Drafting oline is a win,win...

[Bob Sacamano]

my plan

sign Kevin Barry in FA, and draft Ryan Colledge or Ryan O'Callaghan in the 3rd

 

[PacoReloaded]

situation.Bledsoe will thrive as well as romo,henson or schaub,etc....Jules will thrive.Its all starts in the line.Parcells will FIX it!

Not with our recent luck at drafting OL.

 

[neosapien23]

I keep telling you people (just for Juke) that the problem is LG. Don't believe me but see where the team upgrades this off-season.

Everyone is right. Center, guard, and the tackle position need major improvement. Bentley is a must sign because of his ability to play both guard and center at a probowl level. Flozell Adams is the only lineman that can be counted on next season. Will Johnson be able to improve? Will Rivera return to form? Will Pettitti be able to handle the speed of pass rushers? Will Larry Allen take a paycut? Too many questions and not enough answers. Sign Bentley and draft a tackle and a guard. We cannot take that many chances.
We should probably trade our 1st for a high 2nd pick and a first next year so we are not reaching for Guilles. We could then draft McNeil or Callaghan to man the right side. Bentely could start for either Rivera or Johnson. The weakest person loses his job.

Adams, Guilles, Johnson/Bentley, Rivera/Bentley, McNeil/O'Callaghan

 

[burmafrd]

There were definitly times that the middle of the line did not maintain their part of the pocket. A QB needs to be able to step up in the pocket which allows the tackles to take the inside away from the DE's and force them to come around, buying the QB more time. Bledsoe on quite a few occasions could not step up- and that did add to the sack totals blamed on the tackles. Johnson - and this is coming from everywhere not just the boards- was overwhelmed and forced backwards much more then a good center should be.

 

[Jarv]

Beofre we go into FA and draft for the O-line...I would like the coaching staff to determine what kind of scheme and players that we need. I didn't like the line play last year, I think many agree. Was it the coaching ? Scheme ? Just the players sucked ?

Lets fix that 1st. Are we going with a more mobile line that includes pulling and trapping or sweeping ? Maulers for straight ahead power blocking ? Zone blocking ?

Just to say we need so and so from wherever, lets figure out what kind of line we are going to build and then get the players that fit that Scheme.

 

[shnagy]

I wont be mad if we draft an o-lineman in the first round. We need another tackle, a center, and a replacement for LA. We need to get some depth in FA also. I think this is a draft that I would rather have the BPA rather than drafting for need.

 

[juck]

yes,center is of main importance i think.the whole line needs to be upgraded for the future and we we be set.

 

[DLCassidy]

I keep telling you people (just for Juke) that the problem is LG. Don't believe me but see where the team upgrades this off-season.

Larry Allen is a shell of the hall of fame player he once was. But let's not go over the top here. Let's break it down for the starting OL for the last 10 games:

LT- Tucker- worst LT in the NFL
LG- Allen- average guard- middle of the road, not Pro Bowl, not the worst
C- Johnson- below average center- maybe bottom 1/4
RG- Rivera- below average guard- maybe bottom 1/4
RT- Petitti- (with respect to his injury)- worst RT in the NFL

So tell me again how LA is the problem? LA will take a good sized pay cut and be back this year. Unless we get Steve Hutchinson there is no obvious replacement out there. I wouldn't mind Chris Spencer of Pitt late 2nd to groom for next year though.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

If an OT is there that we like, we will draft him. I don't really think there's any question at all about this. Adams is coming off an injury. Pettiti has heart, there is no question. I suspect he has work ethic as well but the jury is definatly out as to the actual physical capability. I like him but liking him and knowing he's the guy are two different things. Columbo might be the wild card here. Nobody knows where he's at physically. If he's right, he is probably the second best OT prospect, behind Ferguson, in this draft. The guy has talent. Tucker just needs to be moved along IMO.

The best possible solution, to me, is a trade down. If we can get somebody to trade with us, then I'd be for trading down and picking up an extra 2nd/3rd and possibly a 1 next year. That, to me would put us at good value and position to take a Guard, Center and/or OT. JMO of course.

BTW, I would look into Mike Williams in Buffalo. He has seriously under achieved there but his talent didn't just dry up and go away. I watched him play in college and he was dominating. Very talented player. Something went very wrong there. I think that a change of venue is just what he might need. He is as physically gifted as anybody, again outside of Ferguson, in this draft. He might be a value pick up that could pay huge dividends. I just don't see LaCharles ever being available but if he were, I'd take him in a heart beat. I would also look at Mangold very closely.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

If we don't come out of free agency with some help for the OL, I think we are in deep trouble.

Besides, I don't believe Coach Parcells is excited about starting another rookie on the offensive line. I am sure we will go after OL, but that doesn't necessarily mean we are married to the idea of taking one high.

I don't think he would be averse to starting a rookie guard or center this year. I seriously doubt, though, that he starts a rookie tackle two years in a row.

 

[wileedog]

Larry Allen is a shell of the hall of fame player he once was. But let's not go over the top here. Let's break it down for the starting OL for the last 10 games:

LT- Tucker- worst LT in the NFL
LG- Allen- average guard- middle of the road, not Pro Bowl, not the worst
C- Johnson- below average center- maybe bottom 1/4
RG- Rivera- below average guard- maybe bottom 1/4
RT- Petitti- (with respect to his injury)- worst RT in the NFL

So tell me again how LA is the problem? LA will take a good sized pay cut and be back this year. Unless we get Steve Hutchinson there is no obvious replacement out there. I wouldn't mind Chris Spencer of Pitt late 2nd to groom for next year though.

