1999 record: 8-8, tied for last in the AFC East.

Last five years: 33-47.

Coach: Al Groh (first year as an NFL head coach).

Playoff past: Last made the playoffs in 1998, losing to the Broncos in the AFC Championship Game. Overall playoff record 6-7.

Outlook

The new coach is a lifelong New York sports fan, raised on Long Island. Better than anyone, he knows what he is getting himself into.

"We're replacing a legend, a genius and a superstar," Al Groh said at the outset of training camp. "I can only go by what I read."

Groh knows the power of the press and how the game works in New York. So he isn't taking the panic forecasts as seriously as others might.

But even a realist can see these Jets will have to find a new identity this season. So much of what has defined them the past three years is gone.

Bill Parcells, the legend, abruptly retired as coach the day after last season ended and is now the team's personnel guru.

Bill Belichick, the defensive genius, succeeded Parcells as coach for one day, only to resign 24 hours later in one of the most bizarre press conferences of all-time. He eventually wiggled his way up to New England, where he is coach/GM.

Keyshawn Johnson, the superstar wide receiver, wanted more money even though he had two years left on his existing contract. He was coldly traded to Tampa Bay for a choice lot of draft picks.

In other words, Groh doesn't have much time to grow into his new job.

He has to implement a plan and make it work.

"I hope they understand, just because things aren't as loud and colorful (as they were with Parcells), there's no less tension involved in the notes that are being taken and the criteria they'll be judged against," Groh said.

Clearly, he has taken psychology classes from his long-time friend and mentor Parcells.

"I don't like to talk about injuries," Groh said. "You talk about them too much and you give guys a built-in excuse. We're not making or taking any excuses."

"I read a book by Dennis Connor, the America's Cup skipper. He said there is no excuse for losing. It wasn't until he took a total no-excuses-for-losing attitude that he was able to break through to the next level and have a championship boat. That's my attitude about our team, about our season."

A year ago, all of the talk was about a championship. But those plans were ended in the second quarter of opening day, when Vinny Testaverde ruptured his Achilles' tendon.

Considering the unthinkably quick emergence of the Indianapolis Colts and all the turnover for these Jets, nobody -- at least nobody outside the Jets locker room -- is predicting a championship this year.

But that isn't to say the Jets won't be a strong playoff contender.

For all the major cast members who have departed, there are a lot of core members back.

Testaverde is back and healthy, hinting this could be his final year.

Curtis Martin, the workhorse running back, will be counted on more than ever.

Diminutive wide receiver Wayne Chrebet will no longer be Mr. Third down. With Johnson gone, he has to be ready on every down.

"When you have a team that's looked upon like the Redskins or Indianapolis or the Rams trying to repeat, you have a bull's eye on your back and everyone is gunning for you," said Chrebet. "When you have a team like ours that is solid across the board and is a playoff team, once you get to the playoffs, anything can happen. I think we're going to have a real good team this year."

Schedule preview: After just four weeks, the Jets will get a bye. Then again, they might need a bye by then. Their first four games figure to be a highly emotional run. Opening day is at Lambeau Field, one of the most daunting places to play. Then there is the home opener, a Monday night game with archrival New England. The tough Buffalo Bills come to town in Week 3, and then it is off to Tampa Bay for a grudge match with Keyshawn Johnson. If the Jets can split the first four, they've done well.

1999 offensive ranking: No. 25 overall, No. 28 passing, No. 11 rushing.

1999 defensive ranking: No. 21 overall, No. 17 vs. the rush, No. 24 vs. the pass.

Key players lost from 1999: WR Keyshawn Johnson (to Tampa Bay), S Steve Atwater (released), TE Eric Green (released), LT Jumbo Elliott (retired), LB Chad Cascadden (to New England), DE Anthony Pleasant (to San Francisco), RB Leon Johnson (released).

Key additions for 2000: WR Yatil Green (Dolphins), DT Shane Burton (Dolphins).

Rookies to watch: Groh hopes that defensive tackle Shawn Ellis and linebacker John Abraham -- both taken in the first round -- will be signature players for the Jets rough and tough defense of the next several years. With a record four selections in he first round, the Jets were also able to help themselves offensively. Tight end Anthony Becht should start at a position the Jets got nothing from last year. Chad Pennington doesn't figure to play much this year, but he was drafted with the idea that he will be the team's quarterback of the future.

Offensive line: The key is how well Jason Fabini recovers from a torn ACL. He also must make the transition from right to left tackle, where he will replace Jumbo Elliott. The most reliable guy in this group is veteran center Kevin Mawae. Also expected to play a key role is Ryan Young, who played better than expected last year after being picked in the seventh round.

Wide receivers/tight ends: The most heavily scrutinized position in the wake of Keyshawn Johnson's departure. Groh feels Wayne Chrebet has what it takes to be a No. 1 receiver. The scrappy and sure-handed wideout, who made the team as a walk-on from Hofstra five years ago, has never seen double team coverage like he will see this year. Speedy Dedric Ward has been a valuable third receiver the past two years, but he has to take his game to the next level. If Groh has his way, rookie Becht will give the Jets a powerful receiving threat at tight end. Keep an eye on Coles, a gifted rookie who was not without off-field problems at Florida State.

Running backs: Curtis Martin is one of the league's toughest and most dependable runners. With an increased emphasis on the running game, Martin might have his best year. The Jets will count on Bernie Parmalee and fullback Richie Anderson to do the little things.

Quarterbacks: All eyes will be on Vinny Testaverde, and how well he has recovered from surgery on his Achilles'. Testaverde had a career year for the Jets in 1998 and will need to duplicate it if this team is to reach its own expectations. The Jets have more depth at this position than they've had in years. Lovable underdog Ray Lucas, who thrived in Testaverde's absence down the stretch last year, is back. And rookie Pennington might have been the best long range pick in this year's draft.

Defensive line: Perhaps the team's most questionable area. One quick cure to that would be for rookie Ellis to come in and play a big role right away. Eric Ogbogu, a disappointing draft pick from '98, has to step his game up. Jason Ferguson, a run stopping specialist, is the most solid of this group.

Linebackers: No shortage of quality or quantity here. Mo Lewis, Bryan Cox and Marvin Jones are a seasoned trio, and Groh is hoping they can all be healthy at once. The player to keep an eye on is rookie Abraham, who has been widely lauded in camp for his work ethic and tenacity.

Secondary: It will be interesting to see how this group performs without the constant prodding of Belichick. Pro Bowl-caliber corner Aaron Glenn has been around too long to need motivational tactics to succeed, but even he would admit he had an off year in 1999. Marcus Coleman was terrific with six picks last year, whether he can maintain that kind of play is the question. The loss of Atwater will have almost no impact, considering how awful he was last year. Victor Green is one of the most dependable strong safeties in the league.

Special teams: The kicking game is fine, led by the booming leg of John Hall. He's one of the best at kickoffs, and he has turned into a reliable field-goal kicker. Tom Tupa is perennially one of the best punters in the league, and he can play quarterback in an emergency. Parmalee is the type of no-nonsense veteran who thrives on special teams.