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Jets news & football related articles 6/3/08


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OL Rankings: The trenches are the first place to find winners

The New York Giants' run through the playoffs and their upset victory of the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII once again reinforced the idea that, despite all the new wrinkles over the years, the NFL game is still won by having good players on both lines.

The Giants' defensive front four rightfully received plenty of hype after they helped shut down the high-flying New England offense in the Super Bowl and limiting Dallas and Green Bay in the playoffs. But the Giants' offensive line was almost as good in the playoffs, but nobody noticed.

Center Andre Gurode anchors the Cowboys' outstanding offensive line. (Getty Images)

That's the way it is for offensive lineman. The only way they get attention is if they're making mistakes.

As we head closer to the 2008 season, with the opening of training camps less than two months away and most teams getting a good feel for what their teams will look like, we thought it was a good time to take a look at the offensive and defensive lines of all 32 teams.

The first column we will rank the league's offensive lines, giving them a ranking of 1 to 32, with one being the best and 32 the worst. The next column will rank the defensive lines 1 to 32 and the final day will be an overall rankings.

The team with the lowest two-line total has the best line play in the league heading into the 2008 season and should be a Super contender.

If you're looking for a surprise team, you might want to look for a non-playoff team from last season that is in the top 15 in the overall line rankings.

It's all about the lines in the NFL.

The New York Giants once again reminded us of that last season.

Arizona Cardinals

Best player: RG Deuce Lutui. Weak link: Center Al Johnson.

The skinny: This is a unit that improved greatly in 2006. And with right tackle Levi Brown now in his second season it should be even better. Lutui developed into a quality guard last season and left tackle Mike Gandy was a pleasant surprise. They do need to block better for the run game.

Rating: 22

Atlanta Falcons

Best player: LG Justin Blalock. Weak link: The right tackle position, whoever starts -- if it isn't Blalock.

The skinny: This is a young group in transition. First-round pick Sam Baker will be the starting left tackle and will be a good one down the road but he is a rookie. This is a unit that might be overmatched early in the season. Blalock, now in his second season, could start at either guard or right tackle, depending where he is needed. Center Todd McClure is a decent player in the middle.

Rating: 32

Baltimore Ravens

Best player: RG Jason Brown. Weak link: RT Marshall Yanda.

The skinny: Brown is a rising star whose best football is in front of him. Left tackle Jonathan Ogden can still play at a high level if he doesn't retire, but not the way he did a few years back. There are some good, young players on this line who should get better in 2008. There will be a lot of competition for jobs. Yanda, the starting right tackle at the end of 2007, could be moved inside if a young tackle emerges.

Rating: 25

Buffalo Bills

Best player: LT Jason Peters. Weak link: C Melvin Fowler.

The skinny: Peters is a Pro Bowl player and the rest of the line is solid, if not great. This is a line that should get better each of the next few seasons as they develop. The Bills spent a lot of money last year to get Walker and left guard Derrick Dockery in free agency -- and it appeared to pay off. Dockery really played well. Fowler needs to play better.

Rating: 15

Carolina Panthers

Best player: LT Jordan Gross. Weak link: The right guard spot.

The skinny: The Panthers won't have one player starting in the same position he started in last season. But the line will be better. Gross moves from right tackle to the left side with rookie Jeff Otah in as the starter on the right side. Ryan Kalil takes over at center. Vincent will try to beat out Toniu Fonoti and Milford Brown at right guard.

Rating: 21

Chicago Bears

Best player: RT John Tait. Weak link: LT Chris Williams.

The skinny: Tait moves from the left side to the right side, his natural position, and rookie first-round pick Chris Williams will start on the left side. Center Olin Kreutz isn't the player he once was and the guards are average. Right guard Roberto Garza is average at best, and John St. Clair moves from tackle to left guard.

Rating: 26

Cincinnati Bengals

Best player: RT Stacey Andrews. Weak link: C Eric Ghiaciuc

The skinny: The Bengals had problems on their line last season with injuries to starting tackles Willie Anderson and Levi Jones. Andrews stepped in and played well in place of Anderson, which is why the team re-signed him before he hit the free-agent market. Ghiaciuc struggled with big power players last season.

