http://twitter.com/#!/TheJetsStream/status/98787311554277376 @TheJetsStream (Manish Mehta): #Jets right tackle spot is not an open competition. Rex says Wayne Hunter will start. Vlad Ducasse will be backup. #nyj
I'm not surprised, they wouldn't have paid him that much just to be a back-up. Ducasse can carry on learning - we all knew he was brought in as a project.
While Hunter showed he can play last year, the fact that it's already a closed competition doesn't bode well for the 2nd rd pick's development so far.....
....fine. But I can't say I'm too thrilled about this. There are better options than Hunter, but if the CS thinks he can do it, then I'll trust them. They know better than I do.
Ducasse is raw He's had no offseason. He's going to take another full year before he can be ready to contribute.
sort of my point...... they already closed the door on his chance to earn a starting spot this early. Either way, as long as the best guy plays (and plays well) the name on the back isn't important, continuing to have a solid O-line is.
Hate that phrase "closed competition". You don't say that about a player that's never been a starter before.
Hunter has proven to be more than capable at various spots when asked. He knows the system well also. Ducasse was switched from LT to LG college to pro. not to mention his lack of football experience in general due to being a Hatian native. now they were switching him out to RT without a full offseason. this really shouldnt suprise anyone. especially when your paying hunter what hes making. i mean the report on Ducasse basically is, once he gets his hands on someone he owns them. but he struggles reading blitz packages and is technically raw. things that apply to most rookies let alone people whove only played a few years their whole life
No doubt. While its a bit of a set back in him developing quickly, I'm happy he's getting another year to learn and is not beign rushed in. He provides depth and a shit ton of upside and thats good enough for this year.
It probably was pretty possible that Ducasse won out if we'd had mini-camps and a full TC, in addition to a lot more mental preparation that goes on in an NFL offseason, but I think the Jets probably want to be safe at least early in the season. And Hunter really isn't that bad of an option as a stopgap. He impressed me a number of times over the past 2 seasons. It's probably be suicide to start Ducasse from opening day. I still think he's the starter by week 8.
I like Hunter, but I don't love him. I'm okay with it, but its not something that I'm excited about or feel 100% confident about. Hunter's ceiling is at best stopgap I'm a nazi when it comes to top OL on this team. The Jets have a franchise QB, and I want the best protecting him.
Was hoping that Ducasse would be further ahead at this point as a Umass product. I liked Hunter coming out of college and think he'll be solid for you guys.
2 position changes with pretty much a rookie campagin and no offseason to groom year two? nobody should be suprised hes replaced by the all purpose rotational blocker whos been here in the system longer I think hes a good fit at RT and was his best fit from College to Pro. the Faneca departure was the only reason they threw him in there.
Tanny revealed this the other day in an interview. He said something about 'signing a starting RT in Wayne Hunter'. Pretty much revealed Ducasse as a backup.
