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In Part III of his schedule review, Dan looks at December that could have a couple of difficult games for the Jets . . .
12/2 Sunday Arizona 1:00 p.m.* FOX*
The Arizona Cardinals’ QB situation is just as foggy as the Jets. After making a trade with Philadelphia for Kevin Kolb last year, they don’t seem to be in love with him. In his defense, he had no off-season to learn the system because of the lockout, so he could take a big step this year. Fordham’s John Skelton hopes to unseat him this summer.
The Cardinals were very quiet in free agency adding with the biggest move being signing former San Francisco 49er guard Adam Snyder to a five-year contract.
If Darrelle Revis can contain fellow Pitt Panther Larry Fitzgerald, they Jets should be able to get a “W” here. This Cardinal team does not look to be a juggernaut
12/9 Sunday at Jacksonville 1:00 p.m.* CBS*
Tim Tebow’s homecoming and the place will be rocking. Expect the Jets to have a bigger package in for him this week. This could have the feel of a Jets home game, with all the Tebow fans in the house, and all the New Yorkers that live in Florida, who will likely flood the stadium.
Mike Lombardi doesn’t think QB Blaine Gabbert is very good, and I tend to agree with him. He has a terrible habit of recoiling when he feels pressure.
12/17 Monday at Tennessee 8:30 p.m. ESPN
It’s unclear if Matt Hasselbeck or Jake Locker will be the quarterback in Tennessee.
As per usual, the Titans weren’t very active in free agency. They lost their best cornerback, Cortland Finnegan, to St. Louis, and two decent defensive lineman, William Hayes (Rams) and Jason Jones (Seahawks)
Their biggest free agent signing was DE Kam Wimbley from Oakland, who gave the Jets fits last year in the Jets loss to the Raiders.
Once again, this a very winnable game for the Jets.
12/23 Sunday San Diego 8:20 p.m.* NBC*
The Chargers went the continuity route, retaining Norv Turner, and it should benefit them this year.
This should be a heck of a game. San Diego seems poised for a big year. They quietly might have done the best job in free agency of any team. They added quite a few players including wide receiver Robert Meachem (Saints) and Eddie Royal (Broncos), along with a Rex fave, OLB Jarret Johnson from Baltimore.
They also did a nice job of retaining some of their own key free agents, including LT Jared Gaither, C Nick Hardwick and NT Antonio Garay.
I really like San Diego this year, and I don’t think the Jets are going to win the game.
12/30 Sunday at Buffalo 1:00 p.m.* CBS*
This game could be fun with a lot riding on it. Buffalo should be a Wildcat contender this year. So much is made of the addition of DE Mario Williams, and rightfully so, but they also added another talented end, in Mark Anderson (New England), who gave the Jets issues last year.
Two keys for the Bills entering the draft – they need to add a left tackle (perhaps Iowa’s Riley Rieff), though they do like second-year player Chris Hairston, and they need to add a WR to compliment Stevie Johnson. If they can accomplish both, they are going to be a tough out for opponents this year.
This should be a terrific game in possible arctic conditions.
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