The Jets lost their regular season opener to the 49ers, 32-19, Monday night but veteran RG Alijah Vera-Tucker and rest of the offensive line came away encouraged by the play of their revamped unit.
"The whole game was a confidence booster," Vera-Tucker said. "We came in with some confidence already that we could run the ball and pass protect, so all the game was is more affirmation that we can do it in Week 2. As long as No. 8 is back there, we will be good."
Vera-Tucker, Monday, started his first game since tearing his Achilles tendon in Week 5 last season. It also marked his fourth career start playing next to C Joe Tippmann and his first beside RT Morgan Moses, acquired from the Ravens over the offseason.
"Just having AVT and John [Simpson] in there to helping me, it was a whole different machine," Tippmann said. "They are just both really strong and physical guys that move really well. Being able to have them in there with me has been a great feeling."
On the left side of the line, All-Pro Tyron Smith, signed from Dallas, started at left tackle and John Simpson, brought in from Baltimore, began the game at left guard, both making their first starts for New York. Tasked with protecting future Hall of Fame QB Aaron Rodgers, the line, according to Pro Football Focus, allowed 1 sack, 2 QB hits and 9 pressures over 23 drop backs.
"I thought the whole line protected really well," offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett said. "Aaron didn't get hit much. I felt like he had some time in there. I think the run game stuff we just got to clean up. We were a couple steps off here and there, and that will get corrected."
Hackett and the players weren't as impressed with their performance in the run game, but were optimistic about the potential. The team ran for 68 yards (3.6 YPC) headlined by 54 yards and a touchdown by RB Breece Hall.
"They were about a step off and they took some bad angles," Hackett said. "They took all the things we've asked them to do and then it was just kind of like that last step they beat us to the punch."
Tippmann added: "We have to fix the little mistakes that we made. A lot of the plays, we weren't far off from breaking some. We just need to work out the little things during the week and get that corrected so that we come out this Sunday flying."
The corrections will need to come quickly because the Jets are scheduled to face the Titans and ferocious DT Jeffery Simmons on the road in Week 2. In Week 1 against the Bears, Tennessee sacked rookie QB Caleb Williams twice. Simmons has made second-team All-Pro twice in the last three seasons and had at least 5.5 sacks and 9 tackles for loss in each of the least four.
"[Simmons] is a beast," Tippmann said. "I mean he is a phenomenal football player. You have to know where he is. You got to try to get as many double teams as you can on him. You have to respect him. I mean his play has been very good for so long and we got to know where he is."
Practicing against DT Javon Kinlaw, All-Pro DL Quinnen Williams and Pro Bowler Jermaine Johnson has helped the Jets O-Line prepare for the challenge of blocking an elite nose tackle like Simmons and OLB Harold Landry, who registered double-digit sacks in 2012 and 2023.
"Individually, they have some seriously big guys on that D-Line," Vera-Tucker said. "Getting some push will be important. And on top of that, they play well as group and are very sound with their technique. It is going to be fun as long as well communicate and play to our level."
