Brandon Shell off to promising start in push to be Jets' 2017 right tackle

[Gas2No99]

Brandon Shell off to promising start in push to be Jets' 2017 right tackle

Matt Forte #22 of the New York Jets celebrates his third quarter touchdown with teammate Brandon Shell #72 against the Baltimore Ravens at MetLife Stadium on October 23, 2016 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Al Bello | Getty Images)

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By Darryl Slater | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com 
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on December 22, 2016 at 7:00 AM, updated December 22, 2016 at 7:24 AM

 

 

The Jets will need a new right tackle in 2017, because Breno Giacomini is a goner. That much we know already.

But what remains unclear is this: Can Brandon Shell take over at right tackle for this team next season?

Shell, a rookie, had a promising starting debut in Saturday's loss to the Dolphins. According to Pro Football Focus, he allowed zero quarterback pressures on 55 pass blocking snaps.

Not bad for a guy who had played 10 offensive snaps all season, plus just 20 on special teams. He was supposed to sit, watch, and learn this year. 

But a season-ending back injury to Giacomini, and then a hamstring injury to Brent Qvale, resulted in Shell starting against Miami. And he did all right in his first career NFL start. 

 

Jets offensive coordinator Chan Gailey agreed with the assessment that Shell played well against the Dolphins, but he noted that the Jets gave Shell blocking help, because he was a green player blocking Cameron Wake.

"He played good," Gailey said of Shell. "He was physical. We tried to make sure he had some help over there for him, knowing that they would try to come after him, and he was on Cameron Wake. That's two bad things. You try to make sure that you help out over there as much as you possibly can for the guy."

Shell has long been more comfortable at right tackle, dating back to his high school and college days. 

The Jets drafted him in Round 5 this year, out of South Carolina. But they actually used a fourth-round pick on him, because they traded away their Round 4 pick in 2017, in order to move into Round 5 and get him. - Did Mac perceive there would be a dearth of OT talent in the 2017 draft and, as much as he states that he prefers to keep picks, it was still worth capitulating a future pick ?

After Saturday's game, Shell felt encouraged by his performance. It appeared, at first glance, as though he missed a blocking assignment in the first quarter, when Wake ran free and strip-sacked Bryce Petty.

But Shell said he did what he was supposed to do on the play -- block down to the inside of the line. Gailey said Shell was speaking the truth. Gailey declined to say who screwed up on the play, and let Wake run free toward Petty. 

Shell will need to be productive for more than just one start, in order for the Jets to trust him as their right tackle in 2017. But this was an auspicious beginning. 

Giacomini has struggled over the past two seasons. This season, he dealt with a lingering back injury that finally caught up to him. He turns 32 next September. The Jets would create $4.5 million in salary cap space (with just $625,000 in dead money attached) by cutting him. Next year is the final season of his contract. 

All that adds up to Giacomini being released after this season. Is Shell ready to step in and take over? 

[Barkus]

He played pretty well in his first start vs a solid Miami D. Encouraging. 

[Jetster]

This would be a huge pick if Shell performs & grabs that right tackle spot. He's got the pedigree folks that's for sure. Would be a season changer & let Macc fill edge rusher & corner back at the top of the draft. He could then sign a stop gap LT until the 2018 draft.

[BigRy56]

It would be HUGE for the Jets if Shell and Wesley Johnson stuck as long term options. All we'd need to do is re-sign Winters and bring in a LT (Whitworth as a holdover??)

[Jetster]

1 hour ago, BigRy56 said:

It would be HUGE for the Jets if Shell and Wesley Johnson stuck as long term options. All we'd need to do is re-sign Winters and bring in a LT (Whitworth as a holdover??)

This could be a case of Shell getting his feet wet because of injuries & I'm interested to see how he plays Saturday. Ninkovic is a sneaky SOB, very smart player. Be cool to see Shell handle him. 

[drdetroit]

0 qb pressures on 55 pass protects lined up against Suh

 

 

[TuscanyTile2]

2 hours ago, Gas2No99 said:

Shell will need to be productive for more than just one start, in order for the Jets to trust him as their right tackle in 2017. But this was an auspicious beginning. 

What about 3 starts?  Will that suffice?

[RutgersJetFan]

It's almost like trading away mid-round picks for expensive vets and signing really expensive vets instead of just drafting and playing young talent is a bad way of going about things.

[peebag]

1 hour ago, RutgersJetFan said:

It's almost like trading away mid-round picks for expensive vets and signing really expensive vets instead of just drafting and playing young talent is a bad way of going about things.

