I wouldnt even give them that much... more like them drafting him, paying him, and then releasing him; its clear the coaching staff didnt perform their job with him.
I assume the answer is that the Jet FO once again went through another off season without coming up with a good backup interior lineman. So they are playing VD. Quite simple, actually.
How would yoe feel knowing your blindside is protected by Ducasse? If he sucks at pass pro, at least let him suck on the side of the OL where Sanchez can see it better...
I must have made a mistake. I thought he was LG in college. So he played LT in college, then came to the Jets to compete for the RG position. That's weird. No wonder he had trouble adapting. I think he finally plays decent this year.
They had him playing every position but C in the preseason last year. Personally I see him as a RT, possibly RG, but I get why they're keeping him at one spot for now. He needs things simplified.
That's the case right there. I'm not going to get roped into a Ducasse debate again but If the FO actually made the OL position a priority in the Draft and Free Agency, Vlad Ducasse's name would only be in discussion for the final spot on the roster/ out on the street - where it should be. I will say though that putting him at backup guard is a step in the right direction, because he MIGHT actually be worth more than the space he takes up in the locker room in that position. The last OL position that depending on the gameplan/personnel/weather fluctuates between being active and inactive, where by he is brought in as an extra big body in GL/short yardage overloaded line run-only situations is his ceiling as an NFL player. He's NEVER, EVER going to be able to play the tackle position in the NFL, there's this thing called Pass blocking that Vlad is god awful at. You think Wayne Hunter stuggles in pass protection? He's in a different league than VD is. The CS knows this too, that's why shortly after reports of trying him at RT came out, they quickly scooped up those no-name RT Vet's because it probably took Sparano a short walk-though to realize he was screwed.
If what you are saying were true, it would make much more sense for him to be at RG than LG. His pass protection is where he needs the most work but saying he'll never be a RT is a stretch IMO. He was drafted KNOWING his pass protection was going to take a while to develop notwithstanding impatient fans.
Oh I'm with you on the RG position, luckily its practice so he's not having to actually line up on a sunday at either position but working him in practice at R or L isn't as big deal to me as long as its at the guard position only. I'm praying that one of those no name vets Tanny signed for a bag of balls at least sticks so in 2012 the Jets aren't completely screwed at the OL position. Wow what a difference from 2009.
Agreed, and here's another point - I know Slauson can play some center, but when Turner was on the team, as backup interior lineman he could play center or guard. I am thinking I have never heard of VD playing center. So is Schlauderhoff the only backup at Center? Other htan Slauson, I guess is the answer. We have to pray Mangold stays healthy.
Coming out of UMASS and the Pats looking possibly for an OLman that year, Ducasse was the subject of a lot of speculation among Pats fans, since no one knew if Neal was coming back. The consensus was that he didn't have the nimble feet you look for in an OT. He was more a "road grader" and OG was his likely spot in the NFL. I think he's only been moved to OT because there was simply no one else to back up the OT's last season, and he DID have some experience playing the position. In the small sample he's gotten at OT, its pretty clear that the "consensus" was right about his skill set, and now that the Jets have FINALLY added some vet OT's to your roster, he can go back to what will be his "natural" position in the NFL.....and MAYBE find some success But you have to remember that these mini camps have no contact and no pads. Its only a teaching time. Its impossible to make value judgments, especially when you are talking about linemen on both sides of the ball.
The only thing funny is your lack of knowledge of player development. Not all early picks are poised to produce early. Hey look at Aaron Maybin
slauson is the back up center ... if mangold goes down, slauson slides over to center and VD steps in at LG, imo
they should put him where ever he is going to get the most 1st team reps and fill in the holes...if we want him to get better he has to go against the best we have to offer...running with the 2's isn't going to help him at this point.
