[ad_1]
The offensive starting line of the Jets did not play a single slam this pre-season. The members of the unit barely practiced together. Now, they face Ezekiel Ansah and the Lions on Monday night.
The biggest question mark facing Jets' attack Monday is not perhaps their 21-year-old starting quarter, but blocking unity for him.
Injuries in the training camp prevented starters from working together. Left tackle Kelvin Beachum did not play any pressure in the preseason and barely practiced in training camp after suffering a sprained foot. Right-back Brian Winters had back problems that prevented him from participating in a pre-season game and cost him a week of training camp.
Linemen and Jets coaches say the group has had time to get up and they are not worried about any confusion Monday night.
"We met a lot during this whole process," Beachum said. "So, we can not get into that excuse by getting people outside trying to get into the locker room right away. For us, we have to go out and perform. We are professionals. All of us played in the National Football League. When our number is called, we know we have to run and execute. "
The injuries of their starters made the Jets offensive line particularly vulnerable in pre-season games. This gives Jets fans reasons to worry about the season and if Sam Darnold will have time to operate. But the Jets are convinced that with Beahcum and Winters, they will be fine.
"I'm very optimistic," said offensive line coach Rick Dennison. "I think they did a good job. They worked hard. Obviously, this is the beginning of the regular season. There is a bit of an unknown, but I feel good about their efforts. I feel good with the guys.
With Darnold at the quarterback, we will focus more on the offensive line and the way it protects it. It is reasonable to expect the rookie quarter to need an extra tick to throw. The offensive line will have to hold its blocks a little longer, but the players do not think like that.
"You can not get into this type of" ebb and flow "game where you have to change your game because someone else is in the game, Beachum said. "As offensive linemen, we have to stay stable. We must be consistent. When the game is called and our number is called, we have to find a way to run it. "
Beachum could face the toughest challenge of any line player against Lions. Ansah, who had 12 sacks last year, lined up on the left side of the offensive, so Beachum was able to take a big dose of it. The new Lions coach, Matt Patricia, surely has tips that he has not shown in the pre-season, which could mean moving Ansah.
"Every time you get a sniper, it's going to be a problem," said Jets coach Todd Bowles. "He's long, he's strong, he's fast, he's athletic. Obviously, we have work to do for us. "
Beachum knows what to expect with Ansah.
"He's a very disruptive passer smuggler," Beachum said. "I would say one of the best in the league. The North NFC presents a number of different animals on the board. He is one of these different animals in the North of the NFC. I'm happy to play with him again. I know it's going to be a good test to start the year. "
Source link
