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Nick Mangold's injury could expose flaw in Jets' roster

When asked Monday about the value of center Nick Mangold, whose status this week is uncertain because of a neck injury, Willie Colon replied with effusive praise of his linemate. He concluded: "I don't think anybody can replace him."

There's more truth to that statement than meets the eye.

A flaw in the New York Jets' roster construction could be exposed this week if Mangold is unable to play at the Oakland Raiders. Quite simply, they don't have a backup center on the 53-man roster. They have a former college tackle playing guard and moonlighting as a center -- Dakota Dozier.