Offensive Lines in the Playoffs

So 2 teams with nearly all high picks and 2 teams with nearly all low picks

I think that what we've learned is just that you need good linemen and it doesn't matter where you got them from

So 2 teams with nearly all high picks and 2 teams with nearly all low picks

I think that what we've learned is just that you need good linemen and it doesn't matter where you got them from

Pretty much. And when you ignore an old and often injured OL group for too many years, you end up 4-12.

Pretty much. And when you ignore an old and often injured OL group for too many years, you end up 4-12.

Matty:

The OL at the start of 2009 was aging at 3 positions (LT, C, RG) and had seen "spotty performance" in the past from its RT. [I'm trying to be polite here; Stephon Heyer may have been the worst starting RT in the league in Week 1. If not the worst, then surely in the bottom 5.]

The OL backups on the roster at the beginning of the season just weren't very good players. That is called "bad roster assembly". That is the reason the Redskins will have such a high draft pick in April 2010.

Indianapolis Colts, New York Jets, New Orleans Saints, Minnesota Vikings have the four best offensive lines in the NFL -- that's why they're all one win away from the Super Bowl - ESPN (http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=easterbrook/100119&sportCat=nfl)

Looks like Ruhskins was ahead of the curve.

Since we've been talking about the Jets offensive line, I was curious to see how the playoff teams built their lines. And I wanted to point out three out of the four offensive lines.

Minnesota Vikings
LT Bryant McKinnie – 1st rd pick in 2002 (Pro Bowler)
LG Steve Hutchinson – 1st rd pick by SEA in 2001 (acquired by Minny as FA in 2006; Pro Bowler)
C John Sullivan – 6th round/187th pick in 2008
RG Anthony Herrera – Undrafted FA in 2005
RT Phil Loadholt – 2nd round/54th pick in 2009

New Orleans Saints
LT Jermon Bushrod – 4th rd pick in 2007
LG Carl Nicks – 5th rd pick in 2008
C Jonathan Goodwin – 5th rd pick 2002 (acquired by N.O. in 2006)
RG Jahri Evans – 4th rd pick 2006 (Pro Bowler)
RT Jon Stinchcomb – 2nd rd pick 2003 (Pro Bowler)

New York Jets
LT D’Brickashaw Ferguson – 1st rd pick 2006 (Pro Bowler)
LG Alan Faneca – 1st rd pick 1998 by PIT (acquired by Jets as FA in 2008; Pro Bowler)
C Nick Mangold – 1st rd pick 2006 (Pro Bowler)
LG Brandon Moore – Undrafted FA in 2002
RT Damien Woody – 1st rd pick 1999 by NE (acquired by Jets as FA in 2008)

I like the way the Jets built their lines, especially acquiring players like Ferguson and Mangold. All of these teams have had success running the ball (Rushing rankings: Jets #4, N.O. #6, and Minny #13), and have done a good job protecting their QB (Fewest sacks rankings: N.O.#4, Jets #10, and Minny tied for #15).

Proof that there's more than one way to skin the cat. The Skins can still re-build the O line even if they don't use the #4 pick on an O-linemen. Free agency and later round draft picks is just as viable an approach. And I'll take the QBs from 3 out of the 4 in a heartbeat as well - Favre, Manning, Brees. Rivers would be there if it weren't for his girlified kicker.

Proof that there's more than one way to skin the cat. The Skins can still re-build the O line even if they don't use the #4 pick on an O-linemen. Free agency and later round draft picks is just as viable an approach. And I'll take the QBs from 3 out of the 4 in a heartbeat as well - Favre, Manning, Brees. Rivers would be there if it weren't for his girlified kicker.

Well but our situation is now much closer to the Jets, and they used two first-rounders on their offensive line, and were able to develop it to a point that a rookie QB managing the game has taken them deep into the playoffs.

Proof that there's more than one way to skin the cat. The Skins can still re-build the O line even if they don't use the #4 pick on an O-linemen. Free agency and later round draft picks is just as viable an approach. And I'll take the QBs from 3 out of the 4 in a heartbeat as well - Favre, Manning, Brees. Rivers would be there if it weren't for his girlified kicker.

True that also means that your scouting department is top notch as well but the Skins problems are that in the last 5 years they only drafted TWO o-linemen period both are non-starters at that and one no longer with us. I feel ya tho i think it will come down to Shanahan & Allen's expectations & strategy. Are they willing to rebuild for a couple of years or win now.

Pretty much. And when you ignore an old and often injured OL group for too many years, you end up 4-12.
No doubt. I wouldn't mind seeing some other stats on the matter such as ages.. how the teams acquired them if not drafted by them.. how long they've played with each other, etc and to see if there's more of a telling story there

but yeah.. oft-injured guys that are getting older and declining definitely isn't the most solid foundation.. we had plenty of the late picks and undrafted, but they definitely weren't starter quality and maybe only serviceable as backups

I hear that Gregg Easterbrook got the idea for his latest column from my thread about offensive lines in the playoffs. LOL.

Indianapolis Colts, New York Jets, New Orleans Saints, Minnesota Vikings have the four best offensive lines in the NFL -- that's why they're all one win away from the Super Bowl - ESPN (http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=easterbrook/100119&sportCat=nfl)

I should get royalties from him...well at least for the first paragraph.

I hear that Gregg Easterbrook got the idea for his latest column from my thread about offensive lines in the playoffs. LOL.

Indianapolis Colts, New York Jets, New Orleans Saints, Minnesota Vikings have the four best offensive lines in the NFL -- that's why they're all one win away from the Super Bowl - ESPN (http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=easterbrook/100119&sportCat=nfl)

I should get royalties from him...well at least for the first paragraph.

You're the one who brought it to our attention Ruhskins. I don't know about any royalties but how about a big thumbs up? :thumb: