The NFL has an Offensive Line Crisis

[Ricky Spanish]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/sports/wp/2017/09/13/the-nfl-has-an-offensive-line-crisis/?utm_term=.b7d268d61aaa

Article talking about the depletion of talent in the trenches over the past few years.

Good read. 

[Lemory]

All the more reason to lock up Norwell long term. 

[Saca312]

When Mike Remmers is considered a starter in this league you know there's a problem.

[yasuhara2241]

I have been going back and forth on the Norwell or Star extensions. I believe that we will only have money for 1 of the 2. I understand how important the oline is, but Star is one of the main reasons for our success against other olines. He takes on the double teams constantly. 

So convince me on if we had to choose one or the other, why Norwell would be your choice?

[GRWatcher]

Which is why we should've kept Chris Scott on IR.

[Moorgan]

4 minutes ago, yasuhara2241 said:

I have been going back and forth on the Norwell or Star extensions. I believe that we will only have money for 1 of the 2. I understand how important the oline is, but Star is one of the main reasons for our success against other olines. He takes on the double teams constantly. 

So convince me on if we had to choose one or the other, why Norwell would be your choice?

In my mind, the order of importance of positive goes:

QB>OL>DL

In a game where everything is tilted towards the offense, you have to score. I get that stopping the other team is very important as well. Of course. But our OL fell apart last year and so too did our team. To me, the OL is 2nd only to a QB.

I'm also the guy who wouldn't be mad if our 1st Rd draft pick is an OL or DL every year (as long as QB is addressed). So take what I think w a grain of salt.

[thefuzz]

2 minutes ago, yasuhara2241 said:

I have been going back and forth on the Norwell or Star extensions. I believe that we will only have money for 1 of the 2. I understand how important the oline is, but Star is one of the main reasons for our success against other olines. He takes on the double teams constantly. 

So convince me on if we had to choose one or the other, why Norwell would be your choice?

IMO, Norwell is likely easier to replace than Star, but we have never had a great O Line in front of Cam...it just depends on which way you want to go moving forward.  Outscoring opponents by keeping Cam healthy, and establishing a great run game, or consistently stopping the run, and letting Luke and Co. do what they do.

The franchise tag is within a million for either, and both are North of 13M...a lot to pay for either a G or a DT.

Were we to franchise Norwell, the two G's would carry a combined cap hit next season of  around 20M.

Were we to franchise Star, he and KK would carry a combined cap hit of right at 30M.

 

We will likely know what to do by the end of the season, but my guess is we would probably have to sigh Norwell, and let Star walk...although that's probably not the best thing for the team long term.

[Jon Snow]

This can't be true.  I've been told repeatedly by the Huddle GM's that every team but the Panthers have all pro lineman at every position, even the backups.  The problem was that Dave was too incompetent to trade anything and everything to get a few.  He didn't care about Cam and was a meanie.

[csx]

I'm not so sure the OLs are worse as much as the DL are more and more athletic DL has become more of a "glamour" position for lack of a better term. If you are young, athletic, and big which would you chose?

[Jangler]

talent level across the NFL has gone downhill over the last 10 years or so...from over protective parents to more money in baseball...

[csx]

I can't remember who said this (Gettleman ??) but colleges don't concentrate on technique now they the majority of the time scheming and working on more and more complex playbooks. OL are especially behind when they come in in comparison to the past.

I realize this contradicts my previous statement a little. It's likely a combination or several factors

[Jesse]

There's not so much a crisis but a shift in thinking. 

 

1. It's easier to play DL. You need to know the fronts and stunts and that's essentially it. 

2. Youth (rec - college) coaches know that having an impactful defensive lineman than a solid offensive tackle. 

3. Coaching the spread is much easier and more successful at youth, so these guys are green when they enter the NFL. 

[jumpman910]

And it will only get worse 

[thefuzz]

It's not just talent...it's practice.

 

The players wanted less practice, less mandatory OTA's, no 2 a days in TC...what they didn't think of...some positions require tons of reps to get proficient at.  We have a QB problem, an O Line problem, and likely moving forward a WR problem.

Those positions are all about timing, trust, feel, etc...the more practice time we lose, the more likely it is that defenses will continue to advance a little quicker than offenses in the league.

At least that's my opinion.