ashtoncvsg said:
I would like to take this oppertunity to point out the fact that we have been in need of an offensive line for about 4-5 years now. Fans were furious at Wanny for neevr going out and building up an offensive line. Then Coach Saban comes in and in his first year we see the same patterns of no Oline being drafted or picked up. I for one looked at it as gorwing pains. It's the guy's first year here and in pros no big deal, I gave him a free pass as I feel many others did. Then this year rolls around. As usual the threads start up of needing secondary blah blah blah and wr's. I got torn apart for doubting all the people on this message board for saying oline was the way to go. I was called everythign under the sun saying I was retarted etc. Now I look on a thread and the majority of the people all think we need oline. Well I like to say I told you so to all you people. All you people used Jay as the scapegoat and now will use Daunte as one as well, when in reality Marino couldn't throw behind this god aweful line. Is our coach is too stupid to realize this problem I say go to Bama we don't need you or your SEC players. Take Brown and Allen w/ you back to the SEC. If there is a god we will either get a coach that will address actual needs or maybe the coach we have now won't vear from the original plan. What ever happened to Winston Justice? The Eagles really got the best of us, I live in PA and god do they laugh at us. They knew we wanted Andrews 2 years ago so they trade up to get him, what do we do? Nothing. Then we pass on Justice and trade a pick for a third round qb. WTF is wrong w/ this organization? Maybe Coach Riley should coach the fins.
If I recall correctly, the Andrews draft was the same draft we grabbed Carey a few picks later. I also recall our GM getting roasted for moving up a few picks to get Carey after Andrews was taken off the board.
And now? Well, I'm starting to hear rumblings about Carey being one of the best underrated lineman in the league.... his name is also being mentioned in remote Pro Bowl balloting conversations.....
And there is still complaining?
Rex Hadnot's exact best position on the line has yet to be determined. But, I believe it is safe to say most people believe he is a good overall component to this line. We just need to determine his final position. Not too mention his C/G flexibility is a huge asset.
Shelton has made some improvement after moving to G. Again, his role is not yet concrete, but he appears to be another good overall component for us. His G/T flexibility is also a huge asset.
Jeno, while his play has rarely been stellar is consistent. However, it appears this year he is starting to fall off a bit. DMac, McKinney, etc, etc.... all have their good points. And bad. But, they make for good flexible depth.
It appears right now, the left side is in need of an overhaul. However, it appears we have 3/5 of the line addressed. Is it complete? No, but, it's better than were we've been in the past.
Hudson was tasked with building a line, from rags. That includes depth. If you look at 9 roster spots and analyze what he's done.... he has 6 or 7 solid guys that all provide interchangeable parts that can give consistent play. Better than we've had in years.
Now, I think he needs 2 more drafts to finish the job. We need LG, LT, another G/T and C/G flex depth guys. Implying we take the 5 best of our current guys and find 4 more equally talented, or better, guys to add to it.
Then, FINALLY, we would have our complete OLine rotation. Then of course, you start cherry picking additions in the years to come until you have a completely polished unit.
But, there are 53 men on this team and 7 draft picks a year. And considering the talent impact we are searching for on the OLine AND the general availability of that talent on the FA market, I'd say we've done a good job in a short period of time. And I might add that Spielman picked a few of those guys. You know, the "bum" who couldn't draft (in the 1 year he was given to do it).
This too shall pass.
