Jets Insider.com Forums - View Single Post

crasherino · 06-27-2012, 03:31 PM

[QUOTE=NY2FLDWC85;4501647][B]Our coaching staff, front office and fan base as a whole not only knew, but also understood that when drafting Vladimir Ducasse, we were drafting a very raw/project type of offensive lineman with the 61st overall pick of 2010 NFL draft. Lets not label this kid or make him out to be some type of bust just yet.

We all knew (to begin with) that it would take at least 2-3 years of developing this kid before he was ready to come into his own.[/B] Now, he's only heading into his 3rd NFL season, but yet, we're already seeing a limited amount of Jet fans asking/calling for his walking papers? I call it the Eli Manning treatment ala New Yorkers trying to run a player out of town, before first giving that player a fair chance to reach success/full potential. Patience is a virtue in regards to developing a raw NFL draft selection. Vlad was as raw as they come, with a language barrier to overcome as well.
[/QUOTE]

That's a load of crap. While it was known that he was a raw talent, it was also contemplated that he would come right in and compete for the starting job. The Jets cut Faneca the night after he was drafted, that wasn't coincidence. It was good fortune for the Jets that Matt Slauson turned into a viable starter, because this guy turned out to be a lemon - at least thus far.

To say that a 2nd round Olineman should get 3 years to develop is insane. The guy is on a 4 year contract. That timetable means the only meaningful contribution we would get from Vlad is in his walk year and then he'd move on to some other team.

Prospects come in all sorts of types - some are more polished while some are raw. But, even a raw 2nd round pick needs to be able to contribute relatively quickly. If not at some point during his rookie season, then certainly in his second. And at least, in whatever minimal snaps you get (preseason or otherwise), demonstrate that you are starting to "get it". So far, we haven't seen any of that from Vlad. And while the regular season is still two months + away, we don't really have any indication that this guy is ready to contribute.

Our line regressed last year and we hear that Cally was looking to replace Moore with Caleb S., not Ducasse. We had possibly the worst RT in the game and the team goes out and guarantees his salary for 2012. That pretty much tells you what the team thinks of him.

Maybe he'll get an opportunity and surprise people - that would be great for all of us. But, until that happens, you can't view Ducasse as anything but a disappointment thus far. Its not the end of the world - teams strike out on draft picks all the time. But, lets not sugarcoat it - As we stand now, here in 2012, Ducasse was a crap draft pick.

06-27-2012, 03:31 PM	#36
crasherino Board Moderator Jets Insider VIP Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: NYC Posts: 16,803	[QUOTE=NY2FLDWC85;4501647][B]Our coaching staff, front office and fan base as a whole not only knew, but also understood that when drafting Vladimir Ducasse, we were drafting a very raw/project type of offensive lineman with the 61st overall pick of 2010 NFL draft. Lets not label this kid or make him out to be some type of bust just yet. We all knew (to begin with) that it would take at least 2-3 years of developing this kid before he was ready to come into his own.[/B] Now, he's only heading into his 3rd NFL season, but yet, we're already seeing a limited amount of Jet fans asking/calling for his walking papers? I call it the Eli Manning treatment ala New Yorkers trying to run a player out of town, before first giving that player a fair chance to reach success/full potential. Patience is a virtue in regards to developing a raw NFL draft selection. Vlad was as raw as they come, with a language barrier to overcome as well. [/QUOTE] That's a load of crap. While it was known that he was a raw talent, it was also contemplated that he would come right in and compete for the starting job. The Jets cut Faneca the night after he was drafted, that wasn't coincidence. It was good fortune for the Jets that Matt Slauson turned into a viable starter, because this guy turned out to be a lemon - at least thus far. To say that a 2nd round Olineman should get 3 years to develop is insane. The guy is on a 4 year contract. That timetable means the only meaningful contribution we would get from Vlad is in his walk year and then he'd move on to some other team. Prospects come in all sorts of types - some are more polished while some are raw. But, even a raw 2nd round pick needs to be able to contribute relatively quickly. If not at some point during his rookie season, then certainly in his second. And at least, in whatever minimal snaps you get (preseason or otherwise), demonstrate that you are starting to "get it". So far, we haven't seen any of that from Vlad. And while the regular season is still two months + away, we don't really have any indication that this guy is ready to contribute. Our line regressed last year and we hear that Cally was looking to replace Moore with Caleb S., not Ducasse. We had possibly the worst RT in the game and the team goes out and guarantees his salary for 2012. That pretty much tells you what the team thinks of him. Maybe he'll get an opportunity and surprise people - that would be great for all of us. But, until that happens, you can't view Ducasse as anything but a disappointment thus far. Its not the end of the world - teams strike out on draft picks all the time. But, lets not sugarcoat it - As we stand now, here in 2012, Ducasse was a crap draft pick.