Favre has said he will make a decision more quickly than he did in 2008. Now that the Jets have Rex Ryan in place as the new head coach, perhaps that will accelerate his timetable for a decision. Owner Woody Johnson has made it clear he would like for Favre to participate in the team's offseason program, which could cause Favre to retire. Favre didn't participate in offseason programs while with the Packers, preferring instead to stay home in Mississippi.

But his decline in performance down the stretch in each of the past four seasons, especially in 2008, demonstrates that fatigue probably is a factor, which means he's not in the best shape he can be. So the Jets' request makes plenty of sense.

COACHING CAROUSEL: Rex Ryan's staff is starting to take shape, as all of the coordinators are in place. Brian Schottenheimer remains as the offensive coordinator, and Mike Westhoff once again will be in charge of the special teams. Ryan brought in Baltimore outside linebackers coach Mike Pettine to be his defensive coordinator.

As for position coaches, the Jets have hired Henry Ellard {wide receivers), Anthony Lynn (running backs), Dennis Thurman (secondary) and Doug Plank (assistant secondary). Other returning assistants are offensive line coach Bill Callahan, strength and conditioning coach Sal Alosi and Bob Sutton, who was the defensive coordinator for the past three seasons. Sutton, an assistant for the Jets since 2000 who will be working for his fourth head coach during that span, will be a senior defensive assistant and will coach the linebackers.

Gone from the 2008 staff are defensive line coach Dan Quinn (Seattle) and linebackers coach Jim Herrmann (Giants). Brian Daboll (quarterbacks), Bryan Cox (assistant defensive line), Jerome Henderson (secondary), Andy Dickerson (defensive quality control) and Rick Lyle (assistant strength and conditioning) all followed former coach Eric Mangini to Cleveland. Noel Mazzone (wide receivers) and Jimmy Raye (running backs) weren't retained after their contracts expired.

FREE-AGENT UPDATE: ILB Eric Barton, a defensive stalwart since coming over as a free agent before the 2004 season, likely will not be re-signed. But if QB Brett Favre retires or is traded, thereby freeing up much-needed cap space, the Jets could be in the market for either of Baltimore's ILBs, Ray Lewis and Bart Scott, both of whom are unrestricted free agents and both of whom have enjoyed playing for Rex Ryan. Both kickers, Mike Nugent and Jay Feely, are unrestricted free agents, and both have expressed the desire to be back. Obviously, the Jets will sign only one, and Nugent is six years younger than Feely. Look for them to try to re-sign FB Tony Richardson, who is getting up in years but still is a tremendous lead blocker, and a good change-of-pace ballcarrier when called upon. That is, unless Richardson chooses to retire.

FEELING A DRAFT: The Jets appear to have the 17th pick in the first round of the April draft. If Favre doesn't come back, they might try to trade up for a quarterback or see if they can find one at that slot. Otherwise, they are looking for a cornerback to team with budding star Darrelle Revis and a game-breaking wide receiver.

TEAM NEEDS:

Defensive end/linebacker: The Jets still could use a big-time edge rusher, although they haven't given up on 2008 sixth overall pick Vernon Gholston yet.

Cornerback: The secondary needs a solid corner to play opposite lockdown corner Darrelle Revis.

Wide receiver: The Jets need a speedster who can stretch defenses, something they've lacked since trading away Santana Moss after the 2004 season.

MEDICAL WATCH:

--K Mike Nugent (right hamstring) was well enough to play by the middle of the season but never returned after being injured on opening day.

--NT Kris Jenkins (hip, back) didn't miss any games, but those injuries may have limited the Pro Bowler's effectiveness the last five games.

--QB Brett Favre has been told he has a torn biceps tendon and calcification in the area. Favre has been told the problem can be fixed with arthroscopic surgery.

--LB Eric Barton (knee) played through an injury late in the season but didn't miss any time.

--LB David Harris (fractured ankle) left the final game. He attended Rex Ryan's introductory news conference on crutches. He already had a surgical procedure to repair a groin injury and missed the entire month of November.

