Offensive Line Thoughts

[Maxman]

Last year the line was great. Callahan was new and with all the new talent, things came together. Depth is still a concern but do you think this group will perform at a higher level this year?

I think so and even though they are going to have a rookie QB I think that will make things easier for the line. Why? Last year they spent the off-season working towards being a running team and come August things changed. The playbook changed, the game plans changed, everything changed. Favre mania took over.

This year they know what they are getting. And they are going to pound the ball. S Greene will help, a 3rd back on the roster, what a concept Mangini.

There will be a lot of pressure on this line because of inexperience at QB. Can they continue to get better and meet the challenge?

[Pragmatic Bus]

Last year the line was great. Callahan was new and with all the new talent, things came together. Depth is still a concern but do you think this group will perform at a higher level this year?

I think so and even though they are going to have a rookie QB I think that will make things easier for the line. Why? Last year they spent the off-season working towards being a running team and come August things changed. The playbook changed, the game plans changed, everything changed. Favre mania took over.

This year they know what they are getting. And they are going to pound the ball. S Greene will help, a 3rd back on the roster, what a concept Mangini.

There will be a lot of pressure on this line because of inexperience at QB. Can they continue to get better and meet the challenge?

I think they can, but that's just me.

[GreenBeans]

There are three possible problems for the O-Line this year:

1. 8-9 guys in the box on obvious running downs - that's a no win situation for any line. At least until Sanchez proves he can beat you with his arm.

2. No Chris Baker - the guy is underrated as a blocker. He made last year's line a lot better.

3. Injury - God forbid there is one.

[flgreen]

Mangold and D Brick will improve to a solid Pro Bowl level. Faneca and Woody, not so much, but both are still very solid. Moore will be what he has been so far, and continue to overachieve and be a very solid RG.

With another year together, under Callahan, I think this will be an outstanding OL.

The problem is, if even one of these guys go down for any significant time the Jets could be in real trouble

[Pragmatic Bus]

Mangold and D Brick will improve to a solid Pro Bowl level. Faneca and Woody, not so much, but both are still very solid. Moore will be what he has been so far, and continue to overachieve and be a very solid RG.

With another year together, under Callahan, I think this will be an outstanding OL.

The problem is, if even one of these guys go down for any significant time the Jets could be in real trouble

I think we have some depth with turner and hunter.

[Maxman]

Mangold and D Brick will improve to a solid Pro Bowl level. Faneca and Woody, not so much, but both are still very solid. Moore will be what he has been so far, and continue to overachieve and be a very solid RG.

With another year together, under Callahan, I think this will be an outstanding OL.

The problem is, if even one of these guys go down for any significant time the Jets could be in real trouble

I have always liked Moore. Even when people were down on him, I liked him. But he had a very solid year last year.

And that is a good point, is the ceiling actually higher because this is Callahan's second year?

[joebabyny]

Last year the line was great. Callahan was new and with all the new talent, things came together. Depth is still a concern but do you think this group will perform at a higher level this year?

I think so and even though they are going to have a rookie QB I think that will make things easier for the line. Why? Last year they spent the off-season working towards being a running team and come August things changed. The playbook changed, the game plans changed, everything changed. Favre mania took over.

This year they know what they are getting. And they are going to pound the ball. S Greene will help, a 3rd back on the roster, what a concept Mangini.

There will be a lot of pressure on this line because of inexperience at QB. Can they continue to get better and meet the challenge?

Well, i think there was less pressure on the line because whatever you thought of favre, teams had to respect his deep ball, regardless of how things turned out down the stretch. I think if 1) the jets don't bring in a plax/braylon type threat or 2) clowney doesn't pan out to be the guy they are praying for then it is going to be much harder for Sanchez. If you are going to commit so hard to the run and not have a viable deep pass threat and have EITHER Sanchez or Clemens behind center then you are just going to embolden the other teams to bring it every down.

[Irish Jet]

Mangold and D Brick will improve to a solid Pro Bowl level. Faneca and Woody, not so much, but both are still very solid. Moore will be what he has been so far, and continue to overachieve and be a very solid RG.

