Shootout AT LG Corral

[Kentucky Jet]

The Rundown: Shootout at the Left Guard Corral

By Bassett on 06. Aug, 2010

Two days ago, Greg Bishop put an interesting story together for the New York Times around D’Brickashaw Ferguson’s desire to have continuity on the offensive line. While he understands that the left guard spot is up for grabs, he hopes it doesn’t stay that way long.

“I don’t believe in a rotation, come game time,” Ferguson said Wednesday. “Continuity is most important. And I don’t think that’s what we’re doing here.”

Ferguson does not expect the left guard position to derail this team the way it did in 2007. He also does not expect the coaching staff to make a decision before the end of training camp, and he declined to label either guard a favorite.

While Brick might be more political about who the favorite is, Manish Mehta of the Daily News wrote in his morning practice notes today that Matt Slauson might have the advantage on the starting spot, according to Rex.

Ryan admitted that Matt Slauson has the early edge over rookie Vlad Ducasse for the starting left guard spot. Ryan praised Slauson’s toughness and admitted that Ducasse needs to finish plays better…

It’s not all that surprising, as Slauson has an extra year in the system and knows what offensive line coach Bill Callahan expects since playing for him as a Cornhusker.

Slauson was drafted to be a project, and while I confess he’s being thrown into the rotation mix earlier than I expected with Faneca’s release, it sounds like he’s working to make the most of the opportunity.

Whatever happens, I do think that Ducasse could be destined to play right tackle eventually for this team. But I’m sure the team would like to play their second-round pick sooner than later. Last year, Ryan made it abundantly clear that players who are drafted early should plan to play, and as a second-round pick, Ducasse would seem to fit that mold.

Now, just to keep in mind, a year ago, it was Kellen Clemens who was tipping the QB Battle needle early on, so I won’t read too much into any early indications. We’re still 10 days away from the first preseason game. Still, Ducasse is very raw and needs to refine his game quickly enough to get Rex’s nod.

[Fifth Amendment]

Thx for the post. Are any of these Jets observers ya know, actually breaking down their strengths and weaknesses? Or maybe analyzing their practice performances? That would be nice...

[#27TheDominator]

IMO, it's meaningless at this point. If Ducasse was ahead now, then the "battle" is over. Slauson has to have the upper hand now because the main problem is Ducasse's lack of experience, never playing at such a high level and not having experience with this offense and Callahan's zone blocking.

[Revis is the GOAT]

Thx for the post. Are any of these Jets observers ya know, actually breaking down their strengths and weaknesses? Or maybe analyzing their practice performances? That would be nice...

too soon for analyzing performances i think. once preseason games start. for now, fact is that ducasse is much more physically talented, this is reflected in the fact that ducasse was a 2nd round pick, slauson a 6th. slauson has a huge edge in knowledge of the blocking scheme, as prior to being a jet he played under callahan at nebraska. going forward, ducasse is a future starter either at LG or RT. and as far as this season which ever guy wins the job will be in a very good situation with mangold to his right and d'brick to his left.

[Sperm Edwards]

too soon for analyzing performances i think. once preseason games start. for now, fact is that ducasse is much more physically talented, this is reflected in the fact that ducasse was a 2nd round pick, slauson a 6th. slauson has a huge edge in knowledge of the blocking scheme, as prior to being a jet he played under callahan at nebraska. going forward, ducasse is a future starter either at LG or RT. and as far as this season which ever guy wins the job will be in a very good situation with mangold to his right and d'brick to his left.

What round was Tom Brady drafted in and what round was Kellen Clemens drafted in?

[GodWearsAGrayHoodie]

too soon for analyzing performances i think. once preseason games start. for now, fact is that ducasse is much more physically talented, this is reflected in the fact that ducasse was a 2nd round pick, slauson a 6th. slauson has a huge edge in knowledge of the blocking scheme, as prior to being a jet he played under callahan at nebraska. going forward, ducasse is a future starter either at LG or RT. and as far as this season which ever guy wins the job will be in a very good situation with mangold to his right and d'brick to his left.

What round was Tom Brady drafted in and what round was Kellen Clemens drafted in?

Sperm makes a good point about Talent and that the round is irrelevant.

However, the round in which the player was picked does play into who is the starter. Unless the 6th rounder is clearly better than the 2nd rounder, the 2nd rounder gets the starting job. If they are equal or if the 6th rounder is only slightly better than it is the higher draft pick who starts.

[Sperm Edwards]

Sperm makes a good point about Talent and that the round is irrelevant.

However, the round in which the player was picked does play into who is the starter. Unless the 6th rounder is clearly better than the 2nd rounder, the 2nd rounder gets the starting job. If they are equal or if the 6th rounder is only slightly better than it is the higher draft pick who starts.

Agreed. All other things being equal, any team would rather have their higher-picked players starting over their lower picks.

But assigning who is clearly the more talented (or more importantly, who's going to be the better pro) based on round selected is hardly a sound argument. Better players are generally selected ahead of worse players (as a whole) but using that rationale goes out the window for assessing any one or two individuals. And that's why it really should surprise no one if Slauson wins the competition or if neither of them becomes the pro guard that undrafted Brandon Moore is.

Slauson has the edge because of experience. Ducasse has the edge in raw size and talent. In the end, the better on-the-field football player is going to start.

[Revis is the GOAT]

lol. i don't think you guys read/understood what i posted. there's really no disputing that ducasse is more physically talented than slauson. that doesn't mean that he'll turn out to be a better player, but physically he's bigger, stronger, faster and more agile than slauson.

[Revis is the GOAT]

Slauson has the edge because of experience. Ducasse has the edge in raw size and talent.

err, nice job of regurgitating exactly what i posted, after you previously disagreed with it

[Sperm Edwards]

err, nice job of regurgitating exactly what i posted, after you previously disagreed with it

You said it was because he was a 2nd round pick. I don't think all 2nd round picks have more raw talent than all 6th round picks. Rather, I think any preference for the team to have a 2nd round pick win over a 6th rounder is largely due to saving face. No team wants to draft someone high and have them never win a starting job. There are tons of people drafted in later rounds who, while more physically gifted, were considered too raw to warrant a high pick.

It's not a minor point of difference in opinion and it's not the same thing. I don't believe at all that Ryan gives a rats a$$ what round either of his players were drafted in or who is bigger or stronger. In the end, they're going to go with who they believe who is going to be the better LG this season, not who runs the 40 faster, does a cone drill faster, who's taller, who weighs more, or who bench presses more.