Fixing the offensive line

[Virgil]

With our O-Line being so bad and the rumor of trading lynch to gb for an offensive lineman, it got me thinking.

 

There are players that start on our line that would be lucky to be backups on other teams. Well, what about the reverse logic? Don't you think that there are some very serviceable backups out there for strong offensive lines that would be a large improvement over what we have? I have to think there are players that are backups that we could trade a later round pick for, and see immediate improvement, as well as depth. And definitely get a better value than someone we would have drafted in those picks.

 

I'm not saying I know who these people are, but just think of backups for teams like the ravens, titans, and chargers. Really strong lines.

 

Thoughts?

[BuffaloBud]

Derek -

 

First, take a deep breath and realize that this team is more than an OL player away from making any deep runs into the playoffs.

 

Second, go through the depth charts on the rest of the league and try to locate a backup ("serviceable" as you call them) that are better than our front 5. Then, realize that other player to make an impact here should be heads and tails better than the player here.

 

Third, if that team has such a quality logjam at an OL position that the backup is so much better than what we have here do you think that the other team is going to just give him up for a low round draft pick?

 

This OL is hampered by a couple of things. New system, few impact players on the wings, defenses knowing that there are few weapons on the wings and will blitz to their hearts content.

 

But, realize this OL is starting to build a core of players that, yes right now, are getting run over. Once they there are some weapons on the edge they will remember the crap they went through will be more than happy to turn it around.

[JStranger76]

I believe that an O-lineman was never any part of a disscussion involving Lynch. However, after the bye week I wouldn't mind seeing a lineup of Bell, Levitre, Wood, Hang/Urbik, or Merideth/Urbik and see how that goes.

[DanInUticaTampa]

I don't know... I think you don't flip the line around unless (until) there is injury. Flipping these guys around isn't going to fix anything. They need some time to mesh and we need some better tackles.

[GR8PRKN]

I don't know... I think you don't flip the line around unless (until) there is injury. Flipping these guys around isn't going to fix anything. They need some time to mesh and we need some better tackles.

 

I agree, However I think Bell is gettiing better every play. Green not so much

[BuffaloWings]

I don't know... I think you don't flip the line around unless (until) there is injury. Flipping these guys around isn't going to fix anything. They need some time to mesh and we need some better tackles.

What if the tackles get better as the line gels and meshes? Do we still replace them? I'm not saying they will get better, but suppose...

 

I agree with giving the line some time to develop and play as a cohesive unit, but if the tackles aren't up to snuff, it won't matter how well the line will mesh.

[Peter]

Serious question for a serious problem.

[PDaDdy]

Derek -

 

First, take a deep breath and realize that this team is more than an OL player away from making any deep runs into the playoffs.

 

Second, go through the depth charts on the rest of the league and try to locate a backup ("serviceable" as you call them) that are better than our front 5. Then, realize that other player to make an impact here should be heads and tails better than the player here.

 

Third, if that team has such a quality logjam at an OL position that the backup is so much better than what we have here do you think that the other team is going to just give him up for a low round draft pick?

 

This OL is hampered by a couple of things. New system, few impact players on the wings, defenses knowing that there are few weapons on the wings and will blitz to their hearts content.

 

But, realize this OL is starting to build a core of players that, yes right now, are getting run over. Once they there are some weapons on the edge they will remember the crap they went through will be more than happy to turn it around.

 

 

This is why our line sucks. We don't have CRAP. The only guys that may be something are Levitre and Wood. They are decent but people are playing them up like they are future hall of famers. Hopefully they get better and even come close to the hype surrounding them. Hangarter is a mediocre journeyman at center. In combination with him and Trent they couldn't get the protections called right on the line and defenses have been blowing up our run game AND our QBs. The tackles are low budget flyers. One who may never be anything and one who never was.

 

Ya, lets stand pat with what we have unless they are head and shoulders above what we have. Right now I would say that 80% of the backups in this league qualify as that much of an upgrade. Made up number but of course you get the idea.

