Jets sign a pair of veteran OTs @ The Fan Hub

May 29th, 2012 2:34 PM

Recently signed Jets Tackle Stephon Heyer. Credit: US Presswire

Last year Jets fans had to endure (amongst other things) a season of right tackle Wayne Hunter playing some downright awful football. Hunter allowed 11 sacks and 32 QB pressures in 16 games, making him one of the worst starting tackles in the NFL. It therefore comes as no surprise that Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum signed the two veteran tackles in Stephon Heyer and Ray Willis today.

Jets Offensive Line Coach Dave DeGuglielmo said earlier this month that Hunter is the Jets’ starting right tackle “until they ship him out of this building or until they shoot me dead in my office.” (Careful Dave, If Hunter does his best revolving door impression again you might find an armed mob outside your Florham Park office.)

As mightily as Hunter struggled last season, he likely isn’t going anywhere unless involved in a trade. The embattled journeyman signed a 4-year, $15 million in July of 2011, most of it guaranteed. This came after Hunter performed well in the 2010/2011 postseason, replacing the injured Damien Woody during the Jets’ run to their second consecutive AFC Championship Game. Given the shortened offseason due to the 2011 lockout, it could be argued Hunter wasn’t given the chance to get used to the starting role going into the season, and he’ll get another chance to prove himself as we approach September.

Most likely this is more an indictment of Jets 2010 2nd round draft pick Vladimir Ducasse, who after his first two seasons has people muttering “bust.” Ducasse struggled to learn former Offensive Line Coach Bill Callahan’s zone blocking scheme and spent most of his first two seasons on the bench or in limited packages as a third tight end. His future is uncertain now, as Pro Bowl tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson occupies the left tackle spot, leaving RT a crowded position on the roster. Someone will be the odd man out, and right now Ducasse is the early favorite to get his pink slip.

The Jets hope to shore up their shaky RT position to better protect Mark Sanchez and get back to running the football effectively, two areas in which they struggled last season.

A year ago, GM Mike Tannenbaum stubbornly refused to sign any experienced backup offensive linemen — and it came back to bite him. He must be determined to avoid the same situation because the Jets signed two veteran right tackles Tuesday, Stephon Heyer and Ray Willis, a source confirmed.

Embattled RT Wayne Hunter, who has received mixed support from the organization, remains the starter. The additions of Heyer and Willis are more of a reflection on third-year RT Vladimir Ducasse than Hunter.

Read the original post from espnny.com