before he can be considered a true complement to Holmes.

They also picked up the often-injured Chaz Schilens in free agency. Schilens appeared in 15 games last year for the Raiders but accumulated only 271 receiving yards. In the two seasons prior, Schilens missed 19 of a possible 32 games with injury. When healthy, Schilens has used his size, route running and strong hands to move the chains in this league. The Jets could really use that.

Jeremy Kerley could be poised to make an impact in his second season. He demonstrates a lot of quickness and could become the next big contributor out of the slot in the AFC East. Patrick Turner saw snaps last year and is still in the equation. He is a big-bodied receiver who doesn’t separate all that well or stretch the field. It wouldn’t be at all surprising if the Jets were to add another free-agent wide receiver to the mix before training camp.

4. Miami Dolphins: The Dolphins could presently have the worst group of wide receivers in the NFL. Davone Bess and Brian Hartline top Miami’s depth chart. That is frightening.

Bess is a prototypical slot receiver with excellent short-area quickness. He is good after the catch and can thrive with a strong supporting cast on the outside, but he is by no means a feature receiver. Bess is dependable, but not much of a factor near the goal line. Hartline can stretch the field, but he too doesn’t excel in the red zone. To me, Hartline is a borderline starter in any situation. He also will not be able to be the focal point of the passing attack. In what is sure to be a run-first offense in Miami, Bess and Hartline also offer very little as blockers.

The only other notable veteran here is Legedu Naanee, who was unspectacular for the Panthers in 2011. Naanee does have some ability and his blocking will endear him to this coaching staff in their run-first offense. Maybe this change of scenery and opportunity for playing time pays off for Naanee. Clyde Gates, a fourth-round pick from a year ago, will get ample opportunity to step up in his second season. Gates has rare long speed but caught only two passes in his rookie season. A full offseason could help quite a bit, but he has a long way to go in terms of learning the nuances of the position.

The Dolphins used late-round picks to add B.J. Cunningham and Rishard Matthews to this equation. In a deep receiver draft, the Dolphins made excellent value picks here, as both youngsters have intriguing size and movement skills. But counting on late-round rookies to kick start a passing game is far from a wise wager. The Dolphins need to improve at wide receiver in a big way, especially if they plan on maturing Ryan Tannehill as an NFL quarterback properly.

New York Jets receiver Santonio Holmes and right tackle Wayne Hunter have made peace. The two are together again for the first time since their blowup in the regular-season finale against the Miami Dolphins.

The slate is clean, according to Hunter. That’s all good. But the reality is none of it matters unless both players can erase a disastrous 2011.

Holmes and Hunter must play better to stay together. The Jets proved last season how combustible their locker room can become when the team underachieves.

There were divisions between the offense, which struggled, and New York's top-five defense. There were divisions between Holmes and quarterback Mark Sanchez. Obviously, there also was a division between Hunter and Holmes, who were at the center of New York's implosion during the final week of the regular season.

Both players have a lot to prove. Holmes must return to the great playmaker and former Super Bowl MVP he was with the Pittsburgh Steelers. When focused, Holmes is one of the most dynamic receivers in the NFL. I've seen it time and time again with Pittsburgh, and early on with the Jets.

Hunter also must prove he's a starting right tackle in the NFL. He was pushed around too much last year. Although Holmes got heat for his lack of focus, Hunter's poor pass protection on the edge was just as big a reason New York's passing offense sputtered.

But it's good Holmes and Hunter are saying the right things. Both players genuinely want to win and have a lot to prove. However, their actions on the field this fall will speak louder than their words in the offseason.

With the stench of last year's late-season implosion still fresh, the New York Jets got together as a team for the first time in 2012 for the start of the offseason workout program.

The workouts Monday were voluntary and not open to the media. But three members of the Jets were available for a conference call. The key theme was last year, and this is the start of something new.

"We made some mistakes in 2011, but we are focused on 2012," Jets head coach Rex Ryan said of the team's fresh start. "We are excited. ... When you don't meet expectations it kills you."

Ryan went on to address the chemistry issues and eventual implosion that took place during the final month of last season. The Jets were 8-5 and on the cusp of another playoff bid before losing three straight games.

