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During Combine, Bowles Hints at O-line Retooling


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Mangold

by Glenn Naughton

 

As the New York Jets offense struggled to put points on the board last season, finishing 28th in the NFL at 17.7 per game, some fans looked beyond the performance of quarterback Geno Smith and pointed the finger at the offensive line.

Nine year veteran center Nick Mangold enjoyed a resurgence in the middle of the Jets offense en route to his sixth pro-bowl appearance.  Meanwhile, the play of D’Brickashaw Ferguson came under fire, but his performance at left tackle was better than most gave him credit for.  According to the NFL statistical website PFF.com, Ferguson earned an “average” or “above average” grade in 13 of 16 games.  While the durable left tackle isn’t the player he once was, many teams would have been happy to have him protecting their quarterback’s blind side.  Mangold and Ferguson are likely the only two offensive lineman under contract who shouldn’t have any concerns about job security to start the 2015 season.

Incumbents starters include LG’s Oday Aboushi and Brian Winters, RG Willie Colon, and RT Breno Giacomini, all of whom have lingering questions for reasons of their own.

Aboushi was thrust in to the starting line-up when the struggling Winters suffered a season-ending ACL tear against the Denver Broncos and performed admirably. The converted offensive tackle in his second season of the University of Virginia allowed 2 sacks and 16 hurries in his 11 starts, but provided a clear upgrade over Winters who may not be a lock to make the roster if he doesn’t show improvement.

Even though he provided strong pass-protection, Colon was a liability in the run game at times while tying for the NFL lead in penalties with ten.  The eight-year veteran is a local product from the Bronx who was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers out of Hofstra in 2006, but his age and inconsistent performance could lead to the Jets looking elsewhere for a RG next season.  Dakota Dozier, a promising fourth round pick last season is one in-house candidate, but can’t be heavily relied upon as he didn’t manage to get on the filed in 2014.

Giacomini was supposed to be one of former GM John Idzik’s big signings.  A member of the Seahawks’ Super Bowl winning team of two seasons ago, Giacomini surrendered 3 sacks and 31 QB hurries, tenth worst among all tackles in the NFL.  Much like Aboushi and Colon, Giacomini had his ups and downs but was never as dominant, or consistent as fans had hoped he would be.

Despite some less than glowing individual statistics, this was still a line that performed well enough for the Jets to win more than four games had the quarterback play been better.  According to PFF, Russell Wilson was the only quarterback in the NFL who averaged more time from snap to throw than the Jets’ Smith did. Many of Smith’s critics have cited his tendency to hold on to the football for too long when the protection is strong and that number lends some legitimacy to that claim.

However, Winters’ struggles, Aboushi’s lack of experience, Colon’s poor run-blocking and penalties, with Giacomini’s tendency to get beaten in pass-protection is a likely  reason for head coach Todd Bowles’ comments at the NFL combine in which he said the team would like to get “tougher up front”.  With free agency and the draft fast-approaching here are a few names worth  mentioning as the Jets will look to reach that goal.

One of the top names in free agency this off-season is San Francisco 49ers left guard Mike Iupati.  Regarded as one of the leagues best run blockers, the Jets interest in Iupati remains to be seen as his pass protection does break down more than you’d expect from a top-tier player who will likely command a top-tier salary.  Although he’s viewed as the best free agent guard on the market, Iupati surrendered a league-worst seven sacks last season while blocking for a quarterback armed with more weapons and better mobility than he would likely have with the Jets. In addition to the seven sacks, Iupati was also charged with allowing 2 QB hits and 22 hurries.

If the Jets look to spend a little bit less at the position, Bengals’ OG Clint Boling would bring youth, starting experience and versatility.  The former college tackle played LG last season for the Bengals, but also stepped in to play RT when called upon in weeks fourteen and fifteen.

Through the draft, one player with some upside who is expected to be a late round project would be Texas A&M guard Jarvis Harrison.  CBSsports.com’s scouting report on Harrison spoke of the high praise he’s earned at A&M and the overall potential of the Texas native:

Considering A&M has sent Luke Joeckel, Jake Matthews (and soon Cedric Ogbuehi) to the NFL via the first round, it is easy to understand why the perimeter blockers get most of the attention, but Harrison has been described by Aggies’ coaches as their most athletic offensive lineman and he flashes the talent worthy of early round consideration.

Bringing in a player to compete with Giacomini should also be a priority, and free agent Doug Free is one worth looking at.  An eight year veteran, Free suffered a foot injury last season that kept him out for five contests, but when healthy, the Cowoboys RT was a key part of one of the best offensive lines in the game.  Dallas is rumored to be interested in bringing Free back, but they are also said to be considering back-up Jermy Parnell who filled in nicely  during Free’s absence.

