New York Jets Problem: Bad Play at Center

by John B on Oct 4, 2011 6:00 AM EDT

Today we are taking a look at the problems currently plaguing the Jets. The first I will examine is the bad play the team has recently received at center.

The Problem: The Jets have had an undrafted rookie at center the past two weeks. It has been a struggle for Colin Baxter. Even at his best, he has seldom won a one on one. He has needed double team help, which has taken away a blocker from another spot. When double teams are necessary, the second level is not hit in the run game, and free runners can get to the quarterback on delayed blitzes.

Who Is to Blame? Over the course of the day, I am going to take Mike Tannenbaum to task over a number of things. A lot of people are on Tannenbaum about this. I think it is difficult to get on him too much. Baxter was not the team's first or second answer at center. Both the starter and the backup are out hurt. In theory, the Jets could have made a depth move once the backup, Robert Turner went down in the preseason. In reality, there were not many great choices. The two most mentioned names, Shaun O'Hara and Rich Seubert, are both coming off very serious injuries. Their statuses and effectiveness were both unclear. Andre Gurode was an option. Tannenbaum opted to go the developmental route for backup interior linemen, acquiring youngsters Baxter and Caleb Schlauderaff. Perhaps he tried too hard to make people think he is as good as Ted Thompson, finding no names he could plug in. This was easier said than done, though.

Viable Options to Fix the Problem: This problem has the simplest solution. The best center in the league is going to get healthy and replace Baxter.

Prognosis: This is probably going to improve dramatically.

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Center

Actually, I think Baxter has performed reasonably well, considering he is a rookie, who was thrown into action sort of spur of the moment. To me, it’s all on Tannenbaum.

by DARI on Oct 4, 2011 6:52 AM EDT reply actions

Shame on Rex for pulling this guy out of the game like he was losing it for the Jets

He did have a bad but catchable snap. Sanchez needs to take some blame for that play too. The kid has played ok.

by BIG OH!!!!! on Oct 4, 2011 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions

I agree 100%

by Can'tWait on Oct 4, 2011 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions

A lesson to be learnt

The Ravens acquired the five-time Pro Bowl blocker Andre Gurode to provide depth behind six-time Pro Bowl center Matt Birk, who underwent surgery on his left knee at the start of training camp.

“We just got better as a team,” general manager Ozzie Newsome said. “To have a successful season, you have to have quality depth across the board. We just added great depth to the interior of our offensive line with Andre.”

by viguy007 on Oct 4, 2011 7:17 AM EDT reply actions

It definitely starts at Center, but Right Tackle might be just as bad.

Bad center play hurts both sides of the line though. But its just as bad to have a RT that generates no push and can’t hold up in pass pro. Poor Moore can’t get a break. Guy has a bad hip and nobody to help him out.

by Crackback on Oct 4, 2011 7:57 AM EDT reply actions

the whole line is a mess

Brick blew his assignment on the Ngata sack/fumble (which wasn’t a fumble by the way). Even our best players are stinking up the joint (except for revis of course).

"Practice does not make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect."

by FrankWhyte on Oct 4, 2011 9:48 AM EDT reply actions

Bill Callahan gets too much love, IMO.

This guy has had a couple of successes, Moore and Slauson, but everything else he has cherry picked to his credit. Brick, Woody, Fanaca, and Mangold were all talented players that needed little work. The players he has had to have a say in us drafting or has not specified a need for us to acquire (line depth) has killed us this season.

If you know your team is going to make a turn in the offense, like going from a running team to a passing team. Wouldn’t you evaluate your linemen before recommending one for a new contract (Hunter) and recommend we sign some workable talent as backups when your primary one goes down (Turner)?

It’s pretty apparent that he is respected, so I’m sure if he’s like, “Man, we sure need someone who can step in if anyone of our linemen gets injured, because what we have isn’t there yet.” Our front office would have went out and got someone. It seems like that was finally done are Sunday’s C-League type line play but how wasn’t this done right after Turner went down?

by Timmaht on Oct 4, 2011 9:56 AM EDT reply actions

You are wrong.

John B your conclusion of Baxter is wrong. First of all find where the real problem is and stay on it. Hunter is bad, Moore is bad, d’Brick’s play this season is iffy. Even when Mangold played wk 1, the Line was bad. Call a spade a spade. The Oline is just not playing good football and Baxter is thrust into a bad veteran group who cannot hide a new members miscues. Which is what a good Oline ought to do, Then the onus should be on them and not Baxter. IMO Baxter has played reasonably well considering the situation.

by overloadblitz on Oct 4, 2011 10:13 AM EDT reply actions

I wouldn't say he was flat out wrong, but

you do elaborate on an issue I have above with Bill Callahan. The line has been bad, but with the talent level on it with 3 great players the coaches need and have changed some things. Maybe they just aren’t pass blockers, who knows, but the fact is they are some pro bowl players that are not doing anywhere near mediocre with this new offensive gameplan.

by Timmaht on Oct 4, 2011 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions

I think the point John's trying to make is that Baxter shouldn't be in the lineup

to begin with. The FO had plenty of time to get a more experienced and better option when Turner went down and they failed to do so. I’m in agreement with you that the whole o-line is playing terrible and Baxter is doing ok under the circumstances, but he’s clearly not ready to start.

by Rushthepasser on Oct 4, 2011 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Hunter is 10 time the problem that Colin Baxter was there past 2 weeks.

He perfomed very well in places and had about the toughest game he possibly could have had last weekend. He was no worse than any other lineman wearing green and white that night and at times played better.
I’m guessing that Jet fans now require a veteran lineman as a back-up at every line position on the team? Please! Perfect depth on the offensive line is damn near impossible to have for any one team. That just has to be dealt with.
Believe it or not I could name a few head coaches out there who would love to have the backup crew we have now.

by Can'tWait on Oct 4, 2011 10:33 AM EDT reply actions

Hah, most of those coaches don't have starters as good as our backups though.

That’s not good on us but terrible on them.

by Timmaht on Oct 4, 2011 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions

Look at the Dallas Cowboys

Their entire draft class is starting on the O line
They are getting great production out of their rookies but what happens when one of them goes down? Game over.
I mean this in all honesty Vlad could fight for a starting spot on that team as it is right now.

by Can'tWait on Oct 4, 2011 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes I disagree…..I don’t think you can list Baxter as a problem. He has played very well considering the circumstances and I think is a great developmental project for the Jets for the future – either as a starting lineman or a backup Center. Remember this kid has about 1 month with the Jets and was undrafted out of college. If I am Mark Sanchez I would much rather be lined up behind Baxter than Ducasse who was a second round pick and has nearly 1.5 years in the Jets system.

by Ryan243 on Oct 4, 2011 1:27 PM EDT reply actions