Moore's Become a Quiet Leader on the O-Line By John Beattie When the Jets traded Pete Kendall this preseason, it meant that someone was going to have to step it up, not just to fill the starting left guard position but, more important, inside the locker room and meetings as well. While Adrien Clarke has been steadily improving at left guard, it has been right guard Brandon Moore who was quietly and slowly given the reins as the unofficial leader of the O-line. Moore isn?t the loudest of the bunch, but his messages are always clear and received. ?There?s not any appointed leadership roles that have been dropped on me,? said Moore, in his fifth season with the Jets. ?It?s basically just understanding the offense better and playing football a little bit better and knowing my position a little more. I?m a little bit more comfortable, and if that comes up as me being more vocal, then I could see that.? According to his former teammates, Kendall was the most verbal offensive lineman behind the scenes and was imperative in the growth of both of the Jets' 2006 first-round selections, tackle D?Brickashaw Ferguson and center Nick Mangold. However, Mangold, said, "Brandon also has done it since I got here. He has shown that he knows exactly what?s going on. A big thing that he?s done more of this year is his communication with me and the rest of the guys, talking things out. Usually last year, Pete dominated a lot of conversations, so now Brandon has an opportunity to say what he wants.? These group discussions ? on the sidelines, in meetings or in the locker room ? can be credited for the line's recent improvement. Two weeks ago in Baltimore, the Jets didn?t let up a sack in the final 21 minutes of the game, a span in which the offense put up 10 points over four series. Last week, the line held the Dolphins to one sack and made reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Jason Taylor a non-factor; not to mention clearing 110 yards of real estate for running back Thomas Jones. ?It?s been a big help especially through how he?s been voicing stuff like, ?Hey, if you do this a little differently, it would help me out more,? ? Mangold said of Moore. ?He?s able to assert himself a little more, which has done a huge thing for the line. When I have my head down, he?s been able to do a lot of adjusting for us.? Moore doesn?t consider himself a typical leader, but he does embrace the fact that his teammates look to him for information, direction and answers. Because he is an experienced veteran with 49 career starts under his belt, the younger linemen acknowledge the dedication it takes to get that far in this league. In essence, he?s been forced into this role by his teammates. ?He had no choice almost. You kind of have to grow into that role.? right tackle Anthony Clement said. ?He?s one of the older players on the line, so he?s helping out the younger guys, making sure they all know what?s going on and making the right choices on and off the field.? ?The way they carry themselves every week, the consistency they have and knowing the information they need to know is impressive,? Mangold said of Moore and Clement. ?They do a great job of trying to bring people up and the help that they give younger guys, too. That?s a great attribute of a leader, and I think Brandon does a great job at that.? Mangold?s growth over his first two seasons is concrete evidence that Moore is an equally efficient teacher. Moore has seen the 23-year-old center develop tremendously, which is essential when it comes to the success and camaraderie of any offense because typically the center takes the leadership role in the trenches. ?Nick grew up a lot last year,? Moore explained. ?He?s taking over this offensive line as far as communication and lining people up in the right direction. He?s building every day. ?He?s a leader in his own way. A leader isn?t always vocal. He?s not a leader in the rah-rah sense but just in the way he approaches the game, makes the right calls, understands what?s going on and knows the game plan. That?s the way he approaches leadership.? This week, Moore?s guidance and communication is imperative, as the Bills defense possesses a knockout punch, especially at Ralph Wilson Stadium. There?s no doubt the Buffalo fans will be doing all they can to help their Bills obtain that first win of the season. When Mangold grips that football, a thirsty and talented front seven will be breathing down the front line?s throats amid the deafening roar of the faithful crowd of blue. ?The place is loud," Moore said. "I?m glad we?re not going up there when it?s cold and loud, but it?s a loud place. The fans love the game and really get into it. The crowd noise is definitely something we need to prepare for.? The Bills defense has been off to a sluggish start, the players finding themselves last in many major statistical categories. Moore knows the Jets don?t want to wake this sleeping giant. ?They?re fast and have great pass rushers up front and their linebackers get to the ball, so that definitely makes for a good defense,? he said. ?They?re going to play hard, I know they?re 0-3, but it?s been against some tough teams. They?re going to play hard and their record won?t faze them so they?ll be looking for a big win at home to get their season back on track.?
He's one of the worst starting offensive lineman in the league. As far as I'm concerned a big pile of steaming sh$t is not a team leader.
He's horrible, he's one of the main reasons we can't run the ball. He's undersized and doesn't get any push. How many other starting RG's would you not take over him? I've seen him screw up enough pass blocking assignments that almost got Chad killed. Anyone remember the Vikings game last year when a guy ran right past him and almost killed chad? Just because he doesn't have penalties doesn't he mean he's "ok".
Actually, he's been good this year. Maybe that because the other side ofthe line is suspect, or maybe after having been a DT until the NFL, he's gotten te hang of playing on the other side of the ball. No fan had a greater hatred of seeing him on the field than me, before this year, but he has quietly been doing a good job.\ (And I go back and watch the games in slo-mo at least twice during the week. he's been solid)
As much as I hate to admit but D'Brick is the one who is struggling. I'm sure He will get better as the season goes on
Anthony Clement is much worse than Moore. Moore is a bit of a JAG.He can do a good job against average players but he'll struggle with good DTs.
I have been down on Moore since he became a Bradway conversion project. To me,his development typlifies the Jets lack of respect for the guard postion. They must see something I don't because I view him as average at best. They did run to the right mostly against Miami will much success so I hope the line will continue to improve.
I think Moore has been excellent, and I wanted him moved to the bench this offseason. I think Clarke has been somewhat mediocre, but I didn't expect much from him, and D'Brick could do better. D'Brick has a big test this week in Schobel, and if he passes it, I think it will do wonders for his confidence. I'm not really sold on Clement. Mangold is great. -X-
i think moore is playing well for the most part.. he isnt dominant run bocker but he gets his job done and his a pretty good pass locker.
So is Moore the long term solution? Is he part of the solution or the problem with the fact that our line can't run block or pass block?
Hell, you don't need to go back to last year. He whiffed on the goal-line this year against the Ravens and got Thomas Jones stuffed 2 yards in the backfield. Literally was not in the hole he was supposed to be in, allowing a Raven's safety a free shot unimpeded at him. How often does a safety get into the backfield in the big sets on the goal line? Answer: only when an offensive lineman literally teleports out of his spot to another dimension, which is the closest accurate description I can think of for what Moore did on that play.
