CORTLAND, N.Y. -- Two years ago, underdog lineman Matt Slauson beat out a bigger Vlad Ducasse for the left guard spot. On the first day of the Jets' 2012 training camp, Slauson found out he will have to do it all over again if he wants to keep the job.

Jets coach Rex Ryan confirmed that the two will compete.

"Absolutely, I think it will be a good competition," Ryan said. "I think Vlad's had a terrific offseason."

Slauson, 26, had shoulder surgery in the offseason, and the team's mandatory minicamp in June was the first time he had worn pads since the procedure. Ducasse took a lot of his reps with the first team during OTAs in the spring as Slauson rehabbed.

"I just do what they tell me to," Slauson said. "Today when I walked out on the field they said I'd be rotating every two (plays)."

Ryan praised Ducasse, 24, who was a rookie out of UMass the last time the Jets had him compete for a starting job. Since then Ducasse has struggled, failing to win a starting job despite some problems with the offensive line.

Given past performance, Slauson would have to be far from healed to lose the starting job to a player who has started to remind some team critics of Vernon Gholston with his lack of production. But the Jets have had issues to address in protecting quarterback Mark Sanchez.

The offensive line struggled last year, although criticism was focused more on right tackle Wayne Hunter.

On Friday, tackle Jeff Otah worked out on the sideline. He has five more days to pass his physical, making official the trade that brought him to the Jets. Otah, 26, is expected to challenge Hunter for his spot.

Ryan explained that the Jets would like to become more versatile.

"We're looking at Matt (Slauson) to help even as tackle, giving him some reps at right tackle and even at center," Ryan said.

Last season the Jets struggled as starting center Nick Mangold missed two games with an high ankle sprain. The team tabbed Colin Baxter to fill in, an experiment that didn't go well. Ryan would like to avoid losing line integrity again should one of his starters go down.

"I challenged the guys," Ryan said, "(to) learn not just your position but learn other positions. In the NFL you need hidden depth, and we saw that last year."

He added that it wasn't exclusive to the offensive line.

"Some games there has to be some crossover," he said. "Don't be surprised if (cornerback Antonio) Cromartie learns how to play some receiver."