UNIT-BY-UNIT ANALYSIS

QUARTERBACK: Starter -- Brett Favre. Backups -- Kellen Clemens, Brett Ratliff. Injured reserve: Erik Ainge.

The surprise August trade that landed an unretired Favre from Green Bay was met with jubilation by many but skepticism by some, who wondered whether the veteran gunslinger's notoriously freewheeling style could co-exist with button-down coach Eric Mangini. All appeared well through the first 11 games. Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer altered his plans, removing almost all of the pre-snap shifts and motion that had characterized his first two seasons with the Jets, all to cater to Favre, who prefers not to have motion and shifting. With the Jets off to an 8-3 start, Favre had 20 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions. But as he had in his last three seasons with the Packers, Favre faded down the stretch, throwing two TDs and nine picks over the last five games as the Jets finished 1-4. He complained of shoulder pain near the end of the season, yet didn't ask for an MRI until after the season. Favre often was sharp in the first and third quarters of games, yet erratic afterward, suggesting his arm was fatigued. His decision-making grew worse as the season went on, as he often threw into double coverage. And he is hinting at retirement, although he still hasn't made a decision. The Jets want him to make his mind before the February NFL Combine. If he does retire, the starter could be Clemens, who appeared only in mop-up duty in '08. Or it could be Ratliff, who was impressive in the summer and has passed Clemens in the minds of some within the organization. Ainge got very little practice time and is a future project at best. The Jets might have to look toward a free agent such as Jeff Garcia if Favre decides to hang it up for good.

RUNNING BACKS: Starters -- RB Thomas Jones, FB Tony Richardson. Backups -- RB Leon Washington. Injured reserve -- Jesse Chatman, Danny Woodhead.

Jones bounced back in a big way after averaging only 3.6 yards per carry in 2007, his lowest average since he had a 3.4 mark with Arizona in 2001, his second pro season. He had 1,312 yards at 4.5 yards an attempt, and he had a team-record 13 rushing TDs after managing only one in 2007. Part of the improvement can be attributed to the offseason acquisitions of LG Alan Faneca, RT Damien Woody and Richardson via free agency. Mangini and Schottenheimer had tried to get by with tight ends as blocking H-backs in '07, but the plan didn't work, and veteran Richardson was an important pickup. The line blocked better with the new people, and thus Jones had more holes to work with. But his play was a big factor as well, as he made quick and decisive cuts and was able to turn the corner more often than he did the previous season. Washington had six TDs in limited work, and he averaged 5.9 yards on 76 attempts. While Jones needs his carries, Washington needs more attempts in 2009 because the speedster is a threat to score every time he gets the ball, whether on a run or a reception. Washington and Jones each had two touchdown catches. Chatman missed the first four games because of an NFL-imposed suspension for taking a banned substance, and he suffered a season-ending knee injury shortly after returning. Woodhead, a record-setter at the NCAA Division II level, suffered a knee injury early in training camp.

TIGHT END: Starter -- Chris Baker. Backups -- Dustin Keller, Bubba Franks.

Baker started 13 games, yet his production declined. After having had 31 receptions in 2006 and 41 in 2007, he had only 21 as Keller, a rookie, was thrown to more often in crunch time. Keller showed an ability to get open in the seams over the middle, but he has yet to prove himself as a blocker, so it's questionable whether the Jets can get by without Baker, who signed a contract extension during the 2008 season but could be a cap casualty in March. Baker still is an excellent blocker and deserves more chances in the passing game. Franks had a subpar preseason and might have been cut before the regular season had the Jets not traded for Favre, a former teammate of his with the Packers. Franks was able to ease Favre's transition by being a translator of the Jets' playbook, but he had only six catches during an injury-plagued campaign.

WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters -- FL Jerricho Cotchery, SE Laveranues Coles. Backups -- Brad Smith, David Clowney, Wallace Wright, Chansi Stuckey.

