The State of our Guards

[So Be]

I can. Incognito was always a turd and has always been a problem. Sure, individually he may have been decent, but he was one of the primary reasons that unit could never function as a whole. I'd rather have an average guard that can work well with the rest of the unit than a good guard who operates in his own little world. I have no reason to believe any of our current guards have that problem.

Agree but, he was a pretty good OG, and Jerry was VG in pass protect, while sucking on the run. Will our 4 prospects be better? Can't say so for this year but, could well be next year.

 

[DolphinDevil28]

No one knows exactly how effective either guy will ultimately turn out, but I feel that Billy Turner and Shelley Smith actually give us the potentially most athletic and nasty duo we've had in a while. No one has seen much of either play, but based on their individual profiles, they both move extremely well and have a mean streak. I'll roll with my chances on guys like that any day over the abortion of a line we had last year.

I'm looking forward to a guard actually being able to get to the second level this year.

 

[Gonzo]

Agree but, he was a pretty good OG, and Jerry was VG in pass protect, while sucking on the run. Will our 4 prospects be better? Can't say so for this year but, could well be next year.

Not really. He only became "pretty good" in the eyes of those that were pissed at Martin after the fact. He's always been mediocre. The problem is, even mediocre was better than what we had last year, so his ability is being pumped up a bit.


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[fishfanmiami]

No one knows exactly how effective either guy will ultimately turn out, but I feel that Billy Turner and Shelley Smith actually give us the potentially most athletic and nasty duo we've had in a while. No one has seen much of either play, but based on their individual profiles, they both move extremely well and have a mean streak. I'll roll with my chances on guys like that any day over the abortion of a line we had last year.

I'm looking forward to a guard actually being able to get to the second level this year.

Was thinking the same thing. Turner seems to a mauler and might made a solid guard. Smith looked pretty darn good pulling in the videos I've seen. His weakness supposedly is in pass protection. Both our new starting tackles are better at pass protection than run blocking according to the experts so we would have a decent balance. Pouncy's good at both.

The real answer is who the fuk knows until we see them all in action :idk:

 

[So Be]

YeaH FF, when it comes to our OG's, I defer to George Thoragood & The Destroyers in " One Bourbon. One Scotch. One Beer." At least it's a start. Lol

 

[Mogwai]

Look, considering where the line started we've addressed it about as thoroughly as you possibly can. Our best G starter last year is now a backup. And he was someone we picked off the scrap heap. This endless fixation with the oline is dragging down our ability to address the rest of the team. If our staff and GM is remotely competent then considering how much we've put into the line the problem should be solved or at least a hell of a lot better than what Ireland gave us.

 

[roy_miami]

There are three guarantees in life: death, taxes, and the o-line isn't good enough.

 

[fishbanger]

We have 2 probowlers on the Oline and the rest of them are upgrades over last year, rookies or not. Oline is fine. Its the Lbs that are the problem this year. Hickey did not address and he needs to add a quality MLB to the team. Hopefully someone gets cut after June first. If not he better be looking for a trade.

 

[Digital]

We have 2 probowlers on the Oline and the rest of them are upgrades over last year, rookies or not. Oline is fine. Its the Lbs that are the problem this year. Hickey did not address and he needs to add a quality MLB to the team. Hopefully someone gets cut after June first. If not he better be looking for a trade.

Don't be so sure about the upgrades. We only changed one OL that was a sure upgrade and that is Albert. He is a very good pass pro guy, but he is no pile mover in the run game, so be ready for that.

Pouncey may have something to prove bit he played pretty well last year so I'm not sure how much improvement to expect, and thus far he hasn't missed almost any games to injury, so we have been lucky. His brother has, so don't be surprised if he starts to miss games here and there. Albert seems to get injured every year like Jake Long did at the end. We will use a backup LT in some games, it is inevitable.

