It looks like Bender or bust. Convinced the small-school rookie has the goods to become a proficient left guard, the Jets are planning to open the season with Jacob Bender in Pete Kendall's old spot, according to a person familiar with the team's thinking. Unless a starting-caliber guard unexpectedly becomes available, the way Kendall did in 2004, the Jets are willing to endure the inevitable growing pains. In other words, they're not going to make a panic move for a second-rate player. The Jets remain high on Bender despite his shaky performance last week in his starting debut. Against the Giants, the sixth-round pick from Nicholls State allowed one sack and at least two pressures. "I know what type of player he is, I know how physical he is and I know that he has the eagerness to learn and get better," said Chad Pennington. "You can't teach a guy to get off the football, and this guy knows how to get off the football. He knows how to strike his opponent. You can't teach that, it's just God-given." Pennington is unlikely to play tonight against the Eagles in the preseason finale in Philadelphia. Chances are, Eric Mangini will rest the starters - he did last year - although it would make sense for Bender to see more action before facing the Patriots in the Sept. 9 opener. Bender is a converted tackle, still learning the nuances of guard. He replaced Adrien Clarke, who was demoted after starting the first two games. GM Mike Tannenbaum, who traded Kendall to the Redskins after months of contract-based acrimony, continues to explore the guard market. But the pickings are slim. The Jets will face the Patriots with a rookie left guard and second-year players at left tackle and center - D'Brickashaw Ferguson and Nick Mangold, respectively. The future looks bright, but they could suffer in the short term, especially against a clever team such as the Patriots. Coach Bill Belichick is a master at identifying and exploiting weaknesses. http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/f...8-30_jets_set_to_go_on_with_jacob_bender.html QB Blurb: Tonight should help Mangini finalize his quarterback depth chart. Kellen Clemens has solidified the No. 2 job with a terrific preseason, but the No. 3 spot remains a question. Will the Jets keep Marques Tuiasosopo or simply use the versatile Brad Smith in that role? "I think I've shown I'm capable of operating in this offense," said Tuiasosopo, who has completed seven of 13 passes for 68 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions in the preseason. The Jets don't have much experience behind Pennington, but they feel better about their depth because of Clemens, who has made a dramatic improvement. Discussing Clemens, Mangini used a Tom Brady anecdote from 2000, describing how the then-rookie stayed after practice every day to work on his game. By 2001, the Patriots were so confident in Brady that they had no problem making him the starter when Drew Bledsoe was injured. You know the rest of the story. Mangini believes Clemens has a Brady-like work ethic and, although he wasn't comparing him to the three-time Super Bowl champ, the Jets' coach will have no problem turning to Clemens during the season if the offense falls apart under Pennington. Clemens has a better arm than Pennington, who relies on touch, timing and anticipation. "(Clemens) has shown some good touch in the short area, and there have been some positive deep balls," said Mangini, noting the 43-yard strike last week to Justin McCareins. Clemens has led the offense to seven of its nine touchdowns, but he has faced mostly backups. LAST CALL: The final few roster spots will be up for grabs tonight in Philadelphia, where the Jets close the preseason against the Eagles. Veterans on the bubble include Tuiasosopo, TE Sean Ryan, WR Frisman Jackson, DE Michael Haynes, LB Andre Wadsworth, NT Sione Pouha, NT C.J. Mosley, LB Anthony Schlegel, CB Drew Coleman and CB Hank Poteat. The roster stands at 75 and must be cut to 53 by Saturday. ... RB Thomas Jones (calf) won't play, but he's expected to be ready for the opener.
Theres also a report in the Star Ledger that the Jets are looking to talk with Keydrick Vincent, formerly of the Ravens. Seems like conflicting reports although Cimini did break the Kendall trade, which makes me think he is probably more accurate. http://www.nj.com/sports/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/118844792930600.xml&coll=1
Yeah Cimini seems on point compared to Hutch from the ledger. Hutch actually gets things wrong more often then any other beat reporter that I know of. Sometimes I think that poor Hutch gets used as a disinformation device by the Jets.
Of all the bad options the Jets have at LG right now Bender is probably the best for the team in the longterm. Growing pains are probably going to suck against New England, Baltimore and Miami, all of whom have fine defensive lines, so Buffalo will give us our first chance to objectively assess where Bender is.
Well Lets hope it all works out! they are the coaches. Id still like to see some pick up's for depth or if Bender turns out to not cut it. PLus IM sure some quality Line man will be released for cap reasons that would be perfect to fall back on.
If Mangini and Schotteheimer are smart they'll anticipate the Pats attacking Bender and come up with schemes to protect him - roll the entire pocket to the right, send Chad on bootlegs, run often early to get them thinking run and crush them with play action. Of course, there's always the risk of the double bluff - BB and co. overloading the OTHER side of the line, so we play ourselves right into trouble. But then there's the double double bluff, where they anticipate that we might predict the double bluff and attack Bender as you'd expect... OR the double double double bluff where they just sit in coverage all day and hoover up Chad's floaters...
Well according to the coaching staff, Bender appears to be the long term option, so unless a nice stopgap opens up (can Vincent be a stop gap, he's only 29) it could be way worse, course we could do better than Bender as well. I'm excited to see him, play in tonights eagles game. Hopefully Mangini, plays him quite a lot seeing how he needs the Exp.
I don't think we need to worry about Bender against the Pats believe it or not. He will probably just help double-team either Wilfork or Seymour and the rest of the time he will go to the second level and block some linebackers (his strength). Let's see how he does today. The Eagles have some of the best backup pass rushing DEs on their team.
Why anyone would be concerned about his performance in a meanignless preseason game is beyond me. If the FO didn't think he was able they wouldn't have unloaded Kendall. Is Seymour even playing in the opener?
if this really is the future, i'm completely okay with it. thr growing pains the left side goes through will only make them that much stronger and cohesive down the road.
Yeah but if Belichick tries that he'll have fallen into one of the classic blunders, the most famous one being never to get involved in a land war in Asia............
U can best believe that Jets' are looking at somebody & doing it behind the scenes. I'd go with Hutch right now. Remember....Where's there's smoke....There's F-I-R-E :smile:
That's just wrong man. It would help soften the blow of a loss, but still wrong. C'mon pick someone else. There will be a better time to choose NE.
You can't be serious... Trap game? Hmmm...division opponent. Hated rival.... Mangini v Belichek. Keep dreaming..
