With the Super Bowl the only thing separating us from our team's offseason beginning, I'd like to address some units specifically that should be addressed this off season. Once, again at the very top is OL, deja vu like last off season and the one before that and so on and so forth. We have invested a hell of a lot of money, draft picks, and time into our offensive line and we still are near complete.
2014 Recap: We brought in new OL coach Jon Benton and I will say the difference was felt early in the year. Branden Albert proved to be the most vital off season addition and when he went down with injury it really effected our whole offense especially pass protection for Tannehill. The run game was much improved but still needs to be more consistent. Most evident is we need to improve our interior OL play especially in the run game. A lot of our run game's effectiveness is off of misdirection and the zone read. We need to improve in lining up man to man and being able to drive and grind a defense.
The Unit: Branden Albert is returning from injury and comes with a big ? in terms of how he will return and how soon. My guess is he'll be ready by Week 4 latest and he will be effective as usual. Daryn Colledge is a FA and needs to be replaced and improved on, if a cheap deal for a backup is possible that may be his best use. Samson Satele was effective to begin the yea but like the unit really struggled down the stretch, he will likely play elsewhere in 2015. Mike Pouncey will move back to his natural center and hopefully a healthy offseason will get him back to his high level of play. RG with Pouncey moving back lines up for Shelley Smith who was expected to come in and start but was only a rotational player. Smith's cap number is too high for not being a starter. Juwan James was asked of a lot this season and I think he exceeded expectations despite what some numbers will tell you. He needs to get stronger and improve in the run game but a full year in an NFL program will do wonders. Regardless he is a 1st rounder who proved his worth and looks like a starter for years to come. Billy Turner remains the big unknown after red shirting all this season. He is a massive load who is working at Guard after being a Tackle in college. The hope is he will be able to compete for a starting spot this year at OG. Dallas Thomas is not a RT at the NFL level but could be a serviceable player at OG if he could focus on the position. Jason Fox played decent when filling in and didn't give up any sacks. I'd look to bring him back as a 3rd swing tackle for emergency purposes.
Areas of concern: LG; RG; Swing Tackle; Depth
Free Agents: Daryn College; Samson Satele; Jason Fox
Possible Cuts: Nate Garner; Shelley Smith; Dallas Thomas
Potential Free Agents Additions: Mike Iupati (SF); Dan Connolly (NE); James Carpenter (SEA); Clint Boling (CIN); Orlando Franklin (DEN); Fernando Velasco (CAR); Stefen Wisenewski (OAK)
Top Draft Options: AJ Cann (South Carolina); Brandon Scherff (Iowa); La'el Collins (LSU); Josue Matias (FSU); Tre Jackson (FSU); Jamil Douglas (ASU); Arie Koudijo (ALA)
Scherff and Collins are two players projected at Tackle on some big boards but after the success of Zack Martin & Joel Bitinio from this year's past class transitioning from tackle to guard that could be a recipe to follow going forward. Both are maulers in the run game but struggle with speed on the outside which would be a natural fit sliding inside. Each are potential 1st rounders depending on how they are viewed by the team picking them. Cann is a natural guard who should be 1st off the board as early 2nd round pick. The FSU boys are both round 2-4 possibilities and Koundijo is a mauler but has some health concerns.
My Plan: Looking at the history of Philbin and Co. as they are still in charge very rarely are we allowing rookies to step right in as evident by Billy Turner this year. My belief is that Turner will have every opportunity to win a starting spot in 2015 my preference would be to put him at RG and allow him and James to form continuity and grow together. With Pouncey sliding inside he will be a great communicator for a young Turner. Now LG is the main focal point at we need a run blocking LG to step in and work with Albert or whoever can fill in for the time being. Relying on Turner and another possible rookie to step in and improve this unit would be foolish to believe. Finding another stop gap isn't really the best remedy as we have seen. This puts us in a bit of a catch 22, but not so fast with the FA class looking bountiful. The star power may not be huge outside of Iupati (who is overrated IMO) but there is a nice blend of talent and youth. My favorite would be to sign local product Orlando Franklin to step in at LG. Behind him I'd like Boling or Carpenter as all three options are 27 years or younger. While each will earn good money none should break the bank in terms of costing too much money. By adding a veteran like Franklin who still has good years ahead of him and his versatility after playing tackle earlier in career. He'd also bring a nasty streak which would be needed for our OL. From there I'd look to resign Jason Fox or address a veteran as a in case of emergency for Albert/James. Last thing would be depth which always catches up with us. Albert/James as Starting OT; Franklin/Turner as Starting OG; Pouncey as OC. Behind that I'd like Fox as 3rd OT; Dallas Thomas as OG as he is still on rookie contract. From there I'd look mid to late for a developmental guard or center to groom as future starter. I'd also look at undrafted center pile from post-draft as there always seem to be some players who sneak through the cracks and turn out to be solid professionals.
