OG and OC are bigger needs than OT

The average age of our OL is high and getting older. We simply must start to draft new blood this season.

One or two new rookies would extend the careers of Jansen , Samuels, etc.

If we draft for the OL over the next two years we can build OL for the long-term. Regardless of who is the coach.

Alex Mack C get him, whatever it takes. He's the smartest player in the draft and is a center which requires to make the calls in the line just like MLB. Portis can then pounded straight ahead instead of running to the outside.

I think we were all hoping for that this year and it didn't happen.

I'm not banking on Heyer ever becoming a quality NFL starter. He's a backup at best to me. I think we need to look elsewhere for the future at RT.

In my perfect world, we sign Vernon Carey (I'm leaning toward him over Gross lately) to be our starting RT in 2009. Heyer becomes the backup to Carey and Samuels, and Jansen becomes a jack of all trades backup across the line.

We trade down in the draft and get both Duke Robinson and Jonathan Luigs. By the start of the 2010 season, L to R we are Samuels, Robinson, Luigs, Rinehart, Carey.

Alex Mack C get him, whatever it takes. He's the smartest player in the draft and is a center which requires to make the calls in the line just like MLB. Portis can then pounded straight ahead instead of running to the outside.

I agree! It may not be the standard thing to draft a center with a high pick, but how much is it worth to have a big ass, smart center play at a high level for years and years? This guy is a HOG, and barring injury, could anchor this line for a decade or more. This is a "special" player. This guy does not stop until the whistle blows and can handle the "Big Guys". He would help this line TREMENDOUSLY.

I've readily admitted that he has lost a step. But if I had to choose between the lesser of two evils I would take Jansen. Heyer just stinks at run blocking and he still has a lot to work on in pass pro. Jansen at least has the experience and is still effective in the running game.

I still don't understand.
Heyer beat out Jansen for RT.
As you state: Jansen has lost a step.
Older players like JJ don't improve they plateau or decline.
I think we should play Heyer and have him learn the ropes and watch him improve.

I still don't understand.
Heyer beat out Jansen for RT.
As you state: Jansen has lost a step.
Older players like JJ don't improve they plateau or decline.
I think we should play Heyer and have him learn the ropes and watch him improve.

Not sure what's so hard to understand.

Heyer beat out JJ, then later on once JJ got the job back Heyer couldn't get back into the lineup. Neither of them are a long term solution. If I had to choose one to start going into next season, it would be Jansen.

Not sure what's so hard to understand.

Heyer beat out JJ, then later on once JJ got the job back Heyer couldn't get back into the lineup. Neither of them are a long term solution. If I had to choose one to start going into next season, it would be Jansen.

Why not draft an OL monster with our #13 and let JJ, Heyers or this FNG compete for this spot. The second best player is the backup.

We need to get our OL younger - starting this year.

The answer you guys are looking for is Mr. Crabtree!

I wonder which players people would agree with us drafting at a position we do not need, if they dropped to us at 13. Would people be okay with Crabtree or Taylor Mays or the best QB prospect(Bradford/Stafford)? Most agree we still need a #2 WR, and SS isn't exactly stable with Horton, he was injured almost half the season, and there are those that don't believe in Campbell. For reference I'm in favor of trading down and drafting D-line, O-line, or linebackers but I would be okay if we drafted based on the best player available, excluding some positions (in my opinion TE, QB, secondary). O-line is the safest bet because they seem to be pretty easy to judge. You rarely here about first round offensive line busts.

I agree! It may not be the standard thing to draft a center with a high pick, but how much is it worth to have a big ass, smart center play at a high level for years and years? This guy is a HOG, and barring injury, could anchor this line for a decade or more. This is a "special" player. This guy does not stop until the whistle blows and can handle the "Big Guys". He would help this line TREMENDOUSLY.

This is a good choice for number one. Do I think it will happen . . . . Nope.