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The Offensive Line Thread

I like that Ozzie addressed the secondary depth with quality players after the insanity of two years ago but I wish he would have done the same with the o-line after Joe hurt his knee. Now that he has the back injury, I admit I am scared to death of another injury after Lewis and Nico went down and The math genius retired. I am happy we signed Howard but I hope we pick up someone else decent before we start the season and Elumenour is quickest learning "project" ever.
 
cobrajet said:
I like that Ozzie addressed the secondary depth with quality players after the insanity of two years ago but I wish he would have done the same with the o-line after Joe hurt his knee. Now that he has the back injury, I admit I am scared to death of another injury after Lewis and Nico went down and The math genius retired. I am happy we signed Howard but I hope we pick up someone else decent before we start the season and Elumenour is quickest learning "project" ever.
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I would be surprised if the Ravens did not pick up another o-lineman before the season. But I do think it may happen once teams cut down rosters because there will be better options to add. I think the Jimmy Smith move where the Ravens got 6 million this past week is a sign they are getting ready to sign someone. The definite weaknesses on this team are o-line, tight end, and running back right now as the team stands. I think the duo of West and Woodhead can be dangerous if healthy but after that the talent level drop is pretty bad. Boyle may surprise or Watson may have another year up his sleeve. In the end though I think the Ravens need to go o-line.
 
BloodRaven said:
Theres also the depth issue, were heading into the season with Nembot, Skura, Wesley, Elumenor and Broxton as depth
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Wesley, broxton and nembot all got extended outings vs weaker linemen and rushers in preseason 1 and all looked pretty bad - the only two above who id be happy with on the 53 so far would be eluemunor and skura
 
rossihunter2 said:
Wesley, broxton and nembot all got extended outings vs weaker linemen and rushers in preseason 1 and all looked pretty bad - the only two above who id be happy with on the 53 so far would be eluemunor and skura
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Yeah they werent god awful but definitely looked a step slow. I heard Hurst had a bad day at LG too which isnt surprising
 
Aside from the QB move, apparently we are in discussions w/ Zuttah on bringing him back? Not sure how id feel about that. Guess it would depend on the money. Wouldnt have a problem for a near vet minimum type contract just to bring in a vet who is familiar with the team, personnel, and coaching staff.

Anything more, and id pass. While depth is becoming a serious issue, he just doesnt have the power to play the way we want to. Tired of seeing Joe and the RB's with pressure in their lap right off the snap. And if everyone else is getting a push forward off the snap while Zuttah is getting pushed back a step; just seems a recipe for disaster. Hes proven he's not a part of even an average OL when the scheme fit his talents.

Now it doesnt. If he's a cheap backup capable of playing either G spot and C - fine. All for that. But if its a contract w/ gtd money and hes competing to start - forget it. Rather roll with Jensen or Skura.
 
Also will be interesting to see if Ozzie had something non-Zuttah related in mind with the money from the Jimmy restructure. I know it's not a ton of money, but perhaps a trade? Harbs comment on our DL depth and the phone ringing smacked of "call us with your excess OL if you need some DL."

I'd be interested in Stefan Wisniewski.... and if not for all our injuries we probably couldve tempted them with our CB depth. Unfortunately its looking like we may not have a quality enough player to spare - though they did just ship off a draft pick. Maybe they'd be interested in recouping a 5th plus a depth CB? Not sure.

Not a great option, but Jonotthan Harrison is a big interior, mauler type. Has had some mixed play, more negative than positive... but could do well with Roman. There is some potential i like with him and likely wouldnt cost much. Dont think the Jets invested much.

I dont believe the Chiefs have Jah Reid anywhere near their starting lineup. He also has experience here, and has had some impressive tape since leaving. Hes def a big, strong, mauling type blocker and always felt he'd be better suited to a power/man scheme and a move inside.

Laken Tomlinson id be intrigued about. Last i heard it didnt look like he was projected to start for the Lions, but has great potential. Big, nasty blocker. Feel like he'd be a great fit for Roman's system. Feels like the sort of high potential player failing at a bad franchise that Ozzie could pluck and turn around with proper coaching and fit.


