Strong Finish Doesn’t Erase Questions on Jets

The quarterback is attempting to return from a shoulder injury that contributed to a subpar 1988 performance. The defense, ranked 23rd in the National Football League last season, is relying on several rookies. And the team’s most valuable player, without a contract, is home in Wisconsin.

Despite these concerns, the New York Jets open training camp Friday feeling good about the prospects of 1989. Their optimism is based on what occurred at the end of last season. Imagine, the Jets are hoping the past can provide inspiration for the future. That’s a change.

The Jets, who defeated the Indianapolis Colts and New York Giants to finish a rebuilding year at 8-7-1, are counting on a carryover effect. “Hopefully, we’ll have a continuation of what we began last year,” Jet Coach Joe Walton said this week. “We have to use those last few games as the foundation for this season.”

Defensive end Marty Lyons said: “In those last two games, we proved we can beat the so-called contenders. That gave us confidence, but we have to maintain it by getting off to a good start this year.”

It all starts Friday, when 80 players are due at the club’s Hofstra training complex in Hempstead, N.Y. For the first time under Walton, veterans and rookies are required to report on the same day. As of Thursday afternoon, five veterans -- including Al Toon -- and 11 draft choices were unsigned. The first practice is 3 p.m. Sunday.

The major storylines of camp will be:

Ken O’Brien -- Hampered by rotator cuff tendinitis last season, O’Brien will be monitored closely. His throwing in practice will be limited, and don’t expect to see too much of him in preseason games. O’Brien, coming off his least productive season, reported a “little impingement” in his shoulder during minicamp, although he looked sharp in passing drills.

Walton, looking ahead to the regular season, indicated he’s prepared to use Pat Ryan as a frequent relief pitcher, if necessary. “I can really see Pat going in for a few series, and then Kenny coming back in again,” Walton said. “It depends on the situation. If Kenny takes some hard shots, I can use Pat in relief. I believe in both of them, and I think we’ll take advantage of it whenever we can. That will keep them both healthier.”

Jeff Lagemen -- The Jets were widely criticized for selecting Lageman with the 14th pick in the draft. Did the Jets blow the pick? Who will get the last laugh, personnel director Mike Hickey or ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr., who blasted the Jets regarding the pick?

Lageman will get an immediate chance to make the Jets’ braintrust look good. Lagemen, an inside linebacker at Virginia, will start in the right outside slot, a position he hasn’t played since high school. Lageman, still unsigned, won’t report Friday. A prolonged holdout certainly wouldn’t help his progress, particularly since he’s learning a new position.

The rookie pass rushers -- The names are Lageman, Dennis Byrd, Joe Mott, Ron Stallworth and Marvin Washington. Collectively, they hold the key to the success of the defense. The Jets were second in the American Football Conference in 1988 with 45 sacks, but the total is deceiving because many of the sacks resulted from blitzing. The Jets’ pass rush needs help, and it must come from the rookies.

The Toon negotiations -- The All-Pro receiver, the team most valuable player three years in a row, didn’t report Friday. An extended holdout is a possibility. Toon made $375,000 in base salary in 1988, the final year of his original contract, and it could be argued that he deserves to be the highest-paid player on the team. O’Brien will earn $1.2 million in salary for 1989. In 1985, Toon missed training camp and one regular-season game as a rookie because of a contract snafu, and this time he has more bargaining power.

The Jets must find a competent third wide receiver to complement Toon and Wesley Walker (unsigned). The candidates are JoJo Townsell, Michael Harper, Bobby Riley and Darryl Pearson.