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[SIZE=+2]Favre could be in for bumpy ride behind Jets' line
[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]04:48 PM CDT on Thursday, August 7, 2008
[/SIZE]
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Green Bay is going to miss Brett Favre. But not as much as Favre is going to miss Green Bay. His blocking front, anyway.
The strength of an offensive line is its continuity. The line that stays together, generally excels together.
Favre had the same two tackles at Green Bay for the last seven seasons, and both Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher return in 2008. Center Scott Wells and guards Daryn Colledge and Jason Spitz also return for their third season together in Green Bay's interior.
It's little wonder the Packers finished second in the NFL in offense last season and Favre was sacked only 15 times, second fewest in the league. Green Bay's offensive line gave Favre the type of protection the Secret Service affords presidents.
But Favre leaves that comfort zone behind in Green Bay for a war zone in New York. Jets quarterbacks were sacked 53 times last season. They've been sacked 140 times over the last three years. No wonder incumbent Jets quarterback Chad Pennington couldn't stay healthy. New York quarterbacks take a beating.
The Jets will have their third different right tackle and third different left guard in three seasons in 2008. Underachieving first-round draft pick D'Brickashaw Ferguson returns for his third season at left tackle, as does fellow first-rounder Nick Mangold at center. Neither has been to the Pro Bowl. In fact, the Jets have had only one Pro Bowl blocker since 1983 – center Kevin Mawae – and they let him leave in free agency in 2006.
The Jets fired the line coach and two starters from a year ago and began the rebuilding with big-money free agents Alan Faneca and Damien Woody.
But there will be no continuity – again. There hasn't been any continuity since 2000 and '01. That's the last time the Jets were able to keep their offensive line intact for consecutive seasons. New York went to the playoffs both years.
Favre turns 39 this season. He's going to need protection. If this line can't keep Favre upright, he's going to wish he had stayed retired. Fifty-three sacks would test any quarterback's desire to play football.
[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]04:48 PM CDT on Thursday, August 7, 2008
[/SIZE]
http://www.***BANNED-URL***/sharedcontent/dws/img/standing/sports/columnists/mugs/mug_rgosselin.jpg
• E-mail
Green Bay is going to miss Brett Favre. But not as much as Favre is going to miss Green Bay. His blocking front, anyway.
The strength of an offensive line is its continuity. The line that stays together, generally excels together.
Favre had the same two tackles at Green Bay for the last seven seasons, and both Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher return in 2008. Center Scott Wells and guards Daryn Colledge and Jason Spitz also return for their third season together in Green Bay's interior.
It's little wonder the Packers finished second in the NFL in offense last season and Favre was sacked only 15 times, second fewest in the league. Green Bay's offensive line gave Favre the type of protection the Secret Service affords presidents.
But Favre leaves that comfort zone behind in Green Bay for a war zone in New York. Jets quarterbacks were sacked 53 times last season. They've been sacked 140 times over the last three years. No wonder incumbent Jets quarterback Chad Pennington couldn't stay healthy. New York quarterbacks take a beating.
The Jets will have their third different right tackle and third different left guard in three seasons in 2008. Underachieving first-round draft pick D'Brickashaw Ferguson returns for his third season at left tackle, as does fellow first-rounder Nick Mangold at center. Neither has been to the Pro Bowl. In fact, the Jets have had only one Pro Bowl blocker since 1983 – center Kevin Mawae – and they let him leave in free agency in 2006.
The Jets fired the line coach and two starters from a year ago and began the rebuilding with big-money free agents Alan Faneca and Damien Woody.
But there will be no continuity – again. There hasn't been any continuity since 2000 and '01. That's the last time the Jets were able to keep their offensive line intact for consecutive seasons. New York went to the playoffs both years.
Favre turns 39 this season. He's going to need protection. If this line can't keep Favre upright, he's going to wish he had stayed retired. Fifty-three sacks would test any quarterback's desire to play football.