Rating: 17

Cleveland Browns

Best player: LT Joe Thomas. Weak link: C Hank Fraley.

The skinny: The addition of Thomas last year as a rookie and free-agent guard Eric Steinbach really improved the line, especially the left side. The right side isn't as good, but the addition of guard Rex Hadnot might help the run game. Fraley is solid at center, but he has trouble with the big nose tackles.

Rating: 6

Dallas Cowboys

Best player: C Andre Gurode. Weak link: LG Kyle Kosier.

The skinny: This is an outstanding line from tackle to tackle. Picking out a weak line is tough, but Kosier is the choice. Gurode and right guard Leonard Davis are both coming off outstanding seasons. It will be interesting to see how left tackle Flozell Adams plays with his new contract.

Rating: 1

Denver Broncos

Best player: LG Ben Hamilton. Weak link: The right tackle spot.

The skinny: The Broncos line, which has been a strong point in recent years, wasn't so good last season. That's why Denver picked Ryan Clady in the first round. He will start at left tackle. The rest of the line will see a lot of competition for jobs. At right tackle, Erik Pears should battle Chris Kuper for the starting job. Getting left guard Ben Hamilton back from injury is huge. Center will be a battle between Tom Nalen and Casey Wiegmann.

Rating: 19

Detroit Lions

Best player: C Dominic Raiola. Weak link: RT Gosder Cherilus.

The skinny: The Lions had major problems at right tackle last season so they will turn to rookie first-round pick Cherilus. Starting a rookie is always dicey. Raiola is the best of this line, with left tackle Jeff Backus second best. The guards are just OK. Left guard Edwin Mulitalo is a good run blocker.

Rating: 27

Green Bay Packers

Best player: RT Mark Tauscher. Weak link: Both guard spots.

The skinny: In Tauscher and left tackle Chad Clifton, the Packers have a good combination. Center Scott Wells is a good player, but isn't powerful. It's the guard play that worried the team last season. They need to get better play from both guard spots in 2007 if this line is going to make strides.

Rating: 10

Houston Texans

Best player: RT Eric Winston. Weak link: LT Duane Brown.

The skinny: The Texans have had problems at left tackle their entire existence, but Brown steps in as a rookie and will likely start. That's a risk in a division with Dwight Freeney. Winston is underrated at right tackle. The interior will be better with the acquisition of center Chris Myers from Denver. Adding Alex Gibbs to coach this group will help.

Rating: 18

Indianapolis Colts

Best player: C Jeff Saturday. Weak link: Whoever starts at right guard.

The skinny: The Colts always have a quality line, and this year's group is no different. Saturday is a Pro Bowl player and second-year left tackle Tony Ugoh can get there. Look for rookie Mike Pollak to possibly start at right guard ahead of Charles Johnson. The line had a lot of injuries to deal with last season, but came through them well.

Rating: 4

Jacksonville Jaguars

Best player: RT Tony Pashos. Weak link: LT Khalif Barnes.

The skinny: This is one of the best lines in the league. There are no real weak spots. Barnes' only troubles have been focus. If he's focused, he's a heck of a player. The team is moving Vince Manuwai from left guard to right guard and look for second-year player Uche Nwaneri to push Maurice Williams at left guard.

Rating: 5

Kansas City Chiefs

Best player: LG Brian Waters. Weak link: C Rudy Niswanger.

The skinny: The Chiefs were really bad last season up front, a big departure from recent seasons. Age and retirements set them back, so they are looking to improve. Rookie first-round pick Branden Albert will start at left tackle, which will help. Waters is still a top-flight guard. The rest of the line is so-so at best. Niswanger is a first-year starter at center, but he has potential.

Rating: 31

Miami Dolphins

Best player: RT Vernon Carey. Weak link: The right guard spot.

The skinny: This is a line in rebuild mode. The drafting of left tackle Jake Long with the first overall pick in this year's draft will help the improvement. He will be a good one. That move allows Carey to go back to the right side. They overpaid for left guard Justin Smiley in free agency, but he will be an upgrade. The other guard spot is open to competition with rookie Shawn Murphy in the battle. Center Samson Satele is a young player to watch in coming years.

