O line 2017 - what would you like to see?

[Bronn]

Just now, KB_fan said:

I agree with this.  I find it hard to believe we'll keep BOTH Larsen & Gradkowski as backups at C unless Ryan Kalil is not fully recovered.  I'd think we'd want to keep Larsen over Gino for the long-run.

exactly... And we can find a mid-to-later round Tackle to move inside as a rotational guard/emergency Tackle to serve for the utility depth that Gradkowski provides.

Also, IIRC, Scott can play C in a pinch, so that makes Gino even more expendable if we keep Scott.

[Untouchable]

We need projects for at least LT and Guard.  Maybe even Center as well depending on the viewpoint on either Larsen and Gradkowski.  I could see a T/G type like say Temple's Dion Dawkins or G/C like OSU's Pat Elfein coming in the draft.

[Bronn]

1 minute ago, Untouchable said:

We need projects for at least LT and Guard.  Maybe even Center as well depending on the viewpoint on either Larsen and Gradkowski.  I could see a T/G type like say Temple's Dion Dawkins or G/C like OSU's Pat Elfein coming in the draft.

You don't really take a project LT. You either get the best ones or you don't.

I can agree with the rest of the sentiment, though. I really see any OL draft pick we make being a Tackle that can move to RT or guard, or one of the C's that can move to either G position (Pocic, Elflein, Toth, etc.)

I really like Toth in one of the later rounds.

[KB_fan]

6 minutes ago, Bronn said:

draft an interior lineman for depth and possible upgrade to Norwell,

Upgrade Norwell?!?!?!   That will draw you some heat on here my friend!  There are a lot of fans of the White Buffalo!

But I'm all for competition!! 

[KB_fan]

1 minute ago, Bronn said:

You don't really take a project LT. You either get the best ones or you don't.

For evidence see: Foucault, David!

[CPF4LIFE]

For Matt Kalil to actually be worth all that money he just received. Let's call a spade a spade, the guy just got a ridiculous contract when he has been a below average player, doesn't matter the reasons for giving it to him. He just needs to be worth it in the end. That's all.  And hopefully somehow Oher comes back healthy.

[pepaw]

Larsen outplayed Grod IMO by a mile. 

[Bronn]

2 minutes ago, KB_fan said:

Upgrade Norwell?!?!?!   That will draw you some heat on here my friend!  There are a lot of fans of the White Buffalo!

But I'm all for competition!! 

haha where have you been? I've dealt with all that heat last week.

I know he's good, but he's not Trai Turner money good, and some other team will pay him that one day. We can upgrade there, is all I am saying.

[outlaw4]

To the basic question, it's an easy answer. I want to see the starting lineup stay relatively healthy for the entire season. Otherwise, nothing else we do matters.

Honestly, we need to grab all the undrafted Hog Mollies we can and find the diamonds in the rough. I'm not as high with our backup centers as others, I fear one of the Kalils won't last the season and our tackles are just meh.

 

[Saca312]

1 minute ago, Bronn said:

haha where have you been? I've dealt with all that heat last week.

I know he's good, but he's not Trai Turner money good, and some other team will pay him that one day. We can upgrade there, is all I am saying.

Lol. Film I watch says otherwise, but it is what it is. I remember seeing that debate, but some of you all are underrating Norwell. 

There's a reason the Falcons keep needing OGs year after year. They don't grow on trees.

[KB_fan]

2 minutes ago, Bronn said:

haha where have you been? I've dealt with all that heat last week.

Ah! Wasn't on here too much last week - we're getting ready for a big training event and I've been running around like crazy.  Today is the first day I've sat in one place (and been near my computer) for more than 3 hours at a time.  And last week I was mostly focused on free agency moves only...

You make a good point though about not giving Norwell the same kind of money as Trai Turner.  If I had to pick one I'd definitely pick Trai.

[KB_fan]

4 minutes ago, outlaw4 said:

To the basic question, it's an easy answer. I want to see the starting lineup stay relatively healthy for the entire season. Otherwise, nothing else we do matters.

Amen to this!

A good O line starts with continuity.   At some point I'd love to do a chart comparing Oline continuity in 2015 and 2016.  Only a VERY few teams (such as New England in 2015) can keep the wheels on offensively if their Oline is constantly in flux.

[Khyber53]

I, too, think Oher will be hanging it up before the season starts, but I think the Panthers are asking him to hold off an announcement until after the draft. I think they have an OT picked out for our first pick and don't want to completely tip their hat before the big day.

My bet would be on Wisconsin's Ryan Ramczyk, but there's a chance on that big kid out of Utah (we've known a good Utah OT before). Maybe even Lamp out of W. Kentucky (block, Forrest, block).

More than anything, we need to go ahead and get both of our starting guards under good contracts worthy of their real value to us. This would be the year to do it with a fair chunk of cap space available, front-loading the contracts a bit could pay off.

I hope Kalil pans out at LT, but if not, he could be our RT in time, too. His brother, however, is starting to get older. While he is still playing at a high level and has unparalleled experience, we need to be looking at his replacement. Larsen was pretty darned good in limited play last year, would like to see us groom him for that inevitable day.

Really hated to see Remmers go. I know I'm in the minority here, but the guy was decent and he had the ability to play any spot along the line. Like Hangartner in the past, that's just something you want to have on your team. He also got derided terribly for the times he got beat,  but no credit at all when he was doing his job and doing it well.

 

[Bronn]

Here's what I would like our OLine to look like in 2017:

 

But yeah:

LT:
Kalil
Free Agent post June 1st

LG:
Norwell
Rookie

C:
Kalil
Larsen

RG:
Turner
Scott

RT:
Williams
Rigsbee or Thompson

We could keep Rigsbee and Thompson as backup guys and not have an immediate backup at LT. That would knock us down to 9 OL total, which would be okay. Thompson started at LT for Oklahoma opposite Daryl Williams, and Rigsbee, IIRC, has played 4 positions on the line (both guards, center, and RT.)