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Notes and observations on the Jets and the NFL:

1. MARKED MAN: This notion that the Jets are setting up Mark Sanchez to fail because they want Tim Tebow to be the starting quarterback is total bunk. (One talking head actually suggested "the fix is in.") To paraphrase Wes Welker, the Jets have 20 million reasons to root for Sanchez -- the $20.5 million he's guaranteed in 2012 and 2013. Like they say in the old mob movies, just follow the money. That's how it works in professional sports. Why would the Jets want Sanchez, the handpicked QB of Rex Ryan and Mike Tannenbaum, to crash and burn? Yeah, the coaches and players are talking up Tebow (Darrelle Revis was in full gush), but it's just hot air in May. Here's the thing about players: They'll back whichever QB gives them the best chance to win. Right now, that's Sanchez. The organization hopes it stays that way.

2. DECISIONS, DECISIONS: QBs coach Matt Cavanaugh, in an interview with the New York Daily News, said most of Sanchez's 18 interceptions last season resulted from poor decisions. No kidding. Check out this stat: Over the last three seasons, Sanchez has thrown 38 interceptions when facing four or fewer rushers, according to ESPN Stats & Information. The bloated total, tied with Drew Brees for most in the league, suggests that, yes, he makes bad decisions when opponents use a standard rush and drop at least seven into coverage. By the way, Brees has 62 more TD passes than Sanchez against such pressure.

3. RINGING THE BELL: The Jets envision newly-signed safety Yeremiah Bell as a starter, meaning a Bell-LaRon Landry safety tandem. Here's the concern with that pairing: Both players are new to Ryan's defensive system, which is mentally challenging for the safeties. You need a cerebral player back there to make calls, and you could have the blind leading the blind with Bell and Landry. That's why Jim Leonhard was always so valuable; he knew how to get everybody lined up.

4. RUN, JOEY, RUN: Joey Clinkscales decided to leave his post as the head of college scouting, in part, because he was frustrated he wasn't given a bigger say on draft picks, according to a league source. He let his contract expire and took a job as the Raiders' director of player personnel -- maybe not a lateral move, but not a significant advancement, either. I hear the Jets, perhaps trying to convince him to stay, gave him a bigger say in the recent draft. Obviously, that didn't do the trick.

5. THE NEW GUY: The Jets hired Midwest scout Jeff Bauer to replace Clinkscales. Interesting background: He was a high-school coach in the Kansas City area and his backup QB was Mike Bradway, son of then-Chiefs executive Terry Bradway, according to the Des Moines Register. Bauer and the elder Bradway became friendly. A short time later, in 2001, Bradway was hired as the Jets' GM and he wound up hiring Bauer as the Midwest scout. Bradway remains with the Jets as a senior personnel executive. Bauer's glowing scouting report on RB Shonn Greene was one of the reasons why they drafted him in 2009.

6. MY TURN: I see that former Jets punter Steve Weatherford called me out on Twitter, claiming it was out of context to say he "ripped" Sanchez. I like Weatherford -- I wrote a glowing profile of him a few days before the Giants' Super Bowl win -- but this is a classic case of an athlete making a stink about the headline instead of owning up to his quotes below the headline. There's no doubt that Weatherford was critical of Sanchez's maturity level. That's the real story, not the headline.

7. MARSHALL PLAN: Because of Tony Sparano's background with the Dolphins, the Jets have been watching some Miami tape in an effort to learn his system. Rookie wide receiver Stephen Hill has spent a lot of time studying ex-Dolphin Brandon Marshall, another big-bodied wideout. Hopefully, Hill doesn't try to emulate Marshall's lack of balance along the sideline.

8. ROGER THAT: I'm dating myself here, but offensive line coach Dave DeGuglielmo's effusive defense of right tackle Wayne Hunter reminded of a long-ago quote from a long-forgotten Jets assistant. If you didn't catch it, DeGuglielmo said of Hunter, "Until they tell me otherwise, until they ship him out of this building or until they shoot me dead in my office, that sonofagun is going to be the starting right tackle." Back in '87 or '88, running backs coach Bobby Hammond was peppered with questions about the struggling Roger Vick, a No. 1 pick in '87. Hammond got fired up and said he'd "go to my grave" believing Vick would be a top back. That was a swing and a big miss; we're talking a Dave Kingman miss.