At the center of the internal issues were Jets No. 1 receiver Santonio Holmes and quarterback Mark Sanchez. The pair were not on the same page on or off the field, and things blew up in the season finale. The pair have since talked things over and recently worked out together in Florida to make amends.

Holmes also praised Sanchez on Monday for coming out to Florida and helping get key members of the offense together.

"[Sanchez] is portraying those leadership qualities," Holmes said on the conference call. "We are both looking forward to bigger and better days."

Holmes, in his first public comments since the end of last season, didn't care to address all that went wrong down the stretch.

"That was too long ago," Holmes said, while also repeating the team-wide sentiment that last season was last season.

With a talented and veteran team, it's hard to know which way the arrow is pointing for the Jets. Was last season simply a one-year misstep or the beginning of a downward spiral? The Jets are not far removed from back-to-back AFC title games in 2009 and 2010. But last year New York looked like an aging team that lost its edge.

Jets Pro Bowl center Nick Mangold says the "future is bright" for New York. The Jets will have a lot of detractors this season that think otherwise, especially if this group cannot stay together in the locker room. The important team-building process for New York starts now.

Did you miss me?

My buddy, "ESPN.com staff," said you all were solid while I was on vacation. So I won't flood the AFC East blog with two Tim Tebow posts per day this week. But that's always subject to change in seven days (wink, wink).

Anyway, a lot happened in the AFC East when I was away. So we are going to skip Monday's "Morning take" in order to catch up on recent issues within the division.

Story No. 1: Dolphins OLB Cameron Wake holds out.

Issue: Wake, who is scheduled to make $615,000 next season, is holding out for more money. He skipped the beginning of the team's offseason workout program last week and reportedly plans to miss more time if a resolution isn't reached.

Walker's take: This is another big blow to a horrific offseason for the Dolphins. I agree that Wake outperformed his contract and is due for a raise. I also doubt the Dolphins disagree with that. The question is, can Miami create enough cap room to fit in another big contract? This will be a tricky situation that probably won't be resolved for a while. This could go well into the spring or summer.

Story No. 2: Should Dolphins trade for the No. 3 pick?

Issue: Former Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill's stock continues to rise leading up to the draft. Reports are now surfacing that Miami may have to trade up to the No. 3 overall pick to guarantee a shot at Tannehill. The Cleveland Browns hold the No. 4 pick and also may consider Tannehill.

Walker’s take: Don't do it, Miami. Sure, the Dolphins need a quarterback. But giving away the farm (a first-, second- and third-rounder?) to move up five spots isn't wise. Miami simply has too many holes to fill on its roster. Tannehill is not Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin III. Tannehill has potential but he is far from a sure thing. Miami should stand pat at No. 8 and see what happens. Even if the Dolphins drafted Tannehill, he would not start in Miami next year anyway. Tannehill would hold a clipboard in 2012 behind Matt Moore and David Garrard.

Story No. 3: Dan Koppen re-signs with the New England Patriots.

Issue: Former longtime starting center Koppen re-signed with the reigning AFC champs. This is somewhat a surprise considering New England chose to first re-sign center Dan Connolly, who replaced Koppen after an injury and performed well.

Walker’s take: This move happened late in free agency. So that tells me Koppen examined his options, didn’t like them and decided it was best to return to New England at a discounted rate. This is good news for the Patriots. They gained depth at center by being patient. But New England also may have a competition brewing in training camp. Koppen is a favorite of Patriots starting quarterback Tom Brady, so you can’t rule him out.

Story No. 4: Patriots Rob Gronkowski out of "Madden" tourney.

Issue: Pro Bowl tight end Gronkowski was knocked out of the “Madden NFL 13” tourney by Detroit Lions receiver Calvin Johnson. The final four will be Johnson, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton and San Francisco 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis.

Walker’s take: This is great news for Gronkowski, even if he doesn’t realize it. He made a strong push for the “Madden” cover with a series of videos, but fortunately for him and fortunately for the Patriots, Johnson prevailed. Regardless of whether you think the curse is legit, players who get on the cover usually have bad seasons. The playoffs proved last season how much the Patriots need a healthy Gronkwoski.

Story No. 5: Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez and receiver Santonio Holmes together in Florida

Issue: Sanchez and Holmes are working out together in Florida. This follows their high-profile falling out at the end of last season.

