YR's 3rd Annual Statistical O-Line Rankings: LEFT GUARDS

[Yakuza Rich]

Same idea as left tackles, except the running zones they are responsible are at left tackle + at mid/guard.

1. Logan Mankins New England Patriots
2. Jacob Bell Tennessee Titans
3. Steve Hutchinson Minnesota Vikings
4. Jamar Nesbit New Orleans Saints
5. Vincent Manuwai Jacksonville Jaguars
6. Rich Seubert New York Giants
7. Reggie Wells Arizona Cardinals
8. Eric Steinbach Cleveland Browns
9. Chris Liwienski Miami Dolphins
10. Pete Kendall Washington Commanders
11. Brian Waters Kansas City Chiefs
12. Chris Kuper Denver Broncos
13. Larry Allen San Francisco 49ers
14. Alan Faneca Pittsburgh Steelers
15. Aaron Sears Tampa Bay Buccaneers
16. Derrick Dockery Buffalo Bills
17. Ryan Lilja Indianapolis Colts
18. Adrien Clarke New York Jets
19. Jason Brown Baltimore Ravens
20. Todd Herremans Philadelphia Eagles
21. Andrew Whitworth Cincinnati Bengals
22. Kris Dielman San Diego Chargers
23. Kyle Kosier Dallas Cowboys
24. Rob Sims Seattle Seahawks
25. Darren Colledge Green Bay Packers
26. Mike Wahle Carolina Panthers
27. Chester Pitts Houston Texans
28. Milford Brown St. Louis Rams
29. Edwin Mulitalo Detroit Lions
30. Robert Gallery Oakland Raiders
31. Justin Blalock Atlanta Falcons
32. Metcalf/Brown Chicago Bears


WHY DID KYLE KOSIER FINISH 23RD?

He finished 25th in yards lost ratio and 13th in run blocking. Dallas' running game on runs to the left side of the O-Line (at Left Tackle + at Right Defensive End) may indicate the Kosier is a great run blocker. Where they stuggled was runs at Mid/Guard where they finished 27th. Considering Julius Jones was the starting tailback and most of his runs come up the middle, and then considering how much better Marion Barber is when he's in the game, I think it's safe to say that Kosier is an excellent run blocker, but can't make Julius Jones look goo.

OTHER NOTES

Chris Liwienski, a longtime journeyman, finished 9th with the Dolphins, another player that new O-Line coach Hudson Houck coached. When the Giants moved David Diehl to left tackle, I think they wound up getting a better left guard in Rich Seubert. Unfortunately, Diehl isn't cut out to be a left tackle (giving up 13.5 sacks this year). Steve Hutchinson is still great.

 

[Teague31]

kosier is clearly the weak link on the line but given the amount we already have tied up there, i doubt we can afford an upgrade.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

kosier is clearly the weak link on the line but given the amount we already have tied up there, i doubt we can afford an upgrade.

Kosier actually is extremely cheap.

I don't have a problem with Kosier, but I do think they should look at a quality backup who can play either guard or center. If Gurode's problems with shotgun snaps continue, they could have a backup center come in on shotgun 3rd downs and move Gurode to guard.


YAKUZA

 

[tomson75]

Wasn't Kosier ranked pretty high on your list last year? Or is it my imagination?

I'm curious as to what we're going to do with Houck here now. We need to get more out of the running game.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

Wasn't Kosier ranked pretty high on your list last year? Or is it my imagination?

I'm curious as to what we're going to do with Houck here now. We need to get more out of the running game.

He was ranked 9th last year. He actually finished 2nd in run blocking last year, but was 30th in yards lost ratio.




YAKUZA

 

[Bob Sacamano]

it seems that the Bucs do a great job scouting Olinemen, Sears and that undrafted player at LT rank pretty high in your rankings

 

[Yakuza Rich]

it seems that the Bucs do a great job scouting Olinemen, Sears and that undrafted player at LT rank pretty high in your rankings

Buenning did well a couple of years ago as well. Unfortunately he got injured and has never really recovered.




YAKUZA

 

[windward]

it seems that the Bucs do a great job scouting Olinemen, Sears and that undrafted player at LT rank pretty high in your rankings

Yet whenever I watch the Bucs play their QBs are running for their lives.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

Yet whenever I watch the Bucs play their QBs are running for their lives.

Whomever Garcia has played for he pretty much runs for his life. It's more or less the way he plays.



YAKUZA

 

[windward]

Whomever Garcia has played for he pretty much runs for his life. It's more or less the way he plays.



YAKUZA

Even last year and the year before their QBs would be killed.

They do run the ball well, though.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

Even last year and the year before their QBs would be killed.

Sears and Penn are rookies. They weren't on the team last year.

Before this year they usually tried to find their O-Linemen through free agency. But if you look at Sears, Penn, Joseph, and Buenning (when he was healthy), they do a good job of drafting O-Linemen and should stick with doing that since getting them thru FA isn't working out for them.



YAKUZA

 

[windward]

Sears and Penn are rookies. They weren't on the team last year.

Before this year they usually tried to find their O-Linemen through free agency. But if you look at Sears, Penn, Joseph, and Buenning (when he was healthy), they do a good job of drafting O-Linemen and should stick with doing that since getting them thru FA isn't working out for them.



YAKUZA

Point taken. Signing guys like Petigout certainly has not helped them.

 

[cowboyeric8]

Larry Allen still tore it up though. ha

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

I'm still puzzled at the contract given to that guy... I know Jerry could have drafted something better.

 

[smarta5150]

WHY DID KYLE KOSIER FINISH 23RD?

Because he was "mad unclutch."


OK, fixed.