Just how bad will the 2018 OL be?

[Carolina Cajun]

We'll be right where we were last year, middle of the pack.  For the great player norwell was, run blocking on the O-line has sucked for years.  Now IMO, that has as much to do with Shula's scheme that took utterly flawless play in order to gain 3-4 yards, but on top of that, we weren't anything to write home about.  With Norv, I have a feeling the view of the line will be improved, but the actual results will be about what they were last year.

[MtnProwler]

Frankly, it sounds like we have a lot riding on Moton. If he doesn't step up and create competition or overwhelmingly take the LG role then we are in a default situation, where we regressed from Norwell. I'd like to see us add a first or second rounder to the OL/LG to hedge if Moton doesn't perform. This also would help alleviate some of the depth stress put on the other line positions.

[Panthers8969]

Agree that we payed the wrong guard, but turner is still above average and most agreed he was better than Norwell when we paid him. Unfortunately, Norwell improved his game a great bit this season and was or of our price range.

 

oh and yes, this is a much better thread than the hardy and Disney ones lol

[KillerKat]

We need to continue building the line. It has gotten weaker with the loss of Norwell, Moton and Sirles are question marks, and Matt still has the possibility of completely melting down Remmers style. We can not let Cam get the crap beat out of him for yet another year. I can't see him lasting more than 2 more seasons if 2016 happens again.

[pantherclaw]

Moton is talented enough to win the guard position. He's also the first to backup at tackle. 

We aren't as desolate at guard as many think we are. 

It just will suck if one of our tackles goes down, because then we'll have two players adjusting their game. Moton to tackle, and whomever is going to back him up at guard. 

[heel31ok]

On 4/1/2018 at 9:29 AM, MHS831 said:

First of all, Happy Easter and this is not an April Fool's stunt. 

Since I saw the topics on here ranging from Wing's understandable rage in his "Screw Disney" thread to one about Greg Hardy playing arena football, I thought I would get us focused on the real issues.  Many are concerned about the WRs, others the DBs--and a few are uptight about the tight ends.  I get that, and feel your pain.  As much as I dislike Hurney, he has done a good job bringing in some budget talent at WR and DB that makes us better now than we were last year.  He got Peppers back, and that was huge.  I think the Poe signing will pay off.  For the most part, we can assume that we will address S, WR, and CB in the draft-possibly taking us from mediocre to good at spots that were weaknesses.  I even  see a shiny new TE in Santa's bag. 

The Offensive Line:  But not much has been done to address the OL

So let's analyze each OL position: 

Right Tackle:  First of all, I was raving all season about Williams at RT.  No wasted motion; total control.  One of the best RTs in the NFL, and that is not an exaggeration.   Lock him up, Marty.  Depth:  We really  don't have any with  Moton at G, but Duane Clausell seems to be a name you hear as the 3rd or 4th T.  Sirles and Banner are also options.

Right Guard:  Aside from having Fletcher Cox eat his lunch one Sunday, Turner is solid.  I do think , however, we paid the wrong Guard, but Turner is solid.  Depth:  Sirles, Silatolu, Larsen, Van Roten

Center: Let's assume Kalil will be healthy and note that the team performed better when he was in the lineup for the most part.  If he fails to heal, we have a serviceable backup. 33 is not that old for a C.  I do believe if Ryan is healthy he is going to be decent.  Depth: Larsen, Van Roten

So the right side of the line is actually one of the best in the NFL.

