It seems like a huge amount of our rushing success last season came off of pulls by Faneca where Moore had already driven someone back 3-4 yards and Faneca would smoke whoever was left waiting in the hole. If that success is going to be replaced by more of a straight forward zone blocking scheme and these guys are better suited for that type of blocking then I guess that makes sense. I'll believe it when I see it though. Faneca was a key component in the #1 rushing attack in the league last season so far as I could tell. If the rushing attack doesn't take a step back I'll be very surprised, especially early in the season as whoever wins the spot gets their feet wet.
That is why I was saying that Slauson and Ducasse had better be better at power blocking than Fanecca was. If they are, Schotty has to change the playbook some. Perhaps this was the plan all along? Did the Jets have Fanecca pull more often because he was simply better at that than in line blocking? Maybe they might have Moore pull more often now and run to the left more often? I sure hope so, I don't think this CS is as stupid re: the O line as Herm and Mangini were. I can only hope that there is a method to the madness, that this was actually part of the overall plan. Perhaps this is indeed the plan. I think Greene is better suited to power blocking attacks than he is at following a pulling guard? In any case, I think this has as much importance to the offense as Revis' holdout is to the D.
It's sounding more and more like Slauson is going to win the LG job, which I for one am happy about. Having a raw untested rookie on our Franchise QBs blind side would make me a little nervous. From Manish this afternoon, "Matt Slauson has taken the clear early lead in the left guard battle. I’d be shocked if he’s not the starter when Week 1 rolls around. Rookie Vlad Ducasse still needs some polishing. Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/jets/#ixzz0wEsVaQPJ" And here is a quote from Rex Ryan this afternoon, "Ryan said that Matt Slauson “without a doubt” has the edge over rookie Vlad Ducasse for the starting left guar spot. Slauson will start the first preseason game, Ryan said." Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/jets/#ixzz0wEsdyGt1
If Slauson does wind up winning the opening day job, and it's no sure thing at this point but it's looking more and more likely, I am going to have to boycott this board for a week or two in order to resist pulling up an old thread and saying told you so lol.....
I'd be more comfortable with Slauson there too. If Slauson does a good job, let Vlad get some spot duty in this year and some reps at RT. Our Oline could be set for awhile.....
Good for Slauson that he worked his ass off to get the starting job. I do wonder how behind Ducasse is compared to how well Slauson is doing on a larger scale.
Looks like Slauson has it in the bag, which is good to hear. Ducasse doesn't sound ready, but could be good with some time.
Im really hoping its that Slauson is doing a great job. I think they would have not let Faneca go unless they really thought he was ready.
This sounds like a good healthy competition. Exactly what is good for the team and the players. It will be interesting to see how Slauson performs and get a good look at where Vlad is as well.
I'm pulling for Slauson - I got his autograph today and I have no need for the signature of some shitty back-up.
Slauson winning the starting job is probably the best outcome we can hope for. That would give Ducasse the ability to learn how to play RT in the NFL, develop him as Woody's replacement and set our OLine up for the next 3-4 years(provided Mangold gets signed).
This would actually turn out to be the best case scenario. Find a capable guard in the 6th round (the 2009 draft of Sanchez, Greene & Slauson would look better every day) & then Vlad would play the RT position left open after Woody departs. The line would be set for a few more years. To the earlier poster --------- Jacob Bender was the guy from Nicholls State.
It remains to be seen how well the Jets can fill in with Faneca gone, but no way it's comparable to the Kendall situation. In that deal the Jets had no Plan B going into camp, and the plan they came up with was no plan at all, in terms of getting it done. At least this time they have better players than last time. How much better? We don't know yet.
There's also the possibility that Ducasse can learn RT and Woody can slide inside to play LG next year or down the line. His pass blocking may start to slip but the guy is still a punishing run blocker who is probably better suited to play inside anyway, like he did most of his career. Probably more likely Woody just gets released to save money, but Woody has played Guard for a good portion of his career.
Thoughts on this most important position battle after tonight's game? Slauson looked a little "meh" to me. Vlad looked stout in pass protection, but he looked stout againt number two's, obviously. If you look closely at that Sanchez-to-LT connection in the first quarter near the end zone, Slauson bit hard on a DT's feint. The guy had Slauson dead to rights, but Nick Mangold swooped in there and took care of business. Thank god for Nick Mangold, man. He's going to earn that extension this year.
Was that Turner? Jesus Chriiist, I am full o' fail today. The center. The center looked good. Whoever the fuck that was, the center looked better than Matt Slauson.
Pretty sure Mangold didn't play today. I thought Slauson looked solid, but it's pretty clear his run blocking won't be on par with Faneca's.
