Slauson vs. DuCasse
The only real battle for a starting position is at left guard. Ryan has already inserted Matt Slauson as the starter but a lot can change between now and September.

With a year under his belt in the Jets’ system and extensive experience learning Bill Callahan’s blocking schemes at Nebraska, Slauson leads this competition. He is further along in terms of his technique.

Callahan’s schemes emphasize hand placement, blocking angles and leverage and so far, Slauson is just further along in these areas. In contrast, Vladimir DuCasse has more upside and it may be only a matter of time before he overtakes Slauson.

DuCasse just has more talent. He has the size and quick feet offensive line coaches covet, which is why DuCasse will eventually take over at right tackle for Damien Woody.

I would like to see Slauson win the starting LG spot because it would indicate he has the skills to start at the NFL level. Since I project DuCasse to tackle anyway, Slauson winning the LG spot would mean the Jets have their starting offensive line on their roster and it would be a young one at that.

In this game, I want to see how Slauson pass blocks. He is known for being a mauler in the running game but his footwork needed improvement at the pro level. Going against a solid Giants’ defensive line, Slauson’s performance should tell us a lot his ability.

When DuCasse gets his turn, Jets fans should be looking at a few indicators that will reflect his understanding of the offense. It is DuCasse’s mental preparation and grasp of the system that will tell us where he stands.

Does he fire off the ball? Hesitation is often a sign that a player does not know his assignment. How does he combo block? This is a more advanced technique used in the pros. If he displays the awareness to block defenders on either side, it will tell us he is getting comfortable in this scheme.


David Clowney
With Chansi Stuckey now in Cleveland and Wallace Wright moving on in free agency, this could be a golden opportunity for David Clowney to solidify a spot on this team.Laveranues Coles was brought in to replace Santonio Holmes during his suspension but I find it hard to believe the Jets will keep him over Clowney.

Just the difference in age makes that unlikely. Coles is near retirement while Clowney has the speed, athleticism and youth the team is looking for.

But Clowney has been far from impressive. He has the skills to be successful but has not translated them to the field. He simply disappears from the action too often.

He is a burner but needs work on his route running. He can run by DB’s but he is one-dimensional. He does not know how to set up corners by sinking his hips and does not run precise routes. As a result, DB’s cheat to the deep part of the field.

They know he has not mastered the elusiveness to break off on shorter “dig” and “comeback” routes and that makes him very predictable. Now in year 3, it is time for Clowney to show a broader repertoire.

In this game, we need to see Clowney run the whole route tree. If he can get open on short and intermediate routes and not just run by people on his usual go routes, it will be a sign he has developed into a pro receiver and can be used for multiple purposes.

With both Holmes and Braylon Edwards in the last year of their deals, there is a very good chance one will not be brought back. This is another reason why the Jets will look long and hard at Clowney’s development to see if he can fill the void.

If Clowney can show more variety, he just might be the top reserve they envisioned when they signed him.


Vernon Gholston
Already being mentioned as one of the biggest busts in team history (and for the Jets, that is really saying something), this is a make or break season for Vernon Gholston. After two futile years at OLB in which he barely made it on to the field, never mind record a sack, Gholston has a lot to prove if he wants to remain a Jet.

He has been moved to defensive end, which, on its surface, seems like a desperate move but it might pay off. Gholston has earned positive reviews from Ryan thus far and is the only player in training camp to record a sack (he had two) against D’Brickashaw Ferguson.

Gholston is not an instinctive player, a must for any linebacker, so moving him to defensive end could pay off. But at 6-3, 264, he lacks the size to anchor as a 3-4 defensive end.

Against the Giants, we will need to see him stack the line and shed blockers to gain penetration. This is an area where he has struggled in the past and will need to show improvement if he wants to be considered a viable option on the defensive line.

Besides being the sixth overall pick, the reason the Jets have not cut Gholston yet is because the cap hit would have been prohibitive. Had they cut him in 2009 it would have been $14 million. If they do so this year, it will be over $5 million. However, if he does not distinguish himself this season, they will actually save about $400,000 if they cut him in 2011.

That is why this is a make or break year for him. With no financial obstacles, the Jets could easily release him if he does not step up.


Nick Folk
When was the last time Jets fans focused their attention on a kicker in the preseason? Usually the team has had too many other position battles being waged to worry about the team’s place kicker but this season, with the roster all but set, the kicking game deserves our attention.

Nick Folk will likely win the job and Rex Ryan has already praised his performance so far in camp but Folk’s inconsistency in the past makes him a guy who Jets fans should keep an eye on.

Folk has a strong leg and did a nice job in his first two years in Dallas when he connected on 84% and 91% of his field goals in 2007 and 2008 respectively. But before the 2009 season he had surgery to repair a torn tendon in his hip and his success rate dropped to 64% and was cut.

Although I was a big Jay Feely fan, I believe signing Folk could be a real coup. He was not fully recovered from his surgery when he came back last season and his technique suffered.

The Jets might have themselves a real weapon if he reverts back to his 2007/2008 form. We probably will not know what we have in this guy until real games start when the pressure is on but we may get a good sense of him during the preseason.

One area where he should be an automatic upgrade is on kick offs. Feely lacked the leg strength to drive the ball into the end zone and that often put the Jets in difficult field position.

Folk should be able to deliver more touchbacks, which will be a boon for the Jets’ defense. If the defense is as smothering as it was last season, forcing their opponent to start at or inside their own 20 on a consistent basis should only make them better.

I will be looking long and hard at Folk on kick offs to see how he drives the ball and how much hang time he gets. A few touchbacks in this game will certainly be a good sign. As for his ability to kick in the clutch, we probably won’t know that until the real games start.

Other Names to Watch
Jets Nation will certainly want to see how first rounder Kyle Wilson performs, especially with him taking first team reps for most of training camp. Can he lock down these Giants’ receivers despite being a work in process in terms of his technique and knowledge of the defensive scheme? I also want to see how he does returning punts as he is expected to replace Leon Washington.

John Conner received rave reviews from the Jets’ coaches and players, which was captured on Hard Knocks. If he “jacks up” defenders in this one, the rumblings will begin about him replacing Tony Richardson.

Joe McKnight has had an inauspicious start to his Jets career. After vomiting during rookie minicamp and struggling with his conditioning, he will have to perform better to justify the team’s trade of Washington. McKnight will likely see a decent number of reps at running back but I want to see how he fares as a kick returner where he is expected to make an impact.

Some other names to watch for are Donovan Warren, Lance Laurie, Brashton Satele and Cory Reamer. All these guys will have to make an impression on special teams if they want to make the 53-man roster.


Written by Alan Levin