Yep ! Really, kind of a sign that a team has decided to quit messing around. I have a newly found admiration for the Falcons this year !
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State of the O-line
- Thread starter jradMIT
- Start date
The Falcons certainly have invested in their OL.
1sts Matthews/McGary/Lindstrom/ FA Mack.
Bet they have a big yr this yr.
Mack and Andy Levitre are running buddies. The year that they drafted Mathews, they brought in Mack and Levitre, then drafted another and brought in another the following year. They went to a ZBS, and completed it in 2 years .... and played in the SuperBowl .... about 4 or 5 years ago. If you focus on an offensive line, you can build one in 2 0r 3 years. Then, while you fill in the other positions of need, your foundation becomes more cohesive each year !
maverick512000
Hall of Fame
There is truth in what you say but even the best line let's a sack or 10 through. My point is Luck is a lot more banged up then most top tier QBs playing right now and a hell of a lot more than Watson. Anything can happen but if someone was to force me to pick who is more likely to take a bad hit and go out for a season I'd pick Luck.
I'm not convinced Devlin is the real problem any more. I think its the lack of definition of O'Brien's "system".
The Colts rebuilt their O-line with the primary objective being get guys to protect Andrew Luck. The Cowboys rebuilt their O-line with the primary objective being get some road-graders to pave the way for Elliot. Same with the Rams; primary objective: get guys that can open holes for Gurley. Those O-lines were built to support the strength of those respective offenses.
What's the strength of O'Brien's offense and are they building this O-line to support that strength?
I'm not sure what there is to disagree with regarding Davenport. It was acknowledged that he'd be a 'project' so hedging their bets by bringing in more competition to push him (or show he can't cut it) just seems like a wise move. As I pointed out before, there are 16 O-linemen on the roster now. Let 'em battle it out for the 7-8 spots they'll go into the season with.
I trust Gaine and I like the fact that Scharping appears to have a very high football IQ and can easily move inside. Howard may have a lower floor than Scharping, but I also believe he has a higher ceiling. The Texans showed a definite direction in this draft by drafting superior athletes at positions of need.
A Tytus Howard Progress Report
An update on the big man.
Tytus Howard wasn’t expecting to be selected by theTexansin the first round of the 2019NFL Draft. His polo shirt at his press conference proves it. But no matter where he was selected he is here now. ESPN talked to their beat reporters and has an update on each one of the first round selections following OTAs.Here’s what Sarah Barshop had to say:
OTTytus Howard:Howard certainly has the opportunity to earn a starting spot at either tackle or guard position before the start of the season. He’ll spend the offseason and training camp at all four positions, as he has so far during OTAs. Howard said he can’t wait to protectDeshaun Watson, who said he loves hearing that from the rookie offensive lineman. “I love hearing the idea and the confidence in what he’s saying,”Watsonsaid. “Ever since he got here, he’s been quiet and just going to work. We all love seeing that.”-- Sarah Barshop
So far Howard is playing left tackle, left guard, right guard, and right tackle as the Texans try to figure out their offensive line for this season. This is what training camp and preseason is going to be all about. Get used to it. Hopefully Howard can beat out, let’s say, none of it is too surreal,Seantrel Hendersonfor the right tackle spot. Perfect. I can’t wait to read more snippets like this for the next three months.
***
https://www.battleredblog.com/2019/6/3/18650717/a-tytus-howard-progress-report
***
An update on the big man.
Tytus Howard wasn’t expecting to be selected by theTexansin the first round of the 2019NFL Draft. His polo shirt at his press conference proves it. But no matter where he was selected he is here now. ESPN talked to their beat reporters and has an update on each one of the first round selections following OTAs.Here’s what Sarah Barshop had to say:
OTTytus Howard:Howard certainly has the opportunity to earn a starting spot at either tackle or guard position before the start of the season. He’ll spend the offseason and training camp at all four positions, as he has so far during OTAs. Howard said he can’t wait to protectDeshaun Watson, who said he loves hearing that from the rookie offensive lineman. “I love hearing the idea and the confidence in what he’s saying,”Watsonsaid. “Ever since he got here, he’s been quiet and just going to work. We all love seeing that.”-- Sarah Barshop
So far Howard is playing left tackle, left guard, right guard, and right tackle as the Texans try to figure out their offensive line for this season. This is what training camp and preseason is going to be all about. Get used to it. Hopefully Howard can beat out, let’s say, none of it is too surreal,Seantrel Hendersonfor the right tackle spot. Perfect. I can’t wait to read more snippets like this for the next three months.
***
https://www.battleredblog.com/2019/6/3/18650717/a-tytus-howard-progress-report
***
infantrycak
Hall of Fame
Why not C?
I dont like moving a guy that has a lot to learn all over the place.
I'm guessing because they drafted Martin and are unwilling to admit he's moved into busty territory.
Has one drafted OL gotten better under Devlin?
IMHO, it's a bit early in his development to give the small school rookie the responsibility of recognizing stunts and calling out appropriate blocking assignments.
Really, Luck has a bad shoulder and Watson has 2 torn ACL's. I would like CnD to weight in on what's more likely to happen, Luck's shoulder getting hurt or Watson tearing his ACL again and take into account the OL Luck will be playing behind vs the OL Watson will be playing behind.
I don't mind it in OTAs, to see where a player appears to move the best, but pick at least a side of the ball in mini camp and stick with that side for the rest of the offseason.
Has O'Brien let any of them play the same position long enough/consistently enough to be able to tell??
