Jets offensive line coach Dave DeGuglielmo spoke to the media for the first time this season yesterday, and sounds as if he is not a fan of backup guard Vlad Ducasse.
Ducasse has been playing in a platoon at left guard with starter Matt Slauson this season, rotating in for every third series. The platoon began in the second week of the season.
“It’s a directive from high above me,” DeGuglielmo said. “You have to ask somebody higher than me.”
There has been speculation that general manager Mike Tannenbaum ordered the coaches to play Ducasse since he drafted him in the second round in 2010. Both starting guards Slauson and Brandon Moore are free agents after this year, too, meaning Ducasse is a likely starter in 2013.
Jets coach Rex Ryan insists the call was his.
Either way, DeGuglielmo appears to believe Ducasse belongs on the bench.
“He’s playing well enough to be an every third series guy, maybe,” DeGuglielmo said.
It was a contentious 15-minute interview session with reporters who regularly cover the team. DeGuglielmo spoke only after being forced to by the NFL. The league’s media policy requires position coaches to speak, at a minimum, during the team’s bye week. The Post complained to the league that DeGuglielmo had not spoken to the press, upsetting the coach.
He claimed reporters never sought him out during the bye week. However, the Jets’ facility was closed to the media that week and Hurricane Sandy hit that week as well.
“I made a commitment to speak to you people during the bye week,” he said. “I was sitting in here Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. OK? If anybody needed to speak to me, it’s not my job to find you.”
DeGuglielmo was also bothered by the perception the offensive line has slipped this year.
“Everyone’s got to look at the film and evaluate it as they wish,” he said. “I know I get comments from my boss, his boss and even his boss and the owner. They don’t seem to be dissatisfied. That’s up to you guys to write what you want to write.”
* QB Tim Tebow (ribs) was limited in practice again yesterday. Ryan said they will continue to monitor his progress before deciding how much or if he’ll play Sunday. … WR Clyde Gates (concussion) and S LaRon Landry (rest) did not practice. QB Kevin Kolb (ribs) was limited for the Cardinals, although it appears rookie Ryan Lindley will start.