HughC
06-13-2008, 04:42 PM
Pro Football Weekly takes a look at the Jets offensive line, saying it oozes potential but questions remain (http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFL/AFC/AFC+East/NY+Jets/Features/2008/sohn060908.htm).
Little was right in the world of the Jets’ offense a season ago.
At quarterback, Chad Pennington suffered an ankle sprain early in the season, and later a bruised ego when he was demoted behind the wholly uninspiring Kellen Clemens. At running back, prized offseason acquisition Thomas Jones failed to get anything going on the ground, looking nothing like the answer at a position that has been in flux since Curtis Martin’s retirement. At receiver, Laveranues Coles spent much of his time stewing over his contract situation or dousing one of numerous body parts in buckets of ice.
Lost in the shuffle of the offensive offense was the shoddy play of the linemen.
... “Chemistry is more important on the offensive line than anywhere else on a football team, and it takes time to develop,” ...
... Ferguson, the swiftest afoot of the bunch, has underwhelmed since being taken with the fourth overall selection of the 2006 draft. Although decent against speed rushers, his inability to maintain a hefty enough playing weight has made him susceptible against the league’s bullish ends. Faneca, the most accomplished of the group, is certainly one of the standard-bearers for the OG position, but it’s only logical to question whether a 31-year-old is worthy of a the richest contract for an offensive lineman in NFL history, especially one whose stellar play regressed in '07.
Mangold has been serviceable, but he hasn’t been the Pro Bowl-caliber player the Jets thought he would be when they drafted him late in the first round in '06.
Woody comes with the most question marks. He had the makings of being an elite center early in his career in New England but was unable to carry his form to Detroit, the second stop of his career.
Mangini and GM Mike Tannenbaum spent $65 million on free agents. If they don't come through with a winning record, one or both of them are gone after this season, in my opinion.
Little was right in the world of the Jets’ offense a season ago.
At quarterback, Chad Pennington suffered an ankle sprain early in the season, and later a bruised ego when he was demoted behind the wholly uninspiring Kellen Clemens. At running back, prized offseason acquisition Thomas Jones failed to get anything going on the ground, looking nothing like the answer at a position that has been in flux since Curtis Martin’s retirement. At receiver, Laveranues Coles spent much of his time stewing over his contract situation or dousing one of numerous body parts in buckets of ice.
Lost in the shuffle of the offensive offense was the shoddy play of the linemen.
... “Chemistry is more important on the offensive line than anywhere else on a football team, and it takes time to develop,” ...
... Ferguson, the swiftest afoot of the bunch, has underwhelmed since being taken with the fourth overall selection of the 2006 draft. Although decent against speed rushers, his inability to maintain a hefty enough playing weight has made him susceptible against the league’s bullish ends. Faneca, the most accomplished of the group, is certainly one of the standard-bearers for the OG position, but it’s only logical to question whether a 31-year-old is worthy of a the richest contract for an offensive lineman in NFL history, especially one whose stellar play regressed in '07.
Mangold has been serviceable, but he hasn’t been the Pro Bowl-caliber player the Jets thought he would be when they drafted him late in the first round in '06.
Woody comes with the most question marks. He had the makings of being an elite center early in his career in New England but was unable to carry his form to Detroit, the second stop of his career.
Mangini and GM Mike Tannenbaum spent $65 million on free agents. If they don't come through with a winning record, one or both of them are gone after this season, in my opinion.