I wonder if Cam Robinson is a more attractive candidate at 23 than many of us have thought.
I see him as a capable player in the running game, but as a very inconsistent pass blocker who will lean and lose balance quite a bit, ala Flowers (and similar in that regard to Rod Johnson of FSU).
Bu perhaps we are content with those shortcomings, and determined to develop a reliable running game. The additions of Ellison and Marshall certainly aid in that.
I wonder if, supposing that Robinson is a target, the next move they make would be to land a QB who is far more mobile than Eli with eyes to the future.
Lots of hypotheticals here, I know, but it's where my mind takes me after the Fluker signing.
Without, so far, great results.
I think the OL has to be fixed with FA's (like Fluker) and development of the current players (like Hart, Jones, even Flowers) or later round picks than the 1st.
too much premium, cost-controlled, resources in one position neglects others.
Reese hates to go into a draft having to draft a specific position, he likes to position the Giants for draft flexibility, but I wouldn't be surprised based on the lack of quality talent and needs elsewhere on the team if Reese goes into the draft with a no OL at 23 philosophy.
though, I also wouldn't be completely shocked if he took an OL, just because that player falls, but I will be at least mildly surprised.
YAJ, you make a valid point. Marty, do you know anything more than has been reported about that arrest? Remind me of the details.
and, as I said I have not looked at players, but consensus plus 2 seconds watching the combine, Lamp looks like a real beast in terms of his lower legs and forearms, old school.
Supposedly impressed teams with his interviews at the combine. FWIW.
Without, so far, great results.
I think the OL has to be fixed with FA's (like Fluker) and development of the current players (like Hart, Jones, even Flowers) or later round picks than the 1st.
too much premium, cost-controlled, resources in one position neglects others.
Reese hates to go into a draft having to draft a specific position, he likes to position the Giants for draft flexibility, but I wouldn't be surprised based on the lack of quality talent and needs elsewhere on the team if Reese goes into the draft with a no OL at 23 philosophy.
though, I also wouldn't be completely shocked if he took an OL, just because that player falls, but I will be at least mildly surprised.
I agree 100%. The pick at #23 will be who the Giants think is the best player there that can have an immediate impact. (offense or defense).
Without, so far, great results.
I think the OL has to be fixed with FA's (like Fluker) and development of the current players (like Hart, Jones, even Flowers) or later round picks than the 1st.
too much premium, cost-controlled, resources in one position neglects others.
Reese hates to go into a draft having to draft a specific position, he likes to position the Giants for draft flexibility, but I wouldn't be surprised based on the lack of quality talent and needs elsewhere on the team if Reese goes into the draft with a no OL at 23 philosophy.
though, I also wouldn't be completely shocked if he took an OL, just because that player falls, but I will be at least mildly surprised.
I think they should go OL in the first if Ramcyzk or Bolles is there (and RR's hip checks out). Investment in the lines is how you win in the NFL.
Overblown issue. He can add... he's 297 lbs now, great, great feet... something we need. Has the attitude. He may need some work in getting a little stronger, I'm confident he can be ready by week 1 in that department. Long arms, 6'5"... I think he'll be just fine. He's right about the same size as Terron Armstead was when he came out... he's now one of the best LT's in the game.
but he wasn't (Collins), he was a UDFA and the investment is different.
I believe you need to be solid in the trenches to win, but I go through this exercise every year. Look at the playoff teams from last year. Look at their OL's. I'll just do the final 4, but you can look at the other 8 and the results aren't much different except for Dallas, who won 0 playoff games.
New England:
LT Solder (1st)
LG Thuney (3rd)
OC Andrews (UDFA)
RG Mason (4th)
RT Cannon (5th)
Atlanta:
LT Matthews (1st)
LG Levitre (UFA)
OC Mack (UFA)
RG Chester (UFA)
RT Schrader (UDFA)
Steelers:
LT Villanueva (UDFA)
LG Foster (UDFA)
OC Pouncey (1st)
RG Decastro (1st)
RT Gilbert (2nd)
Green Bay:
LT Bakthari (4th)
LG Taylor (UDFA)
OC Linsley (5th)/Tretter (4th)
RG Lang (4th)
RT Bulaga (1st)
I agree there is probably a correlation between OL play and winning, but there isn't one between high draft picks on the OL and winning, in fact I'd say you could make a case for FA investment being a better choice of investment than draft picks on the OL.
