..finding the O-Line starting 5

[jtomm]

Jets' Training Camp Countdown: Finding the O-Line Starting Five

Will Gang Green's offensive line configuration come together in time for Week 1?

• RALPH VENTRE - 7/15/23

The Jets Country Training Camp Countdown, a series of nine questions, runs from July 10 through 18, counting down the days until rookie and veterans report to the facility on July 19.

An offense can only achieve so much without an effective front five. With a four-time NFL MVP to protect, the New York Jets will hold a training camp competition in an attempt to identify the most-potent offensive line configuration and subsequently provide time for the unit to build cohesion prior to the 2023 regular season opener."We’re going to play our best five," said Jets' third-year head coach Robert Saleh in early May. 

How will the pieces fit across the starting five and how quickly will they develop the right chemistry?

There appears to be some certainty as to which two guards are best suited for starting roles."You can assume AVT [Alijah Vera-Tucker] is the best right guard and Laken and our center and both tackles, so it’s going to be a cool competition," said Saleh during OTAs.Vera-Tucker, a 2021 first-round draft choice, started 16 games as a rookie left guard, but flipped to the right side to accommodate the signing of veteran free agent Laken Tomlinson in 2022. "I feel like right now, I'm just taking reps at guard in OTAs. Like I said, anything can change. We saw that last year," said Vera-Tucker.The versatile Vera-Tucker was active during voluntary springtime practices after recovering from a pectoral injury that ended his season in Week 7 last fall.

Saleh sounds as if the team intends to dedicate Vera-Tucker's talent to an interior position."We think he’s an All-Pro caliber right guard, and I think he can be a heck of a tackle too, but he is an elite guard. Somewhere where we would love to keep him," said Saleh at the NFL Meetings in late March.

Meanwhile, the Jets kept Tomlinson at left guard for the duration of his first season with the team. On the field for every offensive snap in 2022, his performance elicited mixed reviews over the 17-game schedule. Tomlinson, a staple of availability, hasn't missed a start in the past five years dating back to his time with the San Francisco 49ers.As was the case for the 2022 opener, Tomlinson (left) and Vera-Tucker (right) will likely occupy the guard spots amongst the "best five." Free-agent addition Wes Schweitzer can provide starter level ability as a fill-in when needed.

As for the center spot, reliable veteran Connor McGovern is back with Gang Green on a one-year deal, but he'll have to hold off highly-rated rookie Joe Tippmann for the starting job. "You guys know how we are, everyone’s competing," said Saleh after the Jets selected the 6-foot-6 Tippmann with the No. 43 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. "Doesn’t matter where you get drafted, doesn’t matter what you get paid, you’re coming in to compete to begin with, so it’s going to be an open competition."McGovern started all 17 games in 2022. No Jet has logged more offensive snaps over the past three seasons than the 30-year-old center (3,055).

Tippmann was the first center drafted in 2023 after spending the last two years as Wisconsin's starter. Scouts labeled the Big Ten Conference product as a plug-and-play prospect, but handling all that the center position entails can be a challenging task for a rookie."There’s a lot of experience around him, and in that room when you talk about Connor," said Saleh. "Connor’s played a lot of football in this League and he’s going to be an asset also for the young kid to be able to lean on and learn off of."If the Jets were to place Tippmann in an understudy role at center, the athletic rookie has the ability to provide insurance at guard, too."His athleticism, he can provide a lot of versatility to our interior which has been a hallmark of our interior," said general manager Joe Douglas during the NFL Draft. "Just fired up to have him."

---

Projected Starting Five

LT Duane Brown

LG Laken Tomlinson

C Connor McGovern

RG Alijah Vera-Tucker

RT Mekhi Becton

---

There appears to be less certainty surrounding the Jets' group of offensive tackles.

Veteran Duane Brown, who turns 38 years old next month, played 12 games despite nursing a torn rotator cuff last year. The long-time NFL left tackle enters the second half of the two-year free-agent deal he signed last summer."He didn’t have to subject his body to what he did, but he stepped on the field, played as many games as he possibly could with torn rotator cuffs and did a really nice job," said Saleh.When back at full strength, Brown projects to start as Aaron Rodgers's blindside protector.

