National Football League

Second-round OL to fill pivotal role with Jets

Published Jul. 7, 2010 7:59 p.m. ET

foxsports

The New York Jets and second-round pick (No. 61 overall) OL Vladimir Ducasse have agreed to terms on a four-year, $3.25 million deal with a signing bonus believed to be just over $1 million, a source told FOXSports.com.

By comparison, the 61st player selected overall in the 2009 NFL draft, CB Sean Smith (Miami Dolphins), received a signing bonus worth $945,000. Ducasse is the first 2010 second-round selection to agree to a contract.

Ducasse (6-4, 330) was earmarked to replace starting LG Alan Faneca, who was released during the first day of April’s NFL draft.

However, Ducasse started and played left tackle during the final three seasons of his collegiate career at the University of Massachusetts, so he’ll have a learning curve ahead of him. He had limited experience playing guard during his freshman season as a reserve. Ducasse handled the majority of first-team snaps during the team’s OTA practices over second-year G Matt Slauson.

The rookie, born in Port Au Prince, Haiti, only started playing football during his freshman year in high school in Stamford, Connecticut. But he will get to play under veteran offensive line coach Bill Callahan, largely believed to be one of the best coaches at his position in the NFL.