More Thoughts on Matt Slauson
Just some more thoughts on Matt Slauson signing with the Jets last night.
He’s a Great Project — He needs some help with his technique (pad level, etc.) but he’s got the strength, competitiveness and awareness to play in the NFL. What he doesn’t have is a lot of speed/agility, that’s something the Jets conditioning staff can help him with some.
He’s a Zone-Blocker — Slauson’s versatility to play all over the line (in college) his size (over 300 pounds) and strength are what zone-blocking NFL teams look for. He played for Bill Callahan in college, and Callahan wouldn’t have brought him in if he didn’t think he was promising.
For Now, He’s a Guard — Maybe in time he could play right tackle, but the Jets seem to like Wayne Hunter in that role, so for now I think his lack of agility/speed could hurt him in taking on outside pass rushers in the NFL. Slauson was a versatile offensive lineman in college spending most of his time at tackle, but unless he can increase his agility and recovery, I think he’s destined to play Guard in the NFL.
12 Responses to More Thoughts on Matt Slauson
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MattNYC says:
Here’s my thing- This guy could very well turn into a serviceable or better player, who knows… But I wonder if some of the very optimistic things that have thus far been mentioned on this site and elsewhere about Slauson would have been said if the Jets had 6 or 7 picks in this year’s draft as opposed to just 3.
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d says:
I like the quote “he’s a great project”…Its like saying he’s a definite maybe…an awesome gamble.
He’s a project.
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AL says:
I agree with Matt above. I remember when you didn’t expect the bottom half of the draft to make the team. With so few draft pics the last few years we are projecting Bender, Garner, and now slauson etc… as starters in a few years. I think offensive lineman drafted in the 6th round do turn into solid pro’s, but let’s face the facts that’s it rare.
We need to start drafting some O-line help in 2nd,3rd,4th rounds. Those guys have a much better chance of turning into good pro’s.
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Jeff says:
Great project or not we need depth at OL or if we dont get enough depth back there it will end up being 2005 yet again!! Yes Adrian Jones played T!!!
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jvsvn says:
Callahan is the OL coach and coached this kid in college. They must have some sense of what they’re getting. But hey, he’s a 6th round pick. No reason to expect too much. Hopefully, he’s good enough to make the roster and provide some depth on the inside. If he does that, then he’s fulfilled expectations for a sixth rounder. Anything more will be a huge bonus.
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DSmizzle says:
I’d love more than anything else to be able to treat our drafts like the Patriots treat theirs.
However, we have needed a true franchize QB for a very long time. We are not the Patriots as we don’t have Tom Brady sitting back there.
We used our “depth” draft picks to take a chance, no guarantees, at taking care of the most important position in professional sports (although in football, Left Tackle and pass-rushing DE are close).
If Sanchez pans out, and we have a similar roster heading into the next few years’ offseasons, I am a proponent of doing what everyone wanted them to do this year: either sit tight or continually trade down to add more picks for depth purposes.
The Patriots always get a lot of justifiable credit for having such a solid ALL-AROUND team. Yes, that’s important, and yes, that’s a direct result of their DEPTH. HOWEVER, I’ve always thought these statements about their depth were slightly ill-informed because they always seemed to ignore that they have had some of the NFL’s most elite position players at various positions.
Specifically, and I’m sure I’m forgetting some of them:
Richard Seymour (one of the best 3-4 DE’s probably ever).
Vince Wilfolk (dominant).
Rodney Harrison, after Lawyer Milloy (both exceptional).
Ty Law (closer to his prime).
Tom Brady (enough said, sadly).
Adam Viniateiri (one of the best).
Kevin Faulk (maybe the best pure 3rd-down back of his generation).
Larry Izzo & Troy Brown (exceptional special teamers).
Asante Samuel.
Offensive Line with many Pro Bowlers.
They had to assemble top-flight talent while doing a great job getting depth at key spots. If all you have is depth, your likely best bet is to have a season like the JETS did in 2006, which is nice, but has a low ceiling.
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DSmizzle,
You’re absolutely right. I think the Jets management agrees as well. That’s why the “trade up” philosphy of the last few drafts. It’s clearly been an effort to get some elite players to raise the level of the team above mediocrity. But you’ve got to pick the right guys when you have the chance. So far the results have been mixed. Revis and Mangold fit the bill. But Brick, Clemons, Gholston, and Harris have not made the grade of elite (at least not yet – and Brick is getting close). We wil see about Sanchez and Greene. No one can say that Woody and Tanny aren’t trying.
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junior says:
I feel that after hudson hauck retired after this past season we might have the best o-line coach in the league in callahan. Slauson has potential and he will be an excellent guard and hopefully replace faneca when he is ready to hang it up. I peronally love the jets moves with mr. T in the front office i can actually agree with them but time will tell..
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Hudson Hauck didnt retire i was actually thinking Howard Mudd in my last post
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Fish Hunters says:
I don’t comment on O or D line-men’s development because most ARE projects. They’re all big, they’re all strong, they all have strengths and weaknesses. For me they all have to prove it on the field. I take a wait and see approach.
Take the WR’s Stucky and Clowney, I’d rather see them given a chance like a project O-lineman then to bring in other veteran WR. Why? Well Herm Edwards had Jerricho Cotchery right under his nose and didn’t give him a chance. The dude broke some of Torry Holts records.
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vbsiena24 says:
6th round pick. Great size OL, lacks agility and athleticism. Feels a lot like Jacob “the Gender” Bender doesn’t it? Here’s hoping he can last more than 2 seasons.
I’m not surprised that this article has no comments as of yet because it isn’t about a quarterback or a receiver…
This article fails to mention what makes a champion…or even just a decent player…
Disposition…State of Mind.
From what I’ve read this fellow has the right disposition for the job.
AND-because he wasn’t a 1st round draft choice we won’t have to listen to all the ridiculous impatience concerning that it will take 1,2,3,and or 4 years to develop him.
He won’t be considered an obvious bust like Mr Gholston is…
That should help him immeasurably.
By the way-Vernon Gholston is going to have a good year.You watch!