By: Marianne O'Leary
The Jets are the only team in the NFL that has yet to score a touchdown this preseason. Some of this falls on the quarterbacks, but a lot of it falls on the offensive line. The Jets offensive line has been a consistent disaster since the start of last season. Struggling right tackle Wayne Hunter has been the hole in the Jets offensive line unit that the team has yet to fix. While it seems like the team has found a few gems in Quentin Coples and Stephen Hill, the fact that the Jets did not draft a right tackle certainly questions front office decisions after witnessing a problem on the right side of the offensive line all last season. A lack of strength in the right side of the line could keep the Jets from any significant offensive production all season.
Wayne Hunter was beaten for 2.5 sacks in the Jets 26-3 loss against the Giants at Metlife Stadium on Saturday night. He would have been beaten for 3.5 if a play hadn’t been wiped out by penalty. Head coach Rex Ryan is outspokenly not pleased with Hunter’s performance this preseason. Ryan has yet to commit to Hunter as the opening day starter for the Jets offensive line, leaving backup Austin Howard or a possible trade as an option. Hunter has also been dealing with tight back issues which do not help his case. However, Mark Sanchez and other teammates are encouraging Hunter and giving him the confidence throughout his bad times.
The decision of not building any offensive line right side support in the offseason has come to haunt the Jets these past few weeks. There is also a lack of a blocking tight end in the unit which is more reason to believe that Sanchez will frequently end up on the ground. The Jets will have trouble putting six on the scoreboard until this hole in the offensive line is fixed.