Then there's obviously still Brandon Albert there that supposedly wants to play and the Jags dont want him, theres Mangold - neither of which require a trade of course.

Or we could wait til cuts and hope. Anyone have any other options they like for a trade or that you think might get cut?
 
Boldnpurpblack said:
Also will be interesting to see if Ozzie had something non-Zuttah related in mind with the money from the Jimmy restructure. I know it's not a ton of money, but perhaps a trade? Harbs comment on our DL depth and the phone ringing smacked of "call us with your excess OL if you need some DL."

I'd be interested in Stefan Wisniewski.... and if not for all our injuries we probably couldve tempted them with our CB depth. Unfortunately its looking like we may not have a quality enough player to spare - though they did just ship off a draft pick. Maybe they'd be interested in recouping a 5th plus a depth CB? Not sure.

Not a great option, but Jonotthan Harrison is a big interior, mauler type. Has had some mixed play, more negative than positive... but could do well with Roman. There is some potential i like with him and likely wouldnt cost much. Dont think the Jets invested much.

I dont believe the Chiefs have Jah Reid anywhere near their starting lineup. He also has experience here, and has had some impressive tape since leaving. Hes def a big, strong, mauling type blocker and always felt he'd be better suited to a power/man scheme and a move inside.

Laken Tomlinson id be intrigued about. Last i heard it didnt look like he was projected to start for the Lions, but has great potential. Big, nasty blocker. Feel like he'd be a great fit for Roman's system. Feels like the sort of high potential player failing at a bad franchise that Ozzie could pluck and turn around with proper coaching and fit.


Then there's obviously still Brandon Albert there that supposedly wants to play and the Jags dont want him, theres Mangold - neither of which require a trade of course.

Or we could wait til cuts and hope. Anyone have any other options they like for a trade or that you think might get cut?
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I liked Wisniewski but question whether he has the strength to play center in a gap scheme in the the AFC North. He's always been considered a zone guy. He's very much like Zuttah.

Jah Reid is an interesting thought, as is Brandon Albert. I always thought Reid had all of the potential in the world if he could stop tripping over himself. Albert is a big dude and could be a one year rental as Willie Anderson was in 08. I see no reason not to get one or the other. It'd be easier to get Albert -- we wouldn't have to trade for him -- and I think he's my preference. If we do go for Reid, I could see him playing LG or RT. He's a physical guy when healthy.
 
Edgar said:
There have been rumors for months that Eric Wood, (C, Buffalo) could be released.
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Where have you seen this? If this is true, Jensen at C be damned. He's excelled in Roman's scheme before and we'd be foolish not to do it. We could put Jensen at guard and I'd be happy
 
Boldnpurpblack said:
Aside from the QB move, apparently we are in discussions w/ Zuttah on bringing him back? Not sure how id feel about that. Guess it would depend on the money. Wouldnt have a problem for a near vet minimum type contract just to bring in a vet who is familiar with the team, personnel, and coaching staff.

Anything more, and id pass. While depth is becoming a serious issue, he just doesnt have the power to play the way we want to. Tired of seeing Joe and the RB's with pressure in their lap right off the snap. And if everyone else is getting a push forward off the snap while Zuttah is getting pushed back a step; just seems a recipe for disaster. Hes proven he's not a part of even an average OL when the scheme fit his talents.

Now it doesnt. If he's a cheap backup capable of playing either G spot and C - fine. All for that. But if its a contract w/ gtd money and hes competing to start - forget it. Rather roll with Jensen or Skura.
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Hell, we're already on the books for 2.2m in dead cap for Zuttah this year consisting of his 17' portions from paid signing bonus and restructure bonus combined. I agree that if he isn't brought in for the vet min. for depth purposes, it's not worth it to bring him back.
 
Lost_In_Translation said:
Where have you seen this? If this is true, Jensen at C be damned. He's excelled in Roman's scheme before and we'd be foolish not to do it. We could put Jensen at guard and I'd be happy
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http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/pag...roster-bubble-all-32-nfl-teams-2017-offseason

http://buffalonews.com/2017/08/12/trades-send-clear-message-bills-nobodys-spot-secure-next/

I've seen other stories suggesting it as a possibility as well. Apparently they feel they have a replacement on the roster. I could see them wanting to trade him either way.
 