Currently the Jets have only Geno Smith and  Matt Simms on their roster at the quarterback position.  With a weak free-agent QB class, and the only quarterback likely to be available to the Jets in the draft considered to be two to three seasons away from being NFL ready(Marcus Mariota), the Jets will have to dominate up front like they did in 2009 and 2010 if they have any hopes of  a quick turnaround for the struggling franchise.

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You know, this is a possibility I have been rolling around in my head.  We tend to think about incremental changes, adding this and that.  But these are new guys and they might want to pull the rug out from under everything and go from square one.  Don't get hung by another guy's players.  They have a grace period.  Woody is not axing anyone after two years this time.

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Other than Mangold, anyone on that O-Line can be replaced.

Who are you replacing Brick with?  Please don't tell me some rookie lineman.  Brick needs to play better but he is not the problem.  As the article stated, lots of teams would be happy to have him.   I can see maybe drafting his eventual replacement but Brick will be starting next year. 

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Draft Ali Marpet in the mid to late rounds and let him learn behind Mangold. That will be our Center of the future. 

 

The way Mayock was raving about the guy, I don't think he'll be on the board for very long.  Really hoping Dalton Freeman can develop and eventually take over for Mangold.  He got some reps at OG a couple years ago too..maybe an option?

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The way Mayock was raving about the guy, I don't think he'll be on the board for very long.  Really hoping Dalton Freeman can develop and eventually take over for Mangold.  He got some reps at OG a couple years ago too..maybe an option?

I heard the rave too, and I got to say that it seems legit. I didnt even see him at the combine, I watched the senior bowl and watched him stone wall everything that was in front of him. 

 

Mayock I believe is correct with this kid. 

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I would like to see how Aboushi progresses this off-season. In his rookie year he looked completely lost and hopeless in the pre season and even made me question why we kept him on the practice squad. The jump he took from his rookie year to his second year blew my mind. He played with passion, fire and much better technique. If he can make that same level of improvement in his 3rd year, we may have the LG spot locked up for some time but that remains to be seen. He's definitely worth to be given a chance. I don't see why fans expect these 23 and 24 year olds to be masters of their craft at the highest level. Show me development and improvement and you'll be given a chance to play.

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There are a few lineman worthy of the 6th pick but hopefully they trade down and get extra picks plus a lineman.

I used to think that earlier this month, but now I dont think thats the case. Even Scherff, I never looked at him as a Left Tackle to begin with and lately I dont consider him a RT either. I wouldnt want to draft a guard, which is what I see him as, that high. At the same time though, I seen how Zack Martin transformed that Cowboys line, which ultimately transformed that Cowboys offense, which is who some are comparing Scherff to. With that said, Zack Martin wasnt taken with the 6th pick in the draft. Also, his bench press at the combine had to be the biggest disappointment that no one is talking about. 

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I used to think that earlier this month, but now I dont think thats the case. Even Scherff, I never looked at him as a Left Tackle to begin with and lately I dont consider him a RT either. I wouldnt want to draft a guard, which is what I see him as, that high. At the same time though, I seen how Zack Martin transformed that Cowboys line, which ultimately transformed that Cowboys offense, which is who some are comparing Scherff to. With that said, Zack Martin wasnt taken with the 6th pick in the draft. Also, his bench press at the combine had to be the biggest disappointment that no one is talking about.

He's not good at benching but his hang clean is sick, around 480 which is way up there. Kind of like Suh. Bad bench great clean.

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Sign Iupati and draft Scherff at 6. Go into the season with one of the best lines in football.

Football is won in the trenches and the Jets would then have an elite line on both sides of the ball.

That's how we did it in 2009 and 2010. Get a great OL. You can have a mediocre OL if you're qb is named Tom Brady or Peyton Manning.

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Dakota dozier was a very highly regarded small school prospect, I still have hope for him and aboushi. I think we need to replace breno, get someone dozier can learn behind and let aboushi continue to develop. At least that would be my 1 year plan since you can't fix all of the teams problems in a single season.

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I would like to see how Aboushi progresses this off-season. In his rookie year he looked completely lost and hopeless in the pre season and even made me question why we kept him on the practice squad. The jump he took from his rookie year to his second year blew my mind. He played with passion, fire and much better technique. If he can make that same level of improvement in his 3rd year, we may have the LG spot locked up for some time but that remains to be seen. He's definitely worth to be given a chance. I don't see why fans expect these 23 and 24 year olds to be masters of their craft at the highest level. Show me development and improvement and you'll be given a chance to play.

