Do NOT draft a right tackle

[Clove]

In the first 2 or 3 rounds.

The reason is, we have 2 pro-bowl caliber right tackles in Free Agency we can go
after in Free Agency. When it comes to RT, I would rather have a guy that can pass
block before run block (although Shaffer helped lead his team towards being the number
1 rushing offense as well) but let's talk about pass-blocking.

We whined and complained all year about Petitti and Tucker, and for years now, we've had
nothing solid over there at RT. If you address this matter in the draft, you are gambling on your season. And Parcells has no time for projects.

Having said all of that, I would spend whatever's neccessary to get UFA Kevin Shaffer from the Atlanta Falcons, and here's why.

He started 16 games this year and only
gave up 3 sacks, compared to Petitti who gave up nearly 14 sacks.
So this means, you will not have to help the guy at all. His team gave up 39 sacks this year, but he only gave up 3 on his own (BTW, he played left tackle, which translates to right tackle for a right handed QB)

His counterpart gave up nearly 6 sacks. I know Vick can scramble and all, but he was still sacked 39 times.The guy flat out had better stats than nearly all of the pro-bowl
tackles this year, and had way better stats than both starting Right Tackles in the Super Bowl this year.


Below are his stats with comparison to a few other (he is a Super Bowl caliber RT, if you consider both starting RT in the SB this year had worse stats.
Jeff Backus would be my second choice, and his stats are great too. He only gave up 3 sacks as well,and his career stats indicate that he will never allow more than 7 or 8 sacks in a year, but usually keeps
it around 3 to 5 a year. I would spend a ton to get Shaffer or Backus, you can't go cheap, and they have proven that they can hold down the fort, unlike any draft choice we could pick (including Ferguson)

So take a look at how these 2 free agent tackles stack up with some of the best from 2005.
(I have to give abersonc credit for the introduction to these stats.)

My Free Agent Tackle

Kevin Shaffer - 6'5 290 (26 years old)
2005 - Started 16 games - gave up 3 sacks - 7 penalties for 35 yards.

(i'm not trying to write in bold, I just can't change some of it for some strange reason, so hang in there with me)


Jeff Backus - 6'5 305 (29 years old)
2005 - Started 16 games - gave up 3 sacks - Had 6 penalties for 35 yards
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Probowl Tackles

Jonathan Ogden - 6'9 345
2005 - Started 16 games - gave up 9.25 sacks - Had 7 penalties for 35 yards

Willie Anderson - 6'5 340
2005 - Started 16 games - gave up 3.5 sacks - Had 2 penalties for 15 yards

Walter Jones - 6'5 308
2005 - Started 15 games - gave up 2.5 sacks - Had 3 penalties for 20 yards

Orlando Pace - 6'7 325
2005 - Started 16 games - gave up 6 sacks - Had 8 penalties for 40 yards
------------------------------------------------------------------------
only Walter Jones statistically put up better numbers, but he missed 1 game.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Super Bowl Starting Right Tackles

Steelers
Max Starks - 6'8 337
2005 - Started 16 games - gave up 8.5 sacks - Had 4 penalties for 20 yards


Seahawks
Sean Locklear - 6'3 301
2005 - Started 16 games - gave up 5.5 sacks - Had 4 penalties for 30 yards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shaffer's stats were much better than the 2 of them.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cowboy Tackles 2005

Torrin Tucker - 6'6 315
2005 - Started 10 games -gave up 12.5 sacks - Had 5 penalties for 30 yards

Rob Petitti - 6'5 347
2005 - Started 16 games - gave up 13.5 sacks - Had 8 penalties for 46 yards
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shaffer has never given up double digit sacks.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
So why waste a draft pick on day 1 on a tackle, when you have a really really good young right tackle you can get in Free Agency, that will not have a learning curve like the rookies will, who can step right in and will rarely need help if ever?

We can also pick up a good kicker and then focus on other positions in the draft.
Imagine not having to help either side of the line. You could use all
of your receiving options from 3 wr, to TE, FB,RB all in coverage at some point. I know there will be sometimes when a tackle will get overwhelmed, but for the most part, you can leave him on an island to do his thing.