Walker’s take: This is another good step in the right direction for the duo. The pair need each other for the offense to work. They may never be best friends, but that doesn’t mean they can’t work together on the field. Sanchez and Holmes can repair their relationship, but ultimately it will come down to how they perform next season.

Now that we are all caught up, we have plenty of blogs in store for you this week. Enjoy the ride.

Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com reports on Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez and receiver Santonio Holmes working out together in Orlando.

Buffalo Bills

NFL Network analyst and former NFL general manager Charley Casserly weighs in on what the Bills can expect from defensive end Mario Williams.

The Bills have scheduled visits or have already met with 16 of their 30 allotted draft prospects.

Miami Dolphins

Defensive end Cameron Wake, unhappy with his current contract, was missing from the start of the Dolphins' offseason program.

In hopes of filling a void at outside linebacker, the team has worked out free agents Jonathan Goff, Quentin Groves, Gary Guyton and Bryan Kehl.

New England Patriots

Anthony Gonzalez joked on Tuesday about a "policy" that led him to sign with New England. “I was joking with my friends. I have a very strict Hall of Famer only policy,” he said. “Just stay with that group. It’s good. It’s wonderful, obviously. Quarterbacks make receivers look very good, and hopefully I can get some opportunities with him [Tom Brady]."

Re-signing with the Patriots was an easy decision for Matthew Slater.

New York Jets

Woody Johnson says the Jets didn’t trade for Tim Tebow to sell jerseys.

Dustin Keller, Mark Sanchez and Santonio Holmes got an early start on offseason workouts.

Wide receiver is one of the deepest areas of this year's NFL draft, and the New York Jets need a starting receiver. Sounds like we have a match.

On Monday ESPN.com's blogger mock draft pegged Notre Dame receiver Michael Floyd to New York at No. 16. ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay talked about the possibility of Floyd to New York earlier this week.

"I mean, if you're going to run the football and be successful, you've got to have the threat of the pass. If Michael Floyd was there [at No. 16], I think he would fit very well in terms of a compliment, and what, I believe, they need on this roster. You start to look at what they have. Chaz Schilens opposite Santonio Holmes, and Jeremy Kerley, doesn't strike a lot of fear. I get it. You're in the lineup and run the football, but you've got to back defenses off, unless this becomes the Tebow show and they turn into the Denver Broncos from a year ago which is a whole other story."

McShay went on to elaborate by saying there could be other great options available in the second and third rounds. The Jets have other needs, such as right tackle and safety. But is Floyd the best fit for New York?

The New York Jets created a situation where they had another unhappy player in their locker room. A couple days later, they did the right thing to correct the issue.

Backup quarterback Drew Stanton wanted out after being pegged as the No. 3 quarterback behind starter Mark Sanchez and newly-acquired quarterback Tim Tebow. Stanton recently signed a one-year, $1.25 million contract with the intention of backing up Sanchez, but Tebowmania changed all that.

On Friday the Jets traded Stanton to the Indianapolis Colts, where he can backup future No. 1 overall pick Andrew Luck.

Stanton felt swerved and upset in New York. He was recruited by the Jets with the intention of being one play away. But Tebow would have ensured Stanton probably wouldn't see the light of day in 2012 unless both Sanchez and Tebow struggled or got injured.

The Jets didn't need a third-string quarterback with potential to be a malcontent. The Jets have enough locker room issues as it is. Regaining the rapport between Sanchez and No. 1 receiver Santonio Holmes and meshing Tebow in the mix are enough.

The potential Stanton headache wasn’t worth it. Both sides will be better off apart.

Here are the most interesting stories Tuesday morning in the AFC East:

• Could former Houston Texans offensive tackle Eric Winston, who was released Monday, be a candidate for the Miami Dolphins?

Morning take: Winston did attend the University of Miami and the Dolphins have a big need at right tackle. Sounds like a match to me. But money always is an issue.

• New York Jets receiver Santonio Holmes congratulates quarterback Mark Sanchez on his recent contract extension via Twitter.

Morning take: It sounds like things are getting better between these two, which is a good sign for the Jets. Both players need to get on the same page for New York's offense to have any chance of turning things around.

