Jets offensive line already showing why it could make good on sky-high potential

New York Post

a day ago

The Jets have questions at quarterback, at receiver after Garrett Wilson and in their tight end room.
Want to take the glass half-full approach and find a reason the offense could surpass low expectations?
Focus on the men up front. That's where Gang Green have pedigree.
Three first-round picks (Alijah Vera-Tucker, Armand Membou and Olu Fashanu), a second-round selection (Joe Tippmann) and a quality veteran (John Simpson). Five players between the ages of 21 and 27. It's easy to imagine this being the best offensive line the team has employed in a decade.
'Very, very impressed with how they operate,' first-year head coach Aaron Glenn said Monday. 'Big, strong men. They fit the personality that we want as an offense and how we want to operate. Obviously, we drafted Membou as our first pick, we added Olu last year, our interior is outstanding, and even some of the guys that are in the backup roles are doing a really good job for us.'
3 Jets offensive tackle Armand Membou. right, blocks guard Alijah Vera-Tucker (75) during practice at training camp in Florham Park, NJ.
Bill Kostroun/New York Post
'The first thing is physicality,' Vera-Tucker added. 'Each of us come into work every day and are an example of that. And also, our communication up front, I feel like, has been really key to the execution.'
There is competition. Tippmann, who started every game at center last year, is battling free agent acquisition Josh Myers, who previously played for the Packers. Of the aforementioned six linemen, four of them played together at the end of last season, once Fashanu replaced Tyron Smith at left tackle. Membou, the seventh pick in April's draft, is the newcomer, starting at right tackle. The two youngsters have impressed their older teammates.
'You would never guess that Olu and Membou are both young guys,' Tippmann said. 'They carry themselves like vets. They take on each and every day like they're a vet.'
A year ago, the Jets were last in rushing attempts with 363. Part of that was the result of playing from behind so frequently. They were 16th in rushing yards per carry at 4.3. The plan is expected to be very different this year. They have a quarterback who can use his legs in Justin Fields and a deep running back core led by Breece Hall.
3 Jets center Joe Tippmann (66) practices at training camp in Florham Park, NJ.
Bill Kostroun/New York Post
3 Jets offensive tackle Olu Fashanu.
Bill Kostroun/New York Post
'The coaching staff has told us straight up, we're going to run the ball. That's different from the past,' Vera-Tucker said. 'As an offensive line, we like that. Obviously, we like hearing that. You always want to run the ball and get the defense tired out. The play-action opens up. You can get a couple of dropbacks for [Wilson] and all the wideouts to do their thing out wide.'
Vera-Tucker, the longest-tenured Jet of the five, is coming off what he described as the best offseason of his pro career.
No major injury to rehabilitate. No new position to learn. He has stability at right guard for the first time since the Jets drafted him in the first round in 2021.
'I was able to get an offseason full of just training,' said Vera-Tucker, who is eligible for free agency after the season. 'I feel really fast, quick and comfortable going into my senior year staying at one position.'
There is clearly the potential for the Jets to feature their best offensive line in quite some time. Vera-Tucker wasn't ready to make any predictions, considering it's still training camp, but he sees the possibilities.
'I think there's potential for that for sure,' Vera-Tucker said.