We need a right guard

[SeaMonster]

To my understanding, franchising Kalil will be hard because he would have to be offered a salary based on the average salaries of the top offensive lineman and not centers alone.

The price of tackles makes this number too high for a center.

[Woodie]

You need to remember that Schwartz was at RT for OTAs, training camp, and half of the season. He was learning at RG, and made some huge steps--he was a major reason the line started playing better.

Is he the answer? I dunno. But i agree with Rock--we should draft a project LT to develop behind Gross and we should draft a backup center who can compete at RG. The reason for the center? We cannot franchise Kalil and he will be hard to re-sign.

I was actually surprised at how well Schwartz did at RG this year, pretty much for the reasons you gave. I just didn't think he would be even decent switching mid-year after playing RT pretty much his entire life. But I'm still not sure if he will be starter material or not once he gets an entire offseason and camp to work on the position. I always felt RG would end up being his best position, but I just don't know if it is as a starter or back-up.

I did find it interesting, though, when Beason said on WFNZ the other day (when talking about the offense's problems, and OL in particular), that one problem was that we were missing the right side of the line, then specifically mentioned Otah and Duke. Don't know if it means anything, I just found it interesting that he seemed to view Duke as our starting RG.

As for Bernadeau, I think we learned he is not a RG. I believe he is fine depth at LG, but doesn't have the power for RG...or at least in the previous regime's scheme.

[rayzor]

supposedly duke has been sticking around the weight room and working a lot this offseason. maybe he's finally taking it seriously. i hope so. still, we can't count on that and we can't count on otah being healthy all year.

we need to be looking at FA for an answer at RG and depth at RT. i don't want to mess around with any rookie projects for either spot. get someone that has a clue and some starting experience and plug them in. we don't need the passing game to be hampered by inexperienced players on the right side.

[carpanfan96]

To my understanding, franchising Kalil will be hard because he would have to be offered a salary based on the average salaries of the top offensive lineman and not centers alone.

The price of tackles makes this number too high for a center.

Correct, if franchised tagged he would make around 9-10 million for the season. Where as if Dwill was tagged, he'd be making around 7 million for the season.

However, with that said. Look for Kalil to be the highest paid, (if not damn close to it.) Center in the league for his new contract. I'd expect something very similar to what Nick Mangold or Jason Brown got. Something in the 5-7 year 48-60 million dollar range with around 25-30 of it guaranteed.

[koolkatluke]

supposedly duke has been sticking around the weight room and working a lot this offseason. maybe he's finally taking it seriously. i hope so. still, we can't count on that and we can't count on otah being healthy all year.

we need to be looking at FA for an answer at RG and depth at RT. i don't want to mess around with any rookie projects for either spot. get someone that has a clue and some starting experience and plug them in. we don't need the passing game to be hampered by inexperienced players on the right side.

I agree the line is pretty young on the right side a older vet would help either depht or starter.

[DaveThePanther2008]

We always had success bringing in FA Olinemen. This problem can be fixed with better health and free agency.

For our needs I think the Free Agent Market is the way to go. Get someone solid. We don't need a high priced Guard. I would also like to see someone get their foot in Robinson ass and get him to be the beast we need him to be.

[rayzor]

I agree the line is pretty young on the right side a older vet would help either depht or starter.

i actually think this team might be a bit too young across the board. if we trade down and get multiple draft picks i think i would rather use most of those picks on trades for vet players.

[Jackofalltrades]

I'd rather get a stud shutdown LT, move Gross to RT and Otah to RG. Just my two cents.

Gross is a stud LT, so now what?

[rscott94]

we need a second round pick

[carpanfan96]

Gross is a stud LT, so now what?

This, Gross is one of the top LT's in the league.

[scarface]

We need a right guard

No sh*t.

[Urrymonster]

Gross is a stud LT, so now what?

This is why I made my first Unsung Heroes thread about him

[Urrymonster]

We only need a RG if we view Otah as unlikely to be able to play consistently and want Schwartz to start there.

So we can go one of two ways, bring in a vet RT or RG and have Schwartz man the other position.

He literally was our most consistent OLine player, ranked right up there with the best OGs in the NFL and ranked up with the best RTs in the league when he played there.

[SCP]

If we had our 33rd pick we could have potentially had Mike Pouncey. He is projected to be almost as good as his twin brother Maurkice who has started from day one and will be starting as a rookie today at center for the Steelers.

If Duke fails again and if we don't bring in a FA, my dream OL for 2011 would be:

Gross-Wharton-Kalil-Pouncey-Otah

Last preseason I was so excited for a Robinson-Otah right side to emerge. The potential is there to be dominant as hell. Those two just need to make the choice to frickin play.

Here is a little bit on Mike Pouncey

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1273190