Some thoughts on our new Offensive Line

[OtherwiseHappyinLife]

Please share yours here.  Have an off day today and have been watching some game film.

It won't take you long to see some of the below.

1. Holy sh*te!  John Simpson is so much better than advertised as a run blocker.  Last year, he was credited being an above average pass blocker while flashing some potential in the run game.  This year, he's been an anchor in pass pro and a mauler moving his man in the run game.  Uses good identification skills picking up stunts in pass pro and moving off double teams to engage next level in the run game.  Broadly plays with good balance but can get in trouble lunging.  This guy is playing like a stud and an under the radar candidate to make the Pro Bowl.  Just look at his tape.  Baltimore must have had an embarrassment of riches at Guard to let this guy go, for the price the Jets paid. 

2. In his college film and at times last year, Joe Tippmann played off balance, failing to fully utilize his core strength and clumsily falling or spinning to the ground.  It's still early but it seems like this is no longer an issue.  Kudos to player development.  In fact, his feet have become a strength and he's using his athleticism (agility and body control) to angle in front of blockers and close off back side pursuit.  Yes, he was beat for a sack on a stunt against the Titans but his communication skills and combo blocks are also standing out.

3. AVT is playing well and should only get better as the Achilles injury moves backward.  When him and Simpson lock on, it's over.  Both are playing (mostly) smart football with Simpson having the power advantage and AVT having the advantage in space.

The interior of this line has quickly become its strength.

4. Tyron Smith has had many good moments, but he's also had some 'is that really Tyron Smith moments'?  A couple penalties and a couple sacks.  Also a couple 'holy sh*te' pressures where he's been beaten badly with speed on the Edge.  Something to monitor and overall still playing above average.  But he's not consistently playing the dominant football he played last year.  

5. Morgan Moses has been 'fine'.  As advertised, he's powerful in the run game and technically proficient against the pass.  2 penalties, 0 sacks.  This is a guy for 6-7 years running has given up exactly 5 sacks each season.  He'll get beat but generally does a good job holding his blocks.  His weakness is against speed and in space.

Keep that young inside core together for years (providing AVT can stay healthy) and develop Fashanu and possibly Warren and we can have good OL play well beyond this year. 

Lastly, the TE blocking has been 'average'.  On the whole, not great, not a major liability.  Just OK.  Conklin has strength limitations that show up holding one on one blocks (many TEs exhibit the same) and both have had 'what were they thinking moments' completely whiffing on blocks.  Ruckert flashes upside but then still shows his inconsistency with bad misses (not keeping or moving his legs or allowing the defender to get gap leverage). 

What are others seeing?  

@Mogglez what's the vibe on these guys inside the building?  Is Simpson a DJ Reed type acquisition?

 

       

[OtherwiseHappyinLife]

One last thing.  Fashanu clearly has a lot of tools, but going back to college you do see him give openings by not squaring up on his blocks and not aggressively finishing.  He gets away with the former because he has some Gumby in him including impressive flexibility and contact balance, but it's still not ideal. 

One of his better plays was before Moses got hurt and he threw an aggressive block as a 6th lineman on Breece's TD.  Worth a watch.

https://www.newyorkjets.com/video/breece-hall-

[Claymation]

 

[Claymation]

Aaron Rodgers with BIG praise for the #Jets OL:

"John Simpson is at an element. The attitude that he's brought, that Morgan Moses & Tyron Smith has brought, the growth I've seen from AVT & Joe Tippmann. They've become the bodyguards, the police of the team, which is really important. The best teams that I've been on, the OL polices the squad. They have each others back, they pick people up off the field, & they're the first ones in to back up a brother. I mean Morgan & John did that for me at Tennessee when Jeff Simmons gave me a hard shoulder, the 1st one in there was Morgan, & the 2nd person in there was John."

[addage]

When evaluating this OL, it's important to remember how little game time they had together before the start of the season.  So we saw a good sized jump between Game 1-2 and 3.  I expect that to continue as they meld together into a unit.

One of the OL talked about a number of missed run blocking assignments in the first two games.  Those reflect lack of playing time as a unit.