9. THE POWER OF BILL: Welker wouldn't make a good agent. He told reporters his contract negotiations have "actually gotten worse," and suddenly there's a story in the Boston Globe saying those comments weren't well-received in the Belichick bunker. So Welker backtracked, saying it was "probably a bad choice of words" and insisting he's happy with his franchise tag. At least he didn't say they were taken out of context; give him credit for that.

10. TALL TALE: 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh told a radio program that Michael Crabtree has "the best hands I've ever seen on a wide receiver." Wow, and they say Rex Ryan is prone to hyperbole.

Mark Sanchez has received a lot of criticism this offseason, the latest coming from an unlikely source -- the punter.

Wait, make that the ex-punter.

New York Giant Steve Weatherford, whose 15 minutes of fame have lasted five months, questioned Sanchez's maturity this week during an NFL.com podcast.

"I like Mark -- I think he's a very talented quarterback -- but from my standpoint, I haven't seen a lot of maturation," said Weatherford, making the media rounds this week because the Giants received their Super Bowl rings. "When you're a quarterback and you come in, and you're expected to be the face of the franchise, and you're expected to lead the team.

"That's a lot to take on as a rookie. But as the years go on, I think you're expected to mature, skill-wise, and also mature as a leader, and to be honest with you, as much as I like the guy, I just haven't seen that."

Weatherford has been removed from the Jets for a year. He was Sanchez's teammate in 2009 and 2010, when they reached back-to-back AFC Championship Games, but the Jets decided not to re-sign Weatherford last offseason. He landed with the Giants and, lo and behold, he was a pivotal player in their championship run, landing a new contract.

Weatherford also was critical of Jets special teams coach Mike Westhoff at various points during the season.

Thoughts and observations on another relatively quiet day for the Jets:

1. The Jets' re-signing of PK Nick Folk might not be popular among the fan base, but you have to take a big-picture view of the situation. Five kickers received the franchise tag, significantly reducing the number of options. Statistically, Folk is an average kicker, but at least they know what they've got. There will be some competition in camp, but it will be his job to lose. Maybe the Jets are trying to avoid a repeat of the Steve Weatherford disaster, turning your back on an average to decent player and having to watch him become a Super Bowl hero -- mocking you at every turn.

2. Jets fans seem to be getting restless with the team's uncharacteristic inactivity. Be patient, championships aren't won in March. The Jets always used to act like they were, but now they're taking a methodical approach. Teams are throwing around crazy money, like the Jaguars paying more than $6 million-a-year for WR Laurent Robinson, a one-year wonder. For a change, the Jets are exercising restraint.

3. Free-agent WR Chaz Schilens (Raiders) is coming to town for a visit. Makes sense. The Jets apparently don't have a lot of money allocated for the No. 2 WR spot, which explains why they're exploring the second tier. Why spend big when you're going to be a run-oriented offense and already have a lot tied up in Santonio Holmes? A source confirmed they also have reached out to former Jet Jerricho Cotchery, who told me Wednesday he'd be open to a return

4. The safety search continues, with their top three options still on the board -- Reggie Nelson (Bengals), LaRon Landry (Redskins) and Brandon Meriweather (Bears). Nelson probably is the safest of the three and he's the best in pass coverage. Landry can be a force around the line of scrimmage but has durability issues. Meriweather? Frankly, I'm not sure why they're interested, but he's expected to visit. The Jets spoke to Nelson's rep Wednesday, but no visit has been scheduled. The Bengals reportedly want him back.

5. Speaking of safeties, free agent Brodney Pool visited the Cowboys (he almost signed there last year) and the Jets released Gerald Alexander. That leaves the Jets with only two safeties under contract -- Eric Smith and Tracy Wilson.

6. Speaking of safeties, part II: Former Jet Dwight Lowery, traded to the Jaguars last preseason, re-upped with the Jaguars for $13.6 million over four years. Ok, so maybe it wasn't the Jets' best trade.

7. Free-agent OLB Jamaal Westerman, a non-tendered free agent, visited the Dolphins. They like him a lot, surprised the Jets let him hit the open market. I wouldn't be shocked if a deal gets done.

INDIANAPOLIS -- We all know how Steve Weatherford feels about Mike Westhoff, his former special-teams coach with the Jets. On Thursday, Weatherford ratcheted up the criticism of Westhoff, suggesting Westhoff doesn't know as much about punting as he thinks he knows.

Weatherford wasn't re-signed by the Jets even though he tied an NFL record for most punts inside the 20.

