Offensive Lines in the Playoffs

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).

I think you're forgetting a team. So why no love for the Colts?

If you can't win the battle in the trenches , you have a hill to climb in order to win each week IMO . The 70's Dolphins / Raiders / Steelers all had great OL's and they won 7 Super Bowls . We had the HOGS and won 3 . Hail to Allen/Shanahan .... bring in some baby hogs and load up on diesel fuel !!!

I think you're forgetting a team.

I left out Indy purposefully because of the Manning factor. Also, they were dead last in rushing. However, their offensive line did a great job protecting Manning, I believe they were top ten in protecting the QB. Anyway, here's their line:

Indiannapolis Colts
LT Charlie Johnson – 6th rd pick 2006; Tony Ugoh – 2nd rd pick in 2007 (both have started this season)
LG Ryan Lilja – Undrafted FA signed by KC in 2004; acquired by Indy in 2006
C Jeff Saturday – Undrafted FA signed by Ravens in 1998; acquired by Indy in 1999 (Pro Bowler)
RG Kyle DeVan – Undrafted FA signed by Washington in 2008; acquired by Indy in 2009
RT Ryan Diem – 4th rd pick in 2001

I left out Indy purposefully because of the Manning factor. Also, they were dead last in rushing. However, their offensive line did a great job protecting Manning, I believe they were top ten in protecting the QB. Anyway, here's their line:

Indiannapolis Colts
LT Charlie Johnson – 6th rd pick 2006; Tony Ugoh – 2nd rd pick in 2007 (both have started this season)
LG Ryan Lilja – Undrafted FA signed by KC in 2004; acquired by Indy in 2006
C John Sullivan – Undrafted FA signed by Ravens in 1998; acquired by Indy in 1999 (Pro Bowler)
RG Kyle DeVan – Undrafted FA signed by Washington in 2008; acquired by Indy in 2009
RT Ryan Diem – 4th rd pick in 2001

John Sullivan is a Center for the Vikings. I think you meant to say Jeff Saturday. Didn't know though that the Colts line was in such a funk. I mean I knew they struggled on the ground but I didn't know that they had benched their two second rounders (Pollak and Ugoh).

John Sullivan is a Center for the Vikings. I think you meant to say Jeff Saturday. Didn't know though that the Colts line was in such a funk. I mean I knew they struggled on the ground but I didn't know that they had benched their two second rounders (Pollak and Ugoh).

Oops I screw that up, fixing it now.

Well the info that I got was from their website's depth chart.

There are multiple ways to build a good offensive line.

Way #1: Spend high draft picks (Rounds 1 and 2) on offensive linemen, develop them and hope they don't blow out a knee.


Way #2: Look for "hidden gems" in the laste rounds or in the UFA ranks, develop them and hope they don't blow out a knee.


Way #3: Draft or get via UFA two - - or even three - - good OL and then sign via free agency a couple of Pro-Bowlers none of whom blows out a knee.


Now, tell me which of these three avenues to a GOOD offensive line the Redskins have followed over the past decade? The answer would be Way #2 - - except for the minor problem that the Redskins' hidden gems seem to have turned out to be Fools' Gold!


The Skins tried "Way #2" - - - but the folks who did the evaluation of the potential "hidden gems" seem to have been wrong close to 100% of the time. [If you want to argue with that, please look at the 2009 roster and tell me which of the "hidden gems" played like a "real" NFL quality OL for 16 games or so. After you can't find one, just admit that the evaluation process was probably faulty from the beginning.]

Or maybe it wasn't the evaluators' fault; maybe their decisions were overriden by some goofs in the FO at draft time or at UFA signing time or at the time when it became obvious that they had to sift through the culls of other teams.

Or maybe it was the coaches' fault.

Or maybe - - to use a couple of the classic whipping boys of the Warpath - - it was Mike Florio's and Jason LaCanfora's fault...

So if they draft Okung 4th overall who is the 2nd round pick? or which FA do they go after? OT McNeil?

There are multiple ways to build a good offensive line.

Way #1: Spend high draft picks (Rounds 1 and 2) on offensive linemen, develop them and hope they don't blow out a knee.


Way #2: Look for "hidden gems" in the laste rounds or in the UFA ranks, develop them and hope they don't blow out a knee.


Way #3: Draft or get via UFA two - - or even three - - good OL and then sign via free agency a couple of Pro-Bowlers none of whom blows out a knee.


Now, tell me which of these three avenues to a GOOD offensive line the Redskins have followed over the past decade? The answer would be Way #2 - - except for the minor problem that the Redskins' hidden gems seem to have turned out to be Fools' Gold!


The Skins tried "Way #2" - - - but the folks who did the evaluation of the potential "hidden gems" seem to have been wrong close to 100% of the time. [If you want to argue with that, please look at the 2009 roster and tell me which of the "hidden gems" played like a "real" NFL quality OL for 16 games or so. After you can't find one, just admit that the evaluation process was probably faulty from the beginning.]

Or maybe it wasn't the evaluators' fault; maybe their decisions were overriden by some goofs in the FO at draft time or at UFA signing time or at the time when it became obvious that they had to sift through the culls of other teams.

Or maybe it was the coaches' fault.

Or maybe - - to use a couple of the classic whipping boys of the Warpath - - it was Mike Florio's and Jason LaCanfora's fault...

Jeremy Bridges whom we cut during pre-season started much of the season at RT for the Cardinals.
Option #4: Better evaluation of players already on team roster.

Jeremy Bridges whom we cut during pre-season started much of the season at RT for the Cardinals.
Option #4: Better evaluation of players already on team roster.

Or a combination of drafting players with your top draft picks, acquiring free agents, and looking for hidden gems.