New York Jets: Team settles for less with James Carpenter

By Luis Tirado Jr. | Mar 10, 2015

The New York Jets have come to terms with free agent offensive guard James Carpenter as per Rich Cimini of ESPN via a report. It’s not a surprising move since the Jets needed to bolster their offensive line due to the decline of play in Willie Colon who will most likely not be returning next season. It also means that with Carpenter in the mix, there will be a good amount of depth on the Jets’ o-line.

It’s unfortunate since it would have been a much better move hand the Jets been able to land Mike Iupati instead. He’s the creme of the crop when it comes to offensive lineman in free agency but the Jets couldn’t come to terms with him as he decided to head to the Arizona Cardinals instead.

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This pickup seems like a last resort kind of option since Carpenter comes with a history of injuries including an ACL tear just a few years ago. He needed surgery to fix it and ever since then, has been declining with his pass protection.

A big reason why the Jets brought him in is due to his run-blocking abilities. Even though they have a new offensive coordinator in Chan Gailey, it’s not yet known if they will stick with what worked in the past or completely overhaul their offensive playbook.

The Jets I believe will most likely continue to be a ground and pound kind of team and in this aspect, Carpenter makes a ton of sense. With Chris Ivory as a projected starter, Bilal Powell as good depth and once the Jets secure one more veteran running back, Carpenter should be an anchor on their o-line to elevate their rushing attack.

Now, if the Jets decide to switch things around offensively and transform into a spread offense, then this free agency pickup doesn’t make any sense whatsoever. Carpenter struggles when it comes to protecting the quarterback as they would have been better off heading in a different direction if they ultimately decide go that route offensively.

Nov 2, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks guard James Carpenter (77) and quarterback Russell Wilson (3) against the Oakland Raiders at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

With his injury past and issues in pass protection, it seems to me the Jets settled for less with Carpenter. Even if the Jets add a veteran quarterback into the mix or dare I say, start Geno Smith come next season, Carpenter might not have been the brightest option to give them the protection they will need for him or anyone really to succeed.

I would think that the Jets will plug Carpenter in as their starting left guard and move Brian Winters to right guard. I knew Colon probably wouldn’t have lasted before this free agency pickup but it will remain to be seen if Carpenter is an upgrade over him.

Overall, I think this move might not have been one of the best ones by the Jets but it does at least add someone that has plenty of experience at the position. For the past five years he’s been to two Super Bowls and was on one of the premiere teams of the NFL in the Seattle Seahawks. Now he’ll get to reunite with a former teammate in Breno Giacomini and see if he has what it takes to play a full season healthy while doing his part to improve the Jets struggling offense.

Next: New York Jets: Making the case for Ryan Fitzpatrick

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