I knew something was up, generally teams don't rotate O lineman on purpose - it's better to stick with a crew and let them develop cohesion. I think it's coming from Sparano - as Ted said, that jackass always has rotated his lineman. Rex's "I want to play everybody" line is just being a leader and not throwing anyone under the bus. Ducasse is only good on every third series "maybe" as the coach says because he's a liability in the passing game. Stick with Slauson, he's not great but at least he can be trusted.
Agreed, although I have some sympathy for the guy. He's measured by his unit's performance and if there's some reason why he's being hamstrung in not getting his best players on the field, at some point he owes it to himself to let people (potential future employers, for example) know about it. Given this MO in the organization, why would a decent coach want to come here? This is just really bad.
I am sure you are correct about Guge's motivation. If I were him, I would be tempted to say something, too. I would be thinking here I am being judged on the performance of the OL, and not only am I not given the authority to play the people i want to, but the decisions being made are made for reasons that, to me, have to do with something other than performance on the field by the players. AND, here's the key, unless i make this known, the assumption people will make, including possible future employers, is that (here for example) the decision to play VD is my decision. When it is not. That all makes sense, but it only describes what is going on here as far as it goes. And the rest of it, and the bigger problem, is the combination of the two factors you referred to, the first being that it appears playing time is being determined by contract and related considerations not performance, and second that the Jets in the middle of this perfect storm are only getting to be more "perfect" by the clownishness and lack of coherence in their approach.
Performance on the field? These are the same guys who had Hunter starting and only replaced him when they found someone cheaper in Howard.
That's not what being a leader is... that's just him not having the balls to come up with a plausible explanation. What is this, Pop Warner? Where Ducasse's parents pissed he wasn't playing enough?
Give Rex credit for that, he's trying to keep it in house - which is something he's been bad at over the years. He doesn't have to explain exactly why he is rotating LGs but he does have to try to keep on lid on potential problems in staff relations, especially to the media which is what he did what that comment. Obviously the comment about wanting to play everybody was bullshit. He was just putting out the flames before it becomes a raging inferno, which is something he's been bad at in the past.
I think this is what U may be referring to FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- The Jets' wacky season took another strange turn Thursday -- a combative interview session with OL coach Dave DeGuglielmo, who, in between insults directed at the media, cast light on a possible crack in the organization. DeGuglielmo made it clear he's not in favor of the Matt Slauson-Vladimir Ducasse platoon at left guard. He said the platoon, in which Ducasse plays every third series, is a directive from "high above me." It fuels speculation that GM Mike Tannenbaum, who has taken a lot of heat for using a second-round pick on the disappointing Ducasse, is calling the shots. Asked to evaluate Ducasse, DeGuglielmo said, "He's playing well enough to be an every-third-series guy -- maybe." He was effusive in his assessment of Slauson, saying, "Slauson is a big, tough, strong, smart kid. That's what he is. There are too few of those guys in the world." Rex Ryan said it's his decision to employ a platoon. There's no doubt Slauson is a better player than Ducasse, but the front office went into the season determined to give playing time to Ducasse, perhaps looking ahead to 2013. Slauson is a free agent. DeGuglielmo's 15-minute session with reporters began on a contentious note: By league rule, position coaches are required to speak to the media at least once during the regular season -- the bye week. The Jets' bye was a month ago. DeGuglielmo was notified by the league office that he hadn't fulfilled his obligation. He was in a foul mood Thursday when he entered the interview room, holding a copy of an e-mail from a reporter who had filed a complaint with the league office. DeGuglielmo, who was testy with reporters during spring and summer interviews, began Thursday's session with a silly statement. He said he was available during the bye week. Thing is, the Jets' facility was closed due to hurricane Sandy, which paralyzed the tri-state area. "If anybody need(ed) to speak with me, I was here," he said. "It's not my job to find you." And so it began. For the remainder of the session, DeGuglielmo lectured reporters, claiming they're too quick to blame the offensive line for failures in pass protection and the running game. He said he's happy with the performance of his line. "I know I get comments from my boss, his boss and even his boss, and the owner, and they don't seem to be dissatisfied," he said. "You guys see what you want to see and write what you want to write. That's how it goes. That's the business we're in." DeGuglielmo, a former Giants assistant OL coach, made a passing reference to his old team. He suggested the Jets' line play is on par with that of the Giants, but no one notices because the Jets are losing. "The perception is different, depending on what chair you're sitting in," he said. "If you're sitting in a chair down the street and you watch the same type of stuff going on, you say, 'All right,'" he said. "They got a reputation of having one thing and we have a reputation for another." He also said, "If you think this line stinks and I'm a terrible coach, so be it. I disagree and I think my bosses would say the same thing." :sad:
Some other good Guge quotes: On Wayne Hunter: "He's athletic. He's aggressive. He's a smart guy. ... I'll be honest with you: This guy is the starting right tackle. Until they tell me otherwise, until they ship him out of this building or until they shoot me dead in my office, that son of a gun is going to be the starting right tackle and he's going to play well." On Hunter's physique: "They (should) strap shields to this guy and put him in The Coliseum." On Vlad Ducasse, spending time at right tackle during the offseason: "This isn't a bust." I don't think this guy thinks too much before he speaks, if at all.
