2011 Starters: D’Brickashaw Ferguson – 6th Year: D’Brickashaw is one of the top tackles in the game and he is in the prime of his career. It seems that every year he keeps steadily improving justifying the high draft pick the Jets spend on him. He signed a long term extension this offseason and should be a fixture at Left tackle protecting Sanchez’s blind side and help opening holes for Greene for years to come. Vladimir DuCasse – 2nd Year: Vlad is a massive tackle who, while in college displayed a strong work ethic. Hopefully, under the tutorage of Bill Callahan, his work ethic will translate into him developing as a solid right tackle in the near future. Coming out of a small school, he seemed to have issues adjusting to the speed of the game as he nearly got Sanchez killed in preseason while playing guard. He looked better versus a weak Bills defense on week 16. He will probably go into next season as the top backup at tackle, seeing action in certain offensive formations like Hunter used to. He should be given an opportunity to win the right tackle spot. 2011 Backups: Wayne Hunter – 8th Year: Most of the year, Hunter was a top reserve playing sporadically in certain offensive packages. When Woody got injured the first time, he had a rough game replacing him as he was consistently beat by the Defensive Ends. He did end up settling into the position when the Jets faced Pittsburgh in the regular season and ended the year playing a strong right tackle for the team. We did learn after the playoff loss to the Steelers that Hunter was giving away play types by how he lined up prior to the snap, but that should be easily correctable. If the jets decide to Cut Woody, they will more than likely bring Hunter back, otherwise he will move on to another team getting a chance to compete as a starting RT. The Jets already have too much invested in Vlad to bring back all 4 tackles next season. He was resigned to a 4-year contract, He should compete to start at RT, but it would be an upset if he wins the position. Pete Clifford - Clifford (6'7", 316) entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2008 with Arizona. After being waived, he signed a reserve/future contract with Tennessee before being placed on injured reserve. http://www.newyorkjets.com/news/art...2-Waived/55b31e16-8ba6-4274-b73e-8563f3fffab7 Outlook: The Jets are set at Left Tackle with Ferguson manning the position for the foreseeable future. The Jets could go several directions at Right Tackle. If Woody takes a pay cut to stay, then he will probably be the starter for another year while Vlad continues to be groomed to take over the position. If Woody gets cut, than I think that Hunter will get resigned and he and Vlad will battle it out in training camp for the starting Right tackle position. It’s a tough call, stay with the aging proven veteran who is more likely to get injured due to his age, or let a couple of younger guys with talent battle it out. Neither concerns me greatly, I am alright replacing one of the 5 lineman before a season starts; I would prefer not to replace any more than that. Tanny will also bring in a few UFA’s to fill out the position in training camp and see if he can find any potential future backups, as the Jets have good depth at this position. Cut: Damien Woody – 13th Year: The Jets cut woody. Woody has decided to retire. Tom Ottaiano: Ottaiano could be a offense to defense conversion project. He seems a bit small to play offensive tackle in the NFL (at 6 feet 1 inch), and could be a lot more effective on the defensive side of the ball. Practice-squad, long-term project. http://www.nyjetsdraft.com/2011/07/jets-rookie-free-agent-signings/ Jeff Willis - Rookie: 6'-7" 350 Lbs A massive right tackle prospect who has a lot of unnecessary girth and overall weight through his mid-section. Isn't a real natural bender, tends to buckle over at the waist and struggles to keep his base under him when asked to protect off the edge. Looks heavy footed, isn't real coordinated on his kick-slide and lacks the range to consistently reach the corner. Possesses above-average overall anchor strength once he can get his hands on you. However, has a tendency to lunge into blocks, lose balance and doesn't generate much power on his punch. Really struggled when asked to redirect in space, consistently allowing defensive linemen to cleanly slip his block and accelerate up the field. Lacks a great first step off the snap in the run game as well and consistently ends up on the ground. Doesn't exhibit much balance or body control into targets and is strictly a linear athlete. Now, because of his size he does have some decent power on contact. Struggles to generate leverage at the point, but can eventually create a little movement as an in-line guy. But isn't effective at all on the move because of his lack of overall athleticism. A massive lineman who plays heavy footed, isn't real flexible and his lack of athleticism will keep from having a real chance of making an NFL roster. http://www.fanaticalfootballfiend.com/3/post/2011/02/jeff-willis-scouting-reports.html
I'm hoping Woody is back. I'm not as high on Ducass yet as he was very raw out of college. He's much improved but he still needs work. Rex said Hunter was a very or "most" athletic guy. So I can only presume his mechanics and decision making need an upgrade but he has the physical tools to play at a high level. Great write up GA.