Mekhi Becton, once viewed as a franchise player, sees himself as a left tackle, but he'll likely battle for right tackle reps as long as Brown is healthy.Becton, the No. 11 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, hasn't appeared in a regular season game since the 2021 opener. After right knee problems have sidelined him for two years, the 6-foot-7 behemoth has lost weight and appears ready to earn a spot up front.

"He’s attacking this offseason the right way and I’m excited for him," said Saleh during OTAs.

Becton, however, will face stiff competition moving forward."I think Max Mitchell has something to say about it. I think the young kid Carter Warren that we drafted, and Billy Turner," said Saleh. "We have a lot of really good tackles right now that are competing to be one of the two tackles that are on the football field. So, it’ll be a good, healthy competition and those who attack it with the right mindset will end up reaping the benefits."

Mitchell, a fourth-round draft selection, made five starts as a rookie in what was an injury-plagued 2022 campaign. Turner, however, could be the most serious threat when it comes to Becton's starting aspirations. The 10th-year pro made 43 starts for the Green Bay Packers with Nathaniel Hackett as the offensive coordinator.Regardless of which players wind up landing spots in the starting five, the Week 1 combination will undoubtedly look different than last year's lineup.With Brown and Becton unavailable at the start of the 2022 campaign, George Fant was the Opening Day starter at left tackle and Mitchell manned the right side. Helping fill a void for the injury-riddled unit, Vera-Tucker flipped from right guard to left tackle at one point. 

The hope for 2023 is that the Jets can find a consistent quintet that remains intact during the regular season."That o-line, you want it to gel," said Saleh. "In a perfect world, the same five play 17 games and then you’re rolling."

Offensive Line — 16

Tackles: Mekhi Becton (77), Duane Brown (76), Max Mitchell (61), Billy Turner (54), Carter Warren (67), Greg Senat (64), Yodny Cajuste (70) 

Guards: Laken Tomlinson (78), Alijah Vera Tucker (75), Wes Schweitzer (71), Adam Pankey (62), Trystan Colon (65), Brent Laing (63), Chris Glaser (64) 

Centers: Connor McGovern (60), Joe Tippmann (66), Wes Schweitzer (71)

 >>  https://www.si.com/nfl/jets/news/jets-training-camp-countdown-finding-the-o-line-starting-five

[Rhg1084]

Mcgovern is starting over Tippman?

[bonkertons]

31 minutes ago, Rhg1084 said:

Mcgovern is starting over Tippman?

 

I don't see that happening unless Tippmann REALLY doesn't look ready.  I like having McGovern as a safety net but not sure if I'd give him the edge going into camp.

[Rich Thornburgh]

41 minutes ago, Rhg1084 said:

Mcgovern is starting over Tippman?

No

[doitny]

there is more that just playing center. he has to call the line blocking. i dont think there going to risk that with a rookie considering we have SB expectations and with Rodgers not being the most mobile of QBs we cant afford him getting free runners smacking him cause Tippman is going thru learning pains.

its McGovern staring and Tippman learning as his backup. 

[jtomm]

6 minutes ago, doitny said:

there is more that just playing center. he has to call the line blocking. i dont think there going to risk that with a rookie considering we have SB expectations and with Rodgers not being the most mobile of QBs we cant afford him getting free runners smacking him cause Tippman is going thru learning pains.

its McGovern staring and Tippman learning as his backup. 

this ^^   😎

[Beerfish]

No way Becton makes it through a season.  I'll be legit surprised if he makes it out of training camp.  Billy Turner or Mitchell or maybe Carter Warren will be at RT.  Heck maybe even AVT and move mcgovern to guard if they have to.

[Raideraholic]

31 minutes ago, Rich Thornburgh said:

No

Of course he is - Tippmann going to need time to learn to deal with quick penetrating Dt he’s going to see in pass protection  . He will get a Rodgers killed backed there .   Tippmann will be awesome in the running game day one .   But that’s not enough to have him starting at center with a 39 year old Qb you’re counting on to take you to the promise land.  Playoffs at least.  

