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Making the O-Line Priority

Billk78

Billk78

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Im not saying we are totally done this year or anything like that, but looking ahead to the future of this franchise I think it's imperative to focus solely on getting a strong offensive line.
That means put all of our money and the majority of our draft picks into the position. Looking around the league (both in this year and past ones) the o-line basically determines how good a team will be. The teams with the bad lines are at the bottom of the standings and the teams with good lines are at the top.
WHile a lot of fans are calling for changes and additions at the skill positions, I for one don't think it will make a difference unless we completely rebuild the line here in Miami. What good will a Randy Moss do us? Our talented running back can't even find holes, and our qb doesnt have time to throw. (Yes I know people argue culpepper holds the ball too long, but even so you cant make the argument that our o-line isn't below average.)
So from here on out I think the phins should use their picks and signings completely on the o-line. Once we have players established there and locked up for years to come we can move onto other positions. But please, please lets get this line set...it's the first step towards making us a contender.
 
I think our o-line has enough talent already, obviouslly they need to improve there play. For the most part its the same line as last year minus mkinney and they were a respectable line, i think starting this week will see major improvment.
 
BILKK - Good call sir. The line is getting worse by the week!

Wilddolfan13 - Pass the joint cos whatever you are smoking must be the CHRONIC!
 
wilddolfan13 said:
I think our o-line has enough talent already, obviouslly they need to improve there play. For the most part its the same line as last year minus mkinney and they were a respectable line, i think starting this week will see major improvment.
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Couldnt agree less. Anderson was never going to be a star on this line. Bills fans on this forum told us that a long time ago. Hes proved them right. Our O-Line was woeful in first half of last season, they did improve yes but not to the point it was going to bring us success in the next season. Have you seen the protection they are giving and lanes they are opening this season so far? Im not saying there is no hope but we are bottom 5 in O-Lines at the moment. 21 sacks say that.
I agree with the original post. We just HAVE to draft young talented players who will be on this line for yrs to come. We did it in 90 with Sims and Webb and we had the best IMO left sided O-Line in the NFL in the early to mid 90's.
 
I agree that we need to upgrade our offensive line but it shouldn't be the only focus. Our defensive backfield needs help as well as our defensive line. I agree that we're not in huge need of the skilled positions as long as Culpepper can turn it around. But you can't approach a draft only willing to draft at one position. You have to take the best player available unless that position is running back.
 
A few thoughts on the O-line. The main problems this year have been L.J. Shelton, who has had a disastrous year, the revolving right guard position, which is no one's fault, and the development of Hadnot, who is basically a rookie center, since he's never played the position in the NFL.

I think we have a strong nucleus in James, Hadnot, and Carey and two decent prospects in Berger and Toledo. We have never had a decent LT since Richmond Webb's glory days. It has to be a huge priority next year. Unless he improves a lot, I would like to see Hadnot back at right guard, which I think fits his strengths better, and pick up a center.

The poor line play has had a domino effect. First, Culpepper, of course, has been greatly affected; McMichael who could be a dangerous weapon has been reduced to a blocker because of Shelton's poor play, and Chambers has suffered because the line doesn't pick up blitzes and hold blocks well enough to make the long passes work. Last year, when our line improved in the last 6 games, Chambers tore the league up.

I don't think Hudson Houck lost his mojo in less than a year. He did a great job with a very mediocre line. The problems have finally caught up with us and a band-aid just won't work anymore. JJ and Wanny did nothing to improve the O-line and the bill has come due this year. If we draft or find a quality LT and center next year, we will be in great shape.

You're quite right that the O-line is the backbone of a team. A great line helps the running backs control the clock and cut down on turnovers as well as open up the passing game. Our line has been so bad that defenses can dictate the game to us. We are always reacting to their blitzes and fronts rather than taking the offense to them. Since we know the offensive play call and they don't, we should be dictating the game to them, but we can't due to a very poor line.
 
A few thoughts on the O-line. The main problems this year have been L.J. Shelton, who has had a disastrous year, the revolving right guard position, which is no one's fault, and the development of Hadnot, who is basically a rookie center, since he's never played the position in the NFL.

I think we have a strong nucleus in James, Hadnot, and Carey and two decent prospects in Berger and Toledo. We have never had a decent LT since Richmond Webb's glory days. It has to be a huge priority next year. Unless he improves a lot, I would like to see Hadnot back at right guard, which I think fits his strengths better, and pick up a center.

