Jets will be missing a key cog for first six weeks
By Paul A. Esden Jr.
The final roster moves of the New York Jets may have ramifications on the entire season. The bigger question is, how will they survive?
It was the final roster move of the day for the New York Jets, but perhaps it was also the most impactful. The Jets have placed right tackle, Breno Giacomini, on the Reserve/PUP list. Which in laments terms means that the Jets will be without their starting right tackle for the first six weeks of the season.
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In those first six weeks, the Jets will face three teams who ranked in the top-10 in sacks last season. The Jets did a phenomenal job last season keeping quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick upright. In fact, they allowed the second-fewest sacks in the league last year.
Now they’re going to try and repeat that success without their right tackle. Which means the Jets will have to rely upon the services of Ben Ijalana and Brent Qvale. Head coach Todd Bowles after the final preseason game shared his thoughts on the right tackle competition.
It appears we won’t know the starter until game-time this Sunday, courtesy of the Media Relations Department of the Jets:
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On what he saw from Brent Qvale and Ben Ijalana…
Good question. I still don’t have an answer for you. I saw good in both of them, I saw bad in both of them, I saw some things that they can work on. We’ll alternate them during the week and we’ll probably go right up until game day if Breno (Giacomini) can’t play.
Bowles also alluded to the possibility of playing both Ijalana and Qvale Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Alternating players at a non-skill position could be cause for concern, but Bowles has earned our trust.
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With that being said hopefully either Ijalana or Qvale steps up this week to claim the starting job so Bowles won’t have to split the reps. Regardless if the Jets can’t solve their offensive line issues, they won’t make it very far this season.