Exactly,
It's criminal with the lack of investment in the OL over the last 4 yrs. Gaine atleast made an attempt to rectify this in the draft, whether you agree or disagree with how he went about doing it.
Davenport/Martin he has, if that's even on BOB.
I would wager that Luck is more likely to re-injure his shoulder. I understand that DW4 is a mobile QB.
Lets see how these young guys look before making this determination.
Going back to BOB's days at Pennis St. I would tend to agree with you on BOB's teams having poor OL's.
infantrycak
Hall of Fame
Don't want to hear any talent excuses this year.
The rookies need a year before starting imo. It's going to be Davenport and whoever can stay healthy enough at RT. G and C will be same as last year.
HaveMercy
Passing Through
My gut feeling is that the Texans OL is in the early stages of a distinctly upward trend. I don't know how fast they'll demonstrate what, but key new pieces are in place for what will hopefully be a long time. There will be some churning of the OL roster and positions, no doubt, as the work in progress continues. I'm concerned that the Center the team really needs is not even on the roster yet. But, as has been said by others, Gaine couldn't fix everything in one off-season.
Texansphan
Football connoisseur
Depends on how they are progressing and the (ughh) injury bug.
And of course, how the guys ahead of them play.
I hope Bill finds a promising combination early and gives them plenty of playing time to mesh.
Number19
Hall of Fame
As far as OC, this is Martin's make or break season. He's in his final year of his contract.
throwANDREtheBALL
Waterboy
Nice reply, back it up with some facts next time at least.
And its not my opinion, its just reality.
LT - Davenport / Kalil = backups on any other team in the league
LG - Kelemete = was backup when we signed him, might've gotten worse since
C - Martin = might be worse than our backup Mancz
RG - Fulton = LEGIT STARTER, 1 out of 5
RT - Henderson = backup caliber so far in career, showed a bit of promise before injury last year
LG - Rankin = potential starter, backup calibre so far
OL? - Scharping, Howard = both projected to need a year to learn, but potential starters, I think Scharping might be ready at midway point this year at RT. Howard should have the higher ceiling though.
So tell me which of these guys besides Fulton is a week 1 starter on any other team in the league ?
Its just the facts boys.
Opinions would be all the guys saying Davenport will go from a backup caliber to a starter this year, even though there's zero fact behind that belief.
infantrycak
Hall of Fame
That is exactly what LZ predicted before the Texans took him. What is more unreasonable was expecting him to be fully developed before year 3.
Now I think he hits the bench again because now they've spent a 1st and Howard will appear at LT this season. But acting as if Davenport won't be improved is silly.
throwANDREtheBALL
Waterboy
Davenport was arguably (maybe no argument at all?) the worst LT in the league last year.
He should've been the backup to the swing tackle on an average team.
So with improvement this offseason, he'd be an average swing tackle at best.
He doesn't move like a left tackle, and he's weak for a right tackle.
Not sure how you guys think he'll ever be an NFL caliber LT.
He should've been the backup to the swing tackle on an average team.
So with improvement this offseason, he'd be an average swing tackle at best.
He doesn't move like a left tackle, and he's weak for a right tackle.
Not sure how you guys think he'll ever be an NFL caliber LT.
Davenport did play his best game in the P/O game vs Indy but granted that could be just an outlier, or maybe if we are fortunate it represented the beginning of a trend ?
I'm not predicting anything now, but really we all have to wait until August when preseason starts when we start getting real onfield contact with the chance for some real feedback.
We've been targeting you, Dill....I mean Howard all this time and are happy to pick you.
beerlover
Hall of Fame
Texansballer74
The Marine
So because he's the 1st one to speak bwhahaha he is calling the shot. Too darn funny
Dejaview
All Pro
I don’t get the “OB runs the draft thing”. People love to blame him for the position and depth messes inHouston. No, those were RS’s responsibility. From the looks of these past two drafts they look to be good, thoughtful drafts. Didn’t even have a pick until third round yet it looks as if there could be four starters and a few backups to come out of it. What? Did OB suddenly get draft religion? No, he’s just working for a better GM.
infantrycak
Hall of Fame
Since Casserly the Texans have maintained the draft is both GM & HC, not one over the other.
Always. And it seemed to me that Rick usually got who the coaches wanted
To think it was specific individuals in most cases is naive, as is thinking coaches had an opinion individual of scouting and the scouting is part of the GM responsibilities . A draft board is created by an collaborative effort. There is no single voice
throwANDREtheBALL
Waterboy
I'd say the GM and BOB are the ones with 99% of the say. By the way the picks have gone. 75% of the picks seem to be the GM trying to appease the coach. BOB is definitely not close to Belichick's level on player evaluation. So we end up with a lot of below-average drafts.
Lots of teams in the NFL give the scouts more voice. The Texans aren't one of those teams.
Lots of teams in the NFL give the scouts more voice. The Texans aren't one of those teams.
They also fired all of the old scouts along with Rick, so there's that.
beerlover
Hall of Fame
That’s all they showed. Should have been a 10 min process to see more collaboration. Do like Gaine being decisive, once consensus (was not shown) reached, very similar to Ballard but they seemed to go around the room right up to final decision. It’s all I could pull up, wish there was more.
Wonder why this is?
It appears the extent of the Texans scouting comes from the Sr. Bowl and the state of Texas. A really lazy way to do business.
Yup. Mike Devlin.
infantrycak
Hall of Fame
Not until there is a disagreement.
Go away