Rebuilding your offense from the inside out

[WideNine]

Good article about the importance of your offensive line. Although written from the Giant's perspective they focus a lot on the moves that Colts made in the offseason to address their line with some quotes from our Frank Reich. Also a cautionary tale for those who think taking or paying for a top-tier running back is a wise move before a team has built a decent line to run behind.

 

 

Shurmur gives the nod to Colts success due largely to their retooling of their offensive line.

[TheBeaneBandit]

I agree. In free agency id target C, G, and TE on offence. 

[mjt328]

Agree 100%. 

 

The most important position is Quarterback. 

But having a good O-Line will make both the running game and passing game better - and can help avoid injuries to that franchise QB.

 

[Chuck Wagon]

41 minutes ago, TheBeaneBandit said:

I agree. In free agency id target C, G, and TE on offence. 

 

 

You just going to invent a TE to sign in FA?  Outside of maybe Jared Cook it's a wasteland.

[TigerJ]

Hopefully, Buffalo has the QB they need, so offensive line should be at the top of their priorities for improvement in the offseason.  There should be enough money under the cap, and enough draft picks to do more than one thing, however.

[Magox]

Buffalo should do reasonably within their power to get 2 of the best FA linemen available along with the best blocking/receiving TE for 2019.

 

Then draft WR's, a RB and more O and D linemen.   With that we're good to go.

[SoCal Deek]

Not hard to figure out.  You need a QB and an Offensive Line.  Everything else is a distant second.  Assuming they have their QB, they need to everything they can to start building a long-lasting O Line.  It's about more than just getting good players.  It's about having them all come into their peak at the same time, including the QB.

[Thriftygamer83]

38 minutes ago, mjt328 said:

Agree 100%. 

 

The most important position is Quarterback. 

But having a good O-Line will make both the running game and passing game better - and can help avoid injuries to that franchise QB.

 

Nope it depends on the center.  To call out assignments and block protections.  Along with preparations on keeping the Quarterback upright.  Our line is slowly coming together and that’s all that we could hope for at this point.  Groy was a massive disappointment at center and so many things hit us at once. Juan Castillo has been pretty much working with what he’s had.  One of the biggest demoralizing factors was Nate Peterman.  

[mjd1001]

I've changed my position on the OL.  A decade ago, I still held on to the thought that I wanted the best OL in the league (at least top 5). Now, not so much. A great OL is only important if you don't have a good QB.

 

Of course build the best OL you can, and make sure that it isn't "bad", but OL and RB are two areas I don't want to chase someone and 'overpay' for them.

[Ed_Formerly_of_Roch]

31 minutes ago, Chuck Wagon said:

 

 

You just going to invent a TE to sign in FA?  Outside of maybe Jared Cook it's a wasteland.

 

29 minutes ago, Magox said:

Buffalo should do reasonably within their power to get 2 of the best FA linemen available along with the best blocking/receiving TE for 2019.

 

Then draft WR's, a RB and more O and D linemen.   With that we're good to go.

 

As was pointed out in a number of articles,  Clays not a terrible tight end (excluding the pass at the end of the Miami game) he's just a very overpaid TE, however next year his salary is reasonable for the position.  If there aren't any better options out there, keep Clay for another year, maybe use a 2nd or a 3rd round pick on a TE to for the following year.  Croom also with another year under his belt could be a good #2 TE.

 

It's great to get rid of people, but you have to find a better replacement and also need to look at his salary vs production.

[MJS]

40 minutes ago, TigerJ said:

Hopefully, Buffalo has the QB they need, so offensive line should be at the top of their priorities for improvement in the offseason.  There should be enough money under the cap, and enough draft picks to do more than one thing, however.

 

TE is just a wasteland around the league right now. There are only a handful of guys that are putting up stats. Likely have to draft one, or at least find some guys who can contribute in the run game.

[wppete]

Very simple here, in the first round Draft Jonah Williams OT, Alabama. Move either him or Dawkins to LG. Sign the Best Center on the market and draft another Guard and another OT in the mid rounds.

 

 

Edited December 21, 2018 by wppete

[NoHuddleKelly12]

2 minutes ago, wppete said:

Very simple here in the first round. Draft Jonah Williams OT, Alabama. Move either him or Dawkins to LG. Sign the Best Center on the market and draft another Guard and another OT in the mid rounds.

I like it—simple yet effective at addressing glaring needs early 

[WhoTom]

43 minutes ago, SoCal Deek said:

Not hard to figure out.  You need a QB and an Offensive Line.  Everything else is a distant second.  Assuming they have their QB, they need to everything they can to start building a long-lasting O Line.  It's about more than just getting good players.  It's about having them all come into their peak at the same time, including the QB.

 

I agree with most of that, but you also need receivers who can catch. I wouldn't call that a distant second.

 

 

[Bing Bong]

53 minutes ago, mjd1001 said:

I've changed my position on the OL.  A decade ago, I still held on to the thought that I wanted the best OL in the league (at least top 5). Now, not so much. A great OL is only important if you don't have a good QB.

 

Of course build the best OL you can, and make sure that it isn't "bad", but OL and RB are two areas I don't want to chase someone and 'overpay' for them.

Same here. It's just gets so darn expensive and good O Lines crop up out of nowhere when teams make a concerted effort to build them. More out of simply having favorable contracts elsewhere and having a solid window to invest in the line. 

 

Regardless when you have an over acheiving line teams don't start paying 5 guys one after the other until it becomes unsustainable. It's more about striking gold cheap. Maybe 1 or 2 (maaaybe) bluechip expensive guys, garbage dive for high value Ritchie types, and hope for good rookie contracts to fill in the blanks. 

