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Dr. Freakasaurus
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Since the Free situation has finally been settled, it looks like we pretty much know who we're going to camp with this year. I don't get the feeling that we're interested in Moore and the Winston option went away once Free took his pay cut.
I certainly would like for us to have addressed the trenches one more time on the first few rounds of the draft, but at least we took the top-rated center. I think Frederick, like any rookie, will have some growing pains but he should really give us some much-needed strength in the middle of the OL.
So let's look at what we have to work with this year:
OT:
Tyron Smith - A player who struggled early last year but steadily improved as the year went on. He is young, incredibly talented, and has a great work ethic/desire to be great. He is poised to have a very good year.
Doug Free - He has certainly been a major disappointment over the past 2 years, but he did play better at the end of last year and has played well at RT in the past. His improvement last year may have been due to technique changes, competition with Parnell, or both. Regardless of the reason, he played better and I believe that he will be better this year.
Jermey Parnell - A young, athletic tackle that has all of the measurables one could want in an OT. He got some valuable game experience late last year when rotating with Free and should finally be hitting his stride after coming into the league with limited football experience.
Darrion Weems - A player with upside that will, hopefully, show enough to earn a spot or compete at a high enough level to make those he's competing against better.
C/OG: (Having quite a few players with position flexibility here can only help us get the best 5 OL on the field)
Travis Frederick - A smart, powerful, center who can also play guard if Costa ends up being a better center than guard. His presence should help solidify the pocket and help immensely in short yardage/running situations.
Phil Costa - Everyone is aware of his T-Rex limitations, but he is a physically strong player who played very well against Baltimore last year. He also played well at the end of 2011. He may be hitting his stride and will push for one of those interior OL spots. At the very least he adds quality depth at the center position if he cannot beat out Frederick or one of the 2 guards.
Nate Livings - Appeared to be a solid OG until injuries seemed to derail his season last year. His level of play dropped a great deal once he started dealing with injuries. Hopefully, with a year under Callahan and Woicik, he can play his best this year.
Mackenzy Bernadeau - A guy who really never seem to get on top of his injury situations last year. Again he is dealing with rehabbing an injury (shoulder), but should be full strength for TC. He has the physical potential to be a solid guard or center, but needs to put it together and show it. He could end up being a valuable backup interior OL if he can't win a starting spot. He, like Livings, is also a candidate to be cut if his performance doesn't justify his salary.
Ronald Leary - The guy we're all hoping will make that big second year jump (like Carter and Harris did last year). He is powerful and nasty with feet that are, according to reports, good enough. Everyone will be watching him closely in TC/pre-season. If he doesn't win a starting spot he appears to be young, improving, quality depth on the OL.
Kevin Kowalski - Another guy who dealt with injuries last season. He showed potential in 2011 but never got to build on that last year. None of us know what we really have in this player, but he is yet another young player who can play G or C. If he plays well enough to earn a roster spot, it spells doom for Livings or Bernadeau.
Ryan Cook - Based on the numbers, he is going to have a tough time making the roster IMO. He was an absolute savior for us last season. He is a solid pass protector but a terrible run blocker. The fact that he can play any position on the OL, however, adds to his value.
David Arkin - How great is it that we will not be a "last second trade for Cook" away from starting this guy? Like many, I had hopes for this player. I no longer have any hope left for him. He is weak. Weak as in "not strong enough for the NFL" weak. Unless he got a hold of some good PEDs, I don't believe this guy can physically hold up in the NFL.
OVERALL:
I believe that there could be a pretty significant improvement in the OL this year. Drafting Frederick, another year under Callahan, improved health, and numerous players gaining experience/entering their prime, all bode well for this unit. There looks to be much better depth and competition along the entire OL than we've seen in years. I wanted another OL in the draft and for us to sign Clabo, but I do see the potential in this group. I can understand what the coaches are likely thinking about this unit. I'm a little more optimistic than I have been over the past few seasons that they might have gotten it right. With an improved OL, and the weapons we have at the skill positions, I think we're going to see some big-time offense this season.
