Jets' O-line is their Achilles heel

[Inigo Montoya]

Been making the rounds of the AFCE message boards with camp starting and there is some worry in Gang Green about the line they're putting in front of 39 year old Aaron Rodgers.  The O-line is the biggest question mark on a team with a roster that otherwise looks pretty solid.  I think its fair to say that the Jets will go as far as their O-Line can take them.

 

Here's a link to the thread I was reading about Becton looking rough today.  It is his first day back following his injury and being out so I wouldn't read too much into one day's performance, but he wasn't exactly setting the world on fire before the injury either.

 

https://forums.theganggreen.com/threads/becton-not-looking-good.99103/

 

Here are a few of the comments that provide a pretty good sample of the opinions there.

 

"Becton let up 3 sacks today and was later pulled. This is not a good sign for the O line. I know it has been a while since he played but I was expecting a little bit more from him. I know the trade for Rodgers was needed but moving down two spots on the draft cost us a tackle which in retropsect looks to be a costly mistake."

 

"It’s not so much that any one particular move cost us. But not trying to get a better tackle in here was certainly a bad move. Rolling into the year with often injured and bad pass protector in Becton, 84 year old Duane Brown and shaky Max Mitchell is scary."

 

"Very scary stuff there. Two oft-injured left tackles and two unproven right tackles."

 

"He wasn't pulled because he gave up the sacks. He is on a "pitch count." He's hasn't played in two years and is coming back from injury. They're trying to keep him healthy while he shakes off the rust. If he is still struggling in a month, then I'll worry, but it's way too early to even think about that. Also, Saleh said that Becton doesn't fully trust his knee yet, so he's not going all out. He's being careful and judicious in his movements."

 

"He hasn't played in a year, is coming off a major injury and has a whole new body with his weight loss. Reading too much into his performance this far before the season is just as misguided as thinking that some unknown who catches a few big passes one day in training camp is going to be the next Al Toon."

 

"Saw some vid on Becton. That is one HUGE KNEE BRACE the young man is wearing. Not sure just how much mobility he's gonna have with that thing on."

[Jauronimo]

Nothing to worry about. Rodgers has been taking his toad serum and eating 250 mg of mung sap per day which are known for promoting rib health and have only moderate psychotropic side effects.

 

 

Edited July 27, 2023 by Jauronimo

[NewEra]

Agreed.  The pats and steelers really did a number on them

[JoPoy88]

Becton has looked rough pretty much forever hasn’t he? 
 

good luck Aaron.

[LeGOATski]

Rodgers saw the state of the line and said "take my money. Take whatever you need."

 

 

Not like the Bills ever seem to take advantage of poor o-lines, anyway....

[JoPoy88]

3 minutes ago, LeGOATski said:

Rodgers saw the state of the line and said "take my money. Take whatever you need."

 

 

Not like the Bills ever seem to take advantage of poor o-lines, anyway....

If Rodgers gets absolutely destroyed this season behind that line you know he’ll be stewing over that money he gave up while he nurses his various injuries. 
 

Idk I have never got the hype for them or the Dolphins this offseason. I still think the Bills are leagues ahead of both.

[mrags]

39 minutes ago, Jauronimo said:

Nothing to worry about. Rodgers has been taking his toad serum and eating 250 mg of mung sap per day which are known for promoting rib health and have only moderate psychotropic side effects.

 

 

“Mike White got cracked like a glow stick”

 

best. Line. Ever. 

[LeGOATski]

2 hours ago, JoPoy88 said:

If Rodgers gets absolutely destroyed this season behind that line you know he’ll be stewing over that money he gave up while he nurses his various injuries. 
 

Idk I have never got the hype for them or the Dolphins this offseason. I still think the Bills are leagues ahead of both.

They always get the hype because of their markets.

[Dr.Sack]

Rodgers is exceptionally good at throwing checkdowns if his OL breaks down. Expect Rodgers to lead the league in checkdowns and lowest air yards. If the Jets can’t block the defense can collapse anticipating pressure will get there before WRs win down the field. 

[Aussie Joe]

Lucky our line has been so good last year 

[GunnerBill]

3 hours ago, JoPoy88 said:

Becton has looked rough pretty much forever hasn’t he? 
 

good luck Aaron.

 

Good as a rookie. Came in out of shape his second season, got hurt and he has been hurt and fat ever since.

[Inigo Montoya]

39 minutes ago, Aussie Joe said:

Lucky our line has been so good last year 

 

Fair point.