[cant wait]

Burris got a pick too in this game... good game for the rookie draft class

[Green DNA]

After his performance vs the Fins one has to wonder what took this coaching staff so long to see that the guy may have some talent.  I know it's one game, but he has to be better than the crap they have been trotting out all year long.

[Integrity28]

10 hours ago, drdetroit said:

0 qb pressures on 55 pass protects lined up against Suh

 

 

Article says against Wake.

[Integrity28]

18 minutes ago, Green DNA said:

After his performance vs the Fins one has to wonder what took this coaching staff so long to see that the guy may have some talent.  I know it's one game, but he has to be better than the crap they have been trotting out all year long.

They don't like to play guys that don't have experience. They don't like to play guys to give them experience.

They self-inflict their stupidity.

[Nick Blitz]

20 minutes ago, Green DNA said:

After his performance vs the Fins one has to wonder what took this coaching staff so long to see that the guy may have some talent.  I know it's one game, but he has to be better than the crap they have been trotting out all year long.

This is the same coaching staff that trotted out sh*tzpatrick for 12 weeks, this is pretty consistent for them.

[section314]

8 minutes ago, Integrity28 said:

They don't like to play guys that don't have experience. They don't like to play guys to give them experience.

They self-inflict their stupidity.

Catch 22, Jets style.

[DMan77]

If he can show in these next couple of weeks that he's a solid starter that really helps the Jets offseason plans... Yes, they still need the all important left tackle spot, but there's a big difference in having to find just one tackle instead of two. This would be a big win for the Jets if he proves to be a capable starter... It's not flashy, but it would be nice. 

[UnitedWhofans]

46 minutes ago, Integrity28 said:

They don't like to play guys that don't have experience. They don't like to play guys to give them experience.

They self-inflict their stupidity.

That has been a problem with Rex and Bowles. They favor experience over talent

[UnitedWhofans]

And let's be honest. New England doesn't have a pass rush at all anymore so he should be okay this week

[DMan77]

1 minute ago, UnitedWhofans said:

That has been a problem with Rex and Bowles. They favor experience over talent

Right, until this part of the season when we're eliminated and they decide to play the unknowns and young talent... I can picture the coaching staff standing there saying "Oh... He's good... Probably should have given him more snaps this season. Ah well."

[CrazyCarl40]

1 hour ago, Green DNA said:

After his performance vs the Fins one has to wonder what took this coaching staff so long to see that the guy may have some talent.  I know it's one game, but he has to be better than the crap they have been trotting out all year long.

It's pretty simple. You play Qvale or Ijalana or even Breno at RT and you don't have to chip with the back every play or keep an inline tight end every play to help block or have the guard lend a hand to him every other play. Gailey in his presser said on the majority of snaps Shell got help. While it's a promising start, you have to take it with a grain of salt. 

[rangerous]

1 hour ago, Green DNA said:

After his performance vs the Fins one has to wonder what took this coaching staff so long to see that the guy may have some talent.  I know it's one game, but he has to be better than the crap they have been trotting out all year long.

because they used qvale and iajalana as right tackle while waiting for breno to come back?  look on the bright side.  as far as the oline goes they may have something with shell, qvale, winters, iajalana, and johnson.  the biggest issue is still left tackle but maybe that can addressed with a high draft pick or through free agency.

[SBBound]

3 hours ago, Integrity28 said:

They don't like to play guys that don't have experience. They don't like to play guys to give them experience.

They self-inflict their stupidity.

Or perhaps it was the fact that they waited to play them until they developed more skills and experience during practice. Just because we see some potential in them NOW does not mean they would have shown the same potential if they played 4-5 weeks ago.

[Joejet]

But wait, where are all the posters that said he was a wasted pick because he had a bad preseason game where Petty was hurt? I'm so confused!

[drdetroit]

18 hours ago, cant wait said:

Burris got a pick too in this game... good game for the rookie draft class

Burris has also shown flashes this season.  I'd be ok with Burris starting at CB and Shell at RT next year.

 

That is what the draft is supposed to be for.

[Gas2No99]

I think Shell will be sufficient as a RT and WORST case scenario he can become an excellent back-up SWING tackle providing quality depth - not bad for a 5th rounder who cost us a '17 4th round pick (aka the no quality stud OLine draft). The Shell and Hackenberg picks represent MacCags selecting physical specimens that fit the ideal of the designated position - RT & QB - but need to be coached up and learn the speed of the pro level - no one's knocked their pedigree and attitudes thus far. Yeah there's valid criticism of possible over reach, but if he HITS on these guys "getting it" in the Pros, then it's a JACKPOT of a HEIST - ESPECIALLY if he hits on a Franchise QB. I can see the scout in him willing to take a gamble on guys who fit the bill. 

