FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Matt Slauson always believed he would win the starting left guard job on the New York Jets’ offensive line.
It was the task of adequately replacing Alan Faneca, a perennial Pro Bowl selection, and not being the weak link that he says made him “scared every day.”
Slauson, as he predicted, beat out touted second-round draft pick Vladimir Ducasse in training camp for the spot. But, he struggled in the Jets’ first few games, leading some to wonder if the Jets had made the wrong choice.
A sixth-round pick in 2009, Slauson has developed quickly since, drawing raves from his linemates and even his coaches. Rex Ryan even declared Slauson the best left guard in the AFC East — lofty praise for a guy with just six NFL starts.