 

It might also be argued that we went as far last year as our O-Line took us.

 

The Cincy game collapse was more than just the O-Line, but the O-Line was a big part of it.

 

[MJS]

4 hours ago, Jauronimo said:

Nothing to worry about. Rodgers has been taking his toad serum and eating 250 mg of mung sap per day which are known for promoting rib health and have only moderate psychotropic side effects.

 

 

Such an awesome hit. Sorry he got hurt, though.

[Airseven]

3 hours ago, Inigo Montoya said:

 

Fair point.

 

It might also be argued that we went as far last year as our O-Line took us.

 

The Cincy game collapse was more than just the O-Line, but the O-Line was a big part of it.

 

Cincy debacle was also the D-line. At least the Jets have one line going for them.

[SCBills]

15 minutes ago, Airseven said:

Cincy debacle was also the D-line. At least the Jets have one line going for them.

Do you truly think a DL of:

 

Von, Floyd, Rousseau, Jones, Ford and Oliver is not going to be something we have “going for us”?

 

4/6 of those guys didn’t play against Cincy. 
 

Edited July 27, 2023 by SCBills

[Airseven]

8 minutes ago, SCBills said:

Do you truly think a DL of:

 

Von, Floyd, Rousseau, Jones, Ford and Oliver is not going to be something we have “going for us”?

 

4/6 of those guys didn’t play against Cincy. 
 

No telling if/when Miller plays this year. Hopefully Floyd has something left in the tank to cover in the meantime. Ford, Jones, and Oliver? They’re fine. Average.  

[PBF81]

55 minutes ago, SCBills said:

Do you truly think a DL of:

 

Von, Floyd, Rousseau, Jones, Ford and Oliver is not going to be something we have “going for us”?

 

4/6 of those guys didn’t play against Cincy. 
 

 

And the other two also didn't play against Cincy.

 

😁

 

 

[JakeFrommStateFarm]

Rodgers is mobile so it may not be as big a deal as we think.

[Captain Hindsight]

5 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

 

Good as a rookie. Came in out of shape his second season, got hurt and he has been hurt and fat ever since.

He was a HOFer his rookie year

 

Baldy called him "Big Ticket" (93) "Big Ticket" Mekhi Becton: Most Underrated Rookie? | Baldy Breakdowns - YouTube

[Real McClappy]

Bills O-line is a major contributor to not getting to a SB already.  I'm trying to optimistic with our Offseason moves but still see the Line as a liability personally. 

[Captain Hindsight]

16 minutes ago, JakeFrommStateFarm said:

Rodgers is mobile so it may not be as big a deal as we think.

So is Allen, but we all saw how that affected him against the Bengals 

[JerseyBills]

Also, Rodgers came from a top 3 OL in GB. They were perennial division winners 3 years prior to last year, where his game fell off a cliff. I believe he will put up similar numbers and similar record. 7-8 wins. He was in a muchhh easier division and conference.  Week 1 we'll set the tone

[78thealltimegreat]

Their D has a huge liability at LB. The Bills game plan last year just refused to expose it 

[Charles Romes]

Well now they can just buy an upgrade, unfortunately. 

[SCBills]

1 hour ago, Real McNasty said:

Bills O-line is a major contributor to not getting to a SB already.  I'm trying to optimistic with our Offseason moves but still see the Line as a liability personally. 

 

Bills OL has potential, but we're all going to be holding our breath hoping Spencer Brown makes the jump. 

 

I think Dawkins, McGovern and Morse have all proven to be above average pass blockers in their careers.  All are still capable of playing at a high level, with McGovern just entering his prime years as a Guard.  

 

Bates is solid at RG, but his true value is in position flex, and if Torrence can win that spot, then we may really have something here.  

 

At the end of the day, Spencer Brown is as boom or bust as it gets at RT.  If he booms... we may just have a very good OL.  If he busts... better hope the last minute addition of Shell saves us at that position so we don't need RB/TE help over there all the time.  

 

Edited July 27, 2023 by SCBills

[SCBills]

3 minutes ago, ScottLaw said:

Even if Brown is the Brown of the last two seasons they can survive considering he plays RT and Allen’s mobility… the key is the interior line. Need McGovern and one of Edwards/Torrence to hit.

 

Yea, the FO's view on interior linemen (up until this year) has looked quite foolish.