Rating: 29

Minnesota Vikings

Best player: LG Steve Hutchinson. Weak link: RT Ryan Cook.

The skinny: Hutchinson and left tackle Bryant McKinnie are very good on the left side, but the right side is a concern. Center Matt Birk is getting up in the years, but he can still play at a high level. Right guard Anthony Herrera is good in the run game.

Rating: 8

New England Patriots

Best player: LG Logan Mankins. Weak link: RT Nick Kaczur.

The skinny: This is a unit that took a beating for the way it played in the Super Bowl loss. They struggled in pass protection. But Dante Scarnecchia, the best line coach in football, should get this unit back on track. Mankins is one of the game's best and center Dan Koppen went to the Pro Bowl last season. Left tackle Matt Light needs to play better. Right guard is a concern.

Rating: 3

New Orleans Saints

Best player: RG Jahri Evans. Weak link: C Jonathan Goodwin.

The skinny: Evans plays at a Pro Bowl level and left tackle Jammal Brown is a good player as well. The biggest concern is center, where Jonathan Goodwin takes over for the departed Jeff Faine. Right tackle Jon Stinchcomb needs to revert to his 2006 form. He could be pushed for his job this summer.

Rating: 13

New York Giants

Best player: RG Chris Snee. Weak link: LG Rich Seubert.

The skinny: The Giants' line exceeded expectations last season, especially the tackles. Right tackle Kareem McKenzie and left tackle David Diehl played good football in the Super Bowl run. Center Shaun O'Hara is underrated. Snee is a Pro Bowl player who hasn't gone yet, while Seubert is a fighter.

Rating: 7

New York Jets

Best player: LG Alan Faneca. Weak link: RT Damien Woody.

The skinny: They added Faneca and Woody in free agency. The Woody move will be one to watch because he's moving from guard/center to full-time tackle. Does he have the feet to handle the speed out there? The key for this group will be if left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson and center Nick Mangold show better than they did last season.

Rating: 14

Oakland Raiders

Best player: RG Cooper Carlisle. Weak link: Right tackle spot.

The skinny: The Raiders bypassed the chance to take an offensive tackle and instead picked running back Darren McFadden in the first round. So who blocks for him? The best of the weak group is Carlisle, who played well last season. Left guard Robert Gallery was a bust at tackle and pretty good inside. Adding John Wade isn't the answer at center. Kwame Harris is an upgrade over Barry Sims at left tackle, but not by much. The right tackle will be either Cornell Green or Mario Henderson or Paul McQuistan.

Rating: 23

Philadelphia Eagles

Best player: RG Shawn Andrews. Weak link: LG Todd Herremans.

The skinny: This was the unit that helped the Eagles to the playoffs in 2006. But it didn't play as well last season, giving up 49 sacks after 29 the year before. Andrews was clearly the best of the group, but the others didn't play as well as they did in 2006. Tackles Tra Thomas and Jon Runyan are getting up in years, and that's a concern. Center Jamaal Jackson needs to play better.

Rating: 9

Pittsburgh Steelers

Best player: LT Marvel Smith. Weak link: LG Chris Kemoeatu.

The skinny: They've traditionally had one of the better lines in the NFL. But with the loss of guard Alan Faneca and the poor development of players like tackles Willie Colon and Max Starks, the line isn't what it used to be. Smith had back surgery in the offseason that needs to be watched. Justin Hartwig will be an upgrade over Sean Mahan at center.

Rating: 24

St. Louis Rams

Best player: LT Orlando Pace. Weak link: The center spot.

The skinny: This line was terrible last season because of injuries. They get Pace back from injury, which is huge. He has missed big parts of the past two seasons. They also will have right guard Richie Incognito back, which is important to the run game. At center, Brett Romberg will try to fend off Mark Setterstrom. The problem is neither is good enough.

Rating: 28

San Diego Chargers

Best player: LG Kris Dielman. Weak link: RT Jeromey Clary.

The skinny: This line opens a lot of holes for LaDainian Tomlinson. The left side, with Dielman and tackle Marcus McNeil, is very good. Center Nick Hardwick and right guard Mike Goff are above-average players as well, although Goff is getting older at 32. Clary took over as a starter midway through last year and did OK, but he needs to be a better run blocker.