[Maynard13]

Laken was terrible last year. If he starts off pooping on the field, I can see McGovern taking over one of the guard spots. There were numerous plays Laken allowed DL to walk right on by untouched. He looked totally clueless. Rodgers will not stand for that. 

[rangerous]

I think a couple of things.  First is that Tomlinson is ready to show what he can do. Second is that becton shows what he can do too. It a contract year for him so he can’t think he can lay an egg and be re-signed or signed by another team.  Avt is pretty set. He has proven himself to be a really good guard and versatile enough to play tackle. Brown will be a tackle as long as his body holds up. Center? McGovern can still play and is valuable as a back up. Tippman may be the guy in the future or even later in the season.  The key is for the jets to field the same five game in and game out or at least with limited disruption due to injury.  I suspect if they come out the gate with some good early wins we won’t see a bunch of nagging injuries keeping these guys out.  I also think they will benefit from Rodgers being qb and milfy not there.

[THE BARON]

If Becton makes it out of camp

LT Duane Brown

LG Laken Tomlinson

C Joe Tippmann

RG Alijah Vera-Tucker

RT Mekhi Becton

 

If Becton does not make it out of camp

LT Duane Brown

LG Laken Tomlinson

C Joe Tippmann

RG Connor McGovern ??? 

RT Alijah Vera-Tucker

If Becton does makes it out of camp and kills it at LT.  This would be the ideal arrangement 

LT Mekhi Becton

LG Laken Tomlinson

C Joe Tippmann

RG Alijah Vera-Tucker

RT Duane Brown

[Barry McCockinner]

LT Duane Brown

LG AVT

C Tippman

RG McGovern

RT Becton

[Barry McCockinner]

9 hours ago, Rhg1084 said:

Mcgovern is starting over Tippman?

no. McGovern starting over Tomlinson.

[OtherwiseHappyinLife]

3 hours ago, Maynard13 said:

Laken was terrible last year. If he starts off pooping on the field, I can see McGovern taking over one of the guard spots. There were numerous plays Laken allowed DL to walk right on by untouched. He looked totally clueless. Rodgers will not stand for that. 

There were times Tomlinson was really bad, especially early in the year.  As in thrown back into the QB or RB bad..

However, I read somewhere that he was one of the top pass blocking guards the last 10 or so weeks of the season so that is something I believe he can build on.  From memory, he actually only gave up 1 sack on the entire season.  

Coming to the Jets, he had been known as a top rated run blocker.  That’s where he earned his money.  But last year he stunk!!

The key question is why?  Most of the time he looked lost, which led to missed blocks and assignments.

Did this guy suddenly mail it in mentally?  I don’t know about that … kind of doesn’t go with his improvement in pass blocking.  Maybe the Jets zone blocking scheme was a mess.  Maybe our center did a bad job calling out coverages.  Maybe the stacked boxes made it impossible to run the ball or see where the extra bodies were coming from.

It does feel the Jets are somewhat conceding that the OC, OLine Coach and QB play might have played a significant role.  Heck, the market largely ignored McGovern and he came back on a nickels on the dollar contract.

Which all means I’m cautiously optimistic Tomlinson has a bounce back year.  

[Rhg1084]

22 minutes ago, Barry McCockinner said:

no. McGovern starting over Tomlinson.

Tomlinson is making $13.5m this year, Mcgovern is making $1m. Tomlinson is the starter

[Barry McCockinner]

12 minutes ago, Rhg1084 said:

Tomlinson is making $13.5m this year, Mcgovern is making $1m. Tomlinson is the starter

Tomlinson was awful last year. What he's getting paid doesn't change whether he's on the bench or starting. If McGovern is better, which if Tomlinson doesn't bounce back big time he his, he should start over him. The Jets are going for it in 2023. Tomlinson doesn't get a free pass to start.

