FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — New York Jets coach Rex Ryan has selected Matt Slauson as the team’s starting left guard over second-round draft pick Vladimir Ducasse.
Ryan says Thursday that Slauson earned the job in preseason over Ducasse, who was learning a new position after playing mostly offensive tackle at the University of Massachusetts.
The left guard spot was vacated in April when the Jets released incumbent Alan Faneca, a nine-time Pro Bowl selection who later signed with Arizona.
Slauson is in his second season after being a sixth-round pick last year, so he has familiarity with the system and was coached by Jets offensive line coach Bill Callahan at Nebraska.
The Jets open their season Monday night at home against the Baltimore Ravens.
