Time to Build an Offensive Line

[Lotus]

Originally Posted by Ruhskins

Just saw Rick Maese tweet that the Redskins have offered Levi Jones a 1-year deal. Does anyone know anything about this? I wonder if he'd play RT? Any thoughts on this as a possible line:

LT: Okung
LG: Dock
C: Rabach
RG: Hicks
RT: Jones

I don't know about Hicks as a starter. Seeing is believing on that one and maybe a light will come on for Rinehart. And I hope that we had some young ones being groomed behind these guys. But that line might not be too terrible for just one year.

[mlmpetert]

Originally Posted by Ruhskins

Just saw Rick Maese tweet that the Redskins have offered Levi Jones a 1-year deal. Does anyone know anything about this? I wonder if he'd play RT? Any thoughts on this as a possible line:

LT: Okung
LG: Dock
C: Rabach
RG: Hicks
RT: Jones

Wow seeing it like this makes me pretty scarred. Even if we get a tackle with our first pick, this oline is gonna take a while to fix. I honestly believe we have to go o line with our first and second round picks, and still hope something else works out for us too.

[Dirtbag59]

Originally Posted by mlmpetert

Wow seeing it like this makes me pretty scarred. Even if we get a tackle with our first pick, this oline is gonna take a while to fix. I honestly believe we have to go o line with our first and second round picks, and still hope something else works out for us too.

Hmmm, francise QB or franchise LT? Joe Thomas or Phillip Rivers? Stop being so short sighted people. This is going to be a two year process. I agree that one of the first two picks should be O-Line but lets not pretend that all of our problems will be fixed by picking two O-Lineman with our first two picks. All that did for the Jags was get them to 8-8.

You don't pass up a franchise QB and it's clear to most scouts right now that Bradford is that type of guy. Just pray that he falls to us, in which case you'll thank the front office in a few years.

[Ruhskins]

Originally Posted by Dirtbag359

Hmmm, francise QB or franchise LT? Joe Thomas or Phillip Rivers? Stop being so short sighted people. This is going to be a two year process. I agree that one of the first two picks should be O-Line but lets not pretend that all of our problems will be fixed by picking two O-Lineman with our first two picks. All that did for the Jags was get them to 8-8.

You don't pass up a franchise QB and it's clear to most scouts right now that Bradford is that type of guy. Just pray that he falls to us, in which case you'll thank the front office in a few years.

You make it sound like it is the end of the world if we don't get Bradford. Jacksonville may have been 8-8, but they were still in the playoff hunt before they fell apart. Besides, there are issues in Jax outside of football that are hunting that franchise. Furthermore, I can show you a Miami or a NYJets as teams that addressed their line first, and then went QB (Jets) or addressed the line and were able to develop their 2nd round QB (Henne).

Tackles can be just as important as QBs. Given that we have a serviceable QB that could play for a year or two, it's really hard to pass up on a franchise tackle when we had the JaMarcus Russell equivalent of an offensive line.

I know Bradford appears to have a lot of talent, but in the end he got injured during his senior year and did not play the majority of his final season in college. I'm sure for the sane mind this is not much of an issue and players do come back from these injuries and can be successful. But you are asking a team to gamble on this player with those two things in mind (injury and not playing), and pass up on the bast tackle that can be a huge improvement to the unit that just lost its best player (Samuels), and has been a big contributor to the losing ways of this team.

If Jason Campbell had put up JaMarcus Russell numbers over the past two years, a.) he probably would have been cut and b.) I'd be riding the Bradford bandwagon. Outside of that, I can't see how not taking Bradford and picking up Okung would be the end of the world.

[BigHairedAristocrat]

Originally Posted by Dirtbag359

Hmmm, francise QB or franchise LT? Joe Thomas or Phillip Rivers? Stop being so short sighted people. This is going to be a two year process. I agree that one of the first two picks should be O-Line but lets not pretend that all of our problems will be fixed by picking two O-Lineman with our first two picks. All that did for the Jags was get them to 8-8.

You don't pass up a franchise QB and it's clear to most scouts right now that Bradford is that type of guy. Just pray that he falls to us, in which case you'll thank the front office in a few years.

when's the last time there was a "clear" franchise QB in the draft? Every year, the pundits claim a QB is going to be a franchise guy and its true about half the time. If even that. you've got just as big of a chance of getting a Matt Ryan as you do an Alex Smith or a Jamarcus Russell. This is considered an especially weak QB class and you want to take a 50/50 chance on a QB? Thats far too risky for me.

[NYCskinfan82]

Originally Posted by BigHairedAristocrat

when's the last time there was a "clear" franchise QB in the draft? Every year, the pundits claim a QB is going to be a franchise guy and its true about half the time. If even that. you've got just as big of a chance of getting a Matt Ryan as you do an Alex Smith or a Jamarcus Russell. This is considered an especially weak QB class and you want to take a 50/50 chance on a QB? Thats far too risky for me.

i wouldn't take the chance either.

