Slauson leads tussle for Jets' left guard spot

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - Matt Slauson is in the driver's seat at the moment, ahead of rookie Vladimir Ducasse in the battle for the starting left guard spot.

Slauson has started the Jets' first two preseason games, and has had his good moments along with times when he's struggled. The 6-5, 315-pound second-year pro knows he has a long way to go before he solidifies a starting role, but he's certainly enjoying the ride.

"It's a dream come true," Slauson said Monday. "I feel like I'm in the spot I want to be in. A sixth-round pick, coming and competing for a starting job in my second year. I think I'm off to a great start. But I can't stop there. I'm playing with the best offensive line in the game and I can't go out there and be the weak link.

"I've got to go out there and match that. So I'm not looking at Vlad and saying I need to stay a step ahead of him. I'm looking at myself saying, I need to be as good as Brick [Ferguson], and Nick [Mangold], and Brandon [Moore] and [Damien] Woody. So that's my goal there."

Coleman reworks deal

Drew Coleman is showing how much he wants to be a part of a potential Jets' Super Bowl run. The reserve cornerback originally signed a one-year, $1.176-million tender, but Coleman's new deal calls for a guaranteed salary of $850,000, which includes a $220,000 signing bonus. The two sides began talking about redoing Coleman's deal during the June minicamp.

"The main thing was I told them I wanted to be here, so I'll do whatever it takes for us to get to this goal, get to this championship," Coleman said. "Whether it's taking a pay cut, less playing time, whatever. Even though it's a recession and there may be a lockout, my main thing now is trying to get a championship and then let the season work out for itself."

Pitoitua to IR

Reserve defensive lineman Ropati Pitoitua was placed on injured reserve with a torn left Achilles' tendon, a move that affects the Jets' line depth. "It really hurts. It does," Rex Ryan said, "because here's a guy who can be a backup end, a backup tackle. He was really developing as a sub rusher, too."