Why I am not too worried about the O line

[burmafrd]

1. There has been NO indication that the Hotel will be anything but 100%. This is not the bad old days- a simple ACL tear is a routine surgery and rehab.

2. Kosier- the only real question mark; but he was sought after by several teams and HE was the first FA we signed- obviously the priority.

3. Center: Johnson is the starter unless Gurode has made major strides. Johnson has bulked up and should be better- he was adequate to solid last year; he should be solid to good this year. So either way center will be OK.

4. Rivera not only had the back problems; he had to have both elbows operated on after the season. Now this is more problematic- but all I have heard is that he is healthy and ready to go and he was a 3 time Pro Bowl guard- and he did not make it on rep as LA did.

RT: Fabini is only 31- that is still prime time for a O lineman. He injured his pectoral muscle; not a knee, shoulder or ankle. He started for years as the RT of a team that was usually playoff or almost playoff caliber. Petitti is not a rookie, not out of shape, and not injured. So he will be better. Either way we will have solid RT play.

As far as I can see, the only real question is Kosier. If BP had ANY concerns about the Hotel or RIvera we would have gotten more O linemen in FA.

 

[2233boys]

Of the oline concerns, RT is the biggest, followed by Kosier, Johnson, Rivera and Adams...

 

[gbrittain]

I will be worried until the OL proves to me that I should not have to worry. Year after year for I do not know how long our OL has been suspect. I have no more "benefit of the doubt's" to hand out.

 

[Portland Fanatic]

I have totally mixed feeling about this oline...

Adams knee???
Kosier...he is a scheme fit...hope he fits OUR scheme
Big Al...needs to step up
Rivera...healthy?
RT???

On the other hand...

Flo is back, if he's 100% we are good with a legit backup in Fabini
Kosier...if he truely fits the scheme...improvement
Big Al...this may be his first year he will have a full off-season to get bigger and stronger
Rivera...if 100% healthy...improvement over last year
RT...Petitti, Fabini, and Columbo...there has to be improvement and depth there.

I really think we are going to be better off with more depth, but I need to wait and see until they prove that.

 

[burmafrd]

Johnson tried to keep from bulking up so as not to lose quickness; he found out last year that he has a surplus of quickness and needs the bulk. So he did it. For Gurode to win the position he will have to be better then he has ever been. So I see center as no problem. RT as well since we will have a serious fight there- the winner will be AT THE LEAST solid. RIvera and the Hotel should be healthy and they are Pro Bowl players. Like I said- Kosier is the only real question mark; and maybe Peterman steps it way up and takes the position.

 

[Cbz40]

I have totally mixed feeling about this oline...

Adams knee???
Kosier...he is a scheme fit...hope he fits OUR scheme
Big Al...needs to step up
Rivera...healthy?
RT???

On the other hand...

Flo is back, if he's 100% we are good with a legit backup in Fabini
Kosier...if he truely fits the scheme...improvement
Big Al...this may be his first year he will have a full off-season to get bigger and stronger
Rivera...if 100% healthy...improvement over last year
RT...Petitti, Fabini, and Columbo...there has to be improvement and depth there.

I really think we are going to be better off with more depth, but I need to wait and see until they prove that.

I like your thinking..Those are exactly my sentiments......If we can stay healthy I think we see a significant improvement in the OL line play.

 

[The30YardSlant]

I like your thinking..Those are exactly my sentiments......If we can stay healthy I think we see a significant improvement in the OL line play.

Don't mind him, his mind hasnt been the same since he took a tumble off San Juan Hill...

:

 

[MONT17]

I get it... the more threads we have about the OL being fine the better!!! not to be a damper on things but when u consider every unit on this team as a whole... OL is the weakest!!! no one can DENY THAT!!!

So to say our OL is going to produce (players living up to Reps) a cpl of PRO BOWLERs, well actually 3 if KOISER "is better" than LA (insert Probowl is popularity contest excuse here)... U might as well say this team has a chance to go undefeated!!!


No matter how many "OL is fine" threads I read, I still feel the OL in the weakest UNIT on the team!!! and until u realize they r the weakest unit on the team, u will not see the OL as a weakness (its not your fault)!!!


can we get some threads that says Krytonite has no effect on SUPERMAN any time soon, I really wanna go see that movie!?!?!

