More Offensive Linemen...Do we Draft for Depth, or Starters??

[thunderkyss]

On Paper, We've penciled in our Starters....... Pitts @ LT, McKinney @ LG, Flanagan @ Center, Weary @ Right Gaurd, Wiegart/Wade @ Right Tackle.

Do you think we're done, or do you think we should add more talent to the OLine?? Should we be drafting for Depth, or Starters on the Line??

 

[nunusguy]

Kubiak & Co probably have a couple of tackles they think very highly of but
for obvious reasons are keeping mum about, but might use their #2 if still on
the Board. Of course they have other needs for that #2, including a CB and a
WR (if the Moulds deal does not materialize).
I'd be surprised if they don't use one of their third rounders on a guard or tackle, depending on wheter they take a OL with the #2, along with another
OL pick on Sunday. Afterall, Hodgdon is the only OL they drafted in the last
2 years, and he was a mere 5th rounder.

 

[HJam72]

"....desperate need for starters" is a little too strong for me, but I do think "a need" exists. Not sure if it's worse than our need at some of those other positions though.

 

[BigBull17]

I think the only position you could say we need a new starter at is the RT. Now do we need to draft one or is he on the roster already, thats a good question. My thinking is if Joe Pendry didnt like Seth Wand and felt he wasnt a good OL, then Wand should start this year. I have no faith in the old staffs evaluation skills and wouldnt mind letting Wand have a chance at the RT spot. But no harm comes from drafting a solid tackle for depth.

 

[el toro]

Winston at #33 feels like the logical choice for RT. I think Wade is gone.

 

[Maddict5]

winston @33/colledge @66, joseph @65 and id be very happy and confident about our o-line

 

[el toro]

Hopefully they can land Moulds, then they can draft exclusively for the Oline and secondary with the 2nd and 3rd round picks.

 

[coachdent]

Guards available in link below. Tackles are few and far between.

http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=117&p=9&c=12&yr=2006&nid=83&lnid=83&rc=16&pid=6

 

[HJam72]

Is Winston going to be available at 33? I mean what are the chances exactly?

 

[texasguy346]

I think the signing of Flanagan will go a long way in improving the play of our OLine. I would love to see a starting line with Pitts at LT, McKinney at LG, Flannagan at C, Weigart at RG, and Wand at RT. I think that would be our best lineup, but I wouldn't be opposed to seeing Weary at RG & Weigart at RT. I think Wand can really excell under Sherman if given a chance.

I think one of our goals for this draft is to find some young OLinemen who can provide depth as well as be groomed to take the places of the veterans when the time comes. My guess is that the earliest we take an OLineman is in the 3rd, but that might change if Winston falls into the second. I'd say it's more likely that we don't take an OLineman on the first day of the draft.

 

[Texans Horror]

Time is the crime right now. We can get a few seasons out of Flanigan and Wade/Weigert, but I suspect the Texans will look toward a Tackle to groom if one is available in the second or third rounds.

 

[Mailman04]

Not all, but most projections have Winston still there at 33.

 

[Texans Horror]

Not trying to change this into a college draft discussion, but I think Winston would be an excellent addition to the line. It would be in his best interests, too, because he is recovering from a knee injury. The extra time to heal would help him out, and I think we are good in the tackles area for this year.

 

[Texas]

We still need 1 more to step in and take our weakest OLmen spot

 

[SA Fan]

More Linemen!

....And the More Offensive, THE BETTER!!

 

[V Man]

I wish both was a choice. If we can land a starter (say Winston or Mangold) great, plus look to add better depth late day one and on day two .

 

[YoungTexanFan]

I wish both was a choice. If we can land a starter (say Winston or Mangold) great, plus look to add better depth late day one and on day two .

I agree.

Winston/Mangold at #33

and then on Sunday look for guys like Chris Chester, Mark Settersom, Chris Cuapa from ND State.

 

[LORK 88]

Why is it that signing Flanagan and having Kubiak magically fixes our O Line? I wont suggest anything that makes the board cringe and want smite me, but Wade, Wiegert, and McKinney are still . . . Wade, Wigert, and McKinney no matter how you put it. We need some STARTING O Linemen!!

 

[Wild.Bill]

I'm probably in the minority but I wouldn't be surprised if Kubiak and the gang didn't have their eyes on J. Scott as a Right Tackle with one of our 3rd round picks if he's still on the board. He seems to be the kind of 'Athlete' that they would look for in the zone blocking scheme. He really moves well, even though he needs to work on his strength and agressiveness. He has good feet and is a good athlete that could be a very effective RT in a zone blocking system.

 

[NederlandTexan]

winston @33/colledge @66, joseph @65 and id be very happy and confident about our o-line

Any two of these players would make for a helluva haul.

 

[MorKnolle]

"....desperate need for starters" is a little too strong for me, but I do think "a need" exists. Not sure if it's worse than our need at some of those other positions though.

Agreed, I'm kind of stuck in between the two options on this poll. I think there are players out there that could definitely start for us this year and be an immediate decent upgrade over what we have (Eric Winston and Nick Mangold in the 2nd, Davin Joseph and Daryn Colledge in the 3rd) and I think there are lower round guys (Chester in the 4th/5th, Kuper and Whimper in the 5th/6th) that could maybe start this year but definitely sit for a year and be groomed and could end up being great players in our system.

 

[MorKnolle]

Why is it that signing Flanagan and having Kubiak magically fixes our O Line? I wont suggest anything that makes the board cringe and want smite me, but Wade, Wiegert, and McKinney are still . . . Wade, Wigert, and McKinney no matter how you put it. We need some STARTING O Linemen!!

