I doubt he steps right in week one as a starter but think he'll definitely make the team. It's going to take him a while to get used to playing against all top quality players the NFL has to offer. If he starts it probably won't be until mid-late season unless there's an injury. I say this all without knowing a lot about him, I base it on what I've read about his background since we drafted him.
I think Bender has promise but needs a lot of work on his technique. I hope they let him develop and don't think about starting him until at least week # 14 or next year. If he can start at tackle or guard in 2008 we made a very good pick.
I think he spends training camp being tried at RG and RT, spends the year bulking up and learning whatever position they decide, then 2008 and beyond playing it.
I think it is gonna be a battle between Bender, Clement and Blanton for RT this training camp. I believe Clement will win, but if Bender performs really well, I think they will decide to start him, if he does outperform the other two. It is pretty much an open race, in my eyes. And if he does not win out the RT battle, then he will just be tried at RT and RG, to see which one he is better at, and hopefully start at one of those two positions at the beginning, or midway throw 2008.
Without ever having seen him play I think he will initially back up Brick and ultimately learn the RT position and move over in a year. I'm wondering if they will stick with Adrian Jones and move him to Guard or if he gets cut. This is year four of the project and its time to move on if he's not progressing.
I'm not sure if he ends up starting, but he'll be in a 3 way battle at RT w/ Clement and Blanton. Should be quite the dog fight.
I voted project, but it doesn't mean I don't think he could become something special. No matter how you cut it, the guy was drafted in a round where he could easily have gone to UDFA. First round picks are expected to start right away, barring maybe QB's. 6th and 7th rounders are picked there for a reason. If he becomes a full time starter at any point then he was a great pick.
He's not gonna start off the bat but I think he was a very good pick and could start by year's end if Moore gets trigger happy with the false starts or Clement struggles.
He'll be quality depth inside at guard his rookie year, maybe his second year as well, then once he adjusts to the NFL, try his hand at Right Tackle and see if his athleticism/feet can translate to the pro's.
I think he has a shot...I voted for RG out of wishful thinking though. He could easily step in and start if Clement or Moore underperforms, which is more likely than desired. Bender's a great example of why trading up is ok: He's a 6th round pick, and he could, in theory, start! It's not as hard to find these guys as some people think. Heck, our starting safeties are both second day picks.
Odds are that as a 6th rd pick he will barely make the roster or play. I know that there are exceptions to the rule but I would be highly surprised if he sees any significant playing time during his time with the Jets.
By the fact that Jones is still a Jets despite his brush with the law, I suspect they have plans for him. But I could be wrong.
How's about starting the question the right way. Will Bender survive training camp? He's got a long way to go before we even entertain a discussion on whether the dude can start.
He's a backup. The question is career or only for a couple of years. I'm thinking he was drafted to replace one of our creaking vets (Kendall/Clement) in a year or two.
