A center, 3 college tackles and a power foward?

[21Savage]

I think the move of Free to RG tells us 3 things:
1. Anything but Arkin
2. Parnell is among their top 6 Linemen and the reason this hasn't been done sooner is because he was injured
3. They want a more mobile player than Bernadeau at the RG spot.

The 3rd point is seriously considered because they moved Free to RG instead of LG knowing that Leary will be back in week 1. He's pretty much just keeping the spot warm at this point.

I think Free is replacing Bern not because he's a more physical player or more powerful but because he's probably our second most mobile lineman and we need a player who's more physical than Arkin that can get to the 2nd level consistently and execute the cut off blocks in the run game. If this is what you grade Free on then against the Bengals he got a solid A.

Can Free play a good guard in a power blocking scheme. No! In a ZBS? His skill set makes it a resounding yes. Remember, this is the same type of scheme that has a 284 lb player starting at RG for the Commanders.

We now have a line with 4 tackles (at least in college) and a sturdy center, assuming they stay the course. I believe this gives us a very athletic line for the ZBS-with some power as well (even the former power forward, Parnell, is showing some serious physicality in his play)-that might not be a finished product but sure gives me reason for excitement. I hope we stay with this and by the end of the season, with more cohesion, we just might have one of the better lines in the league.

Remember, they just played probably the best D line in the league and acquitted themselves nicely. And this was without Leary. And I repeat, the main reason they'll replace Bern wouldn't be because of pass protection or how physical he is but in getting a player at RG that can execute cut off and 2nd level blocks consistently. They might have just puzzled up one of the best in Free.

 

[FiveRings]

Is Frederick really a center?? I mean we all know deep down he's an engineer! This is a line of imposters!

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Interesting analysis.

I can't say I agree or disagree.

The Free move was a surprise... And it didn't end up being a can-o'-crap.

But where does Leary fit in? Does he replace Bern? Does he replace Free, who moves over to replace Parnell?

I just dunno.

 

[21Savage]

Interesting analysis.

I can't say I agree or disagree.

The Free move was a surprise... And it didn't end up being a can-o'-crap.

But where does Leary fit in? Does he replace Bern? Does he replace Free, who moves over to replace Parnell?

I just dunno.

If all you wanted to do was try Free out at guard, then the easiest thing to do would have been to place him at LG. Bern and Parnell already have some experience playing together last year so that shouldn't be an issue. I believe based on Leary's play earlier, their belief that he'll be back for the Giants, and Jerry's comments about expecting him to be a starter, the line is going to be
Smith Leary Beard Free Parnell

 

[Staubacher]

I think the move of Free to RG tells us 3 things:
1. Anything but Arkin
2. Parnell is among their top 6 Linemen and the reason this hasn't been done sooner is because he was injured
3. They want a more mobile player than Bernadeau at the RG spot.

The 3rd point is seriously considered because they moved Free to RG instead of LG knowing that Leary will be back in week 1. He's pretty much just keeping the spot warm at this point.

I think Free is replacing Bern not because he's a more physical player or more powerful but because he's probably our second most mobile lineman and we need a player who's more physical than Arkin that can get to the 2nd level consistently and execute the cut off blocks in the run game. If this is what you grade Free on then against the Bengals he got a solid A.

Can Free play a good guard in a power blocking scheme. No! In a ZBS? His skill set makes it a resounding yes. Remember, this is the same type of scheme that has a 284 lb player starting at RG for the Commanders.

We now have a line with 4 tackles (at least in college) and a sturdy center, assuming they stay the course. I believe this gives us a very athletic line for the ZBS-with some power as well (even the former power forward, Parnell, is showing some serious physicality in his play)-that might not be a finished product but sure gives me reason for excitement. I hope we stay with this and by the end of the season, with more cohesion, we just might have one of the better lines in the league.

Remember, they just played probably the best D line in the league and acquitted themselves nicely. And this was without Leary. And I repeat, the main reason they'll replace Bern wouldn't be because of pass protection or how physical he is but in getting a player at RG that can execute cut off and 2nd level blocks consistently. They might have just puzzled up one of the best in Free.

A most excellent post

 

[Picksix]

I think the move of Free to RG tells us 3 things:
1. Anything but Arkin
2. Parnell is among their top 6 Linemen and the reason this hasn't been done sooner is because he was injured
3. They want a more mobile player than Bernadeau at the RG spot.

The 3rd point is seriously considered because they moved Free to RG instead of LG knowing that Leary will be back in week 1. He's pretty much just keeping the spot warm at this point.

I think Free is replacing Bern not because he's a more physical player or more powerful but because he's probably our second most mobile lineman and we need a player who's more physical than Arkin that can get to the 2nd level consistently and execute the cut off blocks in the run game. If this is what you grade Free on then against the Bengals he got a solid A.

