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The Jets’ offensive line . . .
. . . has an enormous challenge this week against one of the NFL’s best defensive fronts, led by massive 3-4 end Cam Heyward, who playing on a very high level.
I recently heard an interview on Brandon Thorn’s Trench Warfare podcast, which focuses on NFL line play (on both sides of the ball), with Los Angeles Rams center Brian Allen.
Allen was asked by Thorn who the toughest player he faced this year (before getting hurt and landing on IR).
“The guy who gave me the most trouble was Cam Heyward,” Allen said. “He is a guy who uses his lenghth really well. He plays like a guy who is strong as [expletive], big as [expletive], and he is fast and smart. He was clearly a lot better than guys I played this year.”
Heyward is going to be a huge problem for the Jets, and not just because he’s a great player, but because they will be playing their third-string right guard.
It looks like they the Jets are learning towards starting Connor McDermott at right guard. He’s 6-8 and an offensive tackle by trade. Sometimes it’s hard for guys that tall to play guard because interior line play is such a leverage game, and being really tall inside, and not a low to the ground, can create a challenge for the tall lineman.
And you know darn well that Steelers will line up Heyward over McDermott (if he starts) when they can.
“Heyward has the best bull-rush in football,” tweeted Thorn. “Joe Thomas has referred to great bull-rushers having a ‘concrete head’ that they use to headbutt and initiate contact. You see it all the time with great power rushers like Cam. Sort of ironic because his dad was known as ‘Ironhead.'”
Another guy who could be a big challenge for McDermott, if he starts, is nose tackle Javon Hargrave, who is also having a heck of a year, and he’s a 6-1, 309-pound fireplug with a low center of gravity, who could get under McDermott if he lets his pad level rise (or even if he doesn’t).
I like McDermott as a prospect, but as a tackle prospect. Personally, I’d go with Brett Qvale at right guard. He has more experience at the position. But it looks like the Jets are leaning toward McDermott, but we will see what they do on Sunday.
But overall, the Steelers’ front seven, which is playing on a very high level, could lead to a long afternoon for the Jets’ offensive line and other blockers . . .
A gentleman by the name of Matt Miller, who writes for Bleacher Report, had a story today stating, “One player told me Adam Gase has lost the respect of the locker room.”
Miller claims the player told him, “No one respects Gase.”
I have to be honest, that isn’t what I’m seeing. First of all, to say “no one” is reckless. Did the player poll the entire 53-man roster?
And as I’ve written here before, my sense from being around the team a lot, is that Gase has not lost the locker room and the players do like him.
I would say if a player did say that to Miller, the player likely has an ax to grind, perhaps about playing time.
I am around this team a lot, and I have not heard one player, on or off-the-record, rip Gase. I think the players generally like playing for him. That is my sense, and I have no agenda here. I think this coach needs to do a much better job next year or he’s going to lose his job.
Could there be one player with an ax to grind who doesn’t like Gase – perhaps – but to say Gase has “lost respect of the locker room” is probably hyperbole.
I could be wrong, but I’m not sensing that.
December 20, 2019
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