People tend to dump on the Jordan Jenkins pick, but he has been rather decent considering he's a neophyte that didn't play until week 4 - IIRC. He'll improve in setting the edge as he gets more wet behind the ears - he's holding up decently as a NFL starter selected in the 3rd round, he'll only improve. #48 has been equal to if not better than the man he replaced - Calvin Pace - at 1/17th of the comparative salary. Lee is another contributor who will only get better - as long as he learns to turn his FRIGGIN! head - and physical bigger/stronger in the coming years. People like what Burris has shown and he's a 4th rounder who MAY end up being our future free safety. 

Mac has built up - and needs to continue doing so -  some decent quality depth at key positions that are now younger and cheaper: DL - Simon, Williamso; WR-Anderson, Peake, Marshall; LB-Mauldin, Jenkins, Lee. Not every pick is a homerun, but his picks HAVE started to contribute in some form and will do more so as the roster is purged of the excessive salaries next spring. Look at how many of Idzik's and Tanny's POST-2008 picks are STILL on the team, let alone the NFL. I can't complain THUS FAR of how Macs picks have contributed when compared to his recent predecessors.

For every cry baby lamenting over the HORRIBLE picks of Devin Smith! Jarvis Harrison! even the YET TO BE SEEN HAckenberg! I'd say take a strong look at how HORRIBLY DEPLETED of TALENT this team was when Mac took over in January 2015 and how it is better stocked in talent to compete in the conference. So WHIFFING on 2 picks (and Anderson/Marshall/Peake make Smith a WASH) isn't too shabby. That's why the season has been so frustrating, the TALENT has NOT played up to its fans' expectations and standards, let alone the players' respective salaries that are not deserved for 2016. Oh yeah, and we found our (worst case scenario)  back-up QB of the future in Petty. 

[Joejet]

18 minutes ago, Gas2No99 said:

I think Shell will be sufficient as a RT and WORST case scenario he can become an excellent back-up SWING tackle providing quality depth - not bad for a 5th rounder who cost us a '17 4th round pick (aka the no quality stud OLine draft). The Shell and Hackenberg picks represent MacCags selecting physical specimens that fit the ideal of the designated position - RT & QB - but need to be coached up and learn the speed of the pro level - no one's knocked their pedigree and attitudes thus far. Yeah there's valid criticism of possible over reach, but if he HITS on these guys "getting it" in the Pros, then it's a JACKPOT of a HEIST - ESPECIALLY if he hits on a Franchise QB. I can see the scout in him willing to take a gamble on guys who fit the bill. 

People tend to dump on the Jordan Jenkins pick, but he has been rather decent considering he's a neophyte that didn't play until week 4 - IIRC. He'll improve in setting the edge as he gets more wet behind the ears - he's holding up decently as a NFL starter selected in the 3rd round, he'll only improve. #48 has been equal to if not better than the man he replaced - Calvin Pace - at 1/17th of the comparative salary. Lee is another contributor who will only get better - as long as he learns to turn his FRIGGIN! head - and physical bigger/stronger in the coming years. People like what Burris has shown and he's a 4th rounder who MAY end up being our future free safety. 

Mac has built up - and needs to continue doing so -  some decent quality depth at key positions that are now younger and cheaper: DL - Simon, Williamso; WR-Anderson, Peake, Marshall; LB-Mauldin, Jenkins, Lee. Not every pick is a homerun, but his picks HAVE started to contribute in some form and will do more so as the roster is purged of the excessive salaries next spring. Look at how many of Idzik's and Tanny's POST-2008 picks are STILL on the team, let alone the NFL. I can't complain THUS FAR of how Macs picks have contributed when compared to his recent predecessors.

For every cry baby lamenting over the HORRIBLE picks of Devin Smith! Jarvis Harrison! even the YET TO BE SEEN HAckenberg! I'd say take a strong look at how HORRIBLY DEPLETED of TALENT this team was when Mac took over in January 2015 and how it is better stocked in talent to compete in the conference. So WHIFFING on 2 picks (and Anderson/Marshall/Peake make Smith a WASH) isn't too shabby. That's why the season has been so frustrating, the TALENT has NOT played up to its fans' expectations and standards, let alone the players' respective salaries that are not deserved for 2016. Oh yeah, and we found our (worst case scenario)  back-up QB of the future in Petty. 

Nice post!

[detectivekimble]

Four year starter in the SEC with great size and very good short area quickness (top broad jump performer at Combine).

It really wouldn't be shocking if he turned into a starter.