Shelley Smith graded out as worse than both of our guards at pass pro, so if he starts we should expect him to be worse than last year. He is a stud in he run game though, so we are all hoping he improves to competency at pass pro, but based on last year he is worse than what we had. No upgrade there. He will likely be used in obvious run downs but not in passing situations.

I do like Turner and think he has the heavy hands to be a solid OG down the road ... but the kid is not polished and new to OG, so be ready for him to take his lumps while he learns. Big step up 8n competition so he will need to improve his technique.

There is a lot of debate about JuWuan James. I'm in the camp that is not convinced with his work ethic, run blocking, and technique. When I said similar things about Dallas Thomas last year I was ridiculed, so suffice it to say I'm taking a wait and see attitude, but I don't expect the exceptional plug and play guy everyone else euphorically expects.

Improvement? Yes. Fixed the OL? I'm not convinced. For that we needed Lewan and Martin, who are both dominant plug and play guys. But, there is a reason they went earlier than we were willing to trade up and get.

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[EireTiger]

Does St. Louis run a zone blocking scheme?

In the case of Shelley Smith is it what you see in previous year highlights is what you get? Or is it a case where our zone blocking scheme might be a better fit for his skill set and we have reason to expect or hope for significant improvement?

Anyone know the answer to this?

 

[KTOWNFINFAN]

I'm more worried how local buffet owners are going to stay in business without Jerry....

You do know Jerry would be BY FAR our best OG were he still on the team, right??

 

[KTOWNFINFAN]

billy turner, at some point in his career will be a pro bowl player. the nfl is flush with o-line players from "small" schools. way, way to much focus on that. he destroyed the "big school" competition, every time he faced them from k-state to the senior bowl.

i dont see how anyone can watch him play and not say he will be a success. and everyone acts like shelley is some 9 year journeyman who has all these weaknesses and is tapped out. this will be his fourth year and the 2 teams he was on before didnt offer him much. he has had a handful of starts. he has never started a camp with any future coached into him. he didnt play with the big boys in training camps and was basically treated as fodder as most underling types do. injuries to o-line got him thrown into the mix.

i dont think he is as raw as some think. he has all the tools and wants to learn. i think a full camp with coaches actually getting him ready to start and be around for awhile, playing with the starters will make him a much better looking player. being next to ju'wan james will help him as he is a plug and play rt and can pick up the stunts. another thing james excelled at.

shelley is not as big a concern for me as others, but, who knows. obviously benton likes the kid and everyone says how much they love him and what a better o-line coach he is than the one before.

i do not think the o-line signings are done. i feel some kind of trade is coming. just a hunch. this plethora of wr's hickey has brought in is incredible!! to many to get a fair look at everyone and way to many to keep around. could be a wr in some trade scenario either straight up or in part. and NO, its not mike wallace. even if there is no trade, there will be veteran guards available in the cuts towards camp end and i expect hickey will be watching the wire for seasoned guards or even tackles [our depth sucks].

there is a plan. the draft proved that. hickey and company know what an important year this is for the team and above all, tanny's future. there wont be any serious weak link on the line come opening day.

Wanna bet?? There will be at least 2, and probably 3 unless Dallas shows as much improvement as I hope. And quit talking about Shelly as a starter, he isn't and never will be. He is a depth signing period.

 

[fishbanger]

I think we have 2 rookies starting: Albert, Turner, Pouncey, RG, James. It will be a battle to see who plays RG between Brenner, thomas, and Smith. Davin Joseph is still available in FA too if players dont perform in MAY/June.

 

[Geforce]

Does St. Louis run a zone blocking scheme?

In the case of Shelley Smith is it what you see in previous year highlights is what you get? Or is it a case where our zone blocking scheme might be a better fit for his skill set and we have reason to expect or hope for significant improvement?

According to drafttek.com, St Louis runs a man blocking scheme.
http://www.drafttek.com/teamother.html

The one thing I keep reading about Smith is that he is very good at getting to the second level and that is beneficial for the zone blocking scheme.