 

Edited July 27, 2023 by SCBills

[GunnerBill]

1 hour ago, ScottLaw said:

It’s also our Achilles heel… along with our receivers… the difference is Allen is still young and incredible and Rodgers is closing in on 40. 

 

Agreed, in that it was last season (and tbh the season before). I have a bit more optimism about their moves this year on the OL but totally reasonable to say "believe it when I see it."

[buffblue]

11 hours ago, JoPoy88 said:

Becton has looked rough pretty much forever hasn’t he? 
 

good luck Aaron.

When he's even out there. A combination of injury, weight, and commitment issues seem to have rendered him mostly a name at this point. The only time he was ever consistently solid was his rookie season

[Ramza86]

Coaching and Oline is ours too

[frostbitmic]

They should sign Saffold, he'll help. 😁

[SCBills]

1 hour ago, JerseyBills said:

Also, Rodgers came from a top 3 OL in GB. They were perennial division winners 3 years prior to last year, where his game fell off a cliff. I believe he will put up similar numbers and similar record. 7-8 wins. He was in a muchhh easier division and conference.  Week 1 we'll set the tone

 

McDermott's first game as DC.. Going to be a lot of people's pride on the line in a big Week 1 division game.  

 

I truly hope we have a more aggressive, attacking defense.  If i'm McD in that game, I want Rodgers to know, immediately, that he is no longer in Green Bay... Light him up and expose the Jets OL.   Make him feel it the next day. 

 

Come out of that game with Bills W and having Rodgers questioning his decision to go there. 

 

Edited July 27, 2023 by SCBills

[Captain Hindsight]

1 hour ago, Charles Romes said:

Well now they can just buy an upgrade, unfortunately. 

Who is giving up a quality tackle right now?

[Utah John]

8 hours ago, Aussie Joe said:

Lucky our line has been so good last year 

Yep, that's the key.  The Bengals' O line going into the playoff game was supposed to be THEIR Achilles heel, so our D line could dominate and keep Burrow from having time to pass.  As usual, that didn't pan out.  Burrow could have had a coffee and donut and then passed the ball on many plays. 

39 minutes ago, frostbitmic said:

They should sign Saffold, he'll help. 😁

Yeah, he made the Pro Bowl last year.  And somehow he's available.  What a disastrous decision by the Bills not to bring him back.    /s of course.

[ngbills]

Morse vs. Tippman or McGovern

Bates/McGovern vs. Tomlinson/Vera-Tucker

Dawkins/Brown vs. Brown/Becton

 

Jets line could be better than ours. QB play impacts how an OL looks and tell me the last time the Jets has a real QB? They have potential in a bunch of early draft picks (4 starters are 1st round picks). 

[Nextmanup]

3 hours ago, Real McNasty said:

Bills O-line is a major contributor to not getting to a SB already.  I'm trying to optimistic with our Offseason moves but still see the Line as a liability personally. 

It's all just more band-aids from McBeane.  If only we could get them to love the OL the way they love the DL.

 

Prepare for a regression year.

 

 

[Airseven]

5 hours ago, ScottLaw said:

It’s also our Achilles heel… along with our receivers… the difference is Allen is still young and incredible and Rodgers is closing in on 40. 

 

Allen is still young and capable, also inconsistent and tends to lose his footwork, accuracy, and brain under pressure. Can't continue to expect his arm and athleticism to overcome everything.

 

The simple fact he's big and can withstand impact is a valid point...so far.   

[BigAl2526]

12 hours ago, Dr.Sack said:

Rodgers is exceptionally good at throwing checkdowns if his OL breaks down. Expect Rodgers to lead the league in checkdowns and lowest air yards. If the Jets can’t block the defense can collapse anticipating pressure will get there before WRs win down the field. 

So, the Jets should be defended with tight coverage and early pressure.   What you can't do is a loose zone with CBs lining up 10 - 15 yards deep.

[NewEra]

7 hours ago, Airseven said:

Cincy debacle was also the D-line. At least the Jets have one line going for them.

On the dline of epenesa- injured Ed- settle - Rousseau coming off injury 

[Dr.Sack]

1 hour ago, BigAl2526 said:

So, the Jets should be defended with tight coverage and early pressure.   What you can't do is a loose zone with CBs lining up 10 - 15 yards deep.

So the exact opposite of the Bengals game. Amazing considering they were starting 3 backups. 

[bigduke6]

Rodgers did see Mike White have his soul removed by Milano twice in one game last season behind that atrocious OLine right?   im sure ARod is that aware right?  should be funny.