Albert - Franklin - Pouncey - Turner - James
Fox - Thomas - Mid Round Rookie - Undrafted OC
This plan would A). Enhance our OL play significantly on the interior B). Allow us a cost efficient solution C). Minimize the amount of draft picks used for this need D). Allow our offense to grow
Let me know your personal thoughts guys. IMO our OL is still NOT where it needs to be but progress has been made in some areas. Finding guards to drive our run game would truly allow this offense to be what it wants to be.
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Colmax, UCFinfan86, Larry Little and 7 others like this.
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I think the biggest problem with the offensive line is that our coaching staff has no idea who to start, or where to put the players. At this point I think Mike Tannenbaum needs to consider essentially over-engineering the personnel on the line so that it's idiot-proof.
You need to find a way to ensure that players get put in their best positions. Perhaps you've got to consider avoiding position-flexible players, and pare down the roster to guys who have only played the position you want them in. Maybe you've got to clearly, but non-specifically state in FA/Draft staff meetings that you think a guy can only play Left or Right side. Bringing up Cameron Wake might be a good example.
You've also probably got to avoid giving Joe Philbin whatever ****ty veteran player that Philbin wants, even if it seems totally reasonable on the face of it. Marshall Newhouse might seem like a very reasonable #3 Tackle option financially and scheme-wise, but it's a god-damned trap and you shouldn't do it no matter what Philbin says. He'll be on the field destroying your game plan "rotating" at Left Tackle because he's afraid of giving Branden Albert's knee too much work.Deerless Dice likes this. -
It troubles me that you hear or read from some who make it seem that OL is a position that is easy to find and easier to fill. I just don't believe that to be true. OL is a position that needs to be carefully constructed and needs to be thought of as a foundation, not just an after thought.
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Thanks Tone E. And for sure, I'll try to do so going forward but will tell you people will differ on where to draft. For me for the aforementioned guards I'll rank them for you. Again, for a 1st round pick at OL they need to be a OT or a Elite OG/OC prospect. I do believe Scherff/Collins if played at Guard could get to that level but #14 overall is a little high to be picked. For me in this case as we go FA for OG I'd look middle rounds to draft as they won't be day one starter.
Scherff (if guard): Mid to Late 1st
Collins (if Guard): Late 1st to Early 2nd
Cann: 2nd
Mattias/Jackson/Koudijo/Douglas : Rounds 3-4Tone_E likes this. -
I have suffered by falling into the crowd where OL isn't the most important thing. But, after seeing RT17 progress yet still suffer from shotty OL we need to improve. I do NOT think it is overly difficult to fix an OL if you have a plan in place. First thing I can point out is our coaching staff's reluctance to change especially when it is need by a player performing poorly. For D. Thomas to be put out there at RT week after week was terrible especially when Jason Fox proved to be a better option. Colledge is another who was not performing but rather than let Shelley Smith play full-time or try getting Turner some playing time we stuck with him. The first fix is that we need to trust our players to make plays and not be reluctant to change when needed. Looking at the current state at this moment we have two penciled in starters at OC = Pouncey and RT = James. Albert is a top knotch LT when healthy so when that is the case that is 3 starters two which are pro bowl caliber and one developing above average starter. Guard play is what hurts us the most. But, I do believe a full offseason Turner can be a good guard and good run blocker. What we need is a LG who provides above average play. The belief that in a zone scheme we can't have big mauling type guards is foolish as teams like Denver/Seattle use that philosophy with big OL.
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Zwave you're a beast. Thanks for all of these state of posts.
I think the OL issues were mostly caused by injury this year. The run blocking remained pretty good the whole year it was the paas pro that fell apart.zwave21 likes this.