Projected Lineup... Your thoughts?

[Skins4L]

I think Moses can most likely start week 1. Well know more soon. But all the information and media ive seen on Moses tells me hes a day 1 starter. Just like Zach Martin in dallas.. just like Matthews in ATL.. Long is the same story. Grudens gonna put the best guys out there if Chester shows up then Long takes a seat during the learning curve. But Polumbus.. ew.. I see RG getting hit already lets get Moses ready.

[SkinzWin]

This poopoos peoples' ideas about rookies starting right away.

NFL Sizing up the rookies: Morgan Moses - ESPN

[EARTHQUAKE2689]

Originally Posted by SkinzWin

This poopoos peoples' ideas about rookies starting right away.

NFL Sizing up the rookies: Morgan Moses - ESPN

Yeah I have heard that about almost every draft pick ever.

[SkinzWin]

Originally Posted by EARTHQUAKE2689

Yeah I have heard that about almost every draft pick ever.

But starting the whole right side of the line with rookies from day 1? I don't see it. Maybe ease them in after a few games. If people are worried about getting RGIII hurt it seems like starting two rookies on the line next to each other from game 1 is a good way to make that happen.

[NYCskinfan82]

Best man starts IMO.

[sevier2]

Originally Posted by SkinzWin

But starting the whole right side of the line with rookies from day 1? I don't see it. Maybe ease them in after a few games. If people are worried about getting RGIII hurt it seems like starting two rookies on the line next to each other from game 1 is a good way to make that happen.

This is my thought exactly. Yes, by year two it definitely should be Long/Moses on the right side of the line (unless Long plays LG), but year 1 I don't see it.

These guys were drafted THIRD round for a reason. If we had two first round picks or a high second (Like we had this year but couldn't use) then maybe they both start. Until then you put out veterans to at least soften the blow on the right side.

The way I see it playing out is either Moses OR Long start by mid season, I don't know who but one of them will. Then a few weeks later say Week 12-14 you put in the other one. That way by year 2 they both have game experience and can work in the off season with a steady grasp of NFL level play.

The only question now is who will adjust to the NFL faster Long or Moses.

[EARTHQUAKE2689]

Originally Posted by sevier2

This is my thought exactly. Yes, by year two it definitely should be Long/Moses on the right side of the line (unless Long plays LG), but year 1 I don't see it.

These guys were drafted THIRD round for a reason. If we had two first round picks or a high second (Like we had this year but couldn't use) then maybe they both start. Until then you put out veterans to at least soften the blow on the right side.

The way I see it playing out is either Moses OR Long start by mid season, I don't know who but one of them will. Then a few weeks later say Week 12-14 you put in the other one. That way by year 2 they both have game experience and can work in the off season with a steady grasp of NFL level play.

The only question now is who will adjust to the NFL faster Long or Moses.

Where you are drafted means nothing. The Bears had a OL drafted in the 6th who played all year. If you can play, you can play, Regardless where you are picked.

[Defensewins]

Haslett really wants increase the use of player packages/rotation system on defense to keep players fresh. Wholesale player changes from 3-4 package to nickle/dime packages. Especially on the defensive line.
I say this because being named "starter" does not mean you will play a lot or more than some of "the backups" on the D-line. Depending on who we play, whether the opponent is a running team, passing team or balanced, or what situation they are in will dictate how much a certain player play.
For the base 3-4 defense geared to stop running/balanced teams for example, I see a D-line rotation of:
- Jarvis Jenkins, Stephen Bowen, Jason Hatcher and Chris Baker at DE
- Barry Cofield, Chris Baker and Chris Neild at NT
I see saving Jason Hatcher more as a pass rush DE/DT in the Nickle and dime packages (4 man lines), instead of tiring him out playing the run at 3-4 DE. Hatcher excelled more on on 4 man lines then he did on 3 man line. That is why I think Jenkins, Bowen and Baker will play more 3-4 DE in obvious run situations. Not Hatcher.
I also heard they might experiment with Hatcher at pass rush OLB on obvious pass plays. So he would exclusively rush the passer not go out in coverage if he played 3-4 OLB on occasion. Of course the development of OLB's Trent Murphy and Brandon Jenkins will play into whether Hatcher is ever tries OLB in a game.

[sevier2]

Originally Posted by EARTHQUAKE2689

Where you are drafted means nothing. The Bears had a OL drafted in the 6th who played all year. If you can play, you can play, Regardless where you are picked.

Where you're drafted actually means a lot in this league, that's basic knowledge.

I do agree however, that if you can play you'll play. What everyone HERE on this forum bases their decisions on is speculation and expectations. What's expected out of somebody drafted in rounds 1-3 is A LOT different than what's expected from players taken in the 4-7 rounds.

Don't get me wrong, Alfred Morris proved to everybody in the NFL that you can find quality players late. But don't sit there and tell me you would be confident putting out an o line with a bunch of 6th/7th round rookies. It just doesn't work that way

[EARTHQUAKE2689]

Originally Posted by sevier2

Where you're drafted actually means a lot in this league, that's basic knowledge.

I do agree however, that if you can play you'll play. What everyone HERE on this forum bases their decisions on is speculation and expectations. What's expected out of somebody drafted in rounds 1-3 is A LOT different than what's expected from players taken in the 4-7 rounds.

Don't get me wrong, Alfred Morris proved to everybody in the NFL that you can find quality players late. But don't sit there and tell me you would be confident putting out an o line with a bunch of 6th/7th round rookies. It just doesn't work that way

We don't have any 7th rd rookie OL, but 3rd rounders yes I would be fine with that if they show that they are the best players, which I believe they will

[sevier2]

Originally Posted by EARTHQUAKE2689

We don't have any 7th rd rookie OL, but 3rd rounders yes I would be fine with that if they show that they are the best players, which I believe they will

As do I. However I also understand one of these 3rd rounders dropped that far due to poor technique while the other is coming off of a knee injury. There's no doubt they WILL be our starters in the future. I'm just advocating we give them some time before we crown them "Day 1 Starters."

[TenandSix:Unacceptable]

One of Moses or Long will be starting week 1.

Book it.

[TenandSix:Unacceptable]

Regarding Offensive lines in general it's a good idea to have continuity in season with that group so I would think whoever wins a job in training camp/preseason will keep it barring injury or obvious struggles.

So I don't see the whole "work them in mid season" plan happening.

[artmonkforhallofamein07]

I would hope that whoever wins the job throughout camp and the preseason keeps it till the end of the season. If not, then the player is performing poorly and we probably aren't playing very well.

How many winning teams shuffle linemen in the middle of the year? Maybe the Ravens did it a couple of years ago (Super Bowl year?), but I could be wrong.

[Bangee7]

All the 1st hand accounts I've seen so far seem to think that Moses will need more time, but that Long could seriously challenge.

If both are ready, I'm fine with them both starting.

Sort of reminds me of the '81 skins when they started 2 rookies at Guard....next to a first time starter at Center. That turned out OK.

Hail!