Joe Douglas’ No. 1 precedence final offseason was fixing the offensive line.
After beginning 13 completely different combos up entrance final 12 months, nothing mattered if that didn’t occur.
“I feel that was objective one,” the Jets common supervisor mentioned within the spring.
After years of failing to get the offensive line proper, both as a result of underperformance or harm, the early returns are optimistic, and that’s even with beginning proper deal with Morgan Moses anticipated to overlook a couple of weeks with a sprained MCL and bone bruise.
Of all of the positives thus far within the Jets’ 2-1 begin, from Aaron Rodgers’ play to the manufacturing of Will McDonald at defensive finish to stunning contributions by rookie working again Braelon Allen and receiver Allen Lazard, the offensive line is perhaps crucial growth.
Rodgers has been sacked simply 5 occasions in three video games.
Final 12 months, Jets quarterbacks have been sacked a whopping 64 occasions, tied with the Titans for the fourth most within the league.
They’re averaging 100.6 speeding yards per recreation and 4.0 yards per carry, and that’s with a shaky efficiency on the bottom within the opener in opposition to the 49ers’ sturdy entrance seven.
It’s an virtually completely new group.
The Jets traded for Moses and signed left deal with Tyron Smith and left guard John Simpson.
That trio joined second-year middle Joe Tippmann and proper guard Alijah Vera-Tucker, who was restricted to 5 video games a 12 months in the past after tearing his Achilles tendon.
Douglas additionally used his first-round draft decide on Penn State star Olu Fashanu, who changed Moses within the Patriots recreation and can begin in his place in the intervening time.
Coach Robert Saleh mentioned Fashanu performed properly in his debut in restricted motion.
Tippmann was terrific within the win over the Patriots, not permitting a single sack, hit or hurry throughout 43 pass-blocking snaps, in accordance with Professional Soccer Focus.
He graded out to a career-high 85.8 within the one-sided victory. Within the week 2 win over the Titans, it was Smith who graded excessive because the No. 3 offensive deal with by PFF.
“Tyron appears to be like nice,” Saleh mentioned. “He’s shifting folks within the run recreation. He’s defending rather well.”
Towards the Titans, the Jets allowed only one quarterback strain and one sack, and Tennessee has the makings of a robust defensive entrance.
The run blocking was significantly spectacular in opposition to the Patriots, amassing 133 yards on 33 carries, which enabled the Jets to dominate time of possession at a ridiculous price.
They’d the ball for 40:04 on Thursday evening within the dwelling opener at MetLife Stadium.
It’s clearly nonetheless early, and that group shall be examined with out Moses.
There are plenty of age and harm issues with this group, significantly with the tackles.
Smith and Moses are each 33 whereas Vera-Tucker has appeared in solely 12 video games the earlier two seasons.
However thus far, so good.
Early on, a Jets weak spot for a number of years seems to be a power.
It’s not a coincidence that is additionally the perfect the Jets offense has regarded in fairly a while, both.