Edgar said:
There have been rumors for months that Eric Wood, (C, Buffalo) could be released.
Click to expand...

We did just restructure Jimmy's contract giving us about $10M in cap space. Seems like we are about to make a move, hopefully for Wood or another lineman.
 
Boldnpurpblack said:
Then there's obviously still Brandon Albert there that supposedly wants to play and the Jags dont want him, theres Mangold - neither of which require a trade of course.
Click to expand...

albert i imagine is essentially retired - i think the coming out of retirement thing was a way to force the jags to cut him and therefore means he wont have to pay back any of his 3 mill signing bonus
 
Boldnpurpblack said:
Also will be interesting to see if Ozzie had something non-Zuttah related in mind with the money from the Jimmy restructure. I know it's not a ton of money, but perhaps a trade? Harbs comment on our DL depth and the phone ringing smacked of "call us with your excess OL if you need some DL."

I'd be interested in Stefan Wisniewski.... and if not for all our injuries we probably couldve tempted them with our CB depth. Unfortunately its looking like we may not have a quality enough player to spare - though they did just ship off a draft pick. Maybe they'd be interested in recouping a 5th plus a depth CB? Not sure.

Not a great option, but Jonotthan Harrison is a big interior, mauler type. Has had some mixed play, more negative than positive... but could do well with Roman. There is some potential i like with him and likely wouldnt cost much. Dont think the Jets invested much.

I dont believe the Chiefs have Jah Reid anywhere near their starting lineup. He also has experience here, and has had some impressive tape since leaving. Hes def a big, strong, mauling type blocker and always felt he'd be better suited to a power/man scheme and a move inside.

Laken Tomlinson id be intrigued about. Last i heard it didnt look like he was projected to start for the Lions, but has great potential. Big, nasty blocker. Feel like he'd be a great fit for Roman's system. Feels like the sort of high potential player failing at a bad franchise that Ozzie could pluck and turn around with proper coaching and fit.


Then there's obviously still Brandon Albert there that supposedly wants to play and the Jags dont want him, theres Mangold - neither of which require a trade of course.

Or we could wait til cuts and hope. Anyone have any other options they like for a trade or that you think might get cut?
Click to expand...

I like Branden Albert. RT is the only position that could really be the weakest link. I'm not sold on Howard being any good at RT. He got by with power aggression and barely adequate overachieving athleticism. He is on the wrong side of 30 now. And he really struggled last year. Raiders cut him because his play wasn't up to par. Then you add a year to that. Because 350lb lineman don't get better after 30. His best position could be guard. With his size and aggression he may be a devastating drive blocker.

Albert could really be motivated by returning home. I think he could be a really good RT to make one of the best tackle tandems in the league. Even if he lost a step he has all the tools to be a standout RT. He is big long really powerful athletic and in really great shape for an olineman. Similar to Osemele. OLine could look!!
LT Ronnie Stanley all pro
LG Howard and Eluemunor camp dual
C Jensen could be pro bowl caliber
RG Marshall Yanda. Ummm lol
RT Branden Albert pro bowl caliber RT

If Eluemunor wins the job from big strong and experienced Howard it's a real win the OLine and the offense. If his raw skills can carry him til he gains experience enough to take to job from a quality guard in Austin Howard?? Then the offensive line is going to be dominant. And one of the best in the league. Howard would be a very valuable backup and swing T/G to keep the OLine fresh. As well as Skura and Hurst.

Even if Stanley misses a couple games the OLine would be fine with Albert sliding over to LT. Then Hurst and Howard the best player would play RT. The Offensive line would be one of the best with quality depth. Only question would be if one of the tackles misses games can One of Howard and Hurst handle RT position. If needed Albert can play LT and play it very well. The OLine and DLine would have some epic showdowns in practice. Iron sharpens iron!! If Eluemunor can hold up in practice against likes of Urban, Pierce, Henry, Bowser, Tim Williams, Judon. Then he is ready to play anybody around the league. Albert should happen!!
 
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Being cut by the Raiders who had one of the few elite OLines in football is not exactly something to be ashamed of and honestly does not say much to me about how much he has left.
 
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