O-linemen in free agency & the draft

[CMD]

Calm it down with all the name dropping, other team's GM's may pop in and get some ideas!

 

[CMD]

The line I want right now:

LT: Anthony Collins
LG: Zack Martin (1st rounder) or a 2nd rounder, handful of worthwhile guys.
C: Mike Pouncey
RG: Roger Saffold
RT: Tyson Clabo

Draft a guy like James Hurst in the 3rd to set up our future at RT. Martin would give us a mauler at LG and could be plugged in day 1. If Brenner or Thomas emerges you can kick Saffold out to RT too. This way you only have about 12 million commited to FA's and Clabo, giving us money to extend Pouncey when we need to, and you have young guys who are still growing with modest contracts through their prime.

Oh my goodness.

Now look what you gone ahead and did.

 

[finsfan4life]

That's depends on what you mean by smaller, more athletic linemen. Are you referring to the Alex Gibbs type of offensive linemen that are around 6'3 300lbs or the Tom Cable's type of offensive linemen that around 6'5 310 to 315.

It's not an either/or, it's a both, depending on how good the lineman is. If he's 6'3 300 lbs and can play, I'll take him.

 

[normaniii]

IMHO, we need a LT. That guy needs to be an exceptional pass protector. The reason is that we pass more than we run and we are more effective as a passing team. Tannehill took WAY too many hits last year. That needs to be fixed since Ireland let Jake Long walk after hearing all the naysayers tell us how bad he was. Then we saw first hand how poor BAD really is.

As for the ZBS, that really effects run blocking not pass blocking. Essentially, pass blocking schemes aren't all that different, and it's more about leverage, long levers, and chemistry amongst the OL. That takes time. Passing twists and getting an initial shove on a guy before passing him off to the next blocker are things that require players who know one another. IMHO, get a veteran LT, draft 4 friggin OL with our top 4 picks, and try to play a rookie at LG and RT, and let the rest learn as we use veteran LT, RG, and Pouncey at C. Then a couple years down the road we will be well on our way to building a solid OL for the next decade so Tannehill doesn't have to constantly put up with poor pass protection.

Yes, we need a running game. If we're committed to the ZBS, fine, get some guys who can play that system, but they dang sure better be able to open some holes, because I'm tired of weaklings with quick feet pretending to be OL. If we open the holes I'm confident Miller can be a productive RB and break some nice long chunk runs. Then Tannehill can use his excellent play-action-fakes to help create chunk yardage in the passing game as well. BUT, I don't want to be here a year from now still unable to answer questions like "where's the beef?" Get us some OL that are big, nasty, and move people.

Totally agree! Offensive linemen play every snap and if poor affects everything. QB, RB, consequently WR's, TE having to stay in and block, which again affects the time the defence are on the field etc.

Draft 4 OL, 2 OT, 2 OG, and have them compete for starting position from day 1.

 

[SMadison29]

You're not getting saffold on a 1 year prove it. I'm high balling, just look at last year's contracts and what a guy like Gosder Cherilus makes. Probably a little rich, I'll acknowledge it, his history is definitely worse than I realized, tho I was aware it hasn't been good. I have reservations about Schwartz fitting our system, otherwise he's be high on my list. I like Asamoah here too, very much in the feeler phase with these guys. Something around 4 might make more sense for Saffold, I'm a fan, but you're right that his history is concerning.

I agree he's not going to get a one year deal because someone will take a chance on him but I really hope it isn't us. Plus, he'll want LT money even though he's probably a better RT/RG. Remember all the complaining he did when the Rams wanted to move him from LT? In a perfect world I'd have Saffold as my #2 UFA but his injuries scare the hell out of me.

 

[finsfan4life]

Speaking of offensive linemen, I wish I knew more about Dallas Thomas, and what the team expects from him. I wasn't impressed with his play last pre-season, but I wonder what the coaching staff thinks of him. As bad as our o-line was this year, he wasn't allowed to get on the field, but the coaching staff didn't allow a lot of our rookie class to play a lot this year. If they think he's capable of playing right guard or right tackle, that could obviously change the way we look at free agency and the draft.

 

[So Be]

The line I want right now:

LT: Anthony Collins
LG: Zack Martin (1st rounder) or a 2nd rounder, handful of worthwhile guys.
C: Mike Pouncey
RG: Roger Saffold
RT: Tyson Clabo

Draft a guy like James Hurst in the 3rd to set up our future at RT. Martin would give us a mauler at LG and could be plugged in day 1. If Brenner or Thomas emerges you can kick Saffold out to RT too. This way you only have about 12 million commited to FA's and Clabo, giving us money to extend Pouncey when we need to, and you have young guys who are still growing with modest contracts through their prime.

We're pretty close. I had Collins, Pouncey moving to LG, Deitrich-Smith at C, Asamoah at RG, and Clabo (or another 1 year vet who falls through the cracks). I'm guessing the 4 additions will cost around $15M average, and in the $10-12M range this year. I think I will have to adjust with a fair chance GB keeps Deitrich-Smith.

I saw some potential in Brenner, not sure on Dallas and Yeatman. I would like to make OL the #1 pick but, have a feeling that DT may be the bigger need. We shall see.

 

[So Be]

Speaking of offensive linemen, I wish I knew more about Dallas Thomas, and what the team expects from him. I wasn't impressed with his play last pre-season, but I wonder what the coaching staff thinks of him. As bad as our o-line was this year, he wasn't allowed to get on the field, but the coaching staff didn't allow a lot of our rookie class to play a lot this year. If they think he's capable of playing right guard or right tackle, that could obviously change the way we look at free agency and the draft.[/QUOTE

I think Dallas had little chance to play last year due to the team moving him all over in camp and preseason. Top OL picks have trouble playing one position, and it was too much to ask with all the moves, and made it tuff to evaluate what he did and did not do. Like you, not sure what to think of him.