Jets' Olu Fashanu gearing up for first NFL start at right tackle
Jets offensive tackle Olu Fashanu works out during training camp at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center in Florham Park, N.J., on Aug. 20. Credit: Ed Murray
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Olu Fashanu was watching film of the Broncos' defensive line during a position meeting Thursday morning when veteran tackle Morgan Moses noticed something.
Moses pointed out some “different tells” from the linemen to Fashanu and gave the rookie some other tips that could help him Sunday.
Fashanu will get his first NFL start at right tackle when the Jets face Denver. He’s replacing Moses, who is out at least two games with a knee injury.
“He’s just telling me his big finds when watching film,” Fashanu told Newsday. “Even today, he pulled me in while we were watching film. Just giving me different looks, different things to look at while I’m watching film, different tells I could look at from the D-line just to give myself the upper hand.”
The Jets drafted Fashanu with the No. 11 pick after he starred at left tackle for Penn State. During training camp, the Jets cross-trained Fashanu so he was comfortable playing both tackle spots.
Their hope was that Fashanu wouldn’t have to play much this season because it would mean that Tyron Smith and Moses were healthy. That changed last week in the Jets’ win over New England.
On the last play of the third quarter, Moses got hurt trying to protect Aaron Rodgers. The Jets turned to Fashanu. He played 13 snaps at right tackle and didn’t allow a sack. Now, Fashanu will start his first game at a position he never really played before this year.
“It definitely is a bit ironic that in college and basically all my life I’ve played the left and my first start is going to be at right,” Fashanu said. “It’s just an opportunity for me to go out and prove myself.”
Fashanu started getting acquainted with right tackle while training for the NFL Combine and the lead-up to the draft. Midway through camp, the Jets began playing Fashanu on the right side. He started one preseason game at left tackle and one at right.
“We’ve got a lot of faith in Olu to go out and execute,” Jets coach Robert Saleh said.
The rumblings before the draft were that the Jets were considering a playmaking receiver or tight end Brock Bowers in the first round. Saleh said that was coming from “outside the building” and that “it was always going to be an O-lineman.”
It was prudent considering all of the Jets’ issues on the line and the fact that keeping Rodgers healthy is the key to this season. It showed good foresight as well.
Fashanu has made a positive impression on Rodgers. The four-time MVP said Fashanu reminds him of D’Brickashaw Ferguson, the Jets' former Pro Bowl tackle from Freeport.
“Personality-wise, and then just the consistency,” Rodgers said. “It's just never been too big for Olu. I feel like he's been consistent every day. If he makes a mistake, he doesn't make a repeat mistake. His attitude, he's very quiet. He just kind of goes about his business, so I think he's in a good spot . . . I'm very confident in Olu.”
Fashanu soaks up the advice from Smith and Moses. He also studies Lions right tackle Penei Sewell extensively. Fashanu said Sewell’s “explosiveness off the ball” and “sense of urgency to get in the best position possible” are things he tries applying to his game — on whichever side of the line he’s playing.
Sauce’s future payday
Sauce Gardner said Denver’s All-Pro cornerback Pat Surtain II is “well deserving” of his new four-year, $96 million contract extension. Gardner is eligible for an extension this offseason.
“I’ve been trying not to think about that stuff,” Gardner said. “As much as I’ll be thinking sometimes, I’ll be like, ‘Let me stop thinking about that.’ At the end of the day we got something special here. I can’t always preach taking everything day by day or week by week if I’m thinking about some individual stuff myself.”
Two-minute drill
C.J. Mosley (toe) didn’t practice for the second straight day and it sounds as if he will miss his second consecutive game. Mosley said it’s “between a sprain and a hyperextension of the toe” and it bothers him when he’s in cleats. He wants to play but said, “It’s a long season and the worst thing I can do, which I’ve done before, is get out there too early and hurt myself.”
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
