With all of the recent quarterback talk, the overwhelming attention has been taking off the New York Jets real offensive issues.
This extraordinary yet brutal of game of football is played from the inside out. It’s a game that starts in the trenches first. It then trickles its way out onto the perimeter.It’s always been this way and will always continue on as such. This is the case despite this new age era of high flying pigskins traveling through the air at record pace.
It seems Mike Maccagnan understands this age old philosophy from a defensive perspective, but when the offensive trenches come into the conversation, things get a little questionable.
Muhammad Wilkerson, Leonard Williams and Sheldon Richardson form one of the best defensive lines in football. These beasts do the dirty work. They take on double teams and allow David Harris and company to roam free on the second level. These guys also get to the QB allowing Darrelle Revis, Calvin Pryor and the rest of the defensive backfield an easier Sunday.
What can we say about the New York Jets offensive line?
The only possible thing we might be able to say is if Ryan Clady actually stays healthy, they could be solid.
That’s pretty sad for a team who has aspirations of bettering their 10-6 campaign in 2015.
We already know the names and faces, but for this particular spot we’ll go through each guy and examine their 2016 prospects. We begin with the undoubted leader of the group.
Nick Mangold
Nick Mangold, Center
Nick Mangold is the leader, the guy who quarterbacks the line and calls out all of the adjustments. He’s one of the best in the business.
At 32 years of age, however, the discussion about whether Mangold will lose a little steam needs to commence.
In 2015, when Mangold missed time (almost two full games), the Jets offense struggled. Actually, they completely forgot how to play the game of football (reference their run game in Oakland).
RELATED: Jets Offensive Line Forces Fitzpatrick As Better Option
Of course Ryan Fitzpatrick also missed the Raider game, but the fact the Jets could run a lick shows just how much they rely upon Mangold. Then, a week later against Jacksonville, Mangold left the game early in the first quarter and proceeded to run for just 29 yards. Chris Ivory went for 26 on 23 attempts.
This wasn’t much better than Ivory’s 17 yards on 15 carries a week before in Oakland.
When Mangold is missing, the Jets offense stinks.
He’s the first and most critical piece to the Jets offense. As long as he’s there, all is well.
James Carpenter
James Carpenter, Left Guard
Of all the tremendous and splashy 2015 offseason signings Mike Maccagnan made as first year boss of the Jets, the James Carpenter scoop up might have been the tops.
By far, Carpenter, a Super Champion, is the Jets second best offensive lineman.
He provides excellent run blocking and is more than capable of standing up with the best interior pass rushers in the league.
The problem for New York comes after its top two guys.
Ryan Clady
Ryan Clady, Left Tackle
Ryan Clady has participated in just 18 games over the last three NFL seasons – which equaled an opportunity of 48 possible games.
Most of his absence was due to a torn ACL, causing him to miss the entirety of the Denver Broncos 2015 Super Bowl Championship season. Previously, he dealt with a lisfranc injury that sidelined him for all but two games in 2013.
The man is a walking hospital.
Hospital or not, he’s a solid gamble for the Jets.
When he became expendable this past offseason, Mikey Mac had no other choice to pounce. While he does bring a hefty $6 million cap hit, his deal ends after 2016 (club option for 2017).
Should the 29-year old stay healthy, the Jets will see an increase in production at the position thanks to the two-time first team NFL All-Pro.
The recently retired D’Brickashaw Ferguson simply didn’t do the job towards the end of his career. The beloved Jet never a missed a game his entire career while protecting the blindside for a plethora of Jet QBs the last 10 years, but his production was less than stellar as of late.
Clady will be the ultimate wild card. If he can regain his All-Pro form, the ski is the limit for this unit. Should he stay sidelined, the Jets offensive line could be headed for some troubled times.
Brian Winters
Brian Winters, Right Guard
Fourth year guard Brian Winters didn’t exit the summer of 2015 as the Jets starting right guard. He was placed there by default thanks to Willie Colon‘s issues.
It’s a make or break season for the 24-year old as 2016 will be the last year of his rookie deal.
Nobody ever complains about Winters in the run game. Like most guards, Winters loves to surge forward and plow through when a run is called. When he’s asked to stand-up, however, he leaves much to be desired.
His progress come August will be something to keep an eye on.
Breno Giacomini
Breno Giacomini, Right Tackle
The second piece to this shaky right side of the line is Breno Giacomini.
Like Carpenter, he’s also a Super Bowl Champion, with the Seattle Seahawks. Unfortunately for the Jets, that was then and this is now.
New York likes Giacomini in the run game. He still does a solid job in Chan Gailey’s scheme as a guy with plenty of attitude as a mauler on the edge. Where it gets tricky for Giacomini is his contract.
RELATED: Ranking The Jets Veteran Cap Casualties
Breno is slated to make $5.625 million this season. Should the Jets cut him at any point, they’d free up $5 million.
Guess what that means? It means if Ryan Fitzpatrick is going to walk through those doors, Giacomini is the guy who might feel the veteran cut casualty wrath.
He just doesn’t return the value needed at his salary. He’s a well below average tackle in the NFL.
Brandon Shell
Brandon Shell, Right Tackle
Speaking of Breno Giacomini feeling the veteran cap casualty wrath, allow me to introduce rookie Brandon Shell.
Maccagnan traded up in the fifth-round to snag Shell. It was an interesting move so late in the draft, especially for a tackle. The only thing this move projects is the notion that Giacomini is really on the hot seat.
Though he’s not a starter, and just a lowly fifth-rounder, the Jets might be put into an unenviable position of relying on Shell come August. This could be a serious issue if Shell doesn’t pleasantly surprise right off the bat.
The right side of that Jets line is a major concern.
Ben Ijalana
Ben Ijalana, Tackle/Guard
Relegated to a backup role is Ben Ijalana, perhaps the most versatile of all the Jets big heavies.
He can play tackle and guard. If Clady doesn’t see the field due to any injury of any kind, it’ll be Ijalana who gets the first crack. If Shell cannot replace Giacomini, again, it’ll be Ijalana.
He’s the next man up, and a solid one at that.
Dakota Dozier
Dakota Dozier, Guard
Dakota Dozier is a strict inside player. The Jets will be looking upon him to push Winters to the absolute limit come August.
Aside from these eight guys – Nick Mangold, James Carpenter, Ryan Clady, Brian Winters, Breno Giacomini, Brandon Shell, Ben Ijalana, and Dakota Dozier – the Jets don’t have much else.
Unless a Craig Watts, Jarvis Harrison or Wesley Johnson steps up to a ridiculous degree, this group is a complete guessing game after Mangold and Carpenter.
Geno Smith or Ryan Fitzpatrick can have all the weapons in the world, but won’t mean a thing if the big heavies up front can’t mesh as one single unit.
This needs to be the top concern in Jet land right now.