Peppers says he wants to explore free agency

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

I'd be surprised if Aaron Curry wasn't the No. 1 overall guy on Vinny's board.

What do you think the plan for the offensive line really is, considering there's a significant portion of it we are already committed to cap wise?

Well the latest on Curry is he's skyrocketing to probably being a top 3 pick so that improves the likelihood at this point that we're taking Cushing at 13 (assuming he's there). I really like the idea of adding a young, playmaking OLB but I'm not convinced entirely that Cushing is the right choice that high.

I think the plan for the offensive line is Samuels is the LT until he has to carted off; at LG they really (and so do I) want to see Rinehart take that spot this summer, though I think they'll probably bring back Kendall for cheap if they can regardless, C is kind of a toss up position right now-I don't think they're in love with Rabach but I also get the sense they don't think it's all that important a position relative to others-I think they take a C very late in the draft and have Rabach, Geisinger (if healthy) and the draft pick battle it out in training camp with Jansen and Kendall being long shots. At RG, Thomas probably stays there. RT is the wild card, I think they're really trying to trade into the 2nd round to get an OT there. There are probably 7-8 draft picks who could start at RT right away and who knows when that will happen again.

So to summarize-Samuels, Rinehart, Any old bloke, Thomas, Rookie is probably their ideal starting scenario.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

So to summarize-Samuels, Rinehart, Any old bloke, Thomas, Rookie is probably their ideal starting scenario.

I'm wondering what's the deal with Thomas, because not only did he struggle to grasp zone blocking concepts, he also started to struggle with things he is historically strong at, such as one on one pass blocking and pulling to hit the end.

We've seen instances of players who just perform terribly for a year with no real warning signs and then bounce right back the next year, which I think can happen with Thomas, but man, was he awful this season.

[The Goat]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Well the latest on Curry is he's skyrocketing to probably being a top 3 pick so that improves the likelihood at this point that we're taking Cushing at 13 (assuming he's there). I really like the idea of adding a young, playmaking OLB but I'm not convinced entirely that Cushing is the right choice that high.

I think the plan for the offensive line is Samuels is the LT until he has to carted off; at LG they really (and so do I) want to see Rinehart take that spot this summer, though I think they'll probably bring back Kendall for cheap if they can regardless, C is kind of a toss up position right now-I don't think they're in love with Rabach but I also get the sense they don't think it's all that important a position relative to others-I think they take a C very late in the draft and have Rabach, Geisinger (if healthy) and the draft pick battle it out in training camp with Jansen and Kendall being long shots. At RG, Thomas probably stays there. RT is the wild card, I think they're really trying to trade into the 2nd round to get an OT there. There are probably 7-8 draft picks who could start at RT right away and who knows when that will happen again.

So to summarize-Samuels, Rinehart, Any old bloke, Thomas, Rookie is probably their ideal starting scenario.

I can't help but be worried that we might not take a truly top OT in this year's draft. For all practical purposes we don't have a RT and Samuels while still very, very good is no spring chicken. A franchise tackle gives us so many options at this point where we can shore up both tackle positions for the foreseeable future.

... I understand OLB is def a need. Also realize it's just my opinion that a franchise OT is the best move but it will be sooooo unfair to JC (and the fans) if the FO fails to significantly upgrade the line.

I would just add that w/ Thomas struggling so bad last season and his resurgence as an effective guard questionable, but the near certainty he is retained because of the cap hit) it's all the more important we put a monster at RT.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by The Goat

I can't help but be worried that we might not take a truly top OT in this year's draft. For all practical purposes we don't have a RT and Samuels while still very, very good is no spring chicken. A franchise tackle gives us so many options at this point where we can shore up both tackle positions for the foreseeable future.

... I understand OLB is def a need. Also realize it's just my opinion that a franchise OT is the best move but it will be sooooo unfair to JC (and the fans) if the FO fails to significantly upgrade the line.

I would just add that w/ Thomas struggling so bad last season and his resurgence as an effective guard questionable, but the near certainty he is retained because of the cap hit) it's all the more important we put a monster at RT.

I think the feeling is there are a lot of top OTs