"That wasn't good enough for Mike Westhoff," a sarcastic Weatherford told ESPNNewYork.com at the Giants' media session. "I'm playing for a guy now (Tom Quinn) that's got a Super Bowl ring, so that's not a guy I care to talk about. He does a lot of complaining, but recently he hasn't produced much."

Weatherford was alluding to unflattering comments made by Westhoff in the preseason and early in the season, after Weatherford had signed with the Giants. In various interviews, Westhoff said he was "very, very disappointed" in certain aspects of Weatherford's game, also saying he "wasn't good enough."

Weatherford thinks he knows why Westhoff unloaded on him.

"He saw the punter struggles they were having with the guys they were having compete for the job," he said, "and they started hammering him: 'Why did you let Weatherford go?' He said, 'He wasn't good enough.'

"It's a waste of my breath. Who wants to hear that? He lets Ben Graham go, and Ben Graham is a Pro Bowl alternate the next season. If I'm the GM, I'm thinking, 'What's the common denominator?'"

Interestingly, former Jets punters have played in three of the last four Super Bowls -- Weatherford, Jeremy Kapinos (Steelers, 2010) and Graham (Cards, 2009).

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Jets' blog has landed in Indianapolis for Super Bowl XLVI. We'll keep you posted on Jets-related items throughout the week, but let's start with a rundown of former Jets playing in the Super Bowl.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS:

• DE Shaun Ellis --Chased the Super Bowl for 11 years with the Jets, signed with the Patriots and made it in his first try. Strictly a role player; only three snaps in the AFC Championship Game.

• S James Ihedigbo -- Never amounted to more than a special-teams player for the Jets, but has emerged as a starter in the Patriots' thin secondary.

• RB Danny Woodhead -- The diminutive back made the Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2010, but they tried to get cute with some roster juggling and got swiped by the Patriots. Now their third-down back.

Coaches: Bill Belichick, Pepper Johnson (defensive line).

NEW YORK GIANTS

• RT Kareem McKenzie -- Former third-round pick, signed with the Giants in 2005 and has been a rock at right tackle.

• RB D.J. Ware -- Had a cup of coffee with the Jets in 2007, now used in a third-down role.

• P Steve Weatherford -- Booted by the Jets after two seasons, but has found happiness with the Giants. Gave lip readers a shock last week with his profanity-laced celebration after the NFC Championship.

Coaches: Peter Guinta (secondary), David Merritt (secondary), Jim Herrmann (linebackers), Larry Izzo (assistant special teams) and Markus Paul (strength and conditioning).

The Nnamdi Asomugha soap opera dominated Friday, but there were other comings and goings as well. Backup CB Drew Coleman, a role player over the last five seasons, signed a three-year contract with the Jaguars. The total value could range anywhere from $6.2 million to $7.4 million, according to a league source -- a nice score for a No. 3 corner.

The Jets made an offer to Coleman, according to a source. Interestingly, the negotiations with the Jaguars didn't heat up until mid-afternoon, when the Jets were in the middle of their Nnamdi vigil. We hear that secondary coach Dennis Thurman wasn't pleased at all with the Coleman loss.

Coleman never was the most consistent player in pass coverage, but he developed last season into a secret weapon on blitzes. He recorded four sacks, only one off the team lead, showing the ability to take down some of the biggest quarterbacks. In fact, he sacked the Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger twice in their regular-season meeting.

If he had remained with the Jets, Coleman would've been the No. 3 or No. 4 corner, probably behind Darrelle Revis, the other starter (fill in the blank) and perhaps Kyle Wilson.

On Friday night, the Jets came to terms with former Bucs P Chris Bryan, according to his agent. The 6-5, 220-pound Bryan, nicknamed Bear, is from Melbourne, Australia, and played in the Australian Football League, a la Ben Graham. He has only four games of NFL experience, all last season with the Bucs. He will compete with T.J. Conley for the punting job.

The Jets' old punter, Steve Weatherford, signed Friday with the Giants.

Also Friday:

• The Jets signed three of their six draft choices -- RB Bilal Powell (fourth round), QB Greg McElroy (seventh) and WR Scotty McKnight (seventh).

• As expected, they released QB Erik Ainge, who missed last season as he battled drug and alcohol additions. Ainge announced recently his plans to retire from football. They also released QB Mark Brunell and waived QB Kevin O'Connell, but you knew that already.

