Bit over all our O-Line the past 2 years is what you would consider average at best. However the depth has been nothing short of horrible and Vlad Ducasse is part of that depth. When he comes in he still looks lost and thats not good at this stage of his development for him or the team.
sometimes, we the fans suffer from a lack of perspective. the word is that the Jets OL stinks or "average at best" here's my case as to why that's wrong:
they are well above average, by most measurements. Mark Sanchez is in the top 3rd of protected QBs based on sack stats and QB hit stats. They get good push on short yardage (as most point out in the "why did they pass the ball on 3rd and short" type threads). Nick Mangold is the best center in the league. DBrick is a Pro Bowl regular. Moore is a Pro Bowler. Even vlad, who people say stink, is responsible for some huge holes in the run game. Austin Howard has been pretty darn good as a replacement for Wayne Hunter.
My question is If the Jets are below average in OL, who do you think is better? The Pats starting Donald Thomas and Dan Connolly instead of Mankins and Waters? The Packers who actually have the most sacked starting QB in the league in Aaron Rodgers? Rotoworld said the Packers had the best line in football in preseason. The media on OL is an absolute sh*t show. even PFF which usually does a good job, has no idea how to grade OL. if you don't know the play or the assignment, how can you grade the OL?
full disclosure this year, I took a job writing as an OL expert for a fantasy football site. I have been watching all the lines, not just the Jets lines, and following them closely. I am comfortable in my rankings. I feel like I know these lines better than I ever had, not just the Jets but all of em. And long story short if you think the Jets line stinks, look around the league.
I have the 49ers as the best line in the league. They are my #1. But I have the Jets along with the Ravens, Texans, Giants, Bucs, Titans, Dolphins and Saints as the top lines in the league. The Jets are easily in the top 10 just by having Nick Mangold on the field.
Yes compared to the faneca,woody lines they are about average. but compared to the 32 teams in 2012 they are very good if not excellent. and if you want to see bad lines, look at the Rams, Colts, Chargers, Redskins, jaguars, Cards, Eagles, Steelers etc. compared to these teams the Jets ol is friggin awesome.
Edited by bitonti, 05 November 2012 - 05:23 PM.