The statistics for Cotchery (71 receptions, 858 yards, 12.1) and Coles (70, 850, 12.1) were eerily similar, although Coles had seven TD catches to Cotchery's five. Still, the stats demonstrate that neither is the kind of receiver that can stretch a defense, and that again was a huge problem for the Jets in 2008. Truth be told, however, Favre often couldn't get the deep ball far enough late in the season, as injury and/or fatigue sapped his 39-year-old right arm of the necessary strength. Coles again is looking to renegotiate his contract, and the Jets might consider trading him and developing one of the younger wideouts. It was a travesty that Clowney, a speedster who has better hands than he was advertised to, appeared in only two games. The Jets are fascinated for some reason by the multifaceted Smith, who has yet to become a big-time pass-catcher yet offers Schottenheimer the chance to call gadget plays because of his pedigree as a star college quarterback. Stuckey started fast with 12 receptions in his first three games, including an improbable fourth-down TD catch on opening day, but he had only 19 catches over the final 13 games. Still, he is a promising receiver with great hands and excellent route-running ability, but lacks the breakaway speed Clowney possesses.

OFFENSIVE LINE: Starters -- LT D'Brickashaw Ferguson, LG Alan Faneca, C Nick Mangold, RG Brandon Moore, RT Damien Woody. Backups -- G Robert Turner, T Wayne Hunter.

The Jets retooled in a big way by doling out big free agent deals to Faneca, a seven-time Pro Bowler with Pittsburgh, and Woody, who had been a guard or center for much of his NFL career. They also brought in Bill Callahan to coach the unit. Other than a terrible game against Oakland when he allowed two sacks while playing on an injured calf, Woody was dependable, and the Jets often ran behind him and Moore, who was the Jets' most consistent O-linemen all season. Faneca also was good in the running game, but he made his eighth Pro Bowl mostly on reputation as he allowed six sacks. Still, his veteran influence helped Mangold recapture his rookie form and also helped Ferguson, who had a better 2008 than 2007. Still, Ferguson has yet to develop into the shutdown left tackle the Jets expected when they drafted him fourth overall in 2006. The unit stayed relatively injury-free, and the five starters began every game. Turner and Hunter saw action in extra-TE formations, but Hunter missed a key block when the Jets were stuffed near the goal line in their Sept. 14 loss to New England.

DEFENSIVE LINE: Starters -- LDE Shaun Ellis, NT Kris Jenkins, RDE Kenyon Coleman. Backups -- DE Mike DeVito, DE C.J. Mosley, NT Sione Pouha.

Jenkins, a 4-3 tackle most of his career, was the run-stuffing nose the Jets' 3-4 desperately needed, and he made the Pro Bowl in that role. But he wore down in the final five weeks as a hip injury and herniated disk in his back took their toll. Until then, he was a candidate for NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Ellis started fast with seven sacks in the first eight games but had only one the rest of the way. He started every game despite being arrested on suspicion of marijuana possession on Nov. 29. Ellis is likely to be suspended by the NFL for one game in 2009. Coleman again was solid, although very unspectacular, but he fits the 3-4 system quite well. Mosley played well in spurts, as he had in 2008, and DeVito had his moments, too, in his second NFL season. But the run defense usually fell off when Pouha came on to give Jenkins a rest, and Pouha must improve in 2009.

LINEBACKERS: Starters -- OLB Bryan Thomas, ILB Eric Barton, ILB David Harris, OLB Calvin Pace. Backups -- ILB David Bowens, ILB Cody Spencer, OLB Marques Murrell, OLB Jason Trusnik, OLB Vernon Gholston. Injured reserve -- ILB Brad Kassell.