• They signed two undrafted free agents -- OL Curtis Duron (Missouri State) and CB Jeremy McGee (Ole Miss.)

• Lastly, former Jets No. 1 pick Vernon Gholston signed with the Bears. He's the new Monster of the Midway. Not.

The NFL released its list of free agents Monday night. No surprises here -- the Jets have 16 unrestricted free agents (four or more accrued seasons) and one restricted free agent (three accrued seasons). Here you go:

UNRESTRICTED

FB Tony Richardson
DE Trevor Pryce
DE Shaun Ellis
WR Braylon Edwards
OL Wayne Hunter
S Brodney Pool
QB Kellen Clemens
CB Drew Coleman
CB Antonio Cromartie
WR Santonio Holmes
LB Lance Laury
WR Brad Smith
S Eric Smith
P Steve Weatherford
PK Nick Folk
S James Ihedigbo

RESTRICTED

OL Robert Turner

With the NFL labor dispute reportedly in its final stages, the lockout could be lifted as soon as Friday -- and you know what that means. It'll be madness, with free-agent signings, rookie signings, trades, etc.

As a refresher, here's an updated depth chart (our version), based on the roster posted on NewYorkJets.com. Unrestricted free agents are in caps, rookies in italics.

Some quick observations: Obviously, the big story is wide receiver, where the Jets have three key free agents. Potentially, they also face significant turnover in the secondary. They're thin on the offensive line and linebacker, areas that could be targeted with undrafted free agents.

So here you go, a complete depth chart. Chances are, it's going to look a lot different in about 10 days.

OFFENSE

WR BRAYLON EDWARDS, BRAD SMITH, Patrick Turner, Logan Payne
LT D'Brickashaw Ferguson
LG Matt Slauson, Dennis Landolt
C Nick Mangold, Rob Turner, Robby Felix
RG Brandon Moore, Marlon Davis
RT Vladimir Ducasse, WAYNE HUNTER
TE Dustin Keller, Matt Mulligan, Jeff Cumberland
WR SANTONIO HOLMES, Jerricho Cotchery, Jeremy Kerley, Scotty McKnight
QB Mark Sanchez, Mark Brunell, KELLEN CLEMENS, Kevin O'Connell, Greg McElroy
FB TONY RICHARDSON, John Conner
RB Shonn Greene, LaDainian Tomlinson, Joe McKnight, Bilal Powell, Carlos Brown, Chris Jennings

DEFENSE

DE SHAUN ELLIS, Ropati Pitoitua, Muhammad Wilkerson
NT Sione Pouha, Martin Tevaseu, Kenrick Ellis
DT Mike DeVito, TREVOR PRYCE, Marcus Dixon, Jarron Gilbert, Matt Kroul, Carlton Powell
OLB Calvin Pace, Garrett McIntyre
ILB Bart Scott, Josh Mauga, Joey LaRocque, Brian Toal
ILB David Harris, LANCE LAURY, Brashton Satele
OLB Bryan Thomas, Jamaal Westerman, Brandon Long
CB ANTONIO CROMARTIE, Kyle Wilson, Marquice Cole, Will Billingsley
CB Darrelle Revis, DREW COLEMAN, Ellis Lankster, Richard Taylor
S Jim Leonhard, Dwight Lowery, Emmanuel Cook
S BRODNEY POOL, ERIC SMITH, JAMES IHEDIGBO

SPECIALISTS

PK NICK FOLK, Nick Novak
P STEVE WEATHERFORD, T.J. Conley
LS Tanner Purdum

ESPNNewYork.com is providing a daily breakdown on how the lockout is affecting the individual position groups.

Position: Special teams.

Depth chart: PK -- Nick Folk, Nick Novak; P -- Steve Weatherford, T.J. Conley; KOR -- Brad Smith, Antonio Cromartie; PR -- Joe McKnight, Jeremy Kerley (R), Kyle Wilson, Jerricho Cotchery, Jim Leonhard; LS -- Tanner Purdum.

Not under contract: Folk, Weatherford, Smith, Cromartie, James Ihedigbo (coverage), Eric Smith (coverage) and Drew Coleman (coverage).

Player hurt most by lockout: We'll go with a coach -- special teams coordinator Mike Westhoff.

Player with most to gain: N/A.

