Quote:
Originally Posted by Mainejet
I'd also add Alan Faneca to that list. I always really thought he was the spark plug for the Jets great OL play in 2009. He installed an attitude with that team. He wasn't a very good pass blocker at this late stage in his career, but he was still a devastating run blocker. I also believe this is indicative of the biggest problem with Tanny as GM.
Tanny doesn't seem to think the OL is important. That's based on the moves he's made in the past.
In 2007, he refused to give Pete Kendall a measily 1 million extra (which is chump change in football terms) just because he felt compelled to make this point to the team. Well, the proof is what unfolded on the field. Tanny biting off his nose just to spite his face is exactly what he did with Pete Kendall. What's worse is he chose to go with Adrien Clarke as a replacement. Talk about monumentally BAD decisions? That was the worst. The Jets went 4-12 that season and it was primarily due to a severely underperforming OL.
Then, there's the decision to go with Wayne Hunter after Damien Woody retired. Hunter was always an underachiever, coaching him up never paid off. I'm a little reluctant to blame him for that decision as many thought resigning Hunter for starters money (including myself)was the wise decision in the short term.
Unfortunately, Tanny was banking on Ducasse to become the starting RT and that never panned out.
Then, there's also that he's been neglectful of the OL for most of the time he's been the GM. Besides 2006, he's always tried to strike gold in the late rounds on an OL. Jacob Bender anyone? Meanwhile passing up guys he could have had on the first day of the draft that would have surely kept the OL up to snuff.
As everyone already knows, if you win at the LOS, odds are you are going to win the game. I wonder if Tanny understands that concept?
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I was comparing this team with the 2010 team so I didn't include Faneca. You're right on target with your post. OL is key for both our passing and running games, if you get that right the run can set up the pass and vice versa, makes the job infinitely easier for the QB. It's amazing the drop off on this team since Woody has left.