With another year together, under Callahan, I think this will be an outstanding OL.

The problem is, if even one of these guys go down for any significant time the Jets could be in real trouble

Woody played at a pro-bowl level last season. He was probably the best RT in the league. He's ridiculously good in run blocking.

[SoFlaJets]

Last year the line was great. Callahan was new and with all the new talent, things came together. Depth is still a concern but do you think this group will perform at a higher level this year?

I think so and even though they are going to have a rookie QB I think that will make things easier for the line. Why? Last year they spent the off-season working towards being a running team and come August things changed. The playbook changed, the game plans changed, everything changed. Favre mania took over.

This year they know what they are getting. And they are going to pound the ball. S Greene will help, a 3rd back on the roster, what a concept Mangini.

There will be a lot of pressure on this line because of inexperience at QB. Can they continue to get better and meet the challenge?

yea I don't think we've had a 3rd back since Cedric Houston quit

[SoFlaJets]

Well, i think there was less pressure on the line because whatever you thought of favre, teams had to respect his deep ball, regardless of how things turned out down the stretch. I think if 1) the jets don't bring in a plax/braylon type threat or 2) clowney doesn't pan out to be the guy they are praying for then it is going to be much harder for Sanchez. If you are going to commit so hard to the run and not have a viable deep pass threat and have EITHER Sanchez or Clemens behind center then you are just going to embolden the other teams to bring it every down.

which is why I kind of am hoping that Kellen Clemens starts the season for us. He at least HAS some starting experience. How many rookies have we seen start the season and come out of the gate winning?

[Arsis]

If we don't have any significant injuries we are going to be great in the trenches.

[Larz]

it's the best unit on the team, and should only get better. Having all the pieces in place over a full off season is a big deal in the NFL. Communication is huge on the lines and these guys all know each other now

I expect a dominant season from them

[JustInFudge]

it's the best unit on the team, and should only get better. Having all the pieces in place over a full off season is a big deal in the NFL. Communication is huge on the lines and these guys all know each other now

I expect a dominant season from them

Yep. And I think its important to note that we havent had the same oline return for the next season since the Parcells days if I'm not mistaken...something like that. Continuity on the Oline goes a long way.

[StillerPaul]

I truly hope you guys become a smash mouth team. Your OC should not have as many pre-snap shifts as before. Just line up and punch ppl in the mouth.

[flgreen]

I truly hope you guys become a smash mouth team. Your OC should not have as many pre-snap shifts as before. Just line up and punch ppl in the mouth.

Clearly the Jets are going to go back to the multi shift offensive. They have been using it in the mini camps. I think it is going to help the running game big time

When you put people like Leon, and Keller in motion the LB

[joebabyny]

which is why I kind of am hoping that Kellen Clemens starts the season for us. He at least HAS some starting experience. How many rookies have we seen start the season and come out of the gate winning?

Yeah, but on the other hand clemens never did anything for us either. Joey Harrington has plenty of starting nfl qb experience but i wouldn't want him to start for us over a rookie. IS sh#tty experience better than no experience? I tend to think not.

[Thai Jet]

Last year the line was great. Callahan was new and with all the new talent, things came together. Depth is still a concern but do you think this group will perform at a higher level this year?

I think so and even though they are going to have a rookie QB I think that will make things easier for the line. Why? Last year they spent the off-season working towards being a running team and come August things changed. The playbook changed, the game plans changed, everything changed. Favre mania took over.

This year they know what they are getting. And they are going to pound the ball. S Greene will help, a 3rd back on the roster, what a concept Mangini.

There will be a lot of pressure on this line because of inexperience at QB. Can they continue to get better and meet the challenge?

I was on record for being totally against trading those draft choices to move up and get Sanchez. I wanted us to build up depth for DE and the O line with them. Our O line played very well last year but it IS a year older. I'd be pleased if they just played up to last years level.

[DMaynard]

You can not overrate the importance of an o-line playing together (all five starters). More than any other unit. Everything being equal, I expect a 10 to 15% upgrade in the line performance from last year.

