Brian Schottenheimer: We can win with these receivers

With the chasm [editor's note:  thanks, Josh, for not using "schism"] between the Broncos and Brandon Marshall widening by the minute, teams with perceived needs at wide receiver are being grilled about trading for the suspended wideout.

Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, one of those fielding Marshall queries, took it as a chance to express his faith in the guys already on his roster.

“I think we can win with these guys,” Schottenheimer said.  “Everybody is going to look at our wide receivers and say that we don’t have a big name.  I still think and feel that Jerricho [Cotchery] is a big name.  But I think we are going to have a really solid group and we’re pretty deep.  We are going to ask these guys to do things that they do very well.  David Clowney is extremely fast. But if you turn on film and you watch it, he’s done a hell of a job in the running game, blocking.”

Schottenheimer also mentioned Chansi Stuckey and Brad Smith as players he believes will help the Jets win this season, but strong words will only erase so many of the question marks.

Clowney is extremely fast.  That speed has translated to just one catch over two seasons with the Jets.  He’s got five catches for 135 yards and two scores this preseason, but most have come against second-stringers. Stuckey and Smith have more experience.  Little of it came as starters and/or primary targets in an offense.

In addition to Marshall whispers, the Jets have also reportedly been showing interest in receivers who might not earn a spot with the Eagles. There figure to be other names added to the list as rosters get pared down in the next two weeks.

With Mark Sanchez officially installed as the starting quarterback, the Jets will keep getting asked about the guys tasked with catching his passes.  And they won’t stop until some or all of them prove they can help the rookie succeed in the passing game.