Shaffer's team put up great rushing numbers, and I'm not sure if he had alot to do with it, but he was a part of it.
And Bledsoe could sit back there eating cheetos and drinking bottled water , and carefully pick out the opened receiver, and our offense if we add some Sinorice Moss type speed, another center, and some other parts in the draft, our offense would completely annihilate defenses.

 

[mschmidt64]

We have four desperate needs on this team:

OT
FS
LB
K

We need one of each of those in free agency.

Once we fill those four needs, we should spend the draft taking the best players regardless of position.

 

[ravidubey]

Don't forget Center; we can't keep Al Johnson if he is too weak. We need an every down center. Bentley, Backus, Chavous, Ayodele, and Longwell would be a sweet haul that could allo us to focus on the best players available in the draft.

 

[Clove]

Don't forget Center; we can't keep Al Johnson if he is too weak. We need an every down center. Bentley, Backus, Chavous, Ayodele, and Longwell would be a sweet haul that could allo us to focus on the best players available in the draft.

I'm gonna do some serious research on centers in the league compared to AJ, and see if we can get a really good Center for cheap.

 

[AbeBeta]

hmmm. if Johnson is too small at center then what is Shafer?

I didn't know that they made tackles that small.

 

[mschmidt64]

Don't forget Center; we can't keep Al Johnson if he is too weak. We need an every down center. Bentley, Backus, Chavous, Ayodele, and Longwell would be a sweet haul that could allo us to focus on the best players available in the draft.

I'm willing to give Al Johnson more time.

Larry Allen, on the other hand, should be cut as soon as possible.

Sign Bentley but play him at guard.

 

[Clove]

hmmm. if Johnson is too small at center then what is Shafer?

I didn't know that they made tackles that small.

He is pretty small, but he's obviously strong enough to do what's needed. Plus, I would think he has the frame to add serious weight.

 

[AbeBeta]

He is pretty small, but he's obviously strong enough to do what's needed. Plus, I would think he has the frame to add serious weight.

I think his success is more a product of the cut blocking scheme that ATL stole from Denver. That scheme makes little guys successful. I don't think he'd perform as well in our more traditional, less illegal, scheme.

 

[Derinyar]

I'm willing to give Al Johnson more time.

Larry Allen, on the other hand, should be cut as soon as possible.

Sign Bentley but play him at guard.

Despite the fact Bently has said he doesn't want to play guard?

 

[kiheikiwi]

Heres the problem with Shaffer, he's a LEFT TACKLE! Again we would be putting another player in a new position. Isn't that the problem all these tackles have had? It's different footwork playing the other side.
I'm all for getting an OT, but be it a top notch college player (draft) or a pro. in free agency. Lets get a RIGHT TACKLE so no new learning curve switching positions...

 

[DLCassidy]

Kevin Shaffer
2005 Scouting Report - Scouts Inc.
Grade: 72 | Key
Alert: None

Comment:
Gets adequate hand placement, has the upper body strength to maintain separation from defenders and forces edge rushers to take a wider path to the quarterback. However, Shaffer isn't dominant in any area. Lacks ideal bulk, isn't big enough to engulf defenders at the point of attack and isn't big enough to wear defenders down over the course of the game. Lacks ideal initial quickness, takes too long to get set and upper echelon edge rushers will have some success turning the corner working against him. Doesn't show great lateral mobility, has problems redirecting inside after starting outside and is vulnerable to double moves.

Rob Petitti

2005 Scouting Report - Scouts Inc.
Grade: 30 | Key
Alert: R

Comment:
Has very good overall size. Has good height and massive bulk. His wingspan is gigantic and he is very difficult to get around in pass protection. Uses his long arms to force a wide arc and does a very good job in terms of riding edge rushers wide and using his arms to maintain separation. He engulfs defenders when in position in the running game. He is extremely difficult to get around and he plays with good leverage as a run blocker. He is difficult to get around in pass pro, but if you can force him to get wide he doesn't have great lateral movement skills to mirror and slide. He will have some trouble against inside quickness or quick double moves. He also is below average as a space blocker in the running game.

