Originally posted by hondakillerzx:Originally posted by English:Originally posted by hondakillerzx:Originally posted by English:Originally posted by hondakillerzx:
i think smiths ability to stretch the feild and actually use the young speedy WR's we have will hide some of the lines inadequacies. the line looked like s**t in the first half against houston and in the second they looked a lot better because of smiths pocket presence, mobility and quick reads. we definitely need help on the line but they will look a lot better without 8 or 9 men in the box like teams did when Hill was back there. in the draft we must address the o-line for once and for all. not in the 1st rounds though with all the play-making talent coming out, good linemen will get pushed further back. i hope we get the best OLB available if Eric Berry isnt still on the board, then a guy like CJ Spiller or Jahvid Best with the second 1st rounder to give us a great return man, RB, WR, all purpose playmaker. round two go DT and 3rd and beyond go O-line and whatever other need they see fit to address
I would prefer to address the problem. Taking a kick returner in the first round is not addressing the problem. Taking an OT in the first round (2nd pick) and a guard in the second, with other later picks on the O line as well is addressing the problem.
this draft is full of legit O-lineman, in order to take advantage of a deep draft the harder to find positions first and get the quality guys later in the plentiful position. Heitman was a 7th rounder and he's played better than every lineman we've had that was drafted above him. many teams will be going for the firepower guys this year, i think you will see less tackles and gaurds chosen in the 1st and 2nd rounds this year than usual. i hope they sign a GOOD FA OT, a starting O-Line with 3 very young, very raw players is not a good idea. sign a Tackle, no marvel smith, jonas jennings, barry sims garbage, a legit lineman to start. look at guys like harvin, hester, chris johnson, sproles... these guys break games open in one play. just last week, battles muffed fair catch was the mistake that killed us, we gave them the ball on the 10 i believe and they scored shortly after. and Frank Gore is great but he is hurt every year and needs a change of pace back who can probably replace him if he wears out. Coffee is good, and he will get better but a guy like Spiller or Best can be put anywhere on the field and make defenses have to account for them as RB's, WR's, PR, KR. if they solidify the RT position in FA and we get a guy like this, teams will be s**tting bricks trying to cover Crabtree, VD, Morgan, Gore and Spiller/Best (or anyone like them) at any given time. thats a lot of speed.
No draft is full of legit O linemen. And whilst I acknowledge Heitmann as a legitimate late round star, how many O linemen are taken late who DONT make it?
I have had enough compromise and make-do on the O line. You may think starters will be common in the next draft, I just don't see it. The only position which remotely relates in need terms is pass rush.
Lets get the line sorted
how many early draft pick o-linemen have failed? kwame, gallery, baas has been a disapointment, chilo is still young and i think he will improve. good players are everywhere, the hard part is picking them. i do know this, someone posted up before the draft all the starting safeties in the league, the majority were 1st and 2nd round picks and a few 3rd rounders, after that nothing, no one of note anyway. i hope they go FA for the RT, we cant afford to waste our talent waiting for someone who may never develop. our offense has been hindered for a few years because of the weak o-line
We would be lucky to get the RT sorted in free agency. The guard problem, maybe. Tackle? No, don't see it.
At least we are agreed, the line is the major problem. It is just, how it is to be sorted!