http://www.metro.us/newyork/sports/article/1149808--howard-challenging-hunter-at-right-tackle I know it's only preseason and I don't know much about Howard. However, this article leaves room for optimism.
I wouldnt get too excited about having an UDFA who has been on 3 teams in 2 years starting only 1 game challenging for our starting right tackle position. Id feel much better if Hunter was playing good enough that Howards roster spot was in jeopardy.
In a tie Howard will win the competition because if RT is a problem again and it is the same RT then GM is the problem.
Not likes it's a monumental achievement or anything. We couldn't really get any worse at RT than hunter.
A yellow-painted street curb challenges Hunter at RT. A pile of stuffed animals challenges Hunter at RT. A strong wind challenges Hunter at RT.
I doubt Hunter is going to get better at this point in his career. He is what he is, average on his best day. Most everyone doesn't consistently play at a level that results in "their best day", and so there's no reason to expect Hunter to do so either. Having a young guy who has room to grow challenge him is absolutely a good thing.
Well its not about him getting better, but rather if he can play at a level like 2010 instead of 2011. I mean last year was Hunters only full season starting of his career, so its certainly possible that he learned from it and focused on whatever it was that specifically caused him to struggle. Im not getting my expectations up, but im also not gonna expect some guy that couldnt get drafted and got cut by 2 teams (with offensive tackle problems) to come in and be an improvement.
After the beating mark took last year at the expense of hunter, I find it truly disturbing that he's even still here.
Austin Howard = Adrien Clarke. Wayne Hunter is worse. It's a Hobson's choice and unless something really interesting happens in the next three weeks the Jets season is going to be sunk by the same primary problem that sunk it last year.
He was never consistently good even in 2010. He played a few games where he wasn't a liability and a few bad games. Either way they had to protect him with Hartsock and Turner. That's what you get from Hunter. Average at best play. He's not suddenly going to turn it on at 31 and become an average at worst player. He'll have some average games where he's not a liability and he'll have some bad games where he gets the QB killed. Either way we'll have to cover him with another blocker most of the time. Problem is that extra blocker should be him.
Hes 25, has the size, and seems to have the determination. Not saying i'm excited...cautiously optimistic is more accurate.
Howard was cut by the Eagles because Harvey Mudd O-Line coach prefers small faster lineman. Castillo who was the O-Line coach that brought Howard into the league in philly was always high on him. Baltimore was a bad fit. His NFL travels have less to with performance and more to do with circumstance.
Howard isnt going to start over Hunter early on barring injury If Hunter looks as much a train wreck as many expect he could lose his job sometime after weeks 4-5
So far Hunter HAS been struggling with injury. That's how many guys break into the starting lineup in the NFL. One guy goes down and someone steps up and shows they're better. Happens all the time. I don't know why you're so sure Wayne Hunter has a strangle hold on the RT position.
Well heres Ciminis opinion I personally think talent wise (at this point right now) Hunter holds an edge. But the experience/mental errors Hunter has a huge advantage (even if he still makes them himself) I mean the guys been in the league almost 10 years and 5 on this team. I expect Hunter to be a lock to be starter. And the job is his to lose (once the season starts)
You're going to use Cimini to back up your argument? Really? The guy has been a backup in the league almost 10 years and a shitty starter for 1. That's no formula for locking up a starting role. I'm not saying I expect Howard to beat him out, but the idea that Hunter is a lock seems silly to me.
citing Cimini's opinion is like referencing GMCJETS. Hunter hardly has a hold on his position. You don't attempt to trade for Otah if that be the case. Hunter can easily lose his job before week 1 if Howard is impressive enough. Sparano in his 8/12 PC: "There's competition all over the place. Right now he's (Howard) out there. Wayne hasn't been out there and Austin is doing a nice job. We're anxious to see Wayne get back and to see the competition get going at that point. With Austin doing what's he's done right now, quite honestly, it's becoming a bit of a habit." Unless you are proclaiming to know more than our offensive coordinator...The job is up for grabs. Not during the season, but right now.
Johnny Unitas was cut by Pittsburgh. He had a moderately successful career in Baltimore I'd say. To the point: guys develop at different rates. To be so quick to dump on a player without having all the info that the coaches do is ridiculous. The guy did well on Friday night! We all saw it. Perhaps the light came on for him. Lets hope he continues to play well. I also thought he looke dmore comfortable at LT rather then RT. What say you?
Wrong on every account. They do not do much in terms of protection, but they don't do what WFH does. WFH is like a power capsule in those video games; when a pass rusher goes through WFH, the said pass rusher gains increased speed and strength that he wouldn't have otherwise. In that regard, the three examples above do not provide those power boosting effect WFH provides.