• New England Patriots receiver Chad Ochocinco will film a reality show this offseason chronicling his wedding.

Morning take: Ochocinco is no stranger to reality shows. People will tune in, because Ochocinco has a fun personality they want to watch.

• The Buffalo Bills tendered offers to offensive linemen Craig Urbik and Chad Rinehart.

Morning take: Both were restricted free agents and aren’t going anywhere. Buffalo needs as many offensive linemen as they can get.

Many New York Jets fans are torn on the decision to sign starting quarterback Mark Sanchez to a five-year, $58.25 million contract. It essentially ensures Sanchez is New York's franchise quarterback for at least the next two seasons.

But for better or for worse, the Jets have made their decision. Now it's time to maximize on their investment. This offseason for New York should mostly be about helping Sanchez become the best quarterback he can be during the life of this contract.

Here are four ways the Jets can help their fourth-year quarterback succeed:

Move No. 1: Build a scheme that fits Sanchez

Former Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer's offense was a disaster last year. It was very bland and the play-calling was predictable, which led to Schottenheimer's resignation. New York's offense was ranked 25th in the NFL last season, despite some talented players.

There is no question Schottenheimer's struggles hurt Sanchez. We just don't know how much — until now.

New offensive coordinator Tony Sparano has a very important job with the Jets. It will be Sparano's responsibility to put together an offense that best suits Sanchez. Sparano most likely spent plenty of time this offseason studying tape of Sanchez to figure out what the quarterback does well and where he struggles. Similar to what the San Francisco 49ers did with Alex Smith last season, New York must maximize Sanchez's strengths and minimize his weaknesses.

Some feel Sanchez’s ceiling isn't very high and we’ve seen pretty much all he can do. But a new and improved offense could reinvigorate Sanchez and highlight some of the skills he couldn't show under Schottenheimer.

Move No. 2: Get Sanchez another WR

New York's feud between Sanchez and No. 1 receiver Santonio Holmes last season was well-documented. The two didn't get along on or off the field and it finally boiled over in the regular-season finale against the Miami Dolphins.

But the Jets this offseason should be less worried about Holmes and more worried about who will start opposite their leading receiver. Plaxico Burress wasn't the answer and will not return in free agency.

Sanchez needs a deep threat at receiver. Holmes is a good, all-around player. But he's not a speedster that's going to put fear in a defense to keep teams honest.

Right now Jeremy Kerley is the projected starter. Kerley is more suited to be a slot receiver at this stage of his career. If the Jets are serious about Sanchez improving, they need to get him a big-play receiver.

Move No. 3: Get a starting right tackle

It's hard to get a firm read on what the Jets thinks of Wayne Hunter. First, they guaranteed Hunter's contract for 2012 and general manager Mike Tannenbaum said he's the starter. Then, the Jets reportedly put Hunter on the trading block.

My take is Hunter was the worst starting offensive tackle I watched in the AFC East. Pass-rushers ran by him and through him too often. There were times when I thought Hunter would get Sanchez knocked out of the game with his inability to protect the edge. Sanchez was sacked a career-high 39 times in 2011.

New York's offensive line had three Pro Bowlers last season. This isn't a group lacking talent. But the right tackle spot is definitely a spot that needs to be upgraded if the Jets want to keep Sanchez upright and healthy.

Move No. 4: Add to the running game

I list the running game last, because that was probably the strength of New York's offense last season. Jets starting running back Shonn Greene rushed for a career-high 1,054 yards last year. Backup tailback Joe McKnight also showed flashes of being an exciting player. He may be ready for a bigger role next season.

But something is still missing with the Jets' ground-and-pound formula. Adding a blue-chip running back would be ideal. If Alabama's Trent Richardson somehow fell to No. 16, the Jets shouldn't think twice about taking him. But that doesn’t seem likely.

Perhaps the Jets need to sign someone in free agency who can simply add to the pile. There are some veteran free agents who are affordable options, such as BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Cedric Benson and Peyton Hillis. A solid stable of rushers is what Sanchez needs. One of his biggest strengths is play-action passing.

It remains to be seen whether Sanchez develops into a franchise quarterback or becomes a bust over the next two years. But if New York follows these four steps, the Jets would give Sanchez a better chance to succeed.

