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I keep hearing this. I’ve heard it over and over again. And it’s a premise I don’t agree with. Let me get into what I’m talking about . . .
I have heard this from fans.
I have heard this from other reporters.
“I have concerns about the offensive line,” they say.
I understand why people would say that.
Right tackle Breno Giacomini is still on the PUP list, and there was a change of left tackle to a player who has a long injury history – Ryan Clady.
But I have to tell y’all. I have been watching the Jets’ offensive line closely over the first two weeks of camp, and I think they are going to be fine.
As I’ve mentioned in this space, and in the magazine, Clady has been superb in camp.
Pass rushers on his side rarely get near the quarterbacks.
During his healthy seasons in Denver, Clady was considered one of the better pass protecting left tackles in the NFL. And that has been case in training camp. Just ask Jets outside linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin whose had a very frustrating summer, in large part thanks to Clady, who has been consistently locking him up.
Obviously, you need to throw out the caveat “if he stays healthy” when talking about Clady, but if he does, I think this trade is going to turn out to a steal.
Clady has great feet for a 300-pound man, and plays with outstanding technique.
I think the Jets should be fine at left tackle. By no means is there a drop-off from D’Bricksahaw Ferguson to Clady. Not at all.
As for the right side, I’m telling, it’s not going to be a problem.
Ben Ijalana and Brent Qvale have been platooning on that side in camp.
I have been watching both of them like a hawk.
Most reporters aren’t.
I don’t say this as a criticism, but most of the media focuses on the throwing and catching, not the trenches. You can’t watch everything, and there are no replays available to the press.
Both Ijalana and Qvale have had good camps. Very few bad things have happened on that side.
Over the last three years, the Jets’ former regime, and the current regime, did a nice job developing these guys who both arrived on the scene in 2014.
Honestly, I don’t think the question is whether the Jets have a right tackle if Giacomini isn’t ready for the season, but which one you go with.
They have both looked really good.
Another tough decision – since both of them have looked really good, do you move on from Giacomini and save $4.5 million? And remember Giacomini is coming off an inconsistent season.
Throughout camp, the Jets starting defense hasn’t generated much of a pass rush. That is one reason why their passing offense has been prolific.
One reason for that is the pass protection has been excellent.
So to me, based on what I’ve seen in camp, I don’t think the Jets’ offensive line is a big concern.
August 19, 2016
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