Nick Mangold To Miss First Career Game
Added on Sep 23, 2011 by Scott in
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A center sitting out a game doesn’t sound like that big a deal unless that center is the Jets Nick Mangold, who has yet to miss a start in his six-year career. That streak will end on Sunday as Mangold won’t make the trip to Oakland to face the Raiders after suffering a high ankle sprain in Week 2.
Mangold is expected to be sidelined at least a couple of weeks, although head coach Rex Ryan believes his recovery is ahead of schedule.
“He’s just not ready it’s as simple as that,” Ryan said. “He’s doing really well, but a high-ankle sprain going against these guys and traveling across country, it’s not in his best interest.”
The Jets running game has looked less than stellar thus far, averaging a paltry 73 yards per game. Shonn Greene just isn’t getting it done and LaDainian Tomlinson is seeing limited snaps. Needless to say, losing Mangold won’t do much to improve on those numbers.
Filing in at center will be undrafted rookie Colin Baxter, who will have to contend with defensive tackles Richard Seymour and Tommy Kelly. Oakland stymied Denver’s run game in Week 1, but were gashed by Buffalo’s Fred Jackson for 117 yards and a pair of touchdowns a week ago.
The Jets should be able to exploit a suspect Raiders secondary if Mark Sanchez plays smart, which is never a given. He threw two awful interceptions against a weak Jacksonville defense last Sunday after looking sharp versus the Cowboys in Week 1. He must handle the blitz more efficiently and do a better job getting the ball to Santonio Holmes.
Oakland will come after Sanchez early and often to test the rookie center and the rest of the Jets shaky offensive line. Rolando McClain straight up the gut could become a common sight on Sunday.
The Jets are giving 3.5 points, although an outright win by the Raiders wouldn’t be surprising in the least.
Source: NFL.com