 

[speedkilz88]

I don't see Kosier as ?, seems he is being judged for coming from the Lions. He wasn't the weak link on that team and he beat out DeMulling a solid starter for the Colts before he signed on with Detroit. Had this guy played with the Colts or Patriots I doubt anyone would have a problem with him even if they weren't as good a player in the scouts opinion.

 

[Jimz31]

Well...the O-line is my BIGGEST concern on this team.

 

[scottsp]

There's a good reason why many are concerned about this unit. Until it proves to be a reliable group, that will not change. In terms of rushing, the club hasn't broken 4 YPC the last three seasons. Lack of depth and instability have certainly contributed to that, not to mention the inability to develop quality offensive line prospects.

 

[big dog cowboy]

If we can stay healthy I think we see a significant improvement in the OL line play.

That is when we started having problems last year. We weren't great by any means. But our O was going well until the line fell apart. Healthy and with some depth, we should be good to go.

 

[jterrell]

I expect the OL to end up being suprisingly strong. It was not a bad unit at all last year when Flo was healthy and provided we do not get hit with crap luck again it will be much healthier.

Kosier was our 1st signing because he is key. His versatility really improves the team's OL depth.

As good as LA was he became expendable when they decided he was ONLY a LG. 3 years ago LA would have moved over to LT and at worst been a dominant run blocker over there. Fabini and Kosier give us some solid depth options were we to suffer an injury or two. I'd much rather see our 6th and 7th best OL instead of our 9th best being forced to play LT.

The way to improve OL play on a regular basis is having versatile guys and depth. Its what has made NE good for the past 5 years. They have finally been gettign stripped of some of that versatility but if Kosier had been in NE the past 3 years he would have made a fortune on the open market IMHO.

 

[Hostile]

A quick strike passing attack could really help this OL a lot by making defenses cover too much area away from the LOS. Once an OL starts getting some confidence there's no telling how tight they can become as a unit.

 

[the kid 05]

I like your thinking..Those are exactly my sentiments......If we can stay healthy I think we see a significant improvement in the OL line play.

ay pops where you been? you doing all good?

 

[Cbz40]

ay pops where you been? you doing all good?

I've been doing all the good.

 

[Rack]

Why I am not too worried about the O line

Why? The same reason you worship at the alter of Julius.


Here's a hint...

 

[the kid 05]

I've been doing all the good.

thats better then hearing we inked hostile

 

[lspain1]

I expect the OL to end up being suprisingly strong. It was not a bad unit at all last year when Flo was healthy and provided we do not get hit with crap luck again it will be much healthier.

I respectfully disagree with this. Last season, before Flo went down, we did not run the ball well. Platitudes aside, we need a better running attack (read OL here). Regardless of TO, an effective running attack will lower the pressure on Bledsoe to carry the offense and it will help with the pass rush. We did have a decent pass blocking line but the entire NFC East took major steps to upgrade their pass rush/defense in the off-season.

I am hoping we have upgraded our tackle situation from last year. I'm hoping we improved ourselves at guard (particularly in the running game). I'm hoping our center spot is going to be improved.........that's a lot of hoping. The offseason news has been promising but until we show something it's all breezy news. To me showing something means stringing a few consecutive 100 plus yard performances from Jones/BIII with a few rushing TDs. With Bledsoe I'm not going to get into sacks if we're moving the ball and his TD/INT ratio looks good.

Jterrell, we open the season on the road for long stretches. These games are toughest on the OL IMO due to crowd noise. We need this OL to gel very quickly in TC if we are going to get the victories we need to be in the hunt down the stretch. They have a long way to go. I agree they are healthier...I think it is likely they are better as a group....but I do not know if they are good enough to do what needs to be done.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

following burm's system

1. LT w/ Flo in the lineup is much, much better than LT w/ Flo out of the lineup, means less max-protect which can only help the whole offense

2. Kosier's mobility makes him a better fit in our system than an immobile LA

3. Al Johnson added 20+ lbs., and isn't tipping off the snap count

4. Marco is 100% healthy and a scrapper

5. Fabini, or a 2nd year Pettiti is an upgrade over a rookie Pettiti at RT

and TO's ability to get off the line and into his routes, and the 2-TE offense is more reasons why I'm comfortable w/ this group of Olineman, is it w/o question marks? nope, but it won't hold us back IMO