Itsdahumidity
Pro Bowler
I agree we have to address the line, and I agree that LT is the leading candidate for upgrade. I do not agree with the premise that upgrading LT is the entire/only fix to the QB protection problem.
The line was playing better last year in the second half of the season. Not great, but serviceable. Several things contribute to them playing poorly, and also to them improving. The line was in flux from the year before, with no really clear starters at the beginning of '06 camp at any position except maybe RG. This continued into the season due to several injuries and reshuffling of the line. Add to that an immobile QB and some horrible play calling. By the end of the season, the line was starting to gel, the play calling had marginally improved, and we had a QB that could roll out.
I would gladly take another Richmond Webb with the 9th pick, but I also think that with the guys we have on the roster now, we could get a big, mean, nasty, G or C in FA and plug him in, and it would upgrade the entire line. Most of the sacks that I saw last year came right up the middle. And with CPep healed or Lemon in the backfield, we have a mobile QB not a sitting duck. With much better offensive play calling, (which has a HUGE impact on the line play!), I think we still end up with a line in the top half of the league.
I was not impressed with DMac two years ago, but he seemed to play much better at LT this past year, so if we don't draft at LT, I would re-sign him if it doesn't cost an arm and a leg.
IMO
:dolphins:
DMac will be an UFA and believe it or not he'll be the top rated LT :shakeno: now that's crazy. Anyway, FA starts more than a month before the draft so that's plenty of time for another team to throw a wad of cash his way. So again I ask who is our starting LT?
The days of us having just decent linemen will be behind us come this off-season imo.
Now as far as L. Brown goes he's a stud. I don't need to listen to these tv draftniks and/or web draft experts. From what little I witnessed this year Brown dominates the LOS.