Left Guard:  When we signed Sirles, Banner, and there was talk of Larsen at LG, I was a bit nervous and outraged because it meant  we would have  either a bad player or a rookie at LG.  When Rivera contradicted his previous statement (about Moton being a Tackle) I was relieved.  First of all, it was a no brainer, which does not always  exclude  Rivera from making the wrong choice, but  secondly, Guard  is Moton's position.  Although he played tackle at WMU for 3 seasons, he  played G his junior year, something that impressed his college coach: "Then he played offensive guard his junior year, and he was a very dominant performer getting a push in the middle in the run game while giving us a stout pocket in pass protection."   Another website refers to a game that year vs. Ohio State, and how he dominated their  interior defensive linemen. Moton was a good OT, but his best position  was Guard--he was just needed at RT most of the time.  At LG, Moton brings intelligence and power--what we just lost. Depth:  Sirles, Silatolu, Larsen, Van Roten

Left Tackle: We have the #4 overall pick from his draft at LT--a man on a $55m contract.  With  Moton at LG, we have nothing behind  him, unless you believe in  Amini Silatolu like Rivera does.  We need a developmental LT in the draft.  However, can Norv protect Cam if we have 4 of 5 OL playing at a high level?  Probably.  If we have 3 of 5 we have a problem.  We need to draft a deveopmental LT, someone in the fifth round.  Brandon Parker (NC A&T), Austin Corbett (Nevada), Jamarco Jones (Ohio State), Joseph Noteboom (TCU) are all collegiate LTs who should be available in the fifth round.  Depth: Taylor Moton.  If Kalil goes down, we would most certainly move Moton to T and bring in a G---like Wharton.

Analysis:  This is potentially a very solid OL with the exception of LT. But I think Norv will do some things to help Kalil reach a level of mediocrity that has somehow avoided him.  That is where the 2 TE sets come in.  I see Armah or another TE lining up at the wing.  I see our RB/FB  helping on the left side.  Matt Kalil was healthy in 2017, so we saw his best. 

I see no way we improve the LT this season, but if we are hitting on 4 cylinders, we should be Ok.  Last year, we had Williams in his first year as a starter, Turner was dinged and sat a few games, Kalil was out most of the season, and we still had Matt, which is an appropriate name for him.

Now, isn't this better than a Greg Hardy Arena League Highlight post?  No?

 

I'm thinking a little earlier to pick a tackle...in the form of a Brian ONeill or Kolton Miller...but your analysis pretty spot on in regard to the present state of the Oline...

[heel31ok]

21 hours ago, MHS831 said:

Good question.  For some reason Rivera thinks  Silatolu is a player.  Several weeks ago, Rivera said, "Moton is a Tackle"  when asked about the chance Moton would play G.  Recently,, he said he  would compete at G....Someone got to him.  I personally do not think Rivera has an eye for talent beyond the front 7.  That is OK, just listen to your experts.

Ryan Kalil should not be laying on a full salary this year.  The fact that they have already paid him a bonus for the season suggests they will pay the full salary.  Marty is the same old Marty--promoting and rewarding the players he picked to make himself look good.  IF Kalil is healed, he would be 33--not that old.  The fact that he is saying ""this is my last year.: is concerning to me.  Maybe Marty is great with it, but there is no way we get $9m worth out of him.

Norv Turner 

[KillerKat]

1 hour ago, pantherclaw said:

Moton is talented enough to win the guard position. He's also the first to backup at tackle. 

We aren't as desolate at guard as many think we are. 

It just will suck if one of our tackles goes down, because then we'll have two players adjusting their game. Moton to tackle, and whomever is going to back him up at guard. 

If Moton wins the guard spot, Sirles is the backup RT. Not sure what will happen if Matt goes down. Clausell is the only other true LT we have. I don't know if he's ready.

[KillerKat]

23 hours ago, panther4life said:

My biggest question is if they think Moton can play Guard then why did Amini start 3 games for Turner when he was out last year?

Because Rivera is totally clueless when it comes to the offensive side of the ball and since Shula isn't authoritative enough, he did whatever Rivera wanted. With Norv taking complete control of the offense,  we should see better personnel decisions on offense.

[JayNasty]

We had/have a talented group but Shula couldnt string together the right play calls.

 

I think play calling will help our O-line play.  Well at least I'm hoping

[Cyberjag]

It would not surprise me a bit if we took an OT in the first.  With that said though, Kalil is going to be in his second year in the system and he will be healthy.  It's not a stretch to expect some improvement at LT.