Them going RB in round one makes me nervous too. I would trust them going WR, DE, CB, and maybe TE.
There isn't an offensive lineman in this draft that went up against a tougher group of edge rushers than Robinson this past season. He held Myles Garrett in check without allowing a sack, hurry or committing a penalty. He faced Derek Barnett, a first rounder as well as Carl Lawson, a Day 2 pick. Not to mention several other pass rushers who will be drafted in years to come. Do I like him as much as Conklin last year? No, but 23 is too low for Robinson. If he falls to us we would be lucky to have him, especially with our OL woes. He would be a day one starter for us, just as he was when he arrived in Tuscaloosa.
Without, so far, great results.
I think the OL has to be fixed with FA's (like Fluker) and development of the current players (like Hart, Jones, even Flowers) or later round picks than the 1st.
too much premium, cost-controlled, resources in one position neglects others.
Reese hates to go into a draft having to draft a specific position, he likes to position the Giants for draft flexibility, but I wouldn't be surprised based on the lack of quality talent and needs elsewhere on the team if Reese goes into the draft with a no OL at 23 philosophy.
though, I also wouldn't be completely shocked if he took an OL, just because that player falls, but I will be at least mildly surprised.
It doesn't matter how many OL guys we have taken in the past five years. If we have a need you address it as best as you can. With free agency, we picked up about 6 defensive players last year so no need to think we have to draft a defensive player to balance out our draft picks from prior year.
Each year should stand on its own. We should have a priority list and base our draft on that, not on what we have done the past five years.
So, what are our needs? OL has to be number one. We also cannot assume DJ Fluker solves any problem because he might not. And what if a starter goes down for the year? Do we have capable backups? OL should be pick 23 without a doubt UNLESS someone is surprisingly there we didn't expect and he is a BEAST waiting to happen. (For example, Another Zeke Elliot or some highly touted qb)
Quote:
Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick, Zack Martin, all first rounders, and remember La'el Collins was supposedly a first round talent (or borderline 2nd).
but he wasn't (Collins), he was a UDFA and the investment is different.
I believe you need to be solid in the trenches to win, but I go through this exercise every year. Look at the playoff teams from last year. Look at their OL's. I'll just do the final 4, but you can look at the other 8 and the results aren't much different except for Dallas, who won 0 playoff games.
New England:
LT Solder (1st)
LG Thuney (3rd)
OC Andrews (UDFA)
RG Mason (4th)
RT Cannon (5th)
Atlanta:
LT Matthews (1st)
LG Levitre (UFA)
OC Mack (UFA)
RG Chester (UFA)
RT Schrader (UDFA)
Steelers:
LT Villanueva (UDFA)
LG Foster (UDFA)
OC Pouncey (1st)
RG Decastro (1st)
RT Gilbert (2nd)
Green Bay:
LT Bakthari (4th)
LG Taylor (UDFA)
OC Linsley (5th)/Tretter (4th)
RG Lang (4th)
RT Bulaga (1st)
I agree there is probably a correlation between OL play and winning, but there isn't one between high draft picks on the OL and winning, in fact I'd say you could make a case for FA investment being a better choice of investment than draft picks on the OL.
Wow, this surprises me. We all know Dallas is a line of high picks, but these teams, especially Atl is amazing.
I'd be shocked if the 1st pick isn't a DE/CB/WR. It'll mean that either someone unexpected dropped or there was an early run on a particular position.
Njoku or Howard would be fine in the 1st. My preference would be to kill two birds with one stone and get a pass rusher who can slide in at DT on passing downs -- like Takk McKinley or the Stanford kid.