In the middle of the Peyton Manning sweepstakes and subsequent media frenzy, the New York Jets quietly pulled off a major move with their own starting quarterback.

The Jets added three more years to Mark Sanchez's original rookie contract Friday night, locking him up until the 2016 season. This is a major vote of confidence for Sanchez, who is coming off a shaky 2011 season.

Here is what this extension amounts to: Coach Rex Ryan and general manager Mike Tannebaum are going all in with their fourth-year quarterback.

If Sanchez develops into "The Sanchize" during these next five years, New York will thrive and everybody's happy and safe. But if Sanchez doesn't improve from his play last season, the power duo of Ryan and Tannenbaum won't last long in New York. This is probably the biggest decision the Jets will make as an organization for the next several years.

There is a track record of success with this trio. Just a year ago, Ryan, Tannenbaum and Sanchez were major cogs in leading the Jets to their second consecutive AFC title game. But the stench of the 2011 season still looms over the Jets. This is a team that needs to play much better in several areas, and that includes quarterback.

To Sanchez's credit, he had a lot to overcome and never complained. His offensive line struggled with pass protection, the running game was inconsistent, and his best receiver (Santonio Holmes) was rarely on the same page. Whether the Jets can fix all these problems in one offseason remains to be seen.

But the Jets clearly feel Sanchez is the right quarterback to get them to the Super Bowl. For Ryan and Tannenbaum's sake, they better be right.

There is a lot of debate in the AFC East blog about which division team is the better fit for free-agent quarterback Peyton Manning. The future Hall of Famer is available, and is expected to choose a new team within the next week.

But in our latest edition of "Poll Friday," we want our community to play the role of Manning. If you were the quarterback, which AFC East team has the best supporting cast: Miami or New York?

The Dolphins are considered one of the favorites, and have several good pieces on offense. They have a Pro Bowl receiver (Brandon Marshall), a Pro Bowl left tackle (Jake Long), and a 1,000-yard running back (Reggie Bush). The defense also is solid and would work well with a high-scoring offense.

Or do the Jets provide Manning with better players? New York has three Pro Bowlers on the offensive line, and a good receiver in Santonio Holmes (when he's not disgruntled). Dustin Keller is certainly an upgrade at tight end over Miami, and the Jets' defense ranked fifth in the NFL last season.

Using our SportsNation poll, vote on which team provides the better supporting cast for Manning. You can also share your thoughts in the comment section below.

The New York Jets will search for a new wide receiver, a new right tackle, a new safety (or two) and probably more pass-rushers.

But where will the Jets find leadership in 2012? That is the most difficult question facing New York this offseason.

The Jets' implosion last season was well-documented. New York was 8-5 with the playoffs in sight. But poor performance on the field, combined with combustible personalities and a lack of leadership, led to a three-game losing streak and an even uglier fallout.

By the end of the season, there was a wide rift between Jets starting quarterback Mark Sanchez and leading receiver Santonio Holmes. There also was tension between New York's 25th-ranked offense and its fifth-ranked defense, because the offense wasn't pulling its weight. Jets backup quarterback Greg McElroy said it was the most selfish and divided locker room he'd ever seen.

The Jets will continue adding talent to their roster via the draft and free agency. But how will they fix their poor chemistry?

You cannot just draft leadership or buy it in free agency. There's also no instruction manual to get 53 professional athletes back on the same page. But the Jets must find a way to make it work next season if they want to get back to being contenders.

"I do believe in the fabric of our team and the backbone," Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum said at the NFL combine. "The D'Brickashaw (Fergusons), the (Nick) Mangolds, the (Darrelle) Revises, we have a lot of good players that care deeply about our team. All we can try to do is add to that."

New York has playoff-caliber talent but 4-12-caliber leadership. Perhaps that is why the Jets finished 8-8 in 2011.

