NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

New York Jets: 3 Things to watch for in Preseason Week 1

By Michael Pallas

SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 21: Sam Darnold #14 of the USC Trojans throws a pass in the first quarter of a game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium on October 21, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 21: Sam Darnold #14 of the USC Trojans throws a pass in the first quarter of a game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium on October 21, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
LANDOVER, MD – OCTOBER 16: Quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Redskins passes the ball while teammate center Spencer Long #61 blocks against the Philadelphia Eagles in the first quarter at FedExField on October 16, 2016 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – OCTOBER 16: Quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Redskins passes the ball while teammate center Spencer Long #61 blocks against the Philadelphia Eagles in the first quarter at FedExField on October 16, 2016 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

2. How much has the offensive line improved?

There’s no debate anywhere in among the Jets fans or media with this one. The Jets offensive line was terrible last season. (I used the word terrible, because other words aren’t appropriate for this forum, even though I believe calling them terrible is an insult to terrible offensive lines.)

There were underlying causes. First, one of their offensive linemen played injured through some of the season, and Brian Winters did end up on injured reserve. Secondly, the line wasn’t equipped to handle the terrible play at center, and the trickle-down effect was evident by the poor play on the inside.

They added Spencer Long via free agency, and Winters is now healthy. When the starters are in this game, we will get a look at Long and how his presence will have a ripple effect on the performance of the entire offensive line.

The Jets have been lucky at center for a 16-year window from Kevin Mawae to Nick Mangold. Now we see how important the center is to the offensive line, and why Long was a key addition during the offseason. If Long is what the Jets thing he is, his presence will not only be good for Sam Darnold, but the entire offense in 2018.

Home/New York Jets