[Greenseed4]

16 minutes ago, Rhg1084 said:

Tomlinson is making $13.5m this year, Mcgovern is making $1m. Tomlinson is the starter

I think it comes down to how much we pay Aaron Rogers, and who does the best at making sure he doesn’t get murdered.

13M or not, allowing free runners to get home deserves sitting on the  bench.  

That said, I think Tomlinson starts and regains probowl form because of the accountability AR is going to bring to the team. I don’t see Aaron not speaking up if someone misses the snap count.

[FidelioJet]

15 hours ago, Beerfish said:

No way Becton makes it through a season.  I'll be legit surprised if he makes it out of training camp.  Billy Turner or Mitchell or maybe Carter Warren will be at RT.  Heck maybe even AVT and move mcgovern to guard if they have to.

I wouldn't be surprised if Billy Turner beats out Becton.  Last we saw Becton was getting destroyed all camp before he got hurt early in week 1.

Rodgers likes Turner and is comfortable with him.

[jgb]

So many teams say “doesn’t matter where you were drafted, doesn’t matter what you are paid, everyone is coming in to compete.” Yet, it matters a very great deal.

[Jet Nut]

9 hours ago, Rhg1084 said:

Tomlinson is making $13.5m this year, Mcgovern is making $1m. Tomlinson is the starter

So they’re spending $14.5M no matter who starts?  What changes financially if McGovern is the better choice, better protects AR8?

[Jet Nut]

1 hour ago, FidelioJet said:

I wouldn't be surprised if Billy Turner beats out Becton.  Last we saw Becton was getting destroyed all camp before he got hurt early in week 1.

Rodgers likes Turner and is comfortable with him.

If Becton plays like he did as a rookie Aaron will love Becton

[FidelioJet]

22 minutes ago, Jet Nut said:

If Becton plays like he did as a rookie Aaron will love Becton

Becton's rookie season may be one of the most overrated seasons in the history of overrated rookie seasons.

No doubt he showed some potential but he was, quite often, not very good.   It wasn't a bad rookie season, but people have turned it into something special.  It wasn't.

[Jet Nut]

51 minutes ago, FidelioJet said:

Becton's rookie season may be one of the most overrated seasons in the history of overrated rookie seasons.

No doubt he showed some potential but he was, quite often, not very good.   It wasn't a bad rookie season, but people have turned it into something special.  It wasn't.

No Bectons rookie season hasn’t been overrated.  That’s in your mind because you hate Becton.  He dominated at times, was a beast in the running game, no one complained about his on field play. 
Point is Billy Turner isn’t smelling the field if Becton is healthy and playing like he did 3 seasons ago, that Becton wins every time

[BCJet]

19 hours ago, doitny said:

there is more that just playing center. he has to call the line blocking. i dont think there going to risk that with a rookie considering we have SB expectations and with Rodgers not being the most mobile of QBs we cant afford him getting free runners smacking him cause Tippman is going thru learning pains.

its McGovern staring and Tippman learning as his backup. 

Im pretty sure this is optional for a center.  Meaning, that a veteran center can be responsible for the line calls but the QB can also do it in the event the center isnt great at it. I would imagine in the scenario we have, Rogers would alert Tippman and/or the line to the blocking call and take that off his plate for the season.

I am thrilled that we have McGovern here - losing a center can derail an entire season and we now have 2 legitimate starters at the position.  That being said, I think a large part of the underperformance of the OL as a whole has been McGovern.  The past 2 years we dont seem to handle stunts well and while he is fairly athletic he is not physical enough to be a solid run blocker.  Tippman is a legitimate size/speed freak and has 2 full years starting in the Big Ten, facing more then enough competition to shorten his learning curve in the NFL.

My hope is the McGovern serves as veteran insurance at the position and also as a good mentor for Tippman who is the opening day starter.

[Joe W. Namath]

Tippman will beat out Mcgovern blindfolded.  

[Barry McCockinner]

19 hours ago, doitny said:

there is more that just playing center. he has to call the line blocking. i dont think there going to risk that with a rookie considering we have SB expectations and with Rodgers not being the most mobile of QBs we cant afford him getting free runners smacking him cause Tippman is going thru learning pains.

its McGovern staring and Tippman learning as his backup. 