 

Anyhow same problem we will always have. Until Ralph stops refusing to pay his star players and letting them walk for greener pastures we will continue to be in a perpetual state of rebuilding. Continuing to restock the DB and RB positions draft after draft while occasionally once every 10 years taking a first round shot at another position like, QB, WR, LB , OT or DL. If we didn't have an absolutely miserable failure rate drafting at those positions we might be something.

 

Look at our last 1st round picks at those positions:

QB: JP Losman - BUST

WR: Lee Evans - Would be STAR on a team with a QB

LB: ???? Not this millennium that I recall

OT: Mike Williams - MEGA BUST OF THE CENTURY

DL: Aaron Maybin - BUST (Still early but not looking good)

DL: John McCargo - BUST

Edited September 24, 2010 by PDaDdy

[thewildrabbit]

With our O-Line being so bad and the rumor of trading lynch to gb for an offensive lineman, it got me thinking.

 

There are players that start on our line that would be lucky to be backups on other teams. Well, what about the reverse logic? Don't you think that there are some very serviceable backups out there for strong offensive lines that would be a large improvement over what we have? I have to think there are players that are backups that we could trade a later round pick for, and see immediate improvement, as well as depth. And definitely get a better value than someone we would have drafted in those picks.

 

I'm not saying I know who these people are, but just think of backups for teams like the ravens, titans, and chargers. Really strong lines.

 

Thoughts?

At this point in the season no team with serviceable backups would want to trade away their players because injuries could threaten their entire year. . Look around the league at practice squads, no tackles at all

 

So many teams are struggling with sub par lines, Dallas is the first that comes to mind, they have issues on that line now that they cut Adams and didn't get a quality replacement in the draft. The bears, the Colts, this year the Colts will not do as well as past years if they play a team with a strong pass rush. Same thing could be said about the Patriots, Brady under duress is not the same player if he has all day to make his throws

 

Year in and year out the teams that allow the least amount of sacks are usually in the playoffs....

 

 

Read this: http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=jc-olinerankings061810

 

""The Bills finished dead last in the league last season in pass blocking, which should explain a lot of the struggles for anybody who went under center last season. At least they were above average in run blocking and the addition of offensive-minded head coach Chan Gailey will keep the Bills from doing stupid things that accentuate their lack of talent up front. Still, there’s only so much you can do.""

 

 

At some point in time someone at OBD will realize that games are won and lost in the trenches and replace Cornell Green at RT or move Bell to RT and draft a top quality LT.

[Green Lightning]

With our O-Line being so bad and the rumor of trading lynch to gb for an offensive lineman, it got me thinking.

 

There are players that start on our line that would be lucky to be backups on other teams. Well, what about the reverse logic? Don't you think that there are some very serviceable backups out there for strong offensive lines that would be a large improvement over what we have? I have to think there are players that are backups that we could trade a later round pick for, and see immediate improvement, as well as depth. And definitely get a better value than someone we would have drafted in those picks.

 

I'm not saying I know who these people are, but just think of backups for teams like the ravens, titans, and chargers. Really strong lines.

 

Thoughts?

 

That's how we got Hangartner.

[BuffaloBud]

 

Right now I would say that 80% of the backups in this league qualify as that much of an upgrade. Made up number but of course you get the idea.

 

 

PDaDdy - Do you really think this is true? Like I said to the original post, go through the depth charts and give me some. Then, I will believe you. I will agree that the "cash to the cap" is really hurting this team.

[bkc]

The whole thing comes down to what is Bell . If he pans out ot be a solid left tackle by years end then the line is a unIT that will be easily shored up. On the otherhand if he is a bust then a heavy investment is needed at left tackle , taking away resourses needed to fix the other well known areas QB, OLB, ECT ECT ECT

..

 

STAY TUNNED

[billsfan89]

The only real thing we can do this season is get Green the hell out of there and put in Meridith. At least Meridith could use the starts and stand to improve with more experience. Green is just wasting snaps that could be better used on younger guys.

 

Bell is going to be our LT for the rest of the season so lets hope that Bell improves with more snaps (Also lets hope he gets a little better as he comes off of injury as well maybe he isn't fully recovered or use to playing on his leg). The interior guys aren't that bad its really the edges that collapses the pocket and can't get much push in the ground game.