I don't see Woody on the team next year. He'll likely be cut to save money leaving Hunter and Ducasse to battle it out in training camp. Hopefully Ducasse can win.
Totally agree on D'brick. The guy is getting better every year, and is among the elite at LT. I'd like to see Woody back, but that cap number makes me think he's gone. Hunter must be signed back if Woody gone. Ducasse is a naturally powerful guy, who doesn't seem like the sharpest tool in shed. It's not 100% clear that he will even be playing T. I think he needs at least another year to learn playing line in the NFL. Hopefully BC can get him there. So if Woody gone, and Ducasse still a project like i think, we need one more T either via the draft or journeymen in FA that can compete with Hunter.
i expect wayne hunter to follow in the footsteps of great pacific islander jet offensive lineman kev mawae and malamala the slender and man the rt spot for years to come
Nice read. Thanks for taking the time to write this. Always thought hunter was a bit younger but for no particular reason. I hope woody stays but if cutting him means we get to keep one of the big four or upgrade somewhere else, hunter really showed he's up to filling on the void. Dunno what to make of vlad besides he has a ridiculous name and an equally ridiculous face. I'm always a fan of raw potential though, especially when combined with work ethic. So I'm hoping he steps it up someone in the near future. tappin.. talkin..
In a perfect world, Ducasse will win the job and play well...solidifying our RT spot for the next decade
If brick keeps making pro bowls and the Jets win a ring, he'll have a shot at the HOF. That's the truth.
Its also the truth that the same can be said about Mangold and Revis. Down the line (the key here being continued playoff sucess and an eventual ring) Sanchez might as well. I find it hard to believe that if he keeps up his pace of playoff victories (2 per year average) for the next 7 years, he would have more postseason victories than any QB in history. Now I seriously doubt after 9 years he sets a playoff victory record, but its not impossible for him to do so at the pace he currently has been collecting them. He is also a single road playoff win away from setting that mark as well. Just some food for thought based on Sanchez playoff success...
Imo the chances that Ducassse will be the starting right tackle on opening day are between slim and none. My guess is the Jets might try and keep Woody, but might be okay, even equally okay if Woody doesn't restructure, to go with Hunter.
Isn't a Woody restructure the obvious answer here? I just can't imagine other teams aggressively bidding for him if we cut him.
I agree. It's a tough business, and Woody did get hurt. I am not saying he's damaged goods, but it not only diminished his value to the team. It affects his market value. Plus he's a year older. I don't reflexively say this, unlike some, but for him restructuring would make sense.
talking to guys who played with ducasse out of umass, the consensus that even though physically he is a beast. he is dumb as hell. his IQ is so bad that before every snap, a teammate had to tell him where to pull and what assignment he had. that is NOT the kind of player i want starting at Right Tackle, I see him better transitioned to the Right Guard position; I dont think Ducasse is talented enough or has the IQ to be able to protect as a RT.
IMO, rex and T would have known if Vlad was as dumb as you are reporting. I see no way they would draft a dumb player. To play like a JET you must be able to toink on your feet and act on instincts rather then sit back and react. Against buffalo VLAD was very good. He seemed to be very instinctive and knew the playbook. The guy barely speaks english and yet he knows where to go and who he is blocking.
... that Bills defense was one of the worst in the NFL. lets be serious. with hyperboles and philosophy aside, if you remember the few times he was shown on hard knocks; ducasse struggled in training camp. so much so that when we played carolina, ducasse allowed a free blitzer to almost end sanchez's season. (the same angle that pollard took to brady), almost landing on sanchez's left knee. lets see come the offseason. it is no mystery, that bill callahan has one of the most elaborate blocking schemes in the NFL. it might take Ducasse a season to adjust. but based on his play from when he was giving reps in the offseason; i think ducasse is more suited to the guard position than the tackle. because if Ducasse is as good of a talent as you are saying he is, why then was he only active for two games in the regular season, and never played a snap.
