New York Jets: Carlos Dunlap Will Test Weakness at Right Tackle
The New York Jets have a major issue heading into their regular-season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals. Who is going to be their right tackle?
The New York Jets will be hosting the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1 of the regular season. After having a sour ending to the 2015 season, the Jets will be looking to start off on a positive note against the Bengals.
Week 1 will certainly be a test for the Jets, as the Bengals have been a very consistent team in recent years. Despite flops in the postseason, the Bengals have never been questioned about what they can do in the regular season.
One of the big concerns for the Jets heading into Week 1 will be at right tackle. Due to Breno Giacomini being placed on the PUP list, he won’t be eligible to play until Week 7. As of now, the Jets still don’t know who they will be starting at right tackle. Both Ben Ijalana or Brent Qvale have been battling for the job, but neither has stood out. Due to neither impressing in the preseason, we might see both in the home-opener.
“Until it sorts itself out, yes,” Bowles said Monday to Rich Cimini of ESPN.com. “It’s possible.”
Ijalana and Qvale will be tested early and often against the Bengals. Lining up across from them will be defensive end, Carlos Dunlap. Unlike most great pass rushers, Dunlap lines up mostly as a left defensive end compared to a right defensive end. Last season, Dunlap totaled 13.5 sacks, and the Jets will have to watch him closely.
“I’ve been in this league 16, 17 years. Right tackles don’t fall off trees, and you’re not going to claim a starting right tackle in this league,” he said to Cimini. “They’re like quarterbacks. You’re not going to claim them.”
In order to stop Dunlap, the Jets might have to get creative in their blocking schemes if their right tackles struggle one-on-one. If Dunlap is able to get to Ryan Fitzpatrick early, the Jets will have to use either running backs or tight ends to chip him. This, of course, can affect the Jets’ plan to spread out their offense more in Week 1.
Bowles and the Jets’ coaching staff will be able to figure out rather quickly who the right tackle should be. Dunlap will test Ijalana and Qvale right away, and we will have to see which one responds.
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