Joe Rose reporting our O line looks better now then at any point last year

[Agua]

For the record, I think Feeley should have another chance behind an improved OL, with a real HB, and a real OC and gameplan every week. If he fails this year, then I've no qualms about seeing him demoted or gone.

Same. Feeley didn't do enough to *convince* me that he was the man, but he did show enough that he deserves to be evaluated with a decent OL in front of him.

 

[inFINSible]

Same here.

 

[VanDolPhan]

The other big thing is that the team pretty much changed all 5 starters in one year. No team in the NFL has ever done it. OL's need time to gel. Not to mention they need simplified schemes early on till they grow more confidence together and can start relying on each other to take on more complicated schemes. Just the fact that these guys have had some time playing together now should help. Having a coach who knows how to teach OL's very well is another.

The main thing though is that they need to decide on for the most part whose in the starting lineup early enough to get these guys lots of reps through training camp.

 

[islandah]

Are you implying that the QB position should be easier to learn than blocking assignments? That we should have patience for an o-line who were horrible last year, yet the QB playing behind them gets no such benefit?

So basically, this year is a do-over. Didn't even need to show up to the draft, because nobody should be evaluated based on last year.:wink:

In effect, that's true for offense, and I think you got what you asked for with a BPA, value-oriented draft. Now if the injury bug will stay away (Poole) we can see what we've really got. But let's agree: barring major injury, no excuses this year.

 

[inFINSible]

So basically, this year is a do-over. Didn't even need to show up to the draft, because nobody should be evaluated based on last year.:wink:

In effect, that's true for offense, and I think you got what you asked for with a BPA, value-oriented draft. Now if the injury bug will stay away (Poole) we can see what we've really got. But let's agree: barring major injury, no excuses this year.

Kinda stretching it there but, if you're going for a BPA, value oriented draft, you shouldn't need to evaluate anybody already on the team. :)

No excuses this year. :up:

 

[islandah]

Kinda stretching it there but, if you're going for a BPA, value oriented draft, you shouldn't need to evaluate anybody already on the team. :)

No excuses this year. :up:

True to a point. Would you take a TE( or fill in a position of relative strength) if he graded 1 point higher than say, a safety, or would you glance at team needs and make the selection that is more apt to help your team sooner than later?

 

[inFINSible]

True to a point. Would you take a TE( or fill in a position of relative strength) if he graded 1 point higher than say, a safety, or would you glance at team needs and make the selection that is more apt to help your team sooner than later?

There are of course going to be positions of obvious strength and need on any team. They should be easy enough to spot without in depth evaluation.

 

[RUDEbyallMEANS]

McDougle was a HUGE addition.

I remember reading an article that said Pittsburgh was very upset they could not land McDougle because the o-line coach for the Steelers thought he could make McDougle into a DOMINANT tackle.

I'm pretty sure that is what Houck saw in McDougle as well.

Vernon Carey at RG and McDougle at RT will be monsterous for the run game.

Also, I do not care if we have the best o-line coach in the NFL, I do not like Seth McKinney. That guy plays very very weak. I don't care how much he lifts in the weight room, it just does not seem to translate on the field. Was bent over the entire year last year. He sucks. I would rather put that lineman Spielman picked in the 6th round of the 2004 draft in at center.

I see McKinney as no good. That's just me.

 

[DOLFANMIKE]

Dang, I was hoping for something a little more original. :)

Awww...

He- aw... He- Aw... He- Always calls me that.

 

[zephon]

I dunno man...

Ronnie and Stockar are huge upgrades. Ronnie over Lamar and Stockar over St Clair.

Don't forget Damion Cook....I look for him to be the starting RG. I'm hoping for Hadnot but Cook might suprise. Houck likes him.

I all honesty Vernon Carey is going to have to really turn it on. If he doesn't show he can play a tackle spot, I could see him being traded eventually. Eventually, because we carry a 4.5 mill cap hit before june 1 and only a 1.2 mil after. I'm honestly not down on the guy but carring 1.285 salary for a guy who might be a 3rd string tackle is not such a good idea. I say one way or another he stays on the team for at least one more full season.

One guy who I'm looking for to watching, in addition to Hadnot, is Wade Smith. They're said to be moving him to Center. He's smart enough to do it and has the feet. I believe he's still just 23 maybe 24 and has a very low cap hit. I'm hoping either Smith or Hadnot can take over at center. McKinney just doesn't impress me.

Seriously, we have so many options right know that I'm very pleased. We may find that with a new blocking philosophy and scheme that a couple of these guys fit in much better. We'll see.

 

[Ozzy]

He said he spoke to some of the veteran players on offense, he didn't mention any names, and said they're very optimistic and excited about the offense. The players said that even though they haven't put the pads on yet the Oline is looking much better than it did at any point last year.

I'm guessing the only thing they'd be doing without pads is working on technique and becoming a cohesive unit.....good news nonetheless. Maybe someone can comment as to what they might be working on. Anyways, it seems as though Houck is working his magic once again.

I don't think they can practice together just yet, not on the field anyway. I believe it is a violation of the rules to put players on the field unless it is a Qb school, or mini camp, and they're only allowed so many of them.

 

[Ozzy]

I've played Lacrosse since I was 6, all through HS, I played in college, I play in leqagues to this day.

I played hockey til I moved to Ohio.

I played football in Middle and High School.

Don't tell me about sports.

You need to be aggresive by nature. Sure excitment can be generated from the sidelines, but if you aren't aggresive by nature, you won't ever be.

Get a clue.

Although there are people that are just plain mellow, such as Richmond Webb, he made up for it with excellent skills, and the perfect body for a LT.

There are some that have aggresive menatalites, that have bad technique, or mechanics. So they can never be translate that aggression like they should, except for some penalties I guess. Some good coaching and lots of improved technique the aggresive minded player can use it more and more........

 

[CRAZYDOLFAN305]

They can't improve....they suck....you saw them last year...that's all the proof you should need....we need all new linemen or we are screwed.

:roflmao: :roflmao: There's absolutely no light at the end of the tunnel..

 

[MrClean]

I agree, I don't understand why we gave up on Lamar Gordon so quickly? After expending a high third rounder on him just last year, after only getting to see him for a game and a half, at a time when the O-line was playing its worst. We showed a lot of impatience in drafting Ronnie Brown #2.

And why did we sign Stockar McDougle? Shouldn't we have given last years line another season to improve, mature? lack of patiience.

At least we are showing patience with the single most important position in football, allowing AJ to start another season without the pressure of a drafted rookie prospect.

I don't think we are giving up on Lamar Gordon. It was just that Saban felt that Brown was the best player available at any position, which just happened to be Gordon's position too. Also RB is a postion where it is good to have some depth. Now with Brown, Harris, Gordon, Morris and Minor we should come out of camp with good depth at RB

As for signing Stockar, didn't he take less to sign with Miami because he wanted to come home to play? I thought I read he signed for 1 year at the veteran minimum just to play in Miami, even though Pittsburgh offered a little better deal money wise.

 

[jlfin]

I don't know how they can tell without the practice or pads,unless they just like the schemes they are given to study. Honestly no practice, it's hard to gauge. Still having the players feeling good about this season is a far cry from last year. I think Houck will have these guy's in shape and our Oline will be a strength, to the dismay of some of the trolls that post here!!

Thank you. I echo your comments. There are way to many pessimistic people on this site.