I know adding bodies off of the street seldom works, but perhaps a free agent could provide some competition and stabilize the offensive line. No need to make change just for the sake of change but giving more time to the QB and opening some running lanes would go a long way in helping the offense.
Now I am of the belief that Alex Boone is not realistic what so ever so I'm not even including him in this conversation.
I am NOT going to go down the Richie Incognito road either.
I also know that in a week or two, hundreds of players will be cut around the league and perhaps an offensive lineman or two will be included and I'm not opposed to adding one at that time but adding a player now could give him a jumpstart with the playbook.
I think the offensive line could become a more cohesive unit with time, but more depth would be helpful especially considering the injury to Charles Brown.
Some interesting names include Levi Brown, Mike Otto, Jeremy Trueblood, Kyle Cook, Ryan Cook and Mike Brisiel.
Of that list, I think both Levi Brown and Mike Brisiel are worth a look.
Thoughts?
There's a reason these guys still don't have jobs, no?
This is a patchwork line.....look at it....the one guy we thought we didn't have to worry about, Pugh, is not having a good preseason.....everyone on this line is average at best....they are not going to get better than they are....Pugh may have growing pains this year, because more is expected of him this year, and like I said, he will be on an island without help this year....guys like Richburg may get better, but that could be a few years off....
Reese has replaced this line with 3 starters.....are they better than what we had? It looks that way.....but it could take a season or more, or even new players to be added, before they become a functioning, well oiled machine....
The OL has been ignored for too long, and will not be fixed overnight, or in one season....we just have to hope that they are better than last year, and that Eli can somehow overcome the inevitable breakdowns, that occur with guys playing together for the first time....
And most of all, they have to remain healthy, because they do not have a guy like Boothe, who could fill in at multiple positions, effectively...
Don't close your eyes to quality players because there was some failure in the past.
If anything, I hope they will be looking to improve the tight end position if the opportunity presents itself.
Weeks into the play book.
Now is there competition or is there more confusion and chaos?
It is extremely unrealistic to compose a line of all marquee free agents and 1st round draft picks. Look at the best line this team has ever seen: 5th round pick Diehl, undrafted Seubert, undrafted and under the radar free agent O'Hara, 2nd round pick Snee and 3rd round pick and free agent McKenzie.
My main point was that a veteran like Levi Brown and/or Mike Brisiel could come in and provide depth and competition. We are talking about a vet minimum deal so it would be a lowrisk, high reward situation.
I do think that the line will come together and be serviceable. Beatty, Schwartz, Walton, Richburg and Pugh can have success if they play together. I'm more speaking about the depth. Brown was mediocre and is now injured. Brewer does not belong on an NFL field. I was hoping for more growth from Mosley. Reynolds has been only okay. No one else has really impressed at all.
Having Levi Brown as a swing tackle and Mike Brisiel would be a nice insurance policy.
I know I am being impatient and waiting for cuts would probably be a smarter move.
I guess all of the negative press and media criticism about the offense has gotten to me a little bit.
"• The problem when front-line offensive linemen like Baker go down is that the backup offensive linemen in the league aren't that good. Each team might have one or two developmental players as backups, players who could become starters, but mostly it's bad players trying to fill spots. I asked some coaches and personnel people why it is that way, and the answer I got the most was because big guys want to play defense more now. The second answer was because linemen develop slower now in college because of the spread offenses. At any rate, the preseason really exposes the poor line play by the backups across the league. I wouldn't want to be a backup quarterback, that's for sure."
Link - ( New Window )
and i always see ex giants ol on other teams from whimper to mc cants
Perhaps a surprise cut or two occurs at roster cutdown, but right now I tend to think upgrade(s) are unlikely.