Austin Howard - Jets vs Panthers

Howard is Big Wood 2.0

 

Howard looked really good last night.
I also liked seeing the RT get some chip help on certain plays. This got Sanchez time, and is exactly what the Jets need.

Of course, need to see more of Howard. Playing against the Eagles 2's can hopefully boost the confidence even more.

Hunter i would consider cutting, especially if Ducasse can fill that power TE role.
Its time to bring in a vet just in case Howard doesn't work out, or any possiblitiy of injury.

 

I know we have to take these things with a pinch of salt but Rex was raving about Howard after the Cincinnati game. Said something like guys who perform at that level are trying to tell you something.

 

I'd take that initial raving with more than a pinch of salt, because Howard spent a fair amount of time getting bitch-slapped by Bengals pass rushers and looking lost. He did play aggressive at times, but he struggled. His play against Carolina was night and day better than that Bengals performance.

 

My biggest criticism of the present Jets organization is that they tend to be slower than they should to take out the trash. Schotty, Eric Smith, etc. Is it Bradway, Tanny, Woody in each separate situation? I don't know but it was a mistake to give them some faith on WFH in hindsight.

By some grace of invisible man we landed with this big, athletic up and comer who decided to play lights out yesterday in the biggest moment of his life. We knew that Sanchez was a good QB the second he woke up in the playoffs as a rookie. We didn't know how shitty WFH was until the second he woke up with all of the pressure of being a starter all year. Call it a coincidence but more often than not I just call it the difference between winners and losers.

It would be great to see a backup brought in to make sure that Hunter never plays another snap at RT for as long as he lives but I would hate to see the FO make a mistake and give the start to another flyer when we just found out that the one we already have might not crash after all. Maybe if he blows a couple of starts make a change but goddamn it was so nice to watch Sanchez's feet stay still as he was throwing darts all day yesterday.

 

How much notice did Howard have that he'd be in the Bengals game as a starter do ya know? Just curious since I remember seeing a quote from him saying he had actually had time to study tape on the Panthers in preparation for that game. Could be why he didn't look lost. It's a good sign if it's just a matter of preparation for him.

 

I truly liked what I saw from Howard. Dump Hunter, and sign a decent backup.

 

Howard gives us hope where Hunter does not.

 

Flawless against the Bengals? If you think that, you don't understand 'flawless' in terms of offensive line play.

Let's not fool ourselves here. I'm really optimistic about what I saw against Carolina, but he struggled a lot against Cincy.

And maybe that is because he had not watched enough film before the first game for whatever reason, as someone else said earlier, but a spade is still a spade.

 

I don't often post on this board but thought I'd chime in. I drove up to Cortland 2 weeks ago and Howard really stood out in practice. It was just a matter of time until he took the job from Wayne. Sparano basically used Howard as an example with proper technique (while he was yelling at Vlad).

What I also found interesting is that even though this was 2 and a half weeks ago, Howard hung out with the starters throughout practice. It was always him, Mangold, Brick and Slausen sitting together, standing together, jogging from one part of the field to another together. Thought it was wierd because no other "backup" was always with the starters like that.

 

I've documented them in this thread.

 

Thanks for sharing I like to hear that. They say dress for the job you want not the one you have. I like to see that Howard was with the starters and talking to them. Makes me think he thinks he belongs as a starter and knows he could do it. Confidence goes a long way and he should feel confident.

We really struck gold with this guy. I was just hoping for a RT that wasn't awful but atleast just below average. Howard looked pretty good dealing with Carolina's best pass rusher and gave up 0 pressures. I don't care if its preseason that is impressive.

 

The fact that you think he gave up no pressures in that game is a hoot. Look, I don't expect the guy to be an all pro lineman in his first outing, but you saying that he played flawlessly in that game is the notion of someone that didn't actually re-watch every snap in that game, because you're bullshittng now if you did.

I get it, you like the guy and you want him to succeed. So do I. Just don't bullshit yourself about his progress.

 

I thought he did a great job. The guy he was going against is really good and he more than held his own.

 

Poor man's Jason Fabini. Big, powerful & bends well. He's alittle slow out of his stance.You have to love his size & his ability to finish blocks.

I worry about his feet alittle.

After watching Jason Smith in his last performance, I think he may give Howard a run for his money. Smith has vastly superior feet, uses his hands well & despite being alot lighter, he's just as good of a drive blocker.