Here are some candidates who must step up for New York next season:

• Jets Pro Bowler Darrelle Revis is the best cornerback in the NFL. But he's never been the type to grab a person by the collar and keep everyone else in line. Revis leads by example. He will work harder than anyone else, and most of the time he plays better than anyone else. Revis is rapidly putting together a Hall of Fame résumé on the field. For most teams, that is enough. But the Jets need more vocal and forceful leadership from their best player, who is 26 and in his prime. When Revis speaks, people will listen.
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AP Photo/Bill KostrounThe late season dust-up between Mark Sanchez and Santonio Holmes highlighted the poor chemistry within the Jets' locker room.
• Leadership in the NFL must always come from the quarterback position. It's time for Sanchez, who is entering his fourth season, to grow up on the field and in the locker room and meeting rooms. Sanchez had it rough coming to the big stage of New York as a starting quarterback from Day 1. He handled the pressure well in his first two years, when Sanchez could hide behind the "young quarterback" label and play a complementary role. But the Jets needed more leadership and better play from Sanchez last season. The late-season feud with Holmes was an example of Sanchez's lack of assertiveness. The quarterback doesn't always need to be the best player on the team. But he must be a natural leader who is able to inspire teammates and keep everyone focused.
• In addition to the best corner in football, the Jets also have arguably the best center. Four-time Pro Bowler Nick Mangold is as tough as they come. He played on a bad ankle for long stretches last season and still performed at a high level. He also has the rugged persona to challenge teammates when they get out of line. But how much teamwide leadership can truly come from the center position? Jets left tackle and three-time Pro Bowler D’Brickashaw Ferguson also can help. The offense was in shambles last season, and these two players need to step forward.

Not all the blame falls on the players. Jets head coach Rex Ryan admitted he needs to do a better job of having the pulse of his locker room. Ryan didn't understand the level of dysfunction within his team until it was too late. Ryan said he plans to do more team-building exercises and events to improve chemistry.

"I don't see ... that we got completely off the track," Ryan said. "I think we kind of got in the gravel a little bit, we've just got to right it. And we can't knee-jerk reaction and we'll roll it the other way. So you know, there's ways of handling this type of thing. I think our football team is a little closer than people give us credit for. But again, I'm excited about the challenge."

The Jets are at a crossroads. Is 2012 the time to rebuild or simply tweak?

One year ago, New York played in its second straight AFC Championship Game. But the team finished without a winning record this past season for the first time under Ryan. New York also is expected to lose veterans such as LaDainian Tomlinson, Plaxico Burress, Jim Leonhard and potentially Bart Scott, who was recently given permission to seek a trade. The Jets will replace the talent, but it will be harder to replace the lost leadership.

The Jets better get their act together soon, because the AFC East will be very competitive next season. The New England Patriots were just a touchdown short of winning the Super Bowl, and the Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills are expected to improve.

There is also the looming prospect of Miami's landing future Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning, who is expected to be released this month by the Indianapolis Colts. That would leave most football observers picking the Jets to finish third in the division, especially if they can't resolve their internal issues.

The New York Daily News reports the Jets are interested in bringing back veteran receiver Braylon Edwards. He spent one year in New York in 2010 and had one of his most successful seasons.

Here are some thoughts on Edwards' possible return to New York:

• Edwards would come on the cheap, which is good for the Jets. The former first-round pick has talent but was a free-agent bust last year with the San Francisco 49ers. He suffered a knee injury, caught just 15 passes and was eventually released. The Jets are searching for cap-friendly alternatives, and Edwards could fit. New York could probably get Edwards with a one-year contract to see how he bounces back in 2012.
• Edwards, when healthy, can bring big plays to any offense. He averaged 17.1 yards per reception in 2010 with the Jets. New York's starting receivers Santonio Holmes and Plaxico Burress combined for just 14 receptions of 20 yards or more last season.
• But injuries should be considered. The Jets can't automatically assume they're getting the Edwards of two years ago. Edwards, 29, had a season-ending knee injury and a shoulder ailment that bothered him in 2011. He didn't look like the same player the Jets had. New York has to do its medical homework to see if Edwards is 100 percent and can get back to his old form.
• Finally, Edwards and Holmes seemed to have good chemistry together. The pair worked off each other well in 2010 and led New York's deep playoff run. Togetherness and teamwork are big catchphrases in New York this offseason after last year's internal implosion. If Edwards can help quarterback Mark Sanchez get on track and open up things for Holmes, it may be worth a look, especially if Edward's price tag is cheap.