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2010 Offensive Line Analysis - New York Jets

2010 Projected Starters:
Left Tackle: D’Brickashaw Ferguson
Left Guard: Vladimir Ducasse
Center: Nick Mangold
Right Guard: Brandon Moore
Right Tackle: Damien Woody

2009 Injuries:
None

2009 Statistics:

Overview:
The New York Jets have never had a great offensive team, never finishing amongst the top ten teams in yards of offense in the past eleven years. Things are slowly turning around however as they now have one of the most dangerous running games in the NFL and they’re hoping that the passing game starts producing with Mark Sanchez and an improved group of WRs.

D’Brickashaw Ferguson will return as the starting left tackle for the fifth consecutive season. Ferguson has not missed a start since being drafted in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft and has really picked up his game in the last two years. Ferguson has allowed 11 sacks in the last two years but that total would probably have been much lower with a more experience quarterback in 2009. Ferguson gained some strength in the past two years and is now an above average run blocker which wasn’t the case in his first two NFL seasons. The 6’6” and 310 lbs tackle took a little longer to develop than the Jets had hoped for but it was well worth the wait as he made his first Pro Bowl last year and will make many more within the next few years. Starting opposite of Ferguson at right tackle is the 32-year old Damien Woody who was acquired as a free agent from the Lions in 2008. He was named to the Pro Bowl team in 2002 as a Patriot but has not been able to match that performance since signing with the Lions in 2004. Woody struggled with injuries in Detroit and did not get along with head coach Rod Marinelli. He has however managed to resurrect his career with the Jets allowing only three sacks in 2009 and being well-above average in run blocking. At 32 years old, Woody might not be an above average starter for much longer, as he has been in the past two years, but he’ll certainly be playing in the NFL for a few more years. Seventh year veteran Wayne Hunter adds depth at tackle but he struggled in limited action in the past two years and can’t be relied upon for an extended period of time.

The New York Jets selected Vladimir Ducasse in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft and decided to release Alan Faneca in order to make room for him. Ducasse has great size at 6’4” and 330 lbs and is probably a better fit at guard in the NFL despite playing mostly at tackle in college. He does not have a lot of experience playing football, compared to other rookies, but he is very strong and is a very hard worker. He will probably struggle in pass protection in his rookie year because of his lack of experience and his slower feet but should be a very good run blocker from day one. On the right side will once again be Brandon Moore, an undrafted free agent who has been a starter for the Jets for the past six seasons. Moore has always been underrated but finally seems to be receiving some credit now that the line has improved. He is a very good run blocker and has been solid pass protection as well, allowing only two sacks in the last two years. Moore will probably never be a Pro Bowl guard but he has not missed a start in five years and is a very useful player for the Jets. Adding depth at the guard position are Robert Turner and Matt Slauson. Robert Turner was signed by the Jets as an undrafted free agent but he did not see much action in his first three seasons. Turner has limited physical abilities but he is a hard worker and is very aggressive in his blocks. Matt Slauson, sixth round pick in 2009, has to improve his technique to be effective in the NFL but he is very strong and smart so he could be a starter in a few years.

Nick Mangold will return as the starting center for the fifth consecutive season. He was selected late in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft and has not missed a start in four years. The 6’4” and 305 lbs center is a very smart player and his ability to read defenses is an asset for this offense. He is probably the best run blocking center in the NFL because of his intensity and has improved his pass protecting skills in his last few years. Mangold was rewarded for his excellent work by being named to the Pro Bowl in both 2008 and 2009.

2010 Outlook:
The Jets line has been amongst the best offensive lines in the NFL in the past two years and will be just as good in 2010 with four starters returning. The worst of their starters last year was Alan Faneca and he’s been replaced by a power blocking guard who will fit much better in this offensive scheme. Faneca ranked last amongst guards last year with six sacks allowed so Ducasse won’t be a downgrade in pass protection, even if he struggles in his first year. The three backups for the Jets: Hunter, Turner and Slauson haven’t played much in the NFL so depth remains a big question mark for this line. However, the four returning starters haven’t missed a start in at least two years and Ducasse was pretty durable in college. Overall, this line should be very similar to last year and could be even better in run blocking depending on the play of Ducasse but depth is a question mark because we haven’t seen the backups play much.

See all of our 2010 Offensive Line Analysis Articles