I think Wiegert is still a decent starter for another year or two. Meanwhile, I think McKinney is on his way out and was definitely surprised they gave him an extension rather than cutting him. Wade definitely should not be starting for us and I am still holding on to the hope/expectation that he will be cut after June 1.

 

[YoungTexanFan]

Wade definitely should not be starting for us and I am still holding on to the hope-expectation that he will be cut after June1.

You are not alone. These thoughts keep me happy.

 

[Runner]

Agreed, I'm kind of stuck in between the two options on this poll. I think there are players out there that could definitely start for us this year and be an immediate decent upgrade over what we have (Eric Winston and Nick Mangold in the 2nd, Davin Joseph and Daryn Colledge in the 3rd) ...

I think Wiegert is still a decent starter for another year or two. Meanwhile, I think McKinney is on his way out and was definitely surprised they gave him an extension rather than cutting him. Wade definitely should not be starting for us and I am still holding on to the hope-expectation that he will be cut after June1.

I think few O-lineman are impact players or upgrades (even to our woeful crew) their first year in the league. Generally they need some seasoning and patience while they learn. IMO, projecting 2nd and 3rd rounders as instant starters is a combination of wishful thinking and their "upside" on scouting reports.

All of the lineman we've drafted before had sparkling upsides in their own pre-draft reports. The reality is that "downsides" usually rear their ugly heads upon contact with NFL D-lineman. When that happens fans are shocked we didn't draft better and start pulling out the bust label.

I agree with your point about Weigert. He is our best o-lineman (not Pitts) when he's healthy. His downfall is that he isn't healthy enough anymore.

I don't see much in McKinney either, but I'm going to trust the coaches when I disagree with them as much as when I agree with them. However, I haven't seen anyone in the organization christen McKinney a starter. I still think he might be experienced depth - since we'll need it behind Weigert.

It's too bad about Wade. We paid so much to put a square peg in our round hole. I heard an interview with the Brown's GM and he talked about the huge salary cap dead space hit they took last year, but he is glad for it this year. Maybe that's the plan with Wade - cut him, take the hit, and be better for it in the long run.


I forgot to answer the original question - draft for depth then to be starters in a year or two.

 

[thunderkyss]

I wish both was a choice. If we can land a starter (say Winston or Mangold) great, plus look to add better depth late day one and on day two .

No, that would defeat the purpose. Do we need to draft a starter for the OLine Starter??

I guess I could have asked it that way.

Why is it that signing Flanagan and having Kubiak magically fixes our O Line? I wont suggest anything that makes the board cringe and want smite me, but Wade, Wiegert, and McKinney are still . . . Wade, Wigert, and McKinney no matter how you put it. We need some STARTING O Linemen!!

My Opinion........ I'm not the best judge of Offensive line play. I'm to busy watching the play of the defensive Line.... I don't know what to look for with hands, or feet, or watching how a guy moves to stay in front of the defensive player. But, when I looked at the Texans OLine, it looks like they were, in most cases, unaware of what just happened. The Center is the general. It is his responsiblity to identify the rush, and make sure everyone is on the same page. I believe, Pitts was drafted as a LT, McKinney a LG, Weary a RG, and I think Wiegart a RT..... They should naturally be better playing the position they played most in college. In Most Cases........ Guys like McKinney, who played some center in college might be OK, to move to Center if the need arises, but it would be in your teams best interest, to have a true Center as a backup, who can play gaurd........ not take your starting Gaurd(who is a specialist) and stick him in at Center.

They call them ugly picks but the OLine, is just as much a skilled position, as the WR, RB, QB etc....... LT needs to play LT, it is not the same as playing RT, or LG. As starters, they are all specialists. Just like most corners play better on one side or the other. Learning to use the sideline on their left, or a safety on the inside, it's all part of the game. For the RG, he must specialize on defending his Left side, the quickest path to the QB.

You'd imagine, if your linemen are athletic, they should be able to make the move, and for the most part, they can. But let's say you have 4 out of 5 of your starters playing out of position, and a Center making calls he probably shouldn't be. Then you have a QB, who bobs when he should weave...

Puting our linemen where they belong, and having a coach, who understands why that's important, goes a long long way.

Also remember, Dan Reeves came to evaluate the whole team, not just Carr. We have the talent to win in place, already.

 

[edo783]

If we can come out of the 1st day in rounds 2 & 3 with a combo of Winston(2)/Joeseph(3) or the pair of Mangold(2)/College(3) I would be one happy camper and our line would be well on its way.

 

[Scooter]

Why is it that signing Flanagan and having Kubiak magically fixes our O Line? I wont suggest anything that makes the board cringe and want smite me, but Wade, Wiegert, and McKinney are still . . . Wade, Wigert, and McKinney no matter how you put it. We need some STARTING O Linemen!!

i agree completely. flanagan does go a long way to fixing things because he upgrades two weaknesses, the center position, and signal caller for the line. wade's on the wrong team, it's as simple as that. he belongs on a run-only mauling team. weigert's old & hurt, and getting older & more hurt every season ... did yall not see him last season at RT? he played in molasses even compared to the rest of our line, weigert's legs are gone. mckinney ... heck mckinney should've been cut several times by now. he's not better at guard, he's just not as pathetic. we're still in big need for a starting RT and atleast 1 more interior linemen.

if it's decided that wand can play, then we should be alright on the OT position, but we still need depth there, and dont have anyone on the roster to step in in the interior. maybe our staff can bandaid things though & we can all hope. after all, these guys werent all bottom-feeders when we acquired them ... but they're the worst in the league now. hopefully their play was just another mistake to be added to capers' list, and we can draft depth and for the future. i dont think we're that lucky though.