Upgrading the Offensive Line

[ddh33]

I keep reading threads about upgrading the offensive line, which is fine in theory. In fact, I agree that there needs to be some real improvements from that group. But my question - and I've asked this before - is how?

Torrin Tucker and Rob Pettiti are young players. You can probably expect them to get better just from experience. Will they be good enough to start? At this point, I think both players will be on the team for a while, and they will be given every chance to succeed. Would Bill throw in the towel on them starting already?

Al Johnson is another young guy who has shown flashes of his ability. Durability may or may not be an issue. I don't think technique, work ethic, or intelligence is though. I can't imagine Bill replacing one os his young guys so early.

Flozell Adams is an interesting player too. He's got a pretty large salary, and he's one of the better players on this team. We have no idea how he's going to look after his injury though. His mobility may be somewhat limited, and that could make things even more difficult on the left side. Do you consider moving him to the right side, even though he's the best tackle you have?

Larry Allen is an older player who also has a big salary, but he's arguably been the best lineman on the team. He's even growing more as a leader, making him a more valuable commodity. Can you replace him?

Marco Rivera has been a target for a lot of fans, but he just signed a pretty good sized contract, and he's also been a valuable leader for the club. Some of his struggles this season could also be due to his back injury, and I think that he gets a little more of a pass than others. I don't think he's getting replaced either.


So, with all the money tied up in some of these players, and with the young players still developing, I'm just wondering where exactly you go to improve the line?

 

[Mike 1967]

I keep reading threads about upgrading the offensive line, which is fine in theory. In fact, I agree that there needs to be some real improvements from that group. But my question - and I've asked this before - is how?

Torrin Tucker and Rob Pettiti are young players. You can probably expect them to get better just from experience. Will they be good enough to start? At this point, I think both players will be on the team for a while, and they will be given every chance to succeed. Would Bill throw in the towel on them starting already?

Al Johnson is another young guy who has shown flashes of his ability. Durability may or may not be an issue. I don't think technique, work ethic, or intelligence is though. I can't imagine Bill replacing one os his young guys so early.

Flozell Adams is an interesting player too. He's got a pretty large salary, and he's one of the better players on this team. We have no idea how he's going to look after his injury though. His mobility may be somewhat limited, and that could make things even more difficult on the left side. Do you consider moving him to the right side, even though he's the best tackle you have?

Larry Allen is an older player who also has a big salary, but he's arguably been the best lineman on the team. He's even growing more as a leader, making him a more valuable commodity. Can you replace him?

Marco Rivera has been a target for a lot of fans, but he just signed a pretty good sized contract, and he's also been a valuable leader for the club. Some of his struggles this season could also be due to his back injury, and I think that he gets a little more of a pass than others. I don't think he's getting replaced either.


So, with all the money tied up in some of these players, and with the young players still developing, I'm just wondering where exactly you go to improve the line?

Strong Draft

 

[LarryCanadian]

I think you draft another offensive tackle if, as rumors suggest, the draft is deep in them this coming year.

I also think you spend a bit more money, despite a ton of cap already in place on oline. You get the best impact guy you think is worth it in free agency. I believe that the guard from Seattle is potentially a free agent next year. The one that plays next to Jones. He's well regarded and a pro-bowler. Now many of these guys get resigned, but sometimes they don't, when teams are at top of cap. Last year Green Bay let Wahle become available. He's a great young guard/tackle that Carolina grabbed didn't they?

You also do what Parcells is doing. You take a Columbo and see if you can bring him back to being a solid player.

You move guys around, such as Gurode to center. If he couldn't play well at guard but is a very good back up center well your team has improved.

I think the team will have to go long on Oline (keeping up to 10 on roster) until we come up with a better 9.

The oline isn't as bad as many people are suggesting, but it could be better. With an immobile QB and a struggling running game, despite the young talent, oline is a huge key to offensive success.

Look at defensive line. How successful was this last offseason! We drafted Ware, Canty, Spears, Ratliff, and picked up Pepper Johson. Grabbed Ferguson in free agency. DLine is twice as good this year. Granted we don't have 2 early first round draft picks next year, but we can do the same approach to Oline. In fact I think we need to. We need the same influx of youth on oline we gave Dline. It just takes longer to develop really dominant oline players I believe.

Larry

 

[bbgun]

We never, ever take linemen in the first round. And their recent o-line selections have been underwhelming (Johnson, Petiti, Gurode, Rogers, Peterman, etc.)

 

[theogt]

Get a tackle in draft and a center in FA/draft.

 

[LarryCanadian]

I agree bbgun

But, I think it is just like CB and DE over the last number of years. If you miss, move on, but you need to keep throwing darts at the position until you hit!

I wouldn't hesitate to spend a first rounder on Oline this coming draft. Oline or WR would be my first picks. I think you can get stud free safety and decent linebackers in later rounds, but fast developing oline and Wr you need to take early.

When was the last time this team used a 1st rounder on oline. Great point. If the rest of our oline draft picks have been underwhelming, maybe its time to do just that!

Larry