Quote:
Originally Posted by chiguy
I object to the premise here -- I don't think that we really know what we have on the offensive line outside of Pace (if healthy) and Barron, neither of whom blow anyone away. We've had less than one whole season of a healthy Setterstrom to evaluate, less than 1.5 seasons of a healthy Incognito, and not that much of a healthy Romberg. Sure, they all played great at the end of the season, two seasons ago. But, the schedule was weak and there is no reason to take those five games as sure-fire evidence of what we have going. Past that we clearly have need for a young tackle. By my count that leaves us with a lot of uncertainty at starting tackle, center, left guard, and first-tackle off the bench.
I also don't think I'd rank our "worst starters" the same way you would. I do something like this on defense:
RE
SS
SLB
LCB
|
If you look at how my defensive ranking would compare to yours for worst starters its almost identical. I left RE out because no one was disagreeing with me selecting Chris Long. What was debateable was the other positons.
My defensive worst starters are:
RE
SS
CB
That is almost identical to yours with the exception of SLB which I think would be after CB because Draft has always proven to be a good LB with consistently high tackle rates when given the opertunity. Is he the long term answer no but he provides more stability there then we have at CB IMO.
I believe Incognito has proven when healthy he can hold down a guard spot. I can't imagine anyone in the second round and beyond that you could honestly say would be better then Incognito at guard. Bell at the other guard spot has proven to be a good starter and we signed him to a big contract. Some people may get frustrated with some of Barrons penaltys but he don't get beat to often. If you remember what life was like before Barron at RT. At Center Romberg has played well there in nearly every game we have seen him in. We also have Setterstrom and Fry who we recently drafted pushing for the starting position. Again I can't imagine to many Centers you would draft in round 2 our later that would upgrade our Center position that much. We cant count Pace out before the season starts he should be healthy and if so no one we draft in rounds 2 and beyond will replace a healthy Pace. If Pace and Barron are healthy all year and we draft a OT we will have a guy who sets and watches the games all year behind them. If Pace or Barron where to go down we could move Bell to RT and put Setterstrom or Steussie (if resigned) at LG. I would rather resign Steussie as a depth guy and fill bigger needs. If all goes well he won't even play.
Next year I would consider drafting as many as two OL in the first four rounds with us having filled several of our other holes this year. Or we might decide to pick up another through Free Agency next year. The only aging OL we have is Pace. I would look for a younger OT next year and if we felt another position needed upgrade I would do it then.