Analysis: Westhoff's depth chart looks like Swiss cheese right now, with key free agents in nearly every unit. Like all special-teams coaches, he relies heavily on rookies and undrafted free agents to compete for spots, but that will be difficult because the rookies and UDFAs (still not allowed to sign) will be far behind when they arrive. It'll be tough, but if any coach can put together a solid unit in a few weeks (if there's that much time), it's Westhoff.

If the Jets can retain most of their key free agents, they should be fine, especially at punt returner. This is their deepest group of punt returners in years, although you have to figure that Leonhard and Cotchery -- both coming off major injuries -- will have to be eased back, if they're needed. The concern is at kicker and punter, especially if the incumbents -- Folk and Weatherford -- don't return. There won't be much time to find and/or settle on replacements.

This is the final installment in a nine-part series that will analyze the Jets' needs, position by position, in the upcoming draft.

Position: Special Teams.

Depth Chart: Nick Folk (PK), Steve Weatherford (P), Tanner Purdum (LS), Brad Smith (KR), Joe McKnight (PR), Jim Leonhard (PR), Jerricho Cotchery (PR), Kyle Wilson (PR).

Not Under Contract: Folk, Weatherford, Smith.

Scouting Report: This looms as a season of transition for STC Mike Westhoff. Then again, what else is new? The Jets seem willing to retain Folk, who received his draft-round tender (sixth) as a potential restricted free agent, but they relinquished their rights to Weatherford. That doesn't preclude Weatherford from returning, but the team will shop around for a punter. Smith, who led the league in kickoff returns, could be an RFA or UFA, depending on how the labor mess shakes out. His value is hurt by the new kickoff rules, but he's still a guy the Jets want to re-sign. McKnight will get first dibs on the punt-returning job. Two of the team's top tacklers, James Ihedigbo and Eric Smith, unsigned. Like we said, prepare for a transition.

The Last Time: In 2005, the Jets arrogantly thought they were one player away from a championship and used their first pick (in the second round) on PK Mike Nugent, who couldn't stay healthy. Nothing worse than an injured kicker.

Potential Targets: It would be an upset if the Jets use one of their six picks on a kicker or punter, but there are a few draftable prospects. The top punters are Ryan Donahue (Iowa) and Chas Henry (Florida), who averaged 45.1 and won the Ray Guy Award. Henry also was an emergency FG kicker, adding to his value. The question is, how will a punter from the SEC handle the cold, windy conditions of the Northeast? The top PKs are Kai Forbath (UCLA) -- another warm-weather guy -- and Alex Henery (Nebraska), who developed a rep as a big-game performer. Interestingly, the Jets are taking a hard look at WR/KR Randall Cobb (Kentucky), a Brad Smith clone. Because the Jets are likely to draft an outside linebacker and safety, Westhoff should have at least two potential reinforcements for his coverage and blocking units. He usually picks up a couple of players from the pool of UDFAs, but that pool is closed until there's a CBA.

Need Factor (on a scale of 1 to 10): 7.

The ever-quotable Mike Westhoff, the Jets' special teams coach, delivered a motivational speech Tuesday at the Daytop rehab center and school in the Rockwell-ian town of Mendham, N.J. Anybody who caught Westhoff last summer on HBO's "Hard Knocks" knows he can take over a room with his dynamic, non-nonsense personality (and sometimes salty vocabulary).

In a 30-minute speech to about 70 students and counselors, followed by a chat afterward with two reporters, Westhoff touched on some Jets-related topics (the rated-G version).

• He referenced last season's memorable upset of the Patriots in the divisional playoffs, saying, "I'd rather beat them than maybe go to heaven." He got big laughs for that line. You can only imagine the reaction in the Foxborough bunker.

• He used special-teams star Brad Smith as an example of someone who overcame naysayers by establishing a plan for himself. Westhoff said he discovered Smith on a scouting trip to Missouri, where Smith was a record-setting quarterback but was told his skills wouldn't translate to the NFL. Cracked Westhoff, "Tell Mike Tannenbaum I can scout pretty good."

• Westhoff on how potential free-agent defections could hurt the special teams: "Is it unnerving? Not any moreso than it normally is ... We'd like to keep as many as possible. To be honest with you, I don't drive myself crazy over it. I know we're going to do what's best for the team ... I love Brad Smith, (but) I have confidence in our system ... I want to try to come up with a system where I can take mine and beat yours or take yours and beat mine."

• For the record, the key special teamers with expired contracts include Smith, PK Nick Folk, P Steve Weatherford, Eric Smith and James Ihedigbo.