Rating: 2

San Francisco 49ers

Best player: LT Joe Staley. Weak link: C Eric Heitmann.

The skinny: They will move Staley from right tackle to the left side. He played the right side as a rookie, but is more of a left tackle. Look for rookie Chilo Rachal to start at guard, although he has worked some at right tackle. The inside people are average at best. Rookie Cody Wallace could challenge Heitmann.

Rating: 29

Seattle Seahawks

Best player: LT Walter Jones. Weak link: RG Rob Sims.

The skinny: Jones is the best in football. He continues to play at a high level. Right tackle Sean Locklear is solid. The interior is made up of a center Chris Spencer, veteran (Mike Wahle) at left guard and Rob Sims at right guard. Wahle was signed as a free agent. Spencer needs to play better inside than he did a year ago for the line to improve. Sims moves over from left guard.

Rating: 11

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Best player: LG Arron Sears. Weak link: LT Luke Petitgout.

The skinny: The Bucs have worked hard to improve their line and it's showing. In Sears and right guard Davin Joseph they have two guards who should be starters for a long time. Acquiring center Jeff Faine in free agency will help. He isn't strong in the run game, which can hurt. Donald Penn could push Petitgout.

Rating: 20

Tennessee Titans

Best player: LT Michael Roos. Weak link: LG Eugene Amano or Leroy Harris.

The skinny: In Roos and right tackle David Stewart, the Titans have one of the best tackle duos in the game. Roos has Pro Bowl ability right now. Amano or Harris will move in as a full-time starter for the first time, which is a concern. Center Kevin Mawae is still playing at a high level.

Rating: 12

Washington Redskins

Best player: RG Randy Thomas. Weak link: C Casey Rabach.

The skinny: The Redskins line was hurt last season when Jon Jansen was lost for all but one game with an injury and Thomas missed most of the season. If Jansen and left tackle Chris Samuels can stay on the field, the Redskins have a solid line. Thomas and Pete Kendall give them two veteran guards who get the job done. They have some quality depth in Jason Fabini and Stephen Heyer, two players forced to start last season because of the injuries to Thomas and Jansen.

Rating: 16

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Five Jets Facing Make or Break Year

By Joe Caporoso | June 2nd, 2008

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Now that I am back from vacation, expect to find the site updated at least once every day from now until the Jets kick off their regular season in Miami. I know news is a little slow right now, but that will give us more time to analyze the current roster among other things.

Five Jets Facing a Make or Break Year -

1. Brad Smith - This is his third season as a full time wide receiver, either he will step up and win the the #3 spot behind Cotchery and Coles or fade into a gimmick/special teams player. The battle for reps at wide out should be interesting with Chansi Stuckey looking good in minicamp, and Marcus Henry selected in the sixth round. Smith needs to catch the ball more consistently and find a way to get more separation from defensive backs.

2. Justin Miller - The starting position opposite Darrelle Revis is there for the taking, will the most talented corner besides Revis win it though? Miller needs to improve his technique and stay healthy, or this will likely be his last season in green and white. Hank Poteat is competent, David Barrett is awful, Drew Coleman is a nickel back, and Dwight Lowery is rookie, which means if Miller can

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Whenever you think you've seen the worst writing Cimini can do, he suprises yuou with some worse writing. Is there a bigger prick than this guy in the media?

June 2, 2008

Random thoughts and observations ...

Some RTOs (random thoughts and observations) on the OTAs:

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Cimini doesn't bother me in the least, though the DRob line was stupid.

I don't know how much they "took care" of Coles. All they did was tell him they will pay him what is called for in his contract. Baker seeks more than his contact calls for even though he has not noticeably outplayed that contract.

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Whenever you think you've seen the worst writing Cimini can do, he suprises yuou with some worse writing. Is there a bigger prick than this guy in the media?

Unless you're a member of the media, then no. (sorry, couldn't resist :P)

Seriously, I can't stand him either. He actually comes across as being pissed off that he has to cover the Jets, and that he hates his job. Just how I see some of the stuff he's written anyway.

