Offensive coordinator Chain Gailey batted leadoff or led off, addressing his new arsenal, which includes a plethora of returning players as well as the addition of versatile running back Matt Forte. In 2015 as his first year as the Jets' OC, Gailey's unit set the franchise total-yards record and WR Brandon Marshall set the franchise mark for receptions and tied the mark for receiving touchdowns.
"It's hard to compare year to year," Gailey said. "I expect us to be very successful. Everybody only uses statistics to determine that, but sometimes they don't tell the whole story. I know some things we need to improve on — turnovers, presnap penalties, and some things like that. If we improve on some of those things, I think we'll be better."
Like the offense, the defense has a lot of returning players as well. However, Kacy Rodgers' unit has undergone a slight makeover, especially on the edge. Second-year Louisville product Lorenzo Mauldin is the starter on one end. Opposite him was expected to be rookie Jordan Jenkins as he received the majority of first team reps throughout training camp and the first two preseason games. However, his status for Sunday's game is uncertain due to a calf injury.
"Yes, he is," Rodgers said when asked if fourth-year LB Mike Catapano is the starter if Jenkins doesn't play. "Catapano is one of the guys we got last year and he just kept flashing and flashing. He's done a really good, solid job for us."
In his first year as Jets' special team coordinator, Brant Boyer has created a fresh buzz highlighted by two rookies.
"Well, I've seen steady improvement. He's got a ways to go, but he's done a great job of buying in. He's improved every day," Boyer said about punter Lachlan Edwards, who added about returner Jalin Marshall, "He's done a fantastic job learning the tracks and running stuff how we wanted to run it. He's got run skill and short-area quicks and he's done a really nice job."
