Thomas Jones, acquired in a trade with Chicago the previous March to be the featured back, faltered in his first year in the AFC, averaging only 3.6 yards a carry after gaining at least 4 yards per attempt in each of his previous four seasons.

So speculation ran rampant that the Jets might draft Arkansas' dynamic Darren McFadden in the first round to compete with Jones or even take his job. That didn't happen, as McFadden was gone two spots before the Jets picked and they instead took defensive end Vernon Gholston from Ohio State.

And one year later, running back and offensive line are two of the areas in which the Jets don't need immediate help, but there are other positions that will need to be addressed once they hire a new head coach and find out whether Brett Favre wants to try to squeeze one more NFL season out of his 39-year-old arm.

"It's definitely bittersweet," Jones said of leading the AFC in rushing yards in a season that ended with the Jets missing the playoffs and firing coach Eric Mangini. "I think I worked really hard this year, like I do every year. My [offensive] line did a great job blocking for me and giving me holes."

That line was fortified before the 2008 season by the signing of free agents Alan Faneca at left guard and Damien Woody at right tackle. If all goes as planned, the Jets should enter the 2009 season with the same five starters on the offensive line from the previous year for the first time since 2001. Fullback Tony Richardson will be 37 years old by opening day, but he still is a very effective blocker and likely will be re-signed.

Wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery has a long-term deal while Laveranues Coles, who has one year left on his contract, would like a long-term deal. While those two are very productive, neither is a game-breaker, and finding a fast wideout should be a priority this off-season, although it's possible David Clowney, who appeared in only two games in 2008, could fill that void. He is by far the fastest receiver on the current roster.

Although Dustin Keller slumped near the end of the season, the tight end appears to be a future star. Chris Baker signed a contract extension in September and wants to be back, while it seems clear that Bubba Franks' Jet career will be one and done.

It's tougher to gauge what might happen on defense, because so much depends on whether the new head coach retains the 3-4 defense or decides to switch to the 4-3. If the team switches to the 4-3, it would have a surplus of linebackers. Eric Barton, the only Jet to top the 100 mark in tackles in 2008, is an unrestricted free agent and is likely to leave.

A potential switch to a 4-3 could have a negative impact on linebacker Calvin Pace, who has five years left on his Jets' deal after coming over from Arizona. He is much more suited for the 3-4. Gholston probably would welcome a move to the 4-3, as he struggled mightily as a rookie trying to adjust to the 3-4.

If Ty Law doesn't come back, the Jets will need to find a starter at right cornerback. They also must make a decision at kicker, as both Mike Nugent and Jay Feely are free agents. Feely filled in well after Nugent's injury and connected on his last 14 field-goal attempts.

Ryan radar

The Jets have received permission to talk to Baltimore defensive coordinator Rex Ryan about their vacant head coaching position, but no interview has been scheduled yet. Ryan's team visits Miami in a first-round playoff game Sunday. The Jets will interview in-house candidates Brian Schottenheimer and Bill Callahan on Friday and Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo on Saturday.

E-mail: pelzman@northjersey.com