More Jets turmoil: O-line coach says he’s being forced to play Vladimir Ducasse

Jets offensive lineman Vladimir Ducasse does not have much support from his position coach. (AP)

Jets offensive line coach Dave DeGuglielmo said it hasn’t been his decision to play guard Vladimir Ducasse. And he doesn’t seem too happy about it.

“It’s directed from high above me,” DeGuglielmo said. “That’s something higher than me.”

Ducasse, a former UMass standout, was New York’s second-round pick in 2010. He’s been replacing Matt Slauson every third series.

“Nobody tells me directly where it’s coming from,” said DeGuglielmo, who grew up in Lexington, played football at Boston University and is in his first year coaching with the Jets. “I just get the word that this guy’s going in. Coordinator tells me what to do, I do it.”

Coach Rex Ryan later said he was the one allotting playing time for Ducasse. DeGuglielmo, however, didn’t seem too enthusiastic about the player.

“He’s played well enough to be an every third series guy,” DeGuglielmo said. “Maybe.”

Slauson, a 2009 sixth-round pick from Nebraska, is more DeGuglielmo’s style.

“Slauson is a big, tough, smart, strong kid,” the coach said. “That’s what he is. There are too few of those guys in the world.”

One Comments for “More Jets turmoil: O-line coach says he’s being forced to play Vladimir Ducasse”

1. Hutch Says:
   November 30th, 2012 at 3:34 pm

   Back in 2010 Mel Kiper gave the NY Jets a (B) for their draft and the Pats a (B-).

   In 2010 the Pats drafted Gronk, Hernandez, McCourty, Spikes, Cunningham, Deadrick, among others, the Jets drafted, Wilson, Ducasse, McKnight.

   Go figure.

Leave a Reply