Slauson reclaims LG spot
Santonio Holmes, left, celebrates with Matt Slauson after catching a 25-yard touchdown pass from Mark Sanchez during the second quarter. (Dec. 18, 2011) Credit: Getty Images
CORTLAND -- It appears the "Summer of Vlad" has come to a close.
A day after the Jets released their depth chart, which had incumbent Matt Slauson ahead of third-year OL Vladmir Ducasse for the left guard spot, head coach Rex Ryan said the competition has swung in Slauson's favor.
"Right now, I would definitely give the edge to Matt," the coach said, adding that Slauson can also be the team's backup center. "...Right now, I'd go with Matt. He's got the experience, but he also looks really good to me."
Ryan insisted, however, that Ducasse still will get playing time because "he's earned that right. I think he's looked pretty good."
After much talk from management about trying out Ducasse at guard as well as tackle, the head coach said: "We like Vlad as a guard. We do. It's kind of a combination (of things). Austin Howard has been doing a nice job for us, we'll see how he steps in. If Wayne (Hunter) can't go (vs. Cincinnati due to lower back stiffness), he's got to fill in at right tackle and also play left tackle. So he's going to be playing a lot."