Can Free play a good guard in a power blocking scheme. No! In a ZBS? His skill set makes it a resounding yes. Remember, this is the same type of scheme that has a 284 lb player starting at RG for the Commanders.

We now have a line with 4 tackles (at least in college) and a sturdy center, assuming they stay the course. I believe this gives us a very athletic line for the ZBS-with some power as well (even the former power forward, Parnell, is showing some serious physicality in his play)-that might not be a finished product but sure gives me reason for excitement. I hope we stay with this and by the end of the season, with more cohesion, we just might have one of the better lines in the league.

Remember, they just played probably the best D line in the league and acquitted themselves nicely. And this was without Leary. And I repeat, the main reason they'll replace Bern wouldn't be because of pass protection or how physical he is but in getting a player at RG that can execute cut off and 2nd level blocks consistently. They might have just puzzled up one of the best in Free.

So then, just to get your opinion, if our starting OL is Smith-Leary-Fred-Free-Parnell, who are the backups? Do we keep 9 or 10? And do we keep an extra OT (Bell, Coughman), or do we keep more backup interior guys with the idea that Free could move out to T if one of the others get hurt?

 

[Eskimo]

I think the OP maybe onto something here and may very well be right.

The big impact to the backups is that we probably need to carry another OT this year which means Bell would make the final 53.

So I think the bench ends up being Bern, Bell, Costa and Arkin or Killer. Killer outplayed Arkin by a decent margin last week but Arkin has a history of more durability.

 

[cowboyz]

I'm going with free at guard vs bernadeau

Free will give them a very athletic guard and Parnell is better in run blocking than bernadeau

If they can get the zone blocking ddiwn that's going to let them really be a good left running team then run counters to the right

Only concern was free getting bullrushed but seems like Fred is able to help him there

Parnell is going to have to step up his game though for the line to take the next step

 

[Richmond Cowboy]

I think the move of Free to RG tells us 3 things:
1. Anything but Arkin
2. Parnell is among their top 6 Linemen and the reason this hasn't been done sooner is because he was injured
3. They want a more mobile player than Bernadeau at the RG spot.

The 3rd point is seriously considered because they moved Free to RG instead of LG knowing that Leary will be back in week 1. He's pretty much just keeping the spot warm at this point.

I think Free is replacing Bern not because he's a more physical player or more powerful but because he's probably our second most mobile lineman and we need a player who's more physical than Arkin that can get to the 2nd level consistently and execute the cut off blocks in the run game. If this is what you grade Free on then against the Bengals he got a solid A.

Can Free play a good guard in a power blocking scheme. No! In a ZBS? His skill set makes it a resounding yes. Remember, this is the same type of scheme that has a 284 lb player starting at RG for the Commanders.

We now have a line with 4 tackles (at least in college) and a sturdy center, assuming they stay the course. I believe this gives us a very athletic line for the ZBS-with some power as well (even the former power forward, Parnell, is showing some serious physicality in his play)-that might not be a finished product but sure gives me reason for excitement. I hope we stay with this and by the end of the season, with more cohesion, we just might have one of the better lines in the league.

Remember, they just played probably the best D line in the league and acquitted themselves nicely. And this was without Leary. And I repeat, the main reason they'll replace Bern wouldn't be because of pass protection or how physical he is but in getting a player at RG that can execute cut off and 2nd level blocks consistently. They might have just puzzled up one of the best in Free.

This is why I enjoy reading this board. In the midst of all the irrational knee-jerking and sunshine pumping, a nicely thought out post. As emmitt would say "a diamond in a pile of trash".

 

[38 Special]

If the team is to start Free, I give them credit for two things: thinking outside the box and getting Berny off the field.

The success of this move (if this is the plan) may depend on more than Free. If Leary can get push by himself, Frederick will be free to help out Free with his man. Parnell also has to hold his end up.

Overall, Berny has been so inconsistent and the retirement home guys so demanding that a move like this is justified. I just worry that with all 3 serviceable tackles on the field that we are more open to injury.

 

[21Savage]

So then, just to get your opinion, if our starting OL is Smith-Leary-Fred-Free-Parnell, who are the backups? Do we keep 9 or 10? And do we keep an extra OT (Bell, Coughman), or do we keep more backup interior guys with the idea that Free could move out to T if one of the others get hurt?

I believe Bern becomes your top backup for the 3 interior line spots, Parnell your backup LT and Free your backup RT. On game day you can go with 7 (Bern and an OT, likely Bell).

 

[JoeyBoy718]

I agree with your concern about the tackle depth. We have 3 quality tackles and they may all be starting. I think we can deal with one tackle injury. Parnell can be the starting RT and backup LT. Free can be the starting RG and backup RT. We probably need another tackle. This also probably makes a guard or two expendable.