Jets the new AFC East favorites?

There are a lot of things New England fans would be happy to say about the J-E-T-S Jets Jets Jets - many of which aren't printable if we want to protect the PG nature of this blog.

But early 2010 has provided us with something else you have to say about Rex Ryan and Co.: They knew what this year meant.

The Jets have taken a no holds barred approach to a no holds barred offseason, gleefully working with the absence of the salary cap to bring in veterans such as LaDainian Tomlinson and Jason Taylor, stars like Santonio Holmes and Antonio Cromartie, and a potential dynamic rookie in cornerback Kyle Wilson.

They're all moves that signify that this is the year for the Men in the Meadowlands - but is it?

The Jets have reloaded an already stocked defense. With Cromarite, Wilson and stud cover man Darrelle Revis, it'll be hard to throw on the Jets. With Shaun Ellis and the return of vaunted nose tackle Kris Jenkins, it'll be hard to run on the Jets.

The offense has arguably gotten better. With Holmes, electrifying (albeit drop-prone) Braylon Edwards, emerging tight end Dustin Keller and a fearsome duo of Shonn Greene and Tomlinson at the running back position, it'll be hard to defend the Jets, as well.

The Jets, however, did lose productive running back Thomas Jones, Pro Bowl guard Alan Faneca, and hard-hitting safety Kerry Rhodes.

So are the Jets better? And have they passed the Patriots?

Conventionally, one would say no. The division champ is still the champ until taken down, and in football, individuality is thrown out more than in any other sport. The Jets unquestionably added talent. Did they add the right team pieces, however, is a different question, and one that won't be answered until the 2010 season gets underway.

Still, a look at the roster shows the Jets will be incredibly difficult to match up against. Their defense gave teams fits throughout the year, and was almost enough to carry New York, not even a playoff team entering the final week, into the Super Bowl. That defense has gotten better, and more versatile.

Furthermore, the Patriots don't have the playmaking ability (as of yet) to match up with New York. Brandon Meriweather is New England's big play hope. Otherwise, the defense is filled with steady players that make the play that comes their way, but rarely branch out of their roles to make the plays that can turn a game around. The Jets, on the other hand, are built for those chances.

The Patriots had glaring issues that were only partly addressed in the draft. They still can't rush the passer. They'll still be questionable in defending top-tier quarterbacks. The wide receiver position is still deteriorating, more so with the loss of Wes Welker, though the addition of Torry Holt helps.

That's not to say they don't have talented players. But the Patriots will have a weekly edge in only two spots: the quarterback and head coach. Everything else can be neutralized.

And with the Jets ready to make a statement this year, that's not a good thing.