every third series? Can Mcelroy play every third series too? Geez, ducasse maybe able to run block but he has No clue how to pass block. His nickname is "burnt toast"! watch out Mark, here they come from your blind side.
To bad Rex doesnt want to play everyone when looking at Mark also, its funny how that is. A 2nd round pick that has sucked and the #5 overall pick has sucked. Does Tanny and Rex want to prove a point that these guys dont suck?
Great post. I don't like this guy. At best he lacks credibility & at worst he severely lacks the ability to judge OL talent. Really? Slauson is that great of an LG?! Give me a break. Before this article was posted the prevailing wisdom among Jet fans was that Ducasse was outplaying Slauson. Quite honestly..this article really hasn't changed my opinion on that. Slauson maybe slightly better as a pass protector..but Ducasse is far & away the better run blocker. Additionally, I'm not sure the point of blowing the whistle on this. I guarantee you every GM in the NFL is actively involved in who gets playing time & who doesn't. Is it really out of the realm of reasonable that a superior member of an organization orders an assistant coach to play somebody? What exactly is the drama? I get that an assistant coach saying anything out of the ordinary right now is gonna cause fireworks among the NY media..but I'm not sure how this is such a damning notion for anyone in the Jets front office beyond instilling some discipline within media relations. I get the O-line cohesion angle..but I don't think a rotation every 3 drives at 1 position is really disrupting anything. It not only allows Ducasse playing time to further develop..it also promotes overall depth should their be an injury along the interior. Ducasse now has experience playing amongst the starters & vice versa. The only angle of this story of relevance is that the Jets need a new OL coach.
Slauson is more than likely gone in 2013, we're 4-7, giving Ducasse playing time makes perfect sense to me. DeGuge should be fired for this, keep this crap in house...
Yep yep. Every third series isn't going to hurt IMO. It's well worth the costs. Funny thing, doesn't Rex do this very thing on defense ? Getting younger guys in and giving them some snaps in live games ??
It's going to be really funny when the line plays better on Sunday because of this. Ducasse is better than Slauson when it comes to run blocking, but it's the opposite for pass protection. If we are really dedicated to running the ball (which we should against the Cards), Ducasse should be in for more snaps. I also wouldn't mind see either of them play instead of Moore. Moore is slowing down a lot and Slauson looks lost sometimes with run blocking schemes. I know Slauson is a hard worker and can play many positions on the line, but he hasn't been all that good this year. I expected more.
'Guge' from Cortland this summer.... [YOUTUBE]awQULJ7Jgkc[/YOUTUBE] [YOUTUBE]uaBrLitMGh0[/YOUTUBE] [YOUTUBE]SWSiQkqOe8o[/YOUTUBE]
Interior Lineman listed as under contract in 2013 on NYJetsCap.com: Schlauderaff, Caleb G Gates, Edmond G Ducasse, Vladimir T Mangold, Nick C This line has devolved from arguably best in the league to what could possibly be 3 gaping holes in less than 5 years. Moore won't be coming back but I hope the Jets re-sign Slauson and draft Warmack.