Just another reason to start McGovern over Tomlinson. He can make the line calls from G or help Tippman with it on the field until he's comfortable w/it.

[Hex]

1 hour ago, Joe W. Namath said:

Tippman will beat out Mcgovern blindfolded.  

Sorry, but how is he going to see the pass rushers if he’s blindfolded??

[Sperm Edwards]

21 hours ago, doitny said:

there is more that just playing center. he has to call the line blocking. i dont think there going to risk that with a rookie considering we have SB expectations and with Rodgers not being the most mobile of QBs we cant afford him getting free runners smacking him cause Tippman is going thru learning pains.

its McGovern staring and Tippman learning as his backup. 

Meh this is overblown imo.

The line calls aren’t that hard for someone who, like Tippmann, has played center & made such calls before on no shortage of zone blocking snaps.

The other side of that coin is he’s supposed to be a better blocker (with a good amount more power) once the ball is snapped. If he’s at least approximately McG’s equal this summer in pure blocking, give him the starting nod. McG is an adequate pass blocker most of the time, more so for a veteran QB who gets rid of the ball quickly, but when they need tough yards up the guy when everyone kinda knows what’s coming, he’s less so. And they don’t swap interior OLmen in and out on rushing downs.

Tippmann manning the line calls isn’t like teaching advanced math to a child who has barely mastered multiplication tables. I feel like it’s being talked of like this is something that takes years to master (or at least perform adequately).

This isn’t new to him. He’s been doing it for years, and what he’s got from the neck up was supposed to be part of his package; not that he’s a raw meathead who only knows handling his own individual man-blocking assignment.

If McG is outperforming him over the next month, then that’s who should start. But he shouldn’t start out of pure rookie fear.

[Alka]

21 hours ago, doitny said:

there is more that just playing center. he has to call the line blocking. i dont think there going to risk that with a rookie considering we have SB expectations and with Rodgers not being the most mobile of QBs we cant afford him getting free runners smacking him cause Tippman is going thru learning pains.

its McGovern staring and Tippman learning as his backup. 

I agree with you.  I think that McGovern's play will determine if Tippman gets the opportunity during the season to supplant McGovern.  Unless Tippman turns out to be the next Mawae, it will be McGovern's job to lose.

[Sperm Edwards]

Strengths

• Proportional thickness with strength to neutralize.

• High football IQ with ability to make calls and adjustments.

• Unlocks hips and rolls them into blocks.

• Plus athlete who can zone block, pull or climb with relative ease.

• Fluid with reactive athleticism to adjust to targets in space.

• Flexible lower body allows him to cast solid protection anchor.

• Keeps head on a swivel to spy and protect both A-gaps.

• Dumps blitzers on the ground with upper body power.

Above is from Tippmann’s nfl.com draft profile. I never saw him play myself, so this is all I have to go by, but this doesn’t paint a picture of a raw goon who needs a season of clipboard holding because his head is shoved too far up his own ass to see what’s in front of him, point at his man, and yell “51 is the Mike!” before snapping the ball.

Competition is appropriate and welcomed, but McG should not have any type of leg up or inside track. If he’s badly outplaying the rookie then he absolutely should be starting. If it’s even close then tbh I give the tie it to Tippmann, with the idea that his growth acceleration over the coming weeks of action  should make him the better player plenty soon enough, and visibly superior by midseason and beyond.

Also as a veteran of multiple starting seasons at north guard and center, I like McG better than Tippmann as backup constantly prepping himself for two (kinda three) OL positions.

[Alka]

2 minutes ago, Sperm Edwards said:

If it’s even close then tbh I give the tie it to Tippmann, with the idea that his growth acceleration over the coming weeks of action  should make him the better player plenty soon enough, and visibly superior by midseason and beyond.

