O-Line Edition: Free Agency and the Draft

As we continue to beat our QB issue to death and debate players at WR, we have not spent a lot of time on another glaring need, O-Line. Shanny's focus on the offense should produce some changes along the line with a new starter at RT and possibly one at a Guard spot. I expect some new depth as well. If Manning is a Skin, Oline becomes even more important. Shanny like versatility on the line and obviously athleticism in his scheme.

Left Tackle: Trent "Silverblunt" Williams starter, Willie Smith back up. This is the one position we seem set. I expect Trent to grow as a player and Willie Smith provides excellent depth, able to play both LT and RT. I like this combo.

Left Guard: Kory L. starter, Mo Hurt back up. Kory just got tendered, but I think there could be change. First, Mo Hurt played pretty good his first year and I expect him to continue to provide excellent depth. Kory knee injury is very serious and he might not be able to get on the field until August. Between Kory and Chester, we could and should IMO see a new starter.

Center: Monty starter, Eric Cook back up. Monty just signed a real friendly contract and most likely will be starter for the new year. Im ok with that, he does a decent job at Center, horrible at Guard. Eric Cook needs to go immediately. Im in favor of spending a mid round pick for a Center for the future and I think the Skins may do that with a C/G versatile type player. SS has mentioned Philip Blake, Philip Blake, Baylor, NFL Draft - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com (http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1664874/philip-blake), Id welcome him with open arms.

Right Guard: Chris Chester starter, Cook/Hurt at back up. Anybody else just feel underwhelmed with Chester's first year? Seemed very average after a fairly poor start to the season. I wouldnt mind him to stick around, but I wouldnt care if he left and is replaced by a free agent. Like I stated above, one Guard position most likely could have a replacement.

Right Tackle: Jamal Brown starter, Willie Smith back up. Brown run blocking is above average to good. Pass blocking, he tends to escort defenders to a meet and greet with our QB. He is done. Ideally, we need to spend a relatively high pick on a RT. If you look at the free agent tackle pool, its garbage. There are a ton of mid first round to late second round quality draft prospects. Id like us to add a Tackle draft pick, and then look to bring in a quality, inexpensive vet to compete with the rookie for the job. I believe Ryan Harris has been mentioned? He seems like that type of vet to bring in.

My ideal situation is offering Carl Nicks a nice contract to play Left Guard and drafting Mike Adams or Jon Martin for Right Tackle. Then taking a C/G player 4-5th round to play behind Monty and using a late round pick again on Tackle. Adding Ryan Harris or another vet signing at Tackle would be a smart move.

My starting Oline:

LT: Silverblunt
LG: Nicks
C: Monty
RG: Chester/Kory L
RT: Mike Adam (R)

Who do you like in the draft at Oline?

What/Where are the OL need(s) in your opinion?

Who is your top choice free agent at Oline?

Does Kory L. return?

What other questions should we be asking about the Oline?

Here is a good reference site: 2012 NFL Draft, NFL Combine results, Mock Draft, Forums, from Football's Future (http://www.footballsfuture.com/)

Opinions and observations please

Nicks does NOT fit our system. He's is your simple small durable guard you look for on your OL.

I'm no expert, but it seems to me that the #1 thing that affects the performance of the O-line is the play of the QB behind it. The same O-line that couldn't keep Jason Campbell upright created huge running lanes and gave Todd Collins all the time he needed to make plays down the field.

Look at the Colts O-line last year without Peyton Manning under Center. And look what happened when John Beck played against one of the worst pass rushing teams in the NFL, the Bills. He was sacked 10 times. QBs that can make Defenders miss, don't hold onto the ball too long and can anticipate where the pressure is going to come from before the ball is snapped take a lot of pressue off their O-lines. QBs that punish the blitz like Kurt Warner did so well, make Defenses play in nickel and dime sets more often. Look how the Jets play Brady - 3 down linemen with 8 DBs.

I didn't get the sense that our QBs were under constant duress last year, and the running game looked pretty damn good late in the season even though we were missing starters on the O-line. Plus, there are ways to negate a good pass rush with play calling. Draw plays, screen passes, bootlegs, etc.

I laugh when people claim we have SO MANY holes. Every team has holes. The Giants were dead last in Rushing and the Pats were one of the worst Defenses in the league all year. Aaron Rodgers was one of the most sacked QBs in the league when they won it all, and so was Big Ben when one of the times they won it.

I have no doubt we'll add some pieces across the O-line and will find a WR either in Free Agency or the Draft, but until we get a legitimate starting QB, the team will appear to have more holes than it really does.

Besides, isn't Shanny known for making good O-lines out of middle to late round no-namers that fit his zone blocking scheme?

I definitely don't see Nicks here, too much $$ and not an ideal scheme fit. MS historically doesn't look for big names or spend big $$ on the interior.

I agree about QB can make the team better and seem like less holes, and agree QB is our biggest need, priority no 1.We have made improvements, but I still see Oline as a need. I think its been stated that Shanny is looking at Tackles first round and he took one a couple years ago at 4...so mid to late round yeah point, Id dont know bout that; maybe for the interior.

I dnt want nicks

I dnt want nicks

who do you want then?

I like what we have now, lots of young guys that can get better. I would like to get Cook out of our line up and replace him with a good young prospect. I thought that guy would be Eric Olsen, but the Saints stole him from us. I thought Polumbus showed he is a good prospect at RT, along with Willie Smith. If they add Ryan Harris and a mid round center prospect and I will be happy.

I wouldn't mind looking at Levi Brown OT for the Cardinals. Marcus McNeil is also worth a look.

Lol @ "Silverblunt"