Losing Moses is painful, but having Fashanu as a backup is a luxury.  What Fashanu lacks is experience.  But he is a more talented athlete than Moses.  So Jets are likely to be roughly equal with Moses out.   Jets are determined to protect AR.

What they can't afford is to have Smith go down while Moses is out!

[BreeceHallofFame]

Simpson just turned 27 so the core with Olu, tip, and AVT should be set for a while 

[kdels62]

I wonder who they will choose to bring back next year Smith or Moses. I think it’ll be Smith at like $12m.

[peekskill68]

My man crush for Simpson was fulfilled when he speared Uche.  Haven't seen any nastiness coming from the Jets OL in many years...

[Barry McCockinner]

5 hours ago, Claymation said:

 

No matter what.

[Barry McCockinner]

3 hours ago, addage said:

When evaluating this OL, it's important to remember how little game time they had together before the start of the season.  So we saw a good sized jump between Game 1-2 and 3.  I expect that to continue as they meld together into a unit.

One of the OL talked about a number of missed run blocking assignments in the first two games.  Those reflect lack of playing time as a unit.

Losing Moses is painful, but having Fashanu as a backup is a luxury.  What Fashanu lacks is experience.  But he is a more talented athlete than Moses.  So Jets are likely to be roughly equal with Moses out.   Jets are determined to protect AR.

What they can't afford is to have Smith go down while Moses is out!

It's too bad they don't have something like baseball spring training where you play games that don't count against the record but allows guys to do real game scenarios to get ready for the season

That would be a good coaching tool. The NFL should consider it.

[Jetsplayer21]

6 minutes ago, Barry McCockinner said:

No matter what.

 

[Larz]

They are only going to get better. I expect the extra time off will really help them this Sunday.  
 

Smith isn’t the player he used to be but 85% of a hall of famer is still pretty damn good. 
 

The interior is as strong as I can ever remember. 
 

Moses/Olu are solid and a slight upgrade over Mitchell.  
 

very happy with the new line 

[JKlecko]

1 hour ago, kdels62 said:

I wonder who they will choose to bring back next year Smith or Moses. I think it’ll be Smith at like $12m.

I don't think they'll have the cap space to bring Smith back. If anyone, I think it will be Moses.

[PepPep]

13 minutes ago, Larz said:

Moses/Olu are solid but still a massive upgrade over Mitchell.  

fixed it.

[JKlecko]

25 minutes ago, Barry McCockinner said:

No matter what.

I don't understand this.  Why is this being mentioned now?  JD tried to trade up for Nabers, didn't he, so that doesn't sound like an OL no matter what.

[JKlecko]

16 hours ago, Larz said:

They are only going to get better. I expect the extra time off will really help them this Sunday.  
 

Smith isn’t the player he used to be but 85% of a hall of famer is still pretty damn good. 
 

The interior is as strong as I can ever remember. 
 

Moses/Olu are solid and a slight upgrade over Mitchell.  
 

very happy with the new line 

I'd say that that Moses and Olu are more than a slight upgrade over Mitchell!!!

 

[JKlecko]

5 hours ago, Claymation said:

 

How can this be when they tried to trade up for Nabers?

[OtherwiseHappyinLife]

Forgot to mention the running back blocking.  For the most part very solid picking up the blitz, although Allen had a pretty bad miss last week on a cut block.  It happens, especially to a rookie.  That said, it seems clear he has some solid skills to work with and high upside as an all around back— something that was under appreciated on his scouting reports.  

Breece caught my eyes a couple times stepping up in the pocket.  Just a good all around football player.

Lastly, how refreshing is it to have Rodgers call out assignments, audible his offense into better plays and get rid of the ball quickly?  

[addage]

1 hour ago, Barry McCockinner said:

It's too bad they don't have something like baseball spring training where you play games that don't count against the record but allows guys to do real game scenarios to get ready for the season

That would be a good coaching tool. The NFL should consider it.

You are right. But baseball is different. 

