One more step

Parcells tries to push Vinny, Jets into the Super Bowl

Mo Lewis must generate a pass rush, something the Jets lacked last season. David Seelig/Allsport

The New York Jets, defending champions of the NFL's toughest division and runners-up to the Broncos in the AFC, open their 1999 training camp at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y., on July 30. Here are a few questions from Sports Illustrated's Dr. Z, followed by CNNSI.com's perspective on some of the issues facing the Jets this season.

Dr. Z wants to know:

l) Where do you find guards? O.K., who's the wiseguy who said Attica?

2) Is Vinny Testaverde ready for another Pro Bowl year at quarterback? I'll answer that. Why not?

3) Is Bill Parcells ready to get serious about his special teams, which cost him the AFC title game against Denver?

4) Is he going to run Curtis Martin into the ground again, as he did last season (when Martin carried the ball 369 times while other running backs carried it 93 times), or is he going to let somebody else learn what it's like to lug the old pigskin?

5) Is there a pass-rushing lineman hidden somewhere that we don't know about? Last year's leading sacker, blitzing linebacker Mo Lewis, finished tied for 41st in the league.

6) Have they assigned a guy to explain to left tackle Jumbo Elliott that the correct door to go through is the one that says "Gents" on it?

The Jets can make the playoffs if: Testaverde turns in a repeat performance of '98, when he led the AFC in passing efficiency, threw 29 touchdown passes and made the Pro Bowl; Parcells gets other running backs involved and reduces the wear and tear on Martin; and they find reliable replacements for departed starting guards Matt O'Dwyer (signed with Cincinnati) and Todd Burger (cut). This is a pretty old team and speculation is it might be Parcells' last year on the sidelines. The coach certainly won't suffer slackers gladly -- or hesitate to pull off a deal. But he's stacked with talented veterans and a surplus of offensive firepower.

Jets Facts 1998 record: 12-4 (First in AFC East) Coach: Bill Parcells (130-92-1 overall, 21-11 in two seasons with Jets) Stadium: Giants Stadium (79,466, artificial turf) 1998 rankings: Offense -- 13th run, fourth pass, fourth overall. Defense -- 14th vs. run, ninth vs. pass, seventh overall. Depth chart 1998 results 1998 player statistics 1999 schedule CNN/SI Projection: 12-4

Pivotal games: Oct. 11 vs. Jacksonville; Dec. 27 at Miami. The Jets enjoyed one of the NFL's 10 easiest schedules in 1998. Things get tricker this year, as they traverse the league's second-toughest regular-season road. The Jets take on four 1998 playoff teams in the first five weeks -- and 11 playoff teams overall. Monday night matchups with two Florida foes -- Jacksonville (early) and Miami (late) -- could determine their fate.

On the hot seat: Can Testaverde handle the high expectations? He began last year as Glenn Foley's backup and was known mainly as a career underachiever. Now's he's at the helm of the reigning division champs. This team enters the season with a win-it-all mentality. And Parcells will show very little patience with projects and anyone else who isn't clearly helping the team in the short term. Defensive end Dorian Boose, last year's top draft pick, is one of those borderline guys. He needs to get tough and develop into a more complete player to stay out of the coach's doghouse.

Up-and-comers: Running back Leon Johnson and nose tackle Jason Ferguson. After a brilliant rookie year in which he was the team's top return man, Johnson suffered through something of a sophomore jinx in '98 (185 yards on 41 carries). He's a pretty good receiver and a north-south runner who can break tackles, so look for Johnson to serve as the Jets' third-down back, provided he stays injury free. Ferguson, probably Parcells' best draft pick with the Jets, led the line in tackles last year and was a force inside. He'll likely rotate at NT with Ernie Logan.

Player Movement Unrestricted Free Agents Restricted Free Agents Players Lost Mike Frederick, DE, from Bal. Eric Green, TE, from Bal. Roman Phifer, LB, from Stl. Tom Tupa, P-QB, from N.E. Scott Zolak, QB, from N.E. Vinny Testaverde, QB, re-signed Dwayne Gordon, LB, re-signed Ray Mickens, CB, re-signed Matt O'Dwyer, G, Cin.

1999 Draft Picks Round Overall Pick Player Pos School 2 57 Randy Thomas OG Mississippi St. 3 90 David Loverne OG San Jose St. 4 123 Jason Wiltz DT Nebraska 5 162 Jermaine Jones DB Northwestern St. 6 183 Mark Megna ILB Richmond 6 197 J.P. Machado OG Illinois 7 223 Ryan Young OT Kansas St. 7 235 J.J. Syvrud DT