• Westhoff, 63, who said last summer that he planned to retire when his contract expires after the 2011 season, left the door open a crack for a possible return. "I'll go one more year and see what happens," he said.

• During a Q&A with the students, the fifth question involved Danny Woodhead -- as in, why did you let him go? Imagine that; right after questions about the lockout, Mark Sanchez, the team's Super Bowl chances and the upcoming draft, somebody wants to know about Woodhead. Amazing. Westhoff said they "took a chance" on exposing Woodhead to waivers -- they wanted to sign a receiver -- and ... well, you know the story.

• Westhoff told a touching and funny story about former Dolphin Bernie Parmalee, now a Chiefs assistant coach. He bumped into Parmalee, one of his all-time favorites, at the recent scouting combine in Indianapolis. Parmalee met Westhoff's son, a law student at Indiana, and told him, "Your dad changed my life."

Parmalee was a truck driver/out-of-work football player when Westhoff discovered him. He was cut several times, but he kept returning to the Dolphins because Westhoff kept lobbying then-coach Don Shula to keep him around. One time, Westhoff went over Shula's head, surrepticiously inviting Parmalee back to practice even though he had just been released. He wound up having a long career, finishing with the Jets in 2000.

• Westhoff said the Jets have been unfairly branded as "the Bad News Bears" of the NFL. "We've had our share of issues, sure, but for the most part, it's first class."

It got lost in the shuffle Tuesday when the Jets announced qualifying offers for nine potential restricted free agents, but there were two players that didn't receive tender offers -- P Steve Weatherford and LB/special teamer Lance Laury.

What does it mean? Well, it means the Jets have relinquished their rights to those players. They will be unrestricted free agents regardless of what system is in place.

Weatherford actually had a pretty solid regular season, tying an NFL record for most punts inside the 20 (42), but he lost his touch in the playoffs and cost the team valuable field position. Weatherford's most memorable moment didn't happen with a punt, it happened when he decided on his own to run for a first down on a fourth-and-18 deep in his own territory. He came up a bit short and received an earful from his coaches.

Laury was supposed to be a special-teams dynamo, but he made no impact even though he led the team with 28 tackles on teams.

This is the 14th part of our daily, position-by-position analysis of the Jets’ roster. This concludes the series.

Focus: Special teams.

Depth chart: Nick Folk (PK), Steve Weatherford (P), Tanner Purdum (LS), Brad Smith (KR), Jim Leonhard (PR), Kyle Wilson (PR), Joe McKnight (PR/KR).

Expiring contracts: Folk, Weatherford, Smith.

Rear-view mirror: Overall, the Jets fielded one of the better special-teams units in the league – and, no, they didn’t get demerits for the Sal Alosi fiasco. The Dallas Morning News, in its annual statistical study of special teams, ranked the Jets No. 7 overall. The bright spots were Smith and Weatherford. Smith, who led the league in kickoff returns, made one of the highlight plays of the year – his shoeless touchdown return against the Bengals. He practically won the game singlehandedly. Weatherford tied an NFL record with 42 punts inside the 20. He lost his touch in the postseason, compiling six touchbacks – two more than his regular-season total. Purdum didn’t have a bad snap all year.

Folk caught a lot of flak, but save for a three-game slump in November, he wasn’t as shaky as critics thought. Five of his nine field-goal misses came in that stretch, but none of them cost the team a victory. His signature moment was his game-winning, 32-yard field goal in the wild-card game against the Colts, a kick that came perilously close to the upright. He lost distance on his kickoffs as the season progressed, but all things considered, he was a solid replacement for Jay Feely.

Numbers game: The kickoff-return unit was outstanding all season, with no returns longer than 44 yards. It’s a shame it let down on the biggest return of the season, late in the AFC title game. Folk’s kickoff was short (to the Steelers’ 14) and the Jets surrendered a 27-yard return, setting up the Steelers in excellent field position.

Crystal ball: Coordinator Mike Westhoff has to be a bit nervous, with his two kickers, his star kickoff returner and his top four tacklers (Lance Laury, James Ihedigbo, Smith and Eric Smith) all due to be free agents. The Jets will try hard to keep Brad Smith and they’d also like to have Weatherford back – unless his asking price is unreasonable. Folk is a tough call. The Jets will look to upgrade, but they could do worse than re-signing Folk to a one-year contract.

Positional rating (scale of 1 to 10): 9.0.