Thomas played better and had 5.5 sacks after a dismal 2007 campaign, but the Jets hope Gholston will push him a lot harder for that starting spot next season. Gholston, the sixth overall pick in the 2008 draft, had no impact. He had difficulty making the transition from 4-3 end in college to 3-4 outside linebacker with pass coverage responsibilities. Gholston wasn't helped by the fact that he missed most of spring practice because of an arcane NCAA and NFL rule that stipulates rookies can only participate in one practice event, rookie minicamp in Gholston's case, until their former school's spring semester has ended. Ohio State's spring semester ends unusually late. It's too early to label him a bust, but 2009 will be pivotal. Barton was the only Jet to top 100 tackles, but he is an unrestricted free agent and likely will sign elsewhere. Harris missed five games because of a groin injury and subsequent surgical procedure, yet he played well when healthy. Pace was second on the team with seven sacks, yet he had only 3.5 in the final 11 games. Some of the blame for that goes to Mangini and defensive coordinator Bob Sutton, who didn't use Pace enough in blitzing situations. Bowens had four sacks and filled in well when Harris was out, but he is better at blitzing than covering receivers. Spencer is solid but doesn't make big plays. Murrell and Trusnik didn't get a lot of playing time, but they have potential as pass rushers.

DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters -- LCB Darrelle Revis, RCB Ty Law, SS Abram Elam, FS Kerry Rhodes. Backups -- CB David Barrett, CB Drew Coleman, S Eric Smith, DB James Ihedigbo, CB Dwight Lowery, CB Hank Poteat, S J.R. Reed.

Revis led the Jets with five interceptions and made the Pro Bowl in only his second season in the NFL. The sky is the limit for the budding lockdown corner, who relishes covering the other team's best receiver and also has ball-hawking skills. Law was signed by the Jets before the 10th game of the season after not having played since the 2007 regular-season finale for Kansas City (coincidentally, against the Jets) and wound up starting the last five games. Law was a favorite of Mangini, so with Mangini now in Cleveland, it remains to be seen whether Law will want to return in 2009. But he is a mentor and close friend to Revis, a fellow native of Aliquippa, Pa., and that might provide incentive for Law to come back if the new head coach wants him. Elam took over the starting job after Smith suffered two concussions, and he is a magnet for the big play, both positively and negatively. Elam forced the fumble that resulted in the game-winning TD against Buffalo in December, and he had a 92-yard interception for a score in the first meeting with the Bills the month before. But he often can be a liability in coverage, and he allowed two TD passes against Denver. Rhodes was solid in coverage as always but had only two picks in what was a quiet season for him. Lowery started the first 10 games at right cornerback, winning the job when veteran Justin Miller was sidelined by a dislocated toe. (Miller was later waived.) The rookie, a fourth-round pick from San Jose State, has very good ball skills but lacks the speed to make up for mistakes, and he became a target for opposing teams. Barrett and Coleman struggled covering slot receivers and almost certainly won't be back. Ihedigbo has potential but was nailed for some key penalties on special teams, including one that nullified a kickoff-return TD by Leon Washington at San Francisco. Reed, a journeyman, was signed off the street late in the season but never got onto the field. Poteat, a Mangini favorite, might wind up with the Browns.

SPECIAL TEAMS: K Jay Feely, P Reggie Hodges, LS James Dearth, KR Leon Washington, PR Leon Washington.

Mike Nugent missed his only field-goal attempt of the season after suffering a strained right hamstring at Miami on opening day. He remained on the active roster but never again got into a game. Feely took over and connected on 24 of 28 field-goal attempts, including his last 14. Both are free agents, and it seems likely the Jets will stay with Nugent, six years younger than Feely. Hodges was signed in October to replace the erratic Ben Graham, but his stats wound up being worse than Graham's, as Hodges averaged 35.5 net yards while Graham averaged 36.1 while with New York. The Jets may again look in a different direction for a punter. Washington made the Pro Bowl as a return specialist, and he averaged 25.6 yards on kickoffs. But his numbers dropped off over the second half of the season, much the way they did in 2007. Dearth was pretty much automatic on snaps except for a couple of high ones at Buffalo that Hodges was able to place, yet Hodges botched a perfect snap in the season finale to cost the Jets a PAT.