:ph34r: Aboushi Akbar!

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He's not good at benching but his hang clean is sick, around 480 which is way up there. Kind of like Suh. Bad bench great clean.

He's a powerlifter.  They don't do high rep exercises.  Low-rep, high weight.  I'll bet his max is among the top lifters at the combine.  Fatigue knocks down rep numbers for those big, long-armed guys.

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He's a powerlifter. They don't do high rep exercises. Low-rep, high weight. I'll bet his max is among the top lifters at the combine. Fatigue knocks down rep numbers for those big, long-armed guys.

I powerlifted I understand then concept but 225 is a easy weight for someone who is good at benching. 23 reps is a joke for a powerlifter especially his size.

His hang clean is beastly which is more important then his bench so it's no big deal.

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Justin Blalock is available. Played pretty well, has a couple good years left, great run blocker and good in pass protection. Can also play RT, we could then shift Breno inside to the RG position.

 

I understand wanting to upgrade the line.  Blalock and probably the guys from NO will be available and could be obvious upgrades.  I do not understand the logic of signing a guard to play at tackle and move our tackle to guard.  I like the idea of getting the best 5 on the field, but if they sign Blalock I would imagine he plays G and Breno stays at T.

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I understand wanting to upgrade the line.  Blalock and probably the guys from NO will be available and could be obvious upgrades.  I do not understand the logic of signing a guard to play at tackle and move our tackle to guard.  I like the idea of getting the best 5 on the field, but if they sign Blalock I would imagine he plays G and Breno stays at T.

 

Breno is a liability in pass protection at RT. I'm assuming that Bowles would at least consider moving him to guard regardless, especially now that we have a hole there at RG. He reminds me a little of Marshal Yanda so maybe this could work out the same way for us and he'll start dominating there because he won't be asked to move a lot in space when he plays inside. And Blalock played LT in college, I think now being older he should be able to still play RT at a decent level. But the Breno thing has to be adressed, either by moving him to guard or by bringing in a blocking TE to help him out in obvious passing downs. I'm normally against this type of thinking because in theory it works out but shifting guys around like that is more something you'd do in a video game so I get what you're saying.

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Dakota dozier was a very highly regarded small school prospect, I still have hope for him and aboushi. I think we need to replace breno, get someone dozier can learn behind and let aboushi continue to develop. At least that would be my 1 year plan since you can't fix all of the teams problems in a single season.

this should be the blueprint. a legit right tackle and a  stop gap veteran at right guard. as others have stated, oboushi took a very nice step from year 1 to year 2 and played respectably at left guard last year. develop dozier until he is ready to take over. right tackle is the biggest concern for me, right now. breno does not have the foot speed to play outside. he can run block and can handle the bullrush just fine. throw a pass rush move on him, and he is playing from behind. multiple times a game, he gets beat like a drum. maybe breno is best suited to play guard. less space to be responsible for

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this should be the blueprint. a legit right tackle and a  stop gap veteran at right guard. as others have stated, oboushi took a very nice step from year 1 to year 2 and played respectably at left guard last year. develop dozier until he is ready to take over. right tackle is the biggest concern for me, right now. breno does not have the foot speed to play outside. he can run block and can handle the bullrush just fine. throw a pass rush move on him, and he is playing from behind. multiple times a game, he gets beat like a drum. maybe breno is best suited to play guard. less space to be responsible for

 

I think RG is a bigger problem them RT.  Colon was fairly bad, a penalty machine, old, injury prone and is a free agent.  Right now, they don't have much under contract.  Breno, Brick, Mangold, Winters, Dozier, Aboushi and Dalton Freeman.  They also have Qvale (UDFA T from Nebraska spent 2014 on the PS), Sean Hooey (injury prone UDFA T from Cincinnati spent 2013 on the Rams PS and 2014 on the street) and Wesley Johnson (T/G/C prospect from Vanderbilt 2014 5th rounder of the Steelers picked up off waivers in October).  These names do not inspire confidence.  I would imagine that they will sign at least one borderline starter at both G and T.  If you think tackle is a bigger problem than G, then you are prepared to go with Aboushi and Winters because Dozier is a complete unknown.   

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Justin Blalock is available. Played pretty well, has a couple good years left, great run blocker and good in pass protection. Can also play RT, we could then shift Breno inside to the RG position.

 

Nice. There's a pretty solid group of guards available in FA this year.

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