ESPN: The Best: Player I'd start a franchise with

[THUMPER]

Start with the best young LT in the league. 25-26 years old, so you could count on him for 7-8 years at least for top performances.

That was my thinking as well.

When the Texans were getting ready to start their franchise the question was posed: "What 5 players would you choose to start your franchise?". My answer was the top 5 OLs as it all begins up front.

It doesn't matter who your QB is if he doesn't have time to throw. You can have Tomlinson but without an O-Line to open holes for him he is going nowhere.

You build a franchise from the O-Line out, starting with the left tackle.

 

[Capt.Gut]

Exactly my thoughts also. Start with left tackle and then build the rest of the O-Line.

 

[GlitzCowboy]

Honestly, I'm going to go with Vince Young. And not until last year when I saw what he did was I even a fan of the guy. It was just amazing, everything you heard about the guy and his onfield leadership ability completely transferred to the Pros last year, and did so in his rookie year. The sky is the limit for this guy and whatever team he plays for. Also gives me a few good years to surround him with a team before he even starts closing in on his prime, let alone passing it right by like every other QB mentioned here (even Palmer). Vince Young is my guy and I'll see yall looking at my trophies!

 

[Big Country]

I don't know, has a man ever impregnated a horse before?

 

[burmafrd]

Merriman? what a joke. You can get almost as good a pass rusher just about every year in the draft. Ware is a complete LB unlike roid man the one trick pony. I have watched Merriman when he has been asked to do coverage and he is a JOKE. That is why they do not put him in that position.
If you are good with the cap you can build a pretty good O line, and that is where you should start. As regards the offense and controling the ball to help the D, a top O line beats anything else. In the second year you get a young QB. Keep a journeyman around to take the lumps while you educate the kid.
SO by the 3rd year you have the O line, and have started building the D. 4th year is when you get the RB, WR. 5th year is when you make your run.

 

[dogberry]

Tobal's right. The comments about the attractive, young lady are mean spirited. Worse than anything Philo, The Prophet, Charles, and Nors ever said.

In a better time, a horse whipping followed by transport to a particular uncomfortable region of Australia would be in order.

 

[Roughneck]

Tobal's right. The comments about the attractive, young lady are mean spirited. Worse than anything Philo, The Prophet, Charles, and Nors ever said.

In a better time, a horse whipping followed by transport to a particular uncomfortable region of Australia would be in order.

Anything to get away from her face would be punishment well worth it.



Eh, don't be so sensitive. Just telling a few jokes to get a rise out of some of the Brady Quinn/Domer fans on here.

 

[dallasfan]

Why do we have to knock Merriman to claim Dware is a good and soon to be great player. Ware is a tremendous pass rusher, but guess what, so far Meriman has been a better pass rusher. I don't care if he's a one trick pony, when that one trick is 16 sacks in 12 games, and if Merriman is such a roid up cheater explain his rookie year? There's no shame in passing on Merriman, if Ware becomes what we expected him to be, or even better, so let's stop knocking him.