Time to Build an Offensive Line

I wouldn't mind keeping Heyer around as a backup. Not sure he's cut out for guard.

id think heyer is too tall to play guard. i couldnt see a qb getting a good look down the field with a 6'5 (?) heyer standing there in the middle.

every time i see him on our sideline he stands out as the tallest skins player.

30gut - your right, i forgot he was injured all year. good find

Dockery is also 6'6 so I don't think height alone is the issue. Heyer's build is that of a classic tackle. Long arms and a lanky type of build (at least when compared to your typical guard). Power isn't his game either.

If the skins decide to draft a QB with the 4th pick, then I would say sign Stephen Neal from the Pats (he's 33 but can play for 1 or 2 years) the other guy I would target is Hochenstein from the Broncos who also played for the Pats. Keep Rabach as an experienced backup along with Mike Williams, Rinehart.

dang dock is 6'6? i didnt go to a game this year so i didnt get a good look at our guys in person. years past heyer was always noticably the tallest.

well i thought you wanted guards to not be so tall since they block in the middle part of the pocket. i figured a tall guard would maybe diminish some of the qbs view of the field. i thought tackles could be taller b/c they work on the outside and need longer arms to keep pass rushers from getting into the inside leverage of a tackle.

guess i was wrong about that guard thing. gallery seems like a tall mofo too and i dont remember any complaints about his height when he moved to guard.

Just as I suspected (by reading these posts), just about every FA offensive lineman that we could get (UFAs) are over the age of 30. While a number of them could play very well and would be huge upgrades over our current players, I think by filling all of the holes in the line with 30+ year old lineman, you're at risk of having injured starters.

I just feel that we've been gambling on patching up the line with older players for a while now. And the downside of this year is that we aren't able to pick up a marquee lineman in his mid to late 20s (i.e. Marcus McNeill) because RFA rules due to the uncapped season, without giving up draft picks.

It seems like everyone wants to get young at every position except the line (see the Jamal Lewis and Chester Taylor threads).

Just as I suspected (by reading these posts), just about every FA offensive lineman that we could get (UFAs) are over the age of 30. While a number of them could play very well and would be huge upgrades over our current players, I think by filling all of the holes in the line with 30+ year old lineman, you're at risk of having injured starters.

I just feel that we've been gambling on patching up the line with older players for a while now. And the downside of this year is that we aren't able to pick up a marquee lineman in his mid to late 20s (i.e. Marcus McNeill) because RFA rules due to the uncapped season, without giving up draft picks.

Well, they definitely need to address the line in the draft but I just don't see a downside in bringing in Mawae. He is a leader on and off the field, he is still considered an All-pro, he just blocked for a 2000 yard rusher, he would absolutely be an upgrade over Rabach, and he could demonstrate to all of the lineman what it takes to be a pro.

I hear all of this stuff about 2-3 year rebuilding and I think it is bs. I think in an uncapped year they can make enough moves to get this team in the playoffs. They fixed the D-line in one year, they can fix the o-line in one year.

Well, they definitely need to address the line in the draft but I just don't see a downside in bringing in Mawae. He is a leader on and off the field, he is still considered an All-pro, he just blocked for a 2000 yard rusher, he would absolutely be an upgrade over Rabach, and he could demonstrate to all of the lineman what it takes to be a pro.

I hear all of this stuff about 2-3 year rebuilding and I think it is bs. I think in an uncapped year they can make enough moves to get this team in the playoffs. They fixed the D-line in one year, they can fix the o-line in one year.

As I said, a lot of these guys would be upgrades, but still because of their age you risk injury. I mean, injuries happen, but due to RFA restrictions, it seems that we would need to fill all of our needs with linemen in their 30s. I would feel better if we could go after a Marcus McNeill in free agency (without having to give up draft picks).

As I said, a lot of these guys would be upgrades, but still because of their age you risk injury. I mean, injuries happen, but due to RFA restrictions, it seems that we would need to fill all of our needs with linemen in their 30s. I would feel better if we could go after a Marcus McNeill in free agency (without having to give up draft picks).


Injuries are a wild-card, especially on the line. I think it is just as likely that McNeill gets hurt as Mawae. Heyer is one of our youngest guys and he was hurt all year.

Well, they definitely need to address the line in the draft but I just don't see a downside in bringing in Mawae. He is a leader on and off the field, he is still considered an All-pro, he just blocked for a 2000 yard rusher, he would absolutely be an upgrade over Rabach, and he could demonstrate to all of the lineman what it takes to be a pro.

I hear all of this stuff about 2-3 year rebuilding and I think it is bs. I think in an uncapped year they can make enough moves to get this team in the playoffs. They fixed the D-line in one year, they can fix the o-line in one year.

I'm not buying it either. Is anyone really going to give MS a pass for another crap season in 2010? I want to see a strong indication that things are headed in the right direction right away in 2010, I'll be expecting .500 or better.

I would prefer:

LT: Russel Okung
LG: Derrick Dockery
C: Casey Rabach (We surround him with talent)
RG: Stephen Neal (Free Agency)
RT: Levi Jones