Jets set to re-sign OT Ben Ijalana

By Glenn Naughton

In a move that was necessitated by yesterday’s abrupt retirement of starting left tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson, the Jets announced the re-signing of Ferguson’s long-time back-up, Ben Ijalana.

The Jets are re-signing backup LT Ben Ijalana, the AP reported. His return provides insurance as the team… https://t.co/GykDCuiYsU

— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) April 9, 2016

Ijalana, a former 2nd round draft choice of the Indianapolis Colts out of Villanova in the 2011 draft, was signed by the Jets following the 2012 season and has been Ferguson’s back-up ever since.

Having been reminded several times over the course of the past 24 hours that Ferguson, in his ten-year career, didn’t miss a single offensive snap, meaning of course that Ijalana hasn’t seen much of the field during the regular season.

Even still, his familiarity with his fellow line-mates and Chan Gailey’s offense, coupled with the lack of fallback options at the moment, made the move a no-brainer for the Jets front office as they continue to search for a more established player at the position who may be had via trade, or when they likely target the position at some point during the NFL draft in a few weeks.

With Ferguson gone however, this may be Ijalana’s chance to show if he has what it takes to suit up on Sunday’s as more than just a spectator when the offense takes the field.

Glenn Naughton

Glenn was Born in the Bronx, New York and has followed the Jets religiously despite being stationed in several different countries and time zones around the world. He now resides in England and has been a JetNation member since 2005. Glenn will bleed green with the rest of us through the highs and lows.

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