I actually think that if it's close, then you give it to McGovern.  Rookies make mistakes; that is part of the deal about being a rookie.  Unless Tippman turns out to be Sauce Gardner on the offensive line, you play the  guy you trust to start the season.  Big game against Buffalo on Monday Night Football, starting the season in front of the home crowd, with a legend as the QB.  I give that start, who will be QB'ing the offensive line, to someone that I trust.  Tippman will have plenty of time during the season to supplant McGovern, if he falters at any time.

[Sperm Edwards]

11 minutes ago, Alka said:

I actually think that if it's close, then you give it to McGovern.  Rookies make mistakes; that is part of the deal about being a rookie.  Unless Tippman turns out to be Sauce Gardner on the offensive line, you play the  guy you trust to start the season.  Big game against Buffalo on Monday Night Football, starting the season in front of the home crowd, with a legend as the QB.  I give that start, who will be QB'ing the offensive line, to someone that I trust.  Tippman will have plenty of time during the season to supplant McGovern, if he falters at any time.

Couldn’t disagree more. The point is to get better, which is why re-signing him was such a low priority this spring; not bench every rookie out of fear he’ll make some mistake that’s presumed a veteran never makes. He was re-signed because he was cheap enough to bench and, as an acceptable worst-case scenario, meant the team didn’t have to panic into trading up for a center and could let the draft come to them. But it wasn’t because they feared playing a rookie or he’d have been re-upped in March not mid-late April.

Whether it’s Tippmann or McGovern accurately pointing out the mike, if Michael Carter whiffs on a chip block then Mike White still ends up with the same number of broken ribs.

McGovern was merely fine most of the time. But they need more power in the run game that he just can’t provide.

Also they’re installing a new offense for either player anyway.

The only one on the OL who has earned zero competition, provided he’s healthy, is Vera-Tucker. 

[Alka]

1 minute ago, Sperm Edwards said:

Couldn’t disagree more. The point is to get better, which is why re-signing him was such a low priority this spring; not bench every rookie out of fear he’ll make some mistake that’s presumed a veteran never makes. He was re-signed because he was cheap enough to bench and, as an acceptable worst-case scenario, meant the team didn’t have to panic into trading up for a center and could let the draft come to them. But it wasn’t because they feared playing a rookie or he’d have been re-upped in March not mid-late April.

Whether it’s Tippmann or McGovern accurately pointing out the mike, if Michael Carter whiffs on a chip block then Mike White still ends up with the same number of broken ribs.

McGovern was merely fine most of the time. But they need more power in the run game that he just can’t provide.

Also they’re installing a new offense for either player anyway.

The only one on the OL who has earned zero competition, provided he’s healthy, is Vera-Tucker. 

The key phrase is "if it's close".   If Tippman easily outplays McGovern, then I would agree that Tippman needs to start every single game. If their play is close to the same level of play, then I let McGovern start the season.

But should their play be close?  If Tippman is as good as people say, then it shouldn't be close, should it?  

[Sperm Edwards]

Just now, Alka said:

The key phrase is "if it's close".   If Tippman easily outplays McGovern, then I would agree that Tippman needs to start every single game. If their play is close to the same level of play, then I let McGovern start the season.

But should their play be close?  If Tippman is as good as people say, then it shouldn't be close, should it?  

If it’s even close after the rookie’s first NFL camp/summer then absolutely the starting job should be his. He will improve week after week. McGovern will not. Plus McGovern would be a far more reliable backup at all 3 iOL positions than the rookie. 

If this was left tackle we were talking about then I might agree with you, but it isn’t. 

[bitonti]

23 hours ago, Rhg1084 said:

Mcgovern is starting over Tippman?

 

1 hour ago, Alka said:

I actually think that if it's close, then you give it to McGovern.  Rookies make mistakes; that is part of the deal about being a rookie. 

the x factor here is Aaron Rodgers and his beloved hard counts - and now he wants to audible every play from the line like Peyton Manning

if Tippmann can hold his water as a rookie and understand all the blocking calls and the audibles, well that would be amazing - with Rodgers likely sitting out the preseason games 

if that happens Tippmann is a Creed Humphrey type of pick, 2nd coming of Mangold

but it's alot to expect of a 2nd round rookie though - especially looking at the first 6 games of the schedule