I certainly would like for us to have addressed the trenches one more time on the first few rounds of the draft, but at least we took the top-rated center. I think Frederick, like any rookie, will have some growing pains but he should really give us some much-needed strength in the middle of the OL.
So let's look at what we have to work with this year:
OT:
Tyron Smith - A player who struggled early last year but steadily improved as the year went on. He is young, incredibly talented, and has a great work ethic/desire to be great. He is poised to have a very good year.
Doug Free - He has certainly been a major disappointment over the past 2 years, but he did play better at the end of last year and has played well at RT in the past. His improvement last year may have been due to technique changes, competition with Parnell, or both. Regardless of the reason, he played better and I believe that he will be better this year.
Jermey Parnell - A young, athletic tackle that has all of the measurables one could want in an OT. He got some valuable game experience late last year when rotating with Free and should finally be hitting his stride after coming into the league with limited football experience.
Darrion Weems - A player with upside that will, hopefully, show enough to earn a spot or compete at a high enough level to make those he's competing against better.
C/OG: (Having quite a few players with position flexibility here can only help us get the best 5 OL on the field)
Travis Frederick - A smart, powerful, center who can also play guard if Costa ends up being a better center than guard. His presence should help solidify the pocket and help immensely in short yardage/running situations.
Phil Costa - Everyone is aware of his T-Rex limitations, but he is a physically strong player who played very well against Baltimore last year. He also played well at the end of 2011. He may be hitting his stride and will push for one of those interior OL spots. At the very least he adds quality depth at the center position if he cannot beat out Frederick or one of the 2 guards.
Nate Livings - Appeared to be a solid OG until injuries seemed to derail his season last year. His level of play dropped a great deal once he started dealing with injuries. Hopefully, with a year under Callahan and Woicik, he can play his best this year.
Mackenzy Bernadeau - A guy who really never seem to get on top of his injury situations last year. Again he is dealing with rehabbing an injury (shoulder), but should be full strength for TC. He has the physical potential to be a solid guard or center, but needs to put it together and show it. He could end up being a valuable backup interior OL if he can't win a starting spot. He, like Livings, is also a candidate to be cut if his performance doesn't justify his salary.
Ronald Leary - The guy we're all hoping will make that big second year jump (like Carter and Harris did last year). He is powerful and nasty with feet that are, according to reports, good enough. Everyone will be watching him closely in TC/pre-season. If he doesn't win a starting spot he appears to be young, improving, quality depth on the OL.
Kevin Kowalski - Another guy who dealt with injuries last season. He showed potential in 2011 but never got to build on that last year. None of us know what we really have in this player, but he is yet another young player who can play G or C. If he plays well enough to earn a roster spot, it spells doom for Livings or Bernadeau.
Ryan Cook - Based on the numbers, he is going to have a tough time making the roster IMO. He was an absolute savior for us last season. He is a solid pass protector but a terrible run blocker. The fact that he can play any position on the OL, however, adds to his value.
David Arkin - How great is it that we will not be a "last second trade for Cook" away from starting this guy? Like many, I had hopes for this player. I no longer have any hope left for him. He is weak. Weak as in "not strong enough for the NFL" weak. Unless he got a hold of some good PEDs, I don't believe this guy can physically hold up in the NFL.
OVERALL:
I believe that there could be a pretty significant improvement in the OL this year. Drafting Frederick, another year under Callahan, improved health, and numerous players gaining experience/entering their prime, all bode well for this unit. There looks to be much better depth and competition along the entire OL than we've seen in years. I wanted another OL in the draft and for us to sign Clabo, but I do see the potential in this group. I can understand what the coaches are likely thinking about this unit. I'm a little more optimistic than I have been over the past few seasons that they might have gotten it right. With an improved OL, and the weapons we have at the skill positions, I think we're going to see some big-time offense this season.
