I agree. He's not as bad as everyone is making him out to be today. Whether he's the long term answer or not IDK. But if the injury is the issue, why haven't they come up with someone to fill in until he can play without so many mistakes?
He missed a couple of days of practice prior to the Denver game due to the finger but was cleared to play. He hasn't been fine for the past few weeks. Snaps have been all over the place. Is he a terrible player? No, but, his inability to get the ball to Sam properly is a major issue and is hurting the rhythm of the offense and our young QB.
He’s a JAG....an upgrade over Johnson yes but he is not the long term answer at center. Perhaps he can slide into the LG position next year after Carpenter leaves and the Jets know they have a capable back up at center in case of injury . Long is really a guard anyway. I think it’s in the Jets best interest ( and especially Sam’s ) that they repeat 2006 and go LT and C early in the draft. I’ve said it before when the Jets redo the Left side of that OL and get a natural center it will make Winters and Shell that much better. And when this happens the Jets can be taken seriously ....
Sadly, I'd take a few shitty snaps a game over the human turnstile that Wesley Johnson was.... like someone said, hopefully they can draft a true bluechip center and move him over to guard
I'm not sure why Spencer Long was allowed to start the second half yesterday, must mean that Dozier is garbage or Bowles is completely tone deaf, or both. All I know is, you cannot have a center starting with that many issues snapping the ball. It has led to turnovers and near-turnovers and the Jets are not talented enough to overcome garbage turnovers.
Probably wasn't in the best interest to cut Travis Swanson during the preseason. Long can pass protect, but man those snaps are no bueno.
Its is not very well known by casual fans. Long has been injured since camp and I think at this point its obvious his finger is getting worse not better.
I think my strong dislike for the way MAc builds an Oline is well documented. That said, if your starters are this bad its scary to think how bad your backups must be. We really need to heavily invest in the Oline and sadly I don't see it happening.
Oh it's happening......Mac has no choice really. He is not going to resign Carpenter and he is aware Long is not a C by trade. I am not sure what Beechum's contract status is but I think the Jets are off the hook with that as well....the Jets need at the very least two new starters for the OL. I think Mac used the Band-Aid approach with his eye on this coming off season....it's a strong draft and he can find a solid interior OL in FA also.
His blocking has been pretty bad. Seems to get pushed back 4-5 yards every play. Sam can never step up in the pocket because of it.
I might be remembering incorrectly but I think he was one of the highest-rated pass blocking OL in the league the first few weeks.
May still be, but stats don't always tell the whole story. He's constantly getting pushed off the line. This has caused problems for Darnold repeatedly but won't show up on the status of sheet. If you rewatch the games or just Darnold's pass attempts, you will see Long getting pushed back in the pocket consistently. It's not the finger. I know it's effecting his snaps though
Just going with this because they don't have week 7 yet... I don't think the tape supports your theory. Don't get me wrong, he's not even close to breathing the same air as Mangold, but I think he's done a fine job.