Torrin Tucker

2005 Scouting Report - Scouts Inc.
Grade: 65 | Key
Alert: None

Comment:
Shows good body control in space and flashes the ability to adjust to the moving target at the second level. Gets adequate knee bend in pass set and rarely gives ground to bull rushers. Has a wide frame and uses long arms to ride edge rushers past the pocket. While a better fit at guard has experience lining up at tackle and has some versatility. However, Tucker isn't fundamentally sound. Doesn't get great hand placement, frequently fails to lock onto the defender's frame and has problems sustaining blocks as a result. Takes poor angles to blocks, takes too many false steps and frequently fails to get into good position. Lacks ideal lateral mobility and struggles to redirect inside after starting outside. Doesn't show great awareness in pass protection, he tends to overreact to line stunts and blitzes and lacks the agility to recover once caught out of position.

 

[mschmidt64]

Despite the fact Bently has said he doesn't want to play guard?

He will if you pay him enough.

 

[burmafrd]

But do we want to pay that much?

 

[Big Country]

The offensive linemen in Atlanta do the tippity-tap zone blocking scheme. That's one tiny tackle too... He might as well be a tight end... Get me someone with beef... Sheesh I'd rather have Columbo at RT than spend money on an oversized tight end. I still have nightmares of our OL effort in 2002 at that Coslet, Verducci tap dance blocking scheme.

 

[AbeBeta]

Kevin Shaffer
2005 Scouting Report - Scouts Inc.
Grade: 72 |

Rob Petitti
Grade: 30 |

Torrin Tucker
Grade: 65 |

I'm not comfortable with a grading system that places Tucker at a 65. That would suggest he is slightly below average.

 

[DragonCowboy]

nice post cowboylove4ever. You made Shaffer sound very good. We should get him as soon as possible, he's young and we can finally be able to build the line..

 

[Woods]

In the first 2 or 3 rounds.

The reason is, we have 2 pro-bowl caliber right tackles in Free Agency we can go
after in Free Agency. When it comes to RT, I would rather have a guy that can pass
block before run block (although Shaffer helped lead his team towards being the number
1 rushing offense as well) but let's talk about pass-blocking.

We whined and complained all year about Petitti and Tucker, and for years now, we've had
nothing solid over there at RT. If you address this matter in the draft, you are gambling on your season. And Parcells has no time for projects.

Having said all of that, I would spend whatever's neccessary to get UFA Kevin Shaffer from the Atlanta Falcons, and here's why.

He started 16 games this year and only
gave up 3 sacks, compared to Petitti who gave up nearly 14 sacks.
So this means, you will not have to help the guy at all. His team gave up 39 sacks this year, but he only gave up 3 on his own (BTW, he played left tackle, which translates to right tackle for a right handed QB)

His counterpart gave up nearly 6 sacks. I know Vick can scramble and all, but he was still sacked 39 times.The guy flat out had better stats than nearly all of the pro-bowl
tackles this year, and had way better stats than both starting Right Tackles in the Super Bowl this year.


Below are his stats with comparison to a few other (he is a Super Bowl caliber RT, if you consider both starting RT in the SB this year had worse stats.
Jeff Backus would be my second choice, and his stats are great too. He only gave up 3 sacks as well,and his career stats indicate that he will never allow more than 7 or 8 sacks in a year, but usually keeps
it around 3 to 5 a year. I would spend a ton to get Shaffer or Backus, you can't go cheap, and they have proven that they can hold down the fort, unlike any draft choice we could pick (including Ferguson)

So take a look at how these 2 free agent tackles stack up with some of the best from 2005.
(I have to give abersonc credit for the introduction to these stats.)

My Free Agent Tackle

Kevin Shaffer - 6'5 290 (26 years old)
2005 - Started 16 games - gave up 3 sacks - 7 penalties for 35 yards.