The poor line play has had a domino effect. First, Culpepper, of course, has been greatly affected; McMichael who could be a dangerous weapon has been reduced to a blocker because of Shelton's poor play, and Chambers has suffered because the line doesn't pick up blitzes and hold blocks well enough to make the long passes work. Last year, when our line improved in the last 6 games, Chambers tore the league up.

I don't think Hudson Houck lost his mojo in less than a year. He did a great job with a very mediocre line. The problems have finally caught up with us and a band-aid just won't work anymore. JJ and Wanny did nothing to improve the O-line and the bill has come due this year. If we draft or find a quality LT and center next year, we will be in great shape.

You're quite right that the O-line is the backbone of a team. A great line helps the running backs control the clock and cut down on turnovers as well as open up the passing game. Our line has been so bad that defenses can dictate the game to us. We are always reacting to their blitzes and fronts rather than taking the offense to them. Since we know the offensive play call and they don't, we should be dictating the game to them, but we can't due to a very poor line.
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Some very good points. I agree about Carey and think he has played well. James and Hadnot are okay too. One other thing to note is that it's tough to gauge the talent of some of these young guys because of the weak play going on around them. For example, Hadnot might not be looking great at center, but is that due to the inconsistencies at RG? Its very possible. What we need is a nucleus--a set tandem of lineman who all contribute and do their part. The o-line is like a machine and you need all parts to work. Thats why I really believe its the part of this team we have to solidify first, and to do that we have to obtain several players who might be able to contribute...then from there let Houck determine which parts will go best together to make it a strangth of this team.
 
wilddolfan13 said:
I think our o-line has enough talent already, obviouslly they need to improve there play. For the most part its the same line as last year minus mkinney and they were a respectable line, i think starting this week will see major improvment.
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that guy is smokin crack!!!!!!!!:sidelol:
 
The line really isn't that bad. They're just making alot of mental errors. We have 2 first round picks playing at tackle (Shelton, Carey) and Mcintosh was a 3rd round pick, so these players have ability, but they're underachievers. That's probably why they were available in the fist place (mcintosh and shelton). But this line can definately play better, with that said we still have to spend higher draft picks on the o-line.
 
nick didnt want to sign the big names in...and while this isnt a problem persay...he KNOWS we have a defiency at the O line and he does nothing about it Toledo in the third round and Alabi in the seventh dont amount to nothing...we need to bring in the talent...it seems futile to look at the draft but when we are not doing anything at the oline position as we havent been doing for years past this is a PROBLEM
 
Billk78 said:
Im not saying we are totally done this year or anything like that, but looking ahead to the future of this franchise I think it's imperative to focus solely on getting a strong offensive line.
That means put all of our money and the majority of our draft picks into the position. Looking around the league (both in this year and past ones) the o-line basically determines how good a team will be. The teams with the bad lines are at the bottom of the standings and the teams with good lines are at the top.
WHile a lot of fans are calling for changes and additions at the skill positions, I for one don't think it will make a difference unless we completely rebuild the line here in Miami. What good will a Randy Moss do us? Our talented running back can't even find holes, and our qb doesnt have time to throw. (Yes I know people argue culpepper holds the ball too long, but even so you cant make the argument that our o-line isn't below average.)
So from here on out I think the phins should use their picks and signings completely on the o-line. Once we have players established there and locked up for years to come we can move onto other positions. But please, please lets get this line set...it's the first step towards making us a contender.
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Absolutelty with out a doubt! A great O-line means more running and bigger gains, defenses having to play in and then opening up our wide receivers, our QB's having ample time to make good decisions, which means lots of scoring and means our defense stays off the field which means it stays healthy and rest and plays even better and more stingier. We would see games like 38-10, 45-7! A Great O-line is an absolute priority from here on out!
 
This has to be our top priority left tackle and Center move Hadnot back to guard. I would like to see some athletic O-line instead of a 350 lb blob. I think maybe we should put a orange construction cone at left guard I think it would take defenders longer to run around it than L.J. Shelton And we could save money ( Orange cone $45 dollars)
 
i find it simply amazing that a guy(saban) that almost every expert annoints the next great nfl coach could look past the o-line. lj shelton is a mediocre player at best. jeno james has never lived up to the hype when he was signed in 04. he has been just ok. hadnot never played center in the nfl till this year. right guard: bennie anderson?? a guy the bills cut!
when you look at the o-line and the lack of high picks used on it or money spent for good players, it is no surprise at all how bad it is this year.
 
We need to really focus on the O-line next season, not just sign one guy and draft a few, we need big time playmakers on the O-line.
 
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