[mredskins]

Originally Posted by BigHairedAristocrat

when's the last time there was a "clear" franchise QB in the draft? Every year, the pundits claim a QB is going to be a franchise guy and its true about half the time. If even that. you've got just as big of a chance of getting a Matt Ryan as you do an Alex Smith or a Jamarcus Russell. This is considered an especially weak QB class and you want to take a 50/50 chance on a QB? Thats far too risky for me.

I agree! I rather get Okung at 4 and take a chance on McCoy or who ever in the second round. I almost bet Clausen will be there i nthe 2nd if we don't take him #4.

[BigHairedAristocrat]

Originally Posted by Ruhskins

Just saw Rick Maese tweet that the Redskins have offered Levi Jones a 1-year deal. Does anyone know anything about this? I wonder if he'd play RT? Any thoughts on this as a possible line:

LT: Okung
LG: Dock
C: Rabach
RG: Hicks
RT: Jones

I like it, but not as much as i'd like

LT: Okung
LG: Dock
c: Rabach
RG: Rinehart
RT Hicks

Originally Posted by mlmpetert

Wow seeing it like this makes me pretty scarred. Even if we get a tackle with our first pick, this oline is gonna take a while to fix. I honestly believe we have to go o line with our first and second round picks, and still hope something else works out for us too.

i actually agree with you. good call.

so... i have to ask - do you still want danny to sell the team or have you just forgotten to update your sig?

[GTripp0012]

I interpret this of the Redskins wanting to head into the draft with a starting five, thus not being forced to use any of their picks on the OL.

Obviously, it would be understood that an OL of: Levi Jones, Dockery, Rabach, Hicks, Mike Williams is pretty much the worst intentioned line in the history of the NFL. But right now, that's a line without a LT, which explains the one year contract to Levi Jones, who is the very definition of a stopgap.

I'll say this: a one year contract from this front office is not worth much in terms of job security.

[tryfuhl]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

I interpret this of the Redskins wanting to head into the draft with a starting five, thus not being forced to use any of their picks on the OL.

Obviously, it would be understood that an OL of: Levi Jones, Dockery, Rabach, Hicks, Mike Williams is pretty much the worst intentioned line in the history of the NFL. But right now, that's a line without a LT, which explains the one year contract to Levi Jones, who is the very definition of a stopgap.

I'll say this: a one year contract from this front office is not worth much in terms of job security.

hmmm, I don't know.. does that mean we'd go line heavy next year?

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by tryfuhl

hmmm, I don't know.. does that mean we'd go line heavy next year?

Well, not if the line ends up being "fixed" this year.

If we don't go line heavy this year, it's hard to see us ever going with more than a pick or two on the line in a single draft. We're in dire straights (straits?) now. We won't be in quite as bad a position at this time next year.

It's my conclusion that if we went line heavy in this draft, we could win a whole bunch of games and make the postseason. But even if we miss the postseason in 2010, I think our line will be improved. I think Heyer will get better, I think Rabach will be a little less confused, and if nothing else, we won't be as injury riddled this year as we have been in the past. That should help.

[The Goat]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

Well, not if the line ends up being "fixed" this year.

If we don't go line heavy this year, it's hard to see us ever going with more than a pick or two on the line in a single draft. We're in dire straights (straits?) now. We won't be in quite as bad a position at this time next year.

It's my conclusion that if we went line heavy in this draft, we could win a whole bunch of games and make the postseason. But even if we miss the postseason in 2010, I think our line will be improved. I think Heyer will get better, I think Rabach will be a little less confused, and if nothing else, we won't be as injury riddled this year as we have been in the past. That should help.

I liked your idea (posted in another thread I think) of taking LT and then RT w/ our early picks. That strategy seems to give the offense the best "chance" of success in the next few years because even the best college QB prospect won't be able to develop behind the current line or even the available OL FA talent who could replace what we've got now.

But ultimately it's about player evaluation and availability. I think it's safe to assume Bradford won't fall to 4 and that we're not trading up because it would just be too damn irresponsible. So if Okung is also gone when we pick and Shanny/Allen have Clausen rated higher than the next BPA...I guess we'll add a QB w/ our first pick. That strategy relies on a wing and a prayer Levi Jones has a good year or two left in him. Personally not something I'd be willing to bet the house on...and let's be honest Levi Jones protecting a QB drafted 4th overall is betting the house.

...I'm pretty glad I don't have to make decisions for the franchise this off-season.

[Ruhskins]

Originally Posted by tryfuhl

hmmm, I don't know.. does that mean we'd go line heavy next year?

Also, not committing long term to a free agent LT could mean that we are planning on drafting a player like Okung. But, that could be my wishful thinking.

[SmootSmack]

Yeah Levi's been offered a one year deal but wants more. Probably won't find it and will end up here

[GTripp0012]

I don't actually think Okung will be gone when we pick. I think Detroit and Tampa Bay will have serious internal discussions about taking him, and I think Detroit is more likely to take him, but ultimately, won't be able to pass on Suh or McCoy.