Jets name Slauson starting left guard

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - Matt Slauson knows he's the weak link, the inexperienced second-year guard trying to fill the shoes of a six-time All-Pro.

Alan Faneca, one of the best run-blockers in the NFL, used to be the Jets' rock, the prudent veteran protecting quarterback Mark Sanchez and paving lanes for Rex Ryan's trademark ground-and-pound approach. But Faneca's release and subsequent signing with the Cardinals left a gaping hole in the Jets' line, and some question whether Slauson can fill it.

"It's my job to not miss a block," said Slauson, who Thursday officially was named the starting left guard for Monday night's season opener against the Ravens, beating out second-round pick Vladimir Ducasse.

"So hopefully we won't be hearing a lot about him," Slauson said.

Coach Rex Ryan said Slauson, 24, had a clear advantage over Ducasse, a former tackle who had to learn a new position. Slauson, a sixth-round draft pick last year, was more comfortable with the system, and he also was coached by Jets offensive line coach Bill Callahan at Nebraska.

Said Ryan: "Any time you change positions and you're stepping up and it's a brand-new system - Vlad couldn't make that kind of ground up."

Ducasse said the team didn't inform him of its decision directly, but he had a feeling.

"Obviously, he knows the offense a lot better,'' Ducasse said. "He's more comfortable than I am with everything."

But UMass product Ducasse, 22, who was born in Haiti and learned how to play football only seven years ago, said the competition isn't over. "All I've got to do is keep working hard," he said. "That's all I can say right now. It's never over. It's a long season. I've just got to keep working hard."

Guard Brandon Moore said it's inevitable that Slauson will struggle at times against the Ravens, but he's confident that with time, Slauson will prove he's an NFL starter. "It's a huge task," Moore said. "This is a tough game to get your first start in. I'm not saying he won't be good his first game, but as you get going, as you get the reps and experience, by the time the season is over, you are playing at a high level.''

Slauson knows the pressure is on him, but he's ready.

"They consider me the weak point now on the line," he said. "It's my job to not just win the starting job, it's to play at the same level as Nick [Mangold] and D'Brickashaw [Ferguson] and Brandon and [Damien] Woody and all those guys. I've just got to study, prepare and get it done."