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This year, the New York Jets re-signed Willie Colon to fill the right guard position. However, Colon is 31 years old and on another one-year deal, with a long injury history, so he can't be counted upon to be the long term solution the team needs.
Last year, the Jets drafted Oday Aboushi, a former left tackle, and Will Campbell, a former defensive tackle. Both Aboushi and Campbell were expected to switch positions, with Aboushi projected at right tackle and Campbell at right guard. However, it seems that the team may now be expecting both to compete for the right guard position:
.@ESPNNewYork reporting #Jets want #UVa alum Oday Aboushi to claim starting guard spot next season.
— Nate Sulham (@NateSulham) February 4, 2014
Last year, everyone saw how disastrous it was with Aboushi at left tackle in the preseason, but we haven't seen enough of either to really know how they'll fare this year in training camp at right guard. Obviously the team knows more about their development, but the position is still a question mark from a long term perspective.
If I'm John Idzik and I don't think either one of the two will be able to take over, I'd look to take Trai Turner or Joel Bitonio in the draft this year. Either one can be had in the second or third round. Bitonio would need to switch from the left tackle position, but they both would provide a nasty presence that would impose their will on the opposing defensive line. Many have disagreed about how good right tackle Breno Giacomini really is, but nobody has questioned his mean streak, his nastiness, and his "play through the whistle" approach. Turner and Bitonio would fit in well with Giacomini in that sense, especially if the team doesn't think Aboushi or Campbell can handle it.
What do you think? How should the Jets go about replacing Willie Colon?