Well, I don't know if LA is THE problem, but he certainly is A problem.

Mostly because of everyone you have listed here, he is the only likely to decline even further.

Tucker won't start, Flo will. Upgrade.

Johnson was much more effective in 2004 with a full strength Gurode on one side of him and a better LA on the other. Its too soon to write him off IMO. Furthermore Parcells puts a lot of value in C play, so we'll probably see some competition for Johnson brought in.

Rivera had the back injury, and while he might stay about the same he might also be improved somewhat a year removed from that injury. ALthough he is getting up there in years too.

Pettiti will almost definately improve with a year in the weight room and a full season under his belt. Plus with a 6th round contract he is the most likely to face stiff competition brought in through FA or the draft, so one way or the other I fully expect a big improvement at RT next season.

If we stick to our guns with Larry then LG is the only spot on the line you can look at and say not only are we likely not to see any improvement, we will likely see further decline. Its happened for two years straight, I don't see any compelling reason to think he won't only decline further.

 

[StanleySpadowski]

Larry Allen is a shell of the hall of fame player he once was. But let's not go over the top here. Let's break it down for the starting OL for the last 10 games:

LT- Tucker- worst LT in the NFL
LG- Allen- average guard- middle of the road, not Pro Bowl, not the worst
C- Johnson- below average center- maybe bottom 1/4
RG- Rivera- below average guard- maybe bottom 1/4
RT- Petitti- (with respect to his injury)- worst RT in the NFL

So tell me again how LA is the problem? LA will take a good sized pay cut and be back this year. Unless we get Steve Hutchinson there is no obvious replacement out there. I wouldn't mind Chris Spencer of Pitt late 2nd to groom for next year though.

In an open competition without the name on the back of the jersey, Allen would be lucky to start for any other NFL team, even the Texans. 50% of the team's blocking problems this year were due to lack of effort and the two main culprits were Allen and Witten.

The other 50% of their problems were scheme related because Allen's biggest weakness, his lack of mobility is the greatest strength for the other interior lineman. Rewatching the season, I saw plenty of times where Johnson got to the second level and took out a linebacker but that block was moot because Allen didn't move a foot allowing his man to make the tackle (or Witten wouldn't even attempt to seal and his man would crash for the tackle) and the running back never got past the LOS.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

In an open competition without the name on the back of the jersey, Allen would be lucky to start for any other NFL team, even the Texans. 50% of the team's blocking problems this year were due to lack of effort and the two main culprits were Allen and Witten.

The other 50% of their problems were scheme related because Allen's biggest weakness, his lack of mobility is the greatest strength for the other interior lineman. Rewatching the season, I saw plenty of times where Johnson got to the second level and took out a linebacker but that block was moot because Allen didn't move a foot allowing his man to make the tackle (or Witten wouldn't even attempt to seal and his man would crash for the tackle) and the running back never got past the LOS.

Excellent post. Agree completely.

Besides Allen's spotty play, Witten looked like a terrible blocker to me this year.

 

[Manster68]

I don't think he would be averse to starting a rookie guard or center this year. I seriously doubt, though, that he starts a rookie tackle two years in a row.

Which is percisly why Dallas will not draft a tackle in round one (or even the first day for that matter).

 

[Manster68]

In an open competition without the name on the back of the jersey, Allen would be lucky to start for any other NFL team, even the Texans. 50% of the team's blocking problems this year were due to lack of effort and the two main culprits were Allen and Witten.

The other 50% of their problems were scheme related because Allen's biggest weakness, his lack of mobility is the greatest strength for the other interior lineman. Rewatching the season, I saw plenty of times where Johnson got to the second level and took out a linebacker but that block was moot because Allen didn't move a foot allowing his man to make the tackle (or Witten wouldn't even attempt to seal and his man would crash for the tackle) and the running back never got past the LOS.

Stanley,

I respect your opinion, but I think you are way too critical of Larry Allen. He made a lot of crushing blocks the past couple of seasons and he deserves the Pro Bowl berth.

 

[StanleySpadowski]

Stanley,

I respect your opinion, but I think you are way too critical of Larry Allen. He made a lot of crushing blocks the past couple of seasons and he deserves the Pro Bowl berth.

As a point of clarification, I'm very critical of Allen's play the last few seasons, but I do think he's one of the five best OL players of all time.

And yes, he has made a lot of crushing blocks the last couple of seasons. That's why a majority of fans don't see his liabilities. Offensive lineman only get noticed when they crush someone or commit a penalty or obviously terrible play. Over the course of a game or season, play by play, Allen's play hurts the team though because many times when he's not crushing someone, he's not touching anyone. Not "obviously" terrible, but terrible nonetheless.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

As a point of clarification, I'm very critical of Allen's play the last few seasons, but I do think he's one of the five best OL players of all time.

And yes, he has made a lot of crushing blocks the last couple of seasons. That's why a majority of fans don't see his liabilities. Offensive lineman only get noticed when they crush someone or commit a penalty or obviously terrible play. Over the course of a game or season, play by play, Allen's play hurts the team though because many times when he's not crushing someone, he's not touching anyone. Not "obviously" terrible, but terrible nonetheless.

So, you been reading my mind long or what?

 

[AbeBeta]

Larry Allen.....made a lot of crushing blocks the past couple of seasons and he deserves the Pro Bowl berth.

What about the crushing misses though?

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

What about the crushing misses though?

Well..... there pretty curshing.