Left Guard Battle

Yeah Turner was in there. He looked pretty good too, except for that holding on the LT touchdown run.

As for the LG battle, I wouldn't say Slauson distinguished himself. Nothing overly impressive, a holding penalty. Ducasse will probably get a chance with the 1st string in game 2.

 

I think Slauson's going to win it, unless Ducasse completely blows him out of the water this/next week. I don't think one holding penalty in the first preseason game is enough to tople his chances.

 

With the exception of the holding penalty Slauson looked pretty good. I mean in the context the Jets starters looked fine.

I do not think you can find the winner looking at the tape tonight.

 

No, you can't, but if I had to make a bet right now, I'd say it'll be the guy who has been in the system for a season, had the same OLine coach as a HC in college, got the nod to lead off the preseason at the starting spot and has taken the vast majority of reps with the first team during TC.

 

Yes, conversely the longer it goes with Slauson looking solid the more secure he is.

 

I didn't get to watch the first half so didn't see anything I dont think from Matt but Vlad looked okay against the second and third stringers, though I did see him makea couple plays a veteran would have upended him on, he let the defender under his pads, a vet would have been past him.

Not a knock on Vlad's potential or physical abilities, just sign of being raw still.

 

Watching the game over(praise be to DVR!) while paying extra attention to Slauson. Here are some quick impressions based on the first drive, post Sanchez INT:

Running game:
- The Jets have been running the ball to the right side almost exclusively so it's difficult to judge him here. None of his guys have gotten a hand on the ball carrier unless they have disengaged to pursue him down the field.
- He's making a decent stop on the initial hit but he tends to stand there and tries to throw the defender back with his arms instead of trying to stay with the defender and drive him down the field with his legs.

Pass Blocking:
- He's giving more ground than most fans would be comfortable with in his first three steps but he does a great job of turning and walling off the pass rusher, making him pursue the QB from the side instead of up the middle. Chances are that we won't see a lot of passes batted down by his assignment.
- Holding penalty: He got flat out beat on this play which is inexcusable but I will give him credit for at least doing everything he could to keep his guy from hitting Sanchez. Protect your QB is the #1 job of the OLine. I'd much rather see the hold instead of Sanchez taking the hit. I'll give him a pass since it's the first preseason game but that cannot become a habit. I'm sure Callahan, Schottenheimer, Rex, Sanchez, Tomlinson and anyone else in the organization with two lips and a working voice-box will be making that point to him by tomorrow.
- The guy is tough. He barley flinched after getting his helmet ripped off by Chris Canty. He just stuck with his block and drove Canty off to the side.

Screen Blocking:
- Got a nice chip on Barry Coefield for Tomlinson's sole screen play to the weak side but did not find another defender to take down the field.

 

No. He was pretty much Mike and zone blocking the entire first drive.

LT's aborted TD(Holding - EDIT: R. Turner) was run to his side, though. He did a good job of driving his man to the strong side which helped LT bounce the ball to the right.

 

Woody held? I thought they said that was Turner.

 

EDIT: Double Post.

 

It was Turner, and I didn't really look into it in depth but it didn't look like holding to me.



Even so, I missed Mangold for that play.

 

No. Complete BS. Canty was going down while reaching for Tomlinson, and Turner just rode him to the ground rather than tripping over him while he fell.

My bad, it was Robert Turner called for the hold. Edited.

 

I'd like to see Ducasse play the entire first half next week. But after that game, someone needs to get the job. Competition is great and all, but o-lines need to gel to be effective.

Establish the offensive line, and then test drive it week 3. Begin the fine-tuning before the preseason is over.

 

I thought Ducasse was pretty much having his way against the giants 2d and 3d string. But I could not see every play.

 

I saw him take one dude down, but I was watching McKnight and Conner in the backfield.

Those two back there was pretty cool.

 

For having both Turner and Slauson in there, I thought the line did a nice job.

 

There was one play where he pulled but someone got into the backfield to stop the runner.The runner and tackler crashed into Slauson just as he was blocking his guy.

 

I missed that but I did see Slauson correctly read a stunt.

Ducasse did the same with the 2nd stringers.