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Just send an email to the dailynews and tell them that you are boycotting their paper and advertisers. i am assuming you already know that the dailynews is losing subscribers everyday. This will grab their attention and either make Cimini straighten up or ship his sorry pathethic writing elsewhere.

Unless you're a member of the media, then no. (sorry, couldn't resist :P)

Seriously, I can't stand him either. He actually comes across as being pissed off that he has to cover the Jets, and that he hates his job. Just how I see some of the stuff he's written anyway.

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Faneca, Woody keys to refueling the Jets

June 3, 2008

Dennis Dillon

This is the time of year when NFL players build chemistry by pumping iron in the weight room, running plays on the practice field during OTAs and chowing down at restaurants such as Riodizio Churrascaria in Roslyn Heights, N.Y.

A 10-minute drive from Hofstra University, the Brazilian steakhouse is a hungry man's dream. Its bill of fare includes more than 20 varieties of select meats, including top sirloin, rib eye, flank steak, beef short ribs, leg of lamb, pork sausage and turkey wrapped in bacon. Professional carvers deliver entrees to tables on skewers and continue carving portions until patrons flip a card from the green (go) side to the red (stop) side.

One late afternoon in early May, 15 empty stomachs walked through the door: Jets quarterbacks Chad Pennington and Brett Ratliff, plus 13 of their biggest friends -- offensive linemen all. They put some tables together, talked about their families, listened to stories told by Alan Faneca and Damien Woody and ate until they could eat no more.

When it came to player cravings this offseason, the Jets were among the league's most ravenous teams. They signed seven veteran free agents, including Faneca and Woody; traded for another veteran, nose tackle Kris Jenkins; and drafted six players. After a 4-12 season, a team can't satisfy its hunger with an appetizer or two; it needs a bunch of main courses.

SN's NFL offseason coverage Camp countdown '08: New York Jets Iyer: Jets' burning question Dillon: Refueling the Jets More Jets: In need of reinforcements Jets team report Full countdown: Keep tabs on your team Brown: Older isn't better for NFL RBs None of the additions will play a more important role than Faneca, the Jets' new left guard, and Woody, their new right tackle, who have 19 years of NFL experience combined. Faneca was an anchor on the Steelers' line for 10 seasons, made 153 starts and helped Pittsburgh win Super Bowl 40. Woody, who won two Super Bowl rings in New England, is a versatile lineman who has started at center, guard and tackle.

These two players don't just bring skill, experience and leadership to the line. They also bring a dimension that was lacking last season.

"What they've added is some physical presence," says the defensive coordinator of an AFC East rival. "They're going to be the running team they wanted to be a year ago."

The Jets struggled to run the ball effectively in 2007, Thomas Jones' first season as their feature back. They ranked 19th in the league in rushing yards and 23rd in average gain per rush. Coach Eric Mangini wants Jones and change-of-pace back Leon Washington to be able to run the ball in September and December, in the heat and the cold, at home and away ... even when the opponent knows they're going to run. The additions of Faneca (who replaces Adrien Clarke) and Woody (who takes over for Anthony Clement) should allow them to do that.

"I think they're both inherently tough guys," Mangini says. "They've got that same attitude that when it's fourth-and-1 or third-and-1 -- they want to run the ball, and they want it run behind them."

The passing attack also sagged last season, a victim of 53 sacks (19 more than in 2006) and too many quarterback pressures. The Jets run a multiple-look offense that can challenge a defense with its myriad formations, motions and shifts. But it won't matter whether Pennington, Kellen Clemens or Joe Namath is the quarterback if he doesn't have time to throw.

After going 10-6 and making the playoffs in 2006, Mangini's first season, the Jets finished 12 games -- 12! -- behind New England last year. They won't close that gap overnight, but if Faneca and Woody perform up to expectations, the Jets could at least get back in the Patriots' rearview mirror in 2008.

When the Jets' offseason program began in mid-March, center Nick Mangold found himself migrating toward Faneca almost immediately. Mangold noticed Faneca's work ethic in the weight room and the rituals he follows to keep his body in top shape. When OTAs began, Mangold saw Faneca carry that same approach to the practice field.

"You see that," Mangold says, "and you want to be at that level."