 

I hope next draft we go out and get a pair of bookend tackles round 1 and 2. No QB is going to have success behind this line.

Edited September 24, 2010 by billsfan89

[....lybob]

What would you think of an Offensive line of

 

Bell LT, Brandon Carter LG, Wood C, Herman Johnson RG, McNeil RT

[Virgil]

Derek -

 

First, take a deep breath and realize that this team is more than an OL player away from making any deep runs into the playoffs.

 

Second, go through the depth charts on the rest of the league and try to locate a backup ("serviceable" as you call them) that are better than our front 5. Then, realize that other player to make an impact here should be heads and tails better than the player here.

 

Third, if that team has such a quality logjam at an OL position that the backup is so much better than what we have here do you think that the other team is going to just give him up for a low round draft pick?

 

This OL is hampered by a couple of things. New system, few impact players on the wings, defenses knowing that there are few weapons on the wings and will blitz to their hearts content.

 

But, realize this OL is starting to build a core of players that, yes right now, are getting run over. Once they there are some weapons on the edge they will remember the crap they went through will be more than happy to turn it around.

 

This is not me needing to take a deep breath or freaking out. I know that we are more than an offensive lineman away from the playoffs. Never said otherwise. I am simply talking about the overall lack of depth and serviceable starters. And, i'm also not talking about a 7th round pick. Many of these teams out there have guys who are swing players that can line up at T/G or G/C, but don't start due to the amount of talent ahead of them. For me, I'd give up a 3rd or 4th round pick for that kind of player if he could start for us.

 

I'm not saying these guys grow on trees, but I have to wonder how much we look for that.

 

That's how we got Hangartner.

 

Agreed Sir. I never really had an opinion of him until last week when Matthews absolutely blew him up. That was probably the most overmatched I can remember seeing a professional football player.

[Deadstroke]

This is why our line sucks. We don't have CRAP. The only guys that may be something are Levitre and Wood. They are decent but people are playing them up like they are future hall of famers. Hopefully they get better and even come close to the hype surrounding them. Hangarter is a mediocre journeyman at center. In combination with him and Trent they couldn't get the protections called right on the line and defenses have been blowing up our run game AND our QBs. The tackles are low budget flyers. One who may never be anything and one who never was.

 

 

 

 

I disagree to a certain extent with the 1st part of your post which I reprinted here. Yeah, I agree with you on Levitre and Wood, but IMO Hangarter, who you call a mediocre journeyman, is at the very least adequate, while Bell is progressing...and the word is progressing because you MUST take into consideration his inexperience, and that only leaves the RT position.

 

If I'm Coach I stick anyone else at RT and let him develope while our current bust gets a seat on the bench.

[tennesseeboy]

It would have been wise to review the waiver wire for quality backups or final cut tackles who might be an improvement over the pathetic losers we have STARTING here. God knows what OUR backups have to offer. I don't know why we didn't go out on a limb and get

[....lybob]

I disagree to a certain extent with the 1st part of your post which I reprinted here. Yeah, I agree with you on Levitre and Wood, but IMO Hangarter, who you call a mediocre journeyman, is at the very least adequate, while Bell is progressing...and the word is progressing because you MUST take into consideration his inexperience, and that only leaves the RT position.

 

If I'm Coach I stick anyone else at RT and let him develope while our current bust gets a seat on the bench.

Hangartner is adequate against a 4-3 but he is totally inadequate as soon as a big NT lines up across from him.

[thewildrabbit]

What would you think of an Offensive line of

 

Bell LT, Brandon Carter LG, Wood C, Herman Johnson RG, McNeil RT

To the OP question, Marcus McNeil is still holding out and I suspect the Chargers want 2 arms and 2 legs for the guy.

 

The Bills could try and make a trade for him but I'll bet they would want the Bills 1st pick next year, and that pick might just be the franchise QB.

 

If I had Marcus McNeil on the line he would start at LT and Bell at RT

 

Everyone is stating they are so happy that Fitz is starting...I just don't see him having much success playing behind that line, then again the Pats D is nowhere near as good as Miami's or Green Bays

[playman]

for some reason hanggartner reminds me of melvin fowler