Tweaking our offensive/defensive lines

[kRocket]

I would like some comment on the keep/replace personnel in our lines. These are not suggested 1st rounders, just mid-rounders that might help.

Defensive Line

I like Lamarr Houston a lot, but is he better than Amobi or would he just be a very good back up and we look for a NT.

The tackles are the only ones on the defensive line I can think of replacing.

Offensive Line

This one is trickier with Gibbs leaving but Kubes staying. Are we sticking with ZBS or adding a road grader mode to it or just switching over completely. I would love Brandon Carter out of TT. God know he has the size but he also has a mean streak that I like and may be catching. I remember the old days of the Raiders, they had half crazy people on the offensive line and they scared the other side, lol.

Anyway I would enjoy hearing comment about the Texan lines. Who needs to stay and who needs to go and WHY?

[Roy P]

Defensive Tackles take a while to before they "get it" as a general rule. I believe somebody a while back showed the ages of very good DTs and when they had marked improvement. There was some evidence showing that 28 year olds had the best stats. The reason that thread was started was because a lot of people were ready to label Okoye as a bust. Then someone else tried to explain that there was a 3-4 year learning curve. ANYWAY, that is all to say that I don't expect to draft a kid who is going to be better than Okoye or Cody for that matter. So, I'm merely wanting somebody to come in so that Jeff Zgonina can finally retire. Perhaps a NT to push Frank Okam into either doing something or sending him to Law School.

The offensive line needs talent up the middle desperately. If Chester Pitts isn't healthy, then we have to draft 2 OL. Getting Antoine Caldwell in the 3rd round last year showed me how hard it is going to be to get a rookie on the OL unless he's a 1st round draft pick. I don't know if Caldwell will be allowed to play OC this year or not, but I would like to get another RG for the future. I think Studdard is a joke, but the HC doesn't. I'm no fan of Brisiel, White, or Myers. So that's 5 interior OL who are questionable. My guess is that we only draft one OL (either in the 2nd or 3rd round). The guy will be at least 6' 4" and 305lbs (can be taller or heavier). I'm hopeful that he is a strong mauler that can move a pile. My current target is Kyle Calloway. But that can change once I see more one-on-one drills at the Senior Bowl and the measurements at the Combine.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by Roy P

Getting Antoine Caldwell in the 3rd round last year showed me how hard it is going to be to get a rookie on the OL unless he's a 1st round draft pick.

You're gonna need to get real and prioritize your wish list since you've got the Mizzou backer and an interior OLineman both as you're first round pick and last time I checked we've only got one pick in the top round ?

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

You're gonna need to get real and prioritize your wish list since you've got the Mizzou backer and an interior OLineman both as you're first round pick and last time I checked we've only got one pick in the top round ?

My wish list is prioritized, take a look at the thread called "My Guys". I don't really say that I have to have an OL in the first round. In fact, I won't ever box myself in and say that a particular position has to be drafted in a particular round. It is always BPA. Currently, I think the BPA when we pick will be Weatherspoon, but that's not a certainty.

[HPF Bob]

I'd leave the d-line alone. We've obviously thrown enough resources at it and it is no longer a liability. If Eyechart decides to retire, we can find somebody on the waiver wire.

The o-line needs work but I'd like to give Coleman a chance. If we used a 2nd or 3rd on a guard, I'd be okay with that.

IMO, the secondary needs fixing and another RB would be a good pickup. That's where I'd spend the resources.

[NBT]

We definitely improved the secondary and the LB corp in the last draft, yet we still ended up like 17th in defense. An improvement, to be sure, over years past, but it won't get us into the playoffs. So that leaves the DL, or the coaches for same as the prime culprits. I would have to argue with Bob in saying the DL does not need any help. I think the DL is THE place where we need to beef-up. Matter of fact I would use our #1 pick if a suitable DT were still there at #20. I realize that is unlikely to happen, so I would use either a second or third on it. On offense I see OG/C & RB as the prime targets.

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

The o-line needs work but I'd like to give Coleman a chance.

I'll bite, who is Coleman and why are you giving him a chance?