The Jets want Faneca, who has gone to the last seven Pro Bowls, to be a rock between Mangold and left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson -- Nick and Brick -- third-year players who have started since their rookie seasons. Mentor? Faneca will be glad to play that role "if they so choose and if they need it." Right now, though, he's still learning the Jets' offense, its different calls, tendencies of his new linemates -- and the maze that is the New York-area highway system.

For 10 years, black-and-gold blood flowed through Faneca, 31, who missed only two games with Pittsburgh. "You spend 10 years somewhere, you get used to your routine, where everything is. It's definitely a new phase," says Faneca, who first was struck by the realization he was in a new environment when he saw the green carpet inside the Jets locker room at their training facility on Hofstra's campus.

Ferguson, who has been impressed by how Faneca "pushes himself" in the weight room and in on-field drills, regards him not so much as a tutor but as a player who can offer experiences and solutions to problems. Ferguson calls them "pearls of wisdom."

An outsider might look at Faneca's resume and presume he could become a bit of a know-it-all. That conclusion couldn't be further from the truth.

"The guys around here haven't been with me the last 10 years," he says. "I've got to come in here and earn their respect and show them firsthand."

Says Ferguson: "He's an interactive guy. He's very approachable. Because he has that type of attitude, he really blends in well with the guys we have."

When the offensive starters are taking a break on the practice field, it's not uncommon to see Faneca, Mangold and Ferguson standing together, talking shop. They might discuss a better way to block on a specific play. Mangold might ask Faneca how he likes to pull on a sweep. Or Faneca might ask Ferguson about when he needs help double-teaming an end. It's called taking mental reps.

"We're going through things back and forth -- each other's tendencies, how we're used to doing something," Faneca says. "We're kind of walking that line back and forth of practicing it and then reviewing and talking about it, so when we come back the next time we're a little more in sync and, hopefully, doing it a little bit better."

A line comprises five players at different positions who must work in concert for the offense to be successful. Think of it as a dance troupe; if one of the performers is out of step, the routine can fall apart.

That's why it's important for Faneca and Woody to continue bonding with Mangold, Ferguson and right guard Brandon Moore. The more they learn about one another now, the easier it will be to function effectively this season.

"It's not something that happens overnight or in a week or two," Faneca says. "You can't just sit back and let it happen over time. It's something each of us has to work at to get to that point."

Ferguson has more in common with Woody than the fact they are bookend linemen. Each drives a Mercedes CL. Ferguson's is black charcoal with tinted-out taillights and chrome wheels; Woody has a white coupe with white rims. "We've got the style game on," Ferguson says, a reference, perhaps, to a Jets version of Pimp My Ride.

The Jets will be happy if Woody, 30, just pimps their line. He is projected to start at right tackle even though he is a novice at that position, having played there only in the last five games last season for the Lions.

"Really? That's kind of surprising," says the AFC East defensive coordinator. "I'm not saying he can't play tackle -- obviously, those guys know what they're doing -- but I thought he would have been the right guard. It'll be interesting to see how he performs out there at tackle."

Mangini, who was an assistant coach for the Patriots during four of Woody's five seasons in New England, studied tape of Woody's games at right tackle last season and is convinced he can be a difference-maker there.

Let's see. A new starter at left guard. A new starter at right tackle. Oh, yeah, the Jets also have a new offensive line coach in Bill Callahan. The former coach of the Oakland Raiders and University of Nebraska is focusing on technique as he directs the Jets' linemen. So how's it going, maestro?

"I've only been here three months," says Callahan, whose official title is assistant head coach/offense. "We're just trying to put one foot in front of the other right now. It's been a pretty seamless transition because we've been working in the offseason program. ... But it's too early to say anything about where we're at. We have a long ways to go."

With Faneca and Woody aboard, the journey should be much more comfortable.

Dennis Dillon is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at ddillon@sportingnews.com.

You can find this article at:

http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=419220

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OL Rankings: The trenches are the first place to find winners

This says it all. The best teams, the playoff contenders, all have good offensive lines. Forget about the QB controversy. I'd lay it down now that if the Jets OL plays well we'll make the playoffs, too.

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