(i'm not trying to write in bold, I just can't change some of it for some strange reason, so hang in there with me)


Jeff Backus - 6'5 305 (29 years old)
2005 - Started 16 games - gave up 3 sacks - Had 6 penalties for 35 yards
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Probowl Tackles

Jonathan Ogden - 6'9 345
2005 - Started 16 games - gave up 9.25 sacks - Had 7 penalties for 35 yards

Willie Anderson - 6'5 340
2005 - Started 16 games - gave up 3.5 sacks - Had 2 penalties for 15 yards

Walter Jones - 6'5 308
2005 - Started 15 games - gave up 2.5 sacks - Had 3 penalties for 20 yards

Orlando Pace - 6'7 325
2005 - Started 16 games - gave up 6 sacks - Had 8 penalties for 40 yards
------------------------------------------------------------------------
only Walter Jones statistically put up better numbers, but he missed 1 game.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Super Bowl Starting Right Tackles

Steelers
Max Starks - 6'8 337
2005 - Started 16 games - gave up 8.5 sacks - Had 4 penalties for 20 yards


Seahawks
Sean Locklear - 6'3 301
2005 - Started 16 games - gave up 5.5 sacks - Had 4 penalties for 30 yards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shaffer's stats were much better than the 2 of them.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cowboy Tackles 2005

Torrin Tucker - 6'6 315
2005 - Started 10 games -gave up 12.5 sacks - Had 5 penalties for 30 yards

Rob Petitti - 6'5 347
2005 - Started 16 games - gave up 13.5 sacks - Had 8 penalties for 46 yards
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shaffer has never given up double digit sacks.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
So why waste a draft pick on day 1 on a tackle, when you have a really really good young right tackle you can get in Free Agency, that will not have a learning curve like the rookies will, who can step right in and will rarely need help if ever?

We can also pick up a good kicker and then focus on other positions in the draft.
Imagine not having to help either side of the line. You could use all
of your receiving options from 3 wr, to TE, FB,RB all in coverage at some point. I know there will be sometimes when a tackle will get overwhelmed, but for the most part, you can leave him on an island to do his thing.

Shaffer's team put up great rushing numbers, and I'm not sure if he had alot to do with it, but he was a part of it.
And Bledsoe could sit back there eating cheetos and drinking bottled water , and carefully pick out the opened receiver, and our offense if we add some Sinorice Moss type speed, another center, and some other parts in the draft, our offense would completely annihilate defenses.

I agree that we should pick up a RT in FA.

And I think that we will primarily because BP needs to win immediately. BP likely has 2 years at most, as do several of our offensive leaders (Key, Glenn, Bledsoe, LA - if he's still around). While the window is wide open on our defense, I think our offense's window has limited time to make it to the Super Bowl.

I expect us to add at least 4 FAs before July/August, and BP typically adds 1-2 more vets on the cheap before the season begins.

As long as we're not drafting for need, I think we'll be fine. Drafting for need is what got is in trouble with the Goodrich, QC, and several other picks from draft past.

 

[Clove]

tippy tap blocking, whatever you want to call it, he's too small,blah blah blah, the guy gives up 3 sacks, and he's not good enough? The same as Backus. These 2 guys gave up 3 sacks playing full time last year. Beating out pro-bowlers and SuperBowlers and everything else, we need to spend the dough, and get 1 of these guys on 3/3/ 6 12:00.00 am . Or is it 12:01.00 am ?

 

[neosapien23]

tippy tap blocking, whatever you want to call it, he's too small,blah blah blah, the guy gives up 3 sacks, and he's not good enough? The same as Backus. These 2 guys gave up 3 sacks playing full time last year. Beating out pro-bowlers and SuperBowlers and everything else, we need to spend the dough, and get 1 of these guys on 3/3/ 6 12:00.00 am . Or is it 12:01.00 am ?

Neither one is a good run blocker. Besides we need some youth on the Oline. Our entire offense needs an infusion of youth. We need to build our team through the draft, not FA.

 

[Clove]

Neither one is a good run blocker. Besides we need some youth on the Oline. Our entire offense needs an infusion of youth. We need to build our team through the draft, not FA.

I don't know if Shaffer can run block or not, but Atlanta was number 1 in rushing offense. No way Vick did all of that... Plus he's only 25, a ton of kids coming out will be around 23is, so he's young..