In contact sports like football and hockey, the risks are much greater. The veterans and high draft picks are focused on getting ready for the season. 

But the wannabes are trying to show that they are ready for the big leagues. Hence the number of fights and hits that cause injury are higher. 

Football coaches have responded by holding the starters out of preseason games. Hockey coaches, who somehow think fighting enhances their sport, play their starters.

The Rangers had two key starters injured in their second preseason game. Dumb?!!

But it means the first the games of the NFL season are a hybrid of preseason and regular season games. 

 

[Joe W. Namath]

The oline has been great so far.  We dont have many worries and oline would be the least of them.

13-4 div crown

[AFJF]

13 hours ago, Claymation said:

 

Imagine believing coaches and GM's answer these questions honestly.

[OtherwiseHappyinLife]

13 hours ago, BreeceHallofFame said:

Simpson just turned 27 so the core with Olu, tip, and AVT should be set for a while 

Simpsy

Sperm Edwards is the greatest!!! OMG I love-love-love him!!!

AVT-y

[JiFtheOracle]

15 hours ago, OtherwiseHappyinLife said:

One last thing.  Fashanu clearly has a lot of tools, but going back to college you do see him give openings by not squaring up on his blocks and not aggressively finishing.  He gets away with the former because he has some Gumby in him including impressive flexibility and contact balance, but it's still not ideal. 

One of his better plays was before Moses got hurt and he threw an aggressive block as a 6th lineman on Breece's TD.  Worth a watch.

https://www.newyorkjets.com/video/breece-hall-

Funny, I was watching some of the Baldy break downs and all of Olu's snaps, and I said in the thread about him, he doesnt look like a RT.  Especially when you watch Moses.  Moses has that killer punch and initiates contact, sh*t you love to see on that side of the line.  Olu is passive, sits and waits, can get a little reachy at times, which could be dangerous at RT vs. more aggressive edge setters and pass rushers.  He looks way more natural at LT.  

 

 

[Claymation]

47 minutes ago, OtherwiseHappyinLife said:

Simpsy

Sperm Edwards is the greatest!!! OMG I love-love-love him!!!

AVT-y

You do realize that you are just encouraging him.

[Larz]

2 hours ago, AFJF said:

Imagine believing coaches and GM's answer these questions honestly.

They all get so lucky that the guy they wanted all along fell to them 

[Sperm Edwards]

49 minutes ago, OtherwiseHappyinLife said:

Simpsy

Sperm Edwards is the greatest!!! OMG I love-love-love him!!!

AVT-y

Wow, just 1 of 3. 

I'll get the man behind the curtain to address this right away!

[Sperm Edwards]

2 minutes ago, Claymation said:

You do realize that you are just encouraging him.

Shush, you.

[Larz]

11 hours ago, Barry McCockinner said:

It's too bad they don't have something like baseball spring training where you play games that don't count against the record but allows guys to do real game scenarios to get ready for the season

That would be a good coaching tool. The NFL should consider it.

All those Achilles injuries and concussions and ACL injuries that plague baseball could be prevented!

[Integrity28]

10 hours ago, JKlecko said:

How can this be when they tried to trade up for Nabers?

How amazing would it have been if they traded up, we all thought it was for Nabers, and they picked Olu earlier just to have a swing tackle.

[rangerous]

JetsX makes the argument that the oline should be gap blocking as opposed to zone blocking.  The gap blocking seems to open bigger holes to get the back to the second level.  Also smith, Simpson, and Moses all came from gap blocking teams.  Maybe it’s cutting things too precisely since just about every team uses both blocking schemes.  The whole thing is to execute the blocks correctly.

[batman10023]

10 hours ago, JKlecko said:

How can this be when they tried to trade up for Nabers?

how often does a Gm say we wanted someone else but he wasn't available so our pick was all we had left?

it's always "their guy" they get.

