I keep seeing people say we need to draft a RT, and while I agree that getting the answer for the future for the right side is a smart idea, plugging a rookie in there is not going to fix the problem that we have there for the near future. Not for 2012, or 2013 even. Because we aren't going to be drafting high enough to score a player that will produce right away, and the scheme takes longer for a player to adapt to than your traditional man blocking scheme. We need a veteran. It doesn't even have to be a premier RT, because Woody was able to help glue the line, and before we picked him up, nobody on this forum was clamoring for his services. We just need somebody that FITS.
Not much else to add except that I agree. That's probably the best strategy you can go with and hope for the best with our 1st or 2nd round pick in finding a replacement RT. Its obvious Ducass isn't the solution, unless he has a monster off-season.
I don't know what the OT situation looks like in the draft but why couldn't we get a RT in the draft regardless of where we pick?
Just at a glance, potential OT FA's are Ryan Harris (Phi), Joe Staley (SF), Ryan Diem (Ind), Kareem McKenzie (NYG). The chance of all of those guys making it to FA without being re-signed is likely slim, but I wouldn't mind seeing McKenzie back in a Jets uniform, even with his recent injury issues.
It's about making the right choice, Ducasse was drafted as a project. There must be a guy out there who they feel can step in day 1 and compete.
Yes, well, Hodormir Duck-ass seems more suited to mop the stadium's bathroom floors than block the strong side so far, and he was not exactly drafted in the 7th round. All draft picks are about making the right choice. And gambling. Maybe we luck into a diamond in the rough, but I am not holding my breath. We need a veteran on the right side unless was want Sanchez walking like Namath by the age of 30.
All I know is that the right side of our OLine is on fire and something has to be done before Mark Sanchez gets beaten into Chad Pennington's right shoulder. Be it draft or FA, this FO has to do something. The way kids are coming out of college these days, its not crazy to think that a rookie could play better coming in than Hunter with alot more upside. I don't really care one way or the other how it gets done, but the FO had better do something to put the fire out before the entire offense goes up in smoke via a decimated QB and OLine.
You don't necessarily need a veteran at RT. We have a veteran O-line so the vets could really help him get up to speed quicker. All things being equal though it would be nice to get a bit younger and lock down that spot for 4-5 years.
They're doing a bang-up job with Hunter and Duck-ass, aren't they? A rookie at the RT spot in 2012 guarantees Sanchez is in the top 5 for sacks in 2012.
totally agree byz....RT is that tweener spot where some teams like to draft and others like to sign the vet. the only issue with the jets is that they will have alot of cash tied up in brick and mangold so signing a quality vet RT could be stretching the wallet. the apparent whiff on ducasse is getting magnified with each passing week.
I wonder how much Jared Gaither is going to command and if the Chargers will resign him? He's done a great job since going to SD this season and looks like his back issues will be fully healed by next season. He'd be my top choice for a free agent RT
Joe Staley is the only Tackle I really think is worth a solid look and the money... The offensive line can NOT get older. The right side is old as of now, and Mangold and Brick are not getting younger. The right side has to be rebuilt, and I really dont think that signing a Veteran that is only a stop gap player will help. And dont say a rookie cant help from the start, look at Bryan Bulaga, Michael Oher, Duane Brown have all been late 1st round productive tackles. Signing a 31 year old RT will only hurt. Yeah he could hold down the position for a year and maybe two if we are lucky, but this would just be another sighting of the front office's major problem- signing old veterans that past their prime to a good size contract with the mentality of "win now"
I'm sure this will cause an uproar..but it's way too soon to give up on Ducasse. The guy still has the raw skills to be a pro bowl calibur RT, and a full offseason will do wonders for his development. He's not as far off as many believe. We definitely do need to address the right side of the OL regardless. Other than Hunter, the biggest fall off in Ol production this year has been Brandon Moore. Unfortunately this Hip issue has really affected his play. He doesn't explode out of his stance, his feet are slow..and frankly he just isn't the player he once was. I think the best bet is to release Moore after this season,demote Hunter to back-up swing tackle where he belongs, bring in a versatile veteran capable of playing both guard and tackle, and draft another high ceiling linemen for depth. We'd go into next season w/ OL depth looking like this LT: Ferguson/Hunter LG: Slauson/schaluerdoff/ Draftee C: Mangold/Turner RG: FA Veteran//Schlauerdoff/Draftee RT: Ducasse/FA Veteran/Hunter If Ducasse conjtinues to fail you move the FA veteran to RT and allow a full fledged competition at RG to ensue, including Hunter, who could be a much better player at RG. Just the way I'd handle things.
Kurt, I get your drift, but if Ducasse is this clueless right now, he would have to have the most amazing offseason evar in order to be ready to start next season. He's clueless right now. We'd still need a starter quality veteran (someone who does not play the depth role to a 'project' like Hodormir), or we'd be in the same boat we are right now. Just with a bigger, dumber player on the end of the line.
No, I see your point. We can't go into next offseason just assuming Ducasse is going to make huge strides and finally live up to potential. The position definitely needs to be addressed b/c Hunter clearly belongs as a back-up and Ducasse is a big question mark.
I don't think any of the OTs in the draft could step in and play without major flaws being exposed in their game. All the OTs that are projected to go in the 1st or 2nd round all have holes in their game.
Actually a RT for next years first round could be smart. If certain players come out as Juniors like Nixon, Fluker, Henderson, and Matthews. Also there are plenty of solid seniors. Next year would be a better year to draft a RT early while this year it'd be a good idea to get one after the second for depth.