Now, if one of the five gets injured ... we are in big trouble. Huge drop off in talent along with the break in continuity.

[Vudu]

D'Brick will make the Pro Bowl this year. BOOK IT!

[Bleed4TheGreen]

I just love the addition of Shonn Greene, he could have major success behind this O-Line during the 4th quarters of games as a power back that we havn't had in quite some time after we use and abuse Thomas Jones as our work horse type of back for 3 quarters strong.

This Offense is built to rush the ball behind this O-Line because as we all know, Faneca isn't the greatest pass blocking LG around but he's still one of the greatest run blocking LG's to ever play the game and he also showed us last year that he's still one of the best around when it comes down to run blocking.

Ferguson will be playing as a 4th year starter this year, he's a Franchise LT and should be considered a top 5-10 LT after 2009.

Faneca is still one of the best around, he's only 32 with another 2-3 solid years left in the tank.

Mangold will also be playing as a 4th year starter and he's already considered a top 5 talent. When Vince Wilfork considers Mangold the "Toughest" center in the game, that means something.

Moore is one of the most underrated Jets I've ever seen. He's started for two different O-Lines as our starting RG thats featured two different backs that actually rushed for the most yards of any AFC back in Martin in 04 (2nd year player/First year starter) along with Thomas Jones of last year. When it comes to run blocking, who knows? He could honestly be one of the best around that the rest of the league has no idea about.

I would love an upgrade over Woody as our starting RT but he's a veteran player thats actually started on a Patriots SB winning team, as their starting Center. Thats all I know, he's a solid veteran starter that played solid for us last year and thats more than what I could ask for as of right now.

Lets not forget Tony Richardson. In my eyes, he pushes this O-Line unit over the top because he's led the way as an NFL lead blocker for backs such as Marcus Allen, Priest Holmes, Larry Johnson, Adrian Peterson along with Thomas Jones of last year; all have had major success. If Lorenzo Neal can still do it at the age of 38, I believe Tony Richardson can still be more than productive for another one or two years at the age of 37.

We also drafted Matt Slauson out of Nebraska, a player thats played each and every position on the O-Line with a big body size of 6'5 315 pounds, he's built like an animal. The most impressive thing that I know about this kid is that our O-Line coach, Bill Callahan enjoyed his talents so much that he even recruited this kid when he was coming out of high school and lets not forget...Callahan made sure the Jets drafted this man during the 6th round, which has to mean something.

We have a veteran that has played each and every position on the O-Line in Woody and we now have a rookie that has done the same growing up. If an injury were to happen to either Ferguson, Mangold or Moore, we would then have two different players that we could mix and match with to come up with the best solution for the time being.

I'm more than just excited about Jones/Leon and Greene rushing the rock behind this O-Line; I'm confident.

[stoicsentry]

D'Brick will make the Pro Bowl this year. BOOK IT!

When all is said and done, D'Brick is just mediocre. Sad but true.

[Pragmatic Bus]

When all is said and done, D'Brick is just mediocre. Sad but true.

Do you know what a mediocre NFL LT looks like?

[jason423]

Running more should be good for the team unless Woody falls apart due to age. The Jets are a much better run blocking unit than a pass blocking unit, despite the fact that Brick isnt a great run blocker. When it comes to pass protection too many of our guys get beat. Faneca has been bad at pass protection for two or three years now. He's been a part of that line that has made Ben Roethlisberger turn into a scrambler behind the line as soon as they snap the ball. Woody has his plays where he just doesnt seem to even get out of his stance and Moore has always had his flubs from time to time.

By being more of a running team we are actually playing to our strengths. I love the addition of Greene. I was very surprised that we never activated Caulcrick last season just to do the short yardage stuff. Mangold is very good at the point of attack at those type of plays and Callahan has always favored that big bruiser specialist. He was pretty much the reason Zach Crockett has been able to have such a long career.

[Bleed4TheGreen]

When all is said and done, D'Brick is just mediocre. Sad but true.

Just the fact that D'Brickishaw Ferguson has started each and every game at LT since the day he became a Jet is something special to build off of.