[ncjetman]

One last thing.  Fashanu clearly has a lot of tools, but going back to college you do see him give openings by not squaring up on his blocks and not aggressively finishing.  He gets away with the former because he has some Gumby in him including impressive flexibility and contact balance, but it's still not ideal. 
One of his better plays was before Moses got hurt and he threw an aggressive block as a 6th lineman on Breece's TD.  Worth a watch.
https://www.newyorkjets.com/video/breece-hall-

Sent from my iPhone using JetNation.com mobile app

[AFJF]

1 hour ago, Larz said:

They all get so lucky that the guy they wanted all along fell to them 

 

It's uncanny.

[JKlecko]

4 hours ago, batman10023 said:

how often does a Gm say we wanted someone else but he wasn't available so our pick was all we had left?

it's always "their guy" they get.

That has nothing to do with this.  Saleh was telling reporters that they were going to take an OL, then JD tried to trade up for Nabers.  JD didn't make a comment here that Fashanu was they guy they wanted all along because he couldn't, because the Giants had already let it be known that the Jets had tried to trade up for Nabers.

Saleh could have been lying because, HCs and GMs usually do lie before the draft to throw other teams off, but again, this is not about anything JD said.  The only reason that he is a part of the discussion is that he attempted to trade up for Nabers rather than taking an OL.

[David Harris]

21 hours ago, OtherwiseHappyinLife said:

Please share yours here.  Have an off day today and have been watching some game film.

It won't take you long to see some of the below.

1. Holy sh*te!  John Simpson is so much better than advertised as a run blocker.  Last year, he was credited being an above average pass blocker while flashing some potential in the run game.  This year, he's been an anchor in pass pro and a mauler moving his man in the run game.  Uses good identification skills picking up stunts in pass pro and moving off double teams to engage next level in the run game.  Broadly plays with good balance but can get in trouble lunging.  This guy is playing like a stud and an under the radar candidate to make the Pro Bowl.  Just look at his tape.  Baltimore must have had an embarrassment of riches at Guard to let this guy go, for the price the Jets paid. 

2. In his college film and at times last year, Joe Tippmann played off balance, failing to fully utilize his core strength and clumsily falling or spinning to the ground.  It's still early but it seems like this is no longer an issue.  Kudos to player development.  In fact, his feet have become a strength and he's using his athleticism (agility and body control) to angle in front of blockers and close off back side pursuit.  Yes, he was beat for a sack on a stunt against the Titans but his communication skills and combo blocks are also standing out.

3. AVT is playing well and should only get better as the Achilles injury moves backward.  When him and Simpson lock on, it's over.  Both are playing (mostly) smart football with Simpson having the power advantage and AVT having the advantage in space.

The interior of this line has quickly become its strength.

4. Tyron Smith has had many good moments, but he's also had some 'is that really Tyron Smith moments'?  A couple penalties and a couple sacks.  Also a couple 'holy sh*te' pressures where he's been beaten badly with speed on the Edge.  Something to monitor and overall still playing above average.  But he's not consistently playing the dominant football he played last year.  

5. Morgan Moses has been 'fine'.  As advertised, he's powerful in the run game and technically proficient against the pass.  2 penalties, 0 sacks.  This is a guy for 6-7 years running has given up exactly 5 sacks each season.  He'll get beat but generally does a good job holding his blocks.  His weakness is against speed and in space.

Keep that young inside core together for years (providing AVT can stay healthy) and develop Fashanu and possibly Warren and we can have good OL play well beyond this year. 

Lastly, the TE blocking has been 'average'.  On the whole, not great, not a major liability.  Just OK.  Conklin has strength limitations that show up holding one on one blocks (many TEs exhibit the same) and both have had 'what were they thinking moments' completely whiffing on blocks.  Ruckert flashes upside but then still shows his inconsistency with bad misses (not keeping or moving his legs or allowing the defender to get gap leverage). 

What are others seeing?  

@Mogglez what's the vibe on these guys inside the building?  Is Simpson a DJ Reed type acquisition?

 

       

Rewatched the Pats game and was surprised at the poor blocking by Ruckert. Some bad whiffs. I haven’t seen enough good to think he’s going to be what we had hoped. TE is thin behind Conk. 
 

A little surprised Smith isn’t quite as dominant but overall thrilled with the OL.