 

Teams with great OL have that reputation for 2 or 3 years for a reason. It falls apart, too hard to keep so many high caliber vets. The ones that do crop up strike gold and ride that wave on good value for as long as possible but every team cuts their losses at some point. Too expensive to hoard 5 players in a not so deep position group around the league.

 

I"m all about trenches and prefer DL. But I think you re-sign most of your players either with a pass rushing ability, secondary, QB and WR. And if you got money tied up (for players worth the salary), you're set to constantly draft trenches on cheap rookie contracts always looking for that perfect window of bargain values.

 

That's one reason I didn't like the Star signing.. purely out of philosophy.. but there weren't many great FAs last year and we DO need to spend the CAP going forward. We're in a strange position but once we lock down high priced elite talent is when we can put our contracts where our team identity finds itself winning. It's always a matter of circumstance. If you have Aaron Donald. You build a team around Donald. Can't stick to any one way to build a team when the chips fall.

 

Seahawks are a great example. Expensive top OL and Lynch with young Wilson and Legion of Boom on fantastic contracts. Morphed into the Wilson and Wagner show in as a smooth of a rebuild as you can call one.

Edited December 20, 2018 by BarkleyForGOATBackupPT5P

[ctk232]

2 hours ago, WideNine said:

Also a cautionary tale for those who think taking or paying for a top-tier running back is a wise move before a team has built a decent line to run behind.

Yep - does anyone wonder why no one ever heard DeMarco Murray's name after he left Dallas? Many "top" RBs are made so by the play of the OL and the blocking schemes of the OC and OL Coordinator. A "top" RB can just as quickly regress as the OL regresses over the years as well. 

 

This isn't to discount any elite RB's ability, but at least half or more of every RB's game is due to the OL. Could say this about most offensive skill positions, imo. Anytime you're building an offense, or even a whole team, always start with the trenches.

[without a drought]

33 minutes ago, ctk232 said:

Yep - does anyone wonder why no one ever heard DeMarco Murray's name after he left Dallas? Many "top" RBs are made so by the play of the OL and the blocking schemes of the OC and OL Coordinator. A "top" RB can just as quickly regress as the OL regresses over the years as well. 

 

This isn't to discount any elite RB's ability, but at least half or more of every RB's game is due to the OL. Could say this about most offensive skill positions, imo. Anytime you're building an offense, or even a whole team, always start with the trenches.

I've heard his name since, he's about to be named the University of Arizona's running back coach.

[mjt328]

1 hour ago, Thriftygamer83 said:

Nope it depends on the center.  To call out assignments and block protections.  Along with preparations on keeping the Quarterback upright.  Our line is slowly coming together and that’s all that we could hope for at this point.  Groy was a massive disappointment at center and so many things hit us at once. Juan Castillo has been pretty much working with what he’s had.  One of the biggest demoralizing factors was Nate Peterman.  

 

Not sure how anyone could say the O-Line is "slowly coming together"...

 

The only guy I would say is a guarantee to return to the starting lineup in 2019 is Dion Dawkins, and many are advocating for a position change due to his struggles this season.  I know there are hopes Wyatt Teller becomes something someday, but he's not shown enough yet to feel confident with him going into the offseason.

 

We have enough resources to overhaul this group in the offseason, and I hope that is the plan.

 

[BuffaloBill]

2 hours ago, TheBeaneBandit said:

I agree. In free agency id target C, G, and TE on offence. 

 

 

The Bills are not likely to get that combination in FA market. 

[mjt328]

57 minutes ago, BarkleyForGOATBackupPT5P said:

Same here. It's just gets so darn expensive and good O Lines crop up out of nowhere when teams make a concerted effort to build them. More out of simply having favorable contracts elsewhere and having a solid window to invest in the line. 

 

Regardless when you have an over acheiving line teams don't start paying 5 guys one after the other until it becomes unsustainable. It's more about striking gold cheap. Maybe 1 or 2 (maaaybe) bluechip expensive guys, garbage dive for high value Ritchie types, and hope for good rookie contracts to fill in the blanks. 

 

Teams with great OL have that reputation for 2 or 3 years for a reason. It falls apart, too hard to keep so many high caliber vets. The ones that do crop up strike gold and ride that wave on good value for as long as possible but every team cuts their losses at some point. Too expensive to hoard 5 players in a not so deep position group around the league.

 

I"m all about trenches and prefer DL. But I think you re-sign most of your players either with a pass rushing ability, secondary, QB and WR. And if you got money tied up (for players worth the salary), you're set to constantly draft trenches on cheap rookie contracts always looking for that perfect window of bargain values.

 

That's one reason I didn't like the Star signing.. purely out of philosophy.. but there weren't many great FAs last year and we DO need to spend the CAP going forward. We're in a strange position but once we lock down high priced elite talent is when we can put our contracts where our team identity finds itself winning. It's always a matter of circumstance. If you have Aaron Donald. You build a team around Donald. Can't stick to any one way to build a team when the chips fall.

 

Seahawks are a great example. Expensive top OL and Lynch with young Wilson and Legion of Boom on fantastic contracts. Morphed into the Wilson and Wagner show in as a smooth of a rebuild as you can call one.

 

Great O-Lines don't last long, mostly because teams don't prioritize drafting that position high or keeping those players in free agency.

 

There is a lot of pressure to draft/keep the STAR running backs and receivers, when it's usually much smarter to spend that money on the O-Line.

 

You watch what happens if Beane/McDermott focus on repairing the O-Line first this offseason, and don't go after a #1 receiver.  Fans are going to pitch a fit.