HB Blades or Stephon Heyer?

[GridIron26]

Originally Posted by celts32

It's easy to be more comfortable with Heyer since he has already started. I would still take an OT though if one of the top ones is available. You usually need a pretty high pick to get an OT that can project to LT and some of the guys in this draft have that ability. I would rather roll the dice with Blades and have that as a need next year if Blades doesn't pan out. We also could get a LB in round 3 that could compete but we would never get a starting RT in round 3.

I support that, not only Heyer has started but he also has shown the abilities to be good T; he just needs to take it up to next level.. But OT is rich in draft this year, we need to take advantage of it and grab a potentional future LT to take over when Samuels move over to RT, which probably would be in 2 years.. Beside, we managed to stay in top 5 defense with all the injuries.. I'm pretty sure, especially with additional of Haynesworth, we will do fine with Blades/Fincher or Wilson rotating from time to time..

[30gut]

Originally Posted by Paintrain

If you were on the coaching staff or in the FO, with the likelihood we aren't going to get starters at RT, SLB and DE (we're likely going to go with the Daniels/Wynn/Buzbee/Jackson rotation) from the draft, who are you more comfortable going into 2009 as a starter? (Mods-can we poll this?)

Does starting one mean that the other guy gets replaced by a draft pick?
Or does it mean that their replacement come from the current roster?

B/c if Blades doesn't start now then who would Fincher?
With this current Roster, Blades would have to start b/c he doesn't appear to have a capable back-up on the roster.

But, if Heyer didn't start then Jansen could at least has experience and would be serviceable for awhile.

[Stuck in TX]

I feel way more comfortable with Heyor but look forward to Blades proving me wrong this offseason. We should go after a versatile outside LB who can also play DE just in case Blades or Fincher break through. We do not have a DE that will "break through" since Carter's end is secure and Daniels/Wynn in decent. Blades/Fincher does not impress, we have a starter OLB. Wynn/Daniels gets injured/does not impress/dies of natural causes due to old age, we have a starter there. Verdict: Orakapo

[#56fanatic]

I know Jansen struggled last year, but i wouldn't be so quick to say he is done. Last season he was coming off a pretty severe injury, in which it takes some time to get back to your quickness and that seems to be what was killing him last year. He was still a pretty damn good run blocker, but just wore down towards the end of the year, just as did everyone else. I am going on the record as saying Jansen will be better this year than last. He has had an entire off season to get back into good shape not having to go through any procedures with the knife, and I really think he can still be our starting RT. I think that he will also have all the motivation with everyone saying he is done. This guy has been a rock at RT for a number of years and when healthy is pretty damn good. And he's BUGES guy, so dont quit on him yet.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by #56fanatic

I know Jansen struggled last year, but i wouldn't be so quick to say he is done. Last season he was coming off a pretty severe injury, in which it takes some time to get back to your quickness and that seems to be what was killing him last year. He was still a pretty damn good run blocker, but just wore down towards the end of the year, just as did everyone else. I am going on the record as saying Jansen will be better this year than last. He has had an entire off season to get back into good shape not having to go through any procedures with the knife, and I really think he can still be our starting RT. I think that he will also have all the motivation with everyone saying he is done. This guy has been a rock at RT for a number of years and when healthy is pretty damn good. And he's BUGES guy, so dont quit on him yet.

Yeah I'm holding out some hope for a rebound year by JJ too. Sounds like he's taken off some weight and is in good shape, and determined to claim the RT spot. If there's one thing we can't question it's the guy's heart. He's gonna go down swinging no matter what.

[warriorzpath]

The thing that sticks out in my mind about Jansen and also about Heyer - is seeing them get embarrassed a few times last year in their individual matchups. That left a lasting impression with me. I hope that Jansen comes back and plays well again and also that Heyer will drastically improve, but I can't trust that they will until I see it.

[Paintrain]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

Yeah I'm holding out some hope for a rebound year by JJ too. Sounds like he's taken off some weight and is in good shape, and determined to claim the RT spot. If there's one thing we can't question it's the guy's heart. He's gonna go down swinging no matter what.

It would be nice if he bounces back, but I've thought Jansen was done since '06. I've seen him get pushed back into the QB way too many times to want to see him out there again.

[MTK]

The only reason I'm holding out some hope for Jansen is the fact he didn't need some sort of major surgery this offseason and he should be stronger and healthier this year than he's been in quite some time.

[freddyg12]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

The only reason I'm holding out some hope for Jansen is the fact he didn't need some sort of major surgery this offseason and he should be stronger and healthier this year than he's been in quite some time.

I'm rooting for Jansen always, he's our longest tenured player & always a class guy that plays w/pain. Maybe he's got a comeback in him & he really is healing/adjusting to the injuries of the past few years.

Either way though, this team needs 2 young tackles to add to the roster.

[celts32]

We all love Jansen but honestly I do not want to see him win the RT job. What will happen is that he will look great in September and in to October and then by November he will wear down and either get hurt or his play will deteriorate. I would rather have him as a healthy reserve and have him step in later in the year if Heyer is not getting it done.

[#56fanatic]

I think Jansen was taking his spot for granted last year, and may not have put 100% into the offseason. A friend of mine watched a new clip and it was showing Jansens mobile home he stays in during camp. In the fridge was all Bud Lite cans. Now we all know that the guys like to have their beers, but Jansen isn't a spring chicken and i think he knows now that he has to work harder in the offseason than he has had to do in the earlier days. I really think this offensive line is going to be one of the best in the NFL this year. Dockery coming back, neither samuels or Jansen having major surgery in the offseason and Rabach has been solid. I am just hoping they all really work hard and get in tremendous shape because they really looked wiped out by week 10 last year.

[53Fan]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

The only reason I'm holding out some hope for Jansen is the fact he didn't need some sort of major surgery this offseason and he should be stronger and healthier this year than he's been in quite some time.

That, coupled with the fact that I don't ever remember him being pushed this hard for a starting spot, may light a tremendous fire under his ass. But if Heyer straight up wins the spot, knowing that Jansen's going to give it everything he's got, I'd say Heyer has earned it and must at least have some talent. It should be a good competition and hopefully bring out the best in both of them.