The Jets’ offensive line is such a priority that it’s inconceivable not to consider it and fear about it. If — and that’s the two-letter phrase which means a lot right here — the rebuilt unit stays wholesome, it ought to be capable of give Aaron Rodgers the chance to indicate that at 40 years outdated he nonetheless has what it takes.
Conserving this revamped group on the sphere is value discussing, however, apparently, not by those that make up that revamped unit.
“It’s undoubtedly not a subject of dialog,’’ Alijah Vera-Tucker mentioned Wednesday.
Yeah. Why discuss one thing that’s so disagreeable and troublesome to flee.
“I believe the final couple of years have simply been very — haven’t been lucky for us, for certain,’’ Vera-Tucker mentioned. “Type of issues you possibly can’t actually management, out of our palms.’’
He ought to know.
Vera-Tucker, a first-round decide in 2021, has had a troublesome time steering away from accidents.
After beginning 16 video games at left guard as a rookie, he lasted simply seven video games at proper guard in 2022 earlier than taking place with a torn triceps.
Final season, again at proper guard, he performed one hundred pc of the snaps on offense within the first 4 video games, however in Week 5 he was misplaced to a ruptured Achilles in a 31-21 victory in Denver.
This can be a comeback yr for him, and the Jets clearly consider he’s up for it.
This week they picked up the fifth-year choice on Vera-Tucker for $15.3 million.
He mentioned he’s getting energy again in his calf and decrease leg muscle tissues, and is working and taking part in offensive line drills.
“I can’t actually communicate on coaching camp or Week 1, however I can say I really feel actually good,’’ Vera-Tucker mentioned. “Undoubtedly on tempo for a very good begin to the season.’’
He slides again in at proper guard with a principally new group. Joe Tippman, coming into his second NFL season, is again at middle, however three new veteran starters have been acquired in a five-day span in free company.
Tyron Smith (Cowboys) was signed to play left sort out, Morgan Moses (Ravens) is again for a second stint with the Jets at proper sort out, and John Simpson (Ravens) was introduced in to play left guard.
Given the age of the tackles — Smith and Moses are each 33, and Smith has a foreboding harm historical past — it was prudent that the Jets, with the No. 11 general decide within the draft, resisted the urge to get a weapon for Rodgers and as a substitute picked up a protector for him in sort out Olu Fashanu from Penn State.
“I anticipate it to be an actual nice enchancment,’’ Vera-Tucker mentioned.
Fashanu has already been involved with Vera-Tucker, displaying the 24-year-old that the incoming rookie is “gonna come right here able to work.’’
As for Smith, he’s a USC legend. Vera-Tucker arrived on that campus to play for the Trojans 10 years after Smith left, and now he’s teammates with the eight-time Professional Bowler with the Cowboys, named to the NFL’s all-decade crew of the 2010s.
“It was very surreal assembly him at first, now he’s within the O-line room, he’s my teammate now, it’s simply sort of loopy to consider,’’ Vera-Tucker mentioned.
He has lined up and began video games for the Jets at each place on the road aside from middle. Until he’s wanted elsewhere, Vera-Tucker ought to have a house at proper guard.
“It feels good, it feels sort of comforting, earlier than we even step into camp we sort of know what the lineup’s gonna be,’’ he mentioned. “That’s a very good feeling. Get to sort of concentrate on one factor, make sure that I good the approach and my craft at that place. I’m actually excited. I really feel I haven’t been at one place since my rookie yr.’’
Requested what excited him about this upcoming season, linebacker Quincy Williams’ first thought was, “I’m actually enthusiastic about our offensive line.’’
There’s a caveat with this, despite the fact that these on the road aren’t talking to one another about it.
“We all know what kind of unit we’ve got in that room,’’ Vera-Tucker mentioned. “The chance is there, we are able to’t waste it. All people’s obtained to remain wholesome, in fact. That’s the principle factor.’’
In fact.