Thats not something that "mediocre" LT's are able to do and thats because their usually replaced after 1 or 2 years of bad play.

Ferguson has been getting better with each and every offseason and year that goes by and by next year, he may just be considered one of the best overall LT's in the game because he's a special talent.

[StillerPaul]

Steelers fans: O-line's are over rated.....

Rest of NFL: O-lines are under rated....

:D

[Larz]

Just the fact that D'Brickishaw Ferguson has started each and every game at LT since the day he became a Jet is something special to build off of.

Thats not something that "mediocre" LT's are able to do and thats because their usually replaced after 1 or 2 years of bad play.

Ferguson has been getting better with each and every offseason and year that goes by and by next year, he may just be considered one of the best overall LT's in the game because he's a special talent.

isn't it funny how when one of our defenders beats a LT, it's a great play by the defense, but when d-brick gets beat it's cuz he's mediocre ?

weird how that works

you also would need to know how much the jets give him help vs other LT's in the league to really judge. I don't remember seeing too many times where the jets have the TE or a back chip his guy

but like I said you'd have to know the league average to say for sure

I agree with you you have to give him major props for starting every practice and game at LT sine the day he was drafted. He didn't have to learn the NFL game at RT, he is LT all the way

very impressive

[SenorGato]

When all is said and done, D'Brick is just mediocre. Sad but true.

D'Brick is the most underrated LT in the league, especially since 90% of Jets fans don't buy he's a good player despite everything.

I expect he'll be considered an elite O-linemen and LT as he gets closer to 30 and the team (hopefully) has some success.

[Arsis]

Mediocre compared to what? The all times greats? Sure. Every other starting LT in the league? No.

[Bleed4TheGreen]

Last year the Jets Offense was ranked 19th in rushing attempts, but yet, we were ranked 9th in overall rushing yards and thats more than Impressive.

The Jets were the only team to rank top 10 in rushing yards that wasn't top 10 in rushing attempts and thats because we ranked top 5 in average yards per carry.

Vikings (Below average QB)

Patriots (1st year starter @ QB)

The Ravens (Rookie QB)

Falcons (Rookie QB)

Titans (Average game manager @ QB)

Panthers (Solid game manger)

Giants (Elite QB)

All 7 of those teams ranked top 10 in rushing yards, The Patriots were the only team that failed to make the playoffs with an 11-5 record. Other than the Panthers, the rest of those teams ranked top 10 in Defense and thats because they all had a solid O-Line, strong rushing attack, QB that could move the chains and a Defense that was fresh thanks to a ball control, grind it out, move the chains, eat up the clock type of Offensive attack.

The Jets have a chance to be special with a rookie QB here in 2009 and thats because our rookie QB has alot of talent. Pete Carroll was upset that Sanchez left early, more like pissed off, but he still made it known that Sanchez has been his best overall talent that he's ever coached at the QB position on the college level.

Cotchery is also a much better WR than any #1 WR that the Ravens, Titans or Vikings had and Cotchery is just as good, if not better than White of the Falcons. Of course Smith, Moss and Burress are all better options as a #1 WR but Cotchery has just about 3,000 yards in 3 years as a starter with 3 different QB's and thats saying something.

One thing the Jets have, that none of those teams really had last year...An elite pass catching talent at the TE position in Dustin Keller because Heap had an off year.

I feel the Jets can have a top 5 rushing attack thanks to the addition of Shonn Greene, a true power back, a run first offense now that we have a "True Identity" thanks to Favre leaving along with a top 10 Defense under Rex Ryan (Thanks to an Offense that keeps them off the field for the most part)

Also, one more thing...It's tough to teach an old dog new tricks and thats what we had with #4 last year. A QB turning 40 years old who couldn't or wouldn't learn a new Offensive system which meant Marty's boy couldn't use motions and shifts before the snap because Favre only wanted to line up, read the Defense and snap the ball, without taking the effort to make pre-snap adjustments which hurt our offense when it was all said and done. With USC...Thats what they did best, read the D's and adjust with movement along with formation shifts and thats what Marty's boy LOVED to do in 2006 as a rookie OC.