O-Line over Everything

[run-run-pass-punt]

If we don't shore up the run D, it won't matter what the protection is like for whoever is @ QB.

I agree we need O-line help, for sure. We need to build both lines. That's always the foundation, and we're built on sand at the moment.

[pantherclaw]

We're loaded at tackle. I don't see the Panthers picking one unless he is the unquestioned BPA at that time. 

 

[1of10Charnatives]

6 minutes ago, run-run-pass-punt said:

If we don't shore up the run D, it won't matter what the protection is like for whoever is @ QB.

I agree we need O-line help, for sure. We need to build both lines. That's always the foundation, and we're built on sand at the moment.

If the d line sucks next season it sucks only next season. If the oline sucks it increases dramatically the chances Cam is not our qb beyond that. 
I agree that both lines need to be rebuilt, but it ALWAYS matters what the protection is like for your qb because he’s your most expensive, important, and hard to replace player.

[pantherclaw]

I can promise anyone, and everyone, that the Panthers staff have NEVER ignored the oline, or thought they could get by with a lesser line, because of the athleticism of Cam. 

That is straight up lazy thinking by fans, whom fail to comprehend how difficult it is to build and maintain a quality team in the modern NFL. 

Anybody in football, knows it begins and ends in the trenches. 

 

[1of10Charnatives]

5 minutes ago, pantherclaw said:

We're loaded at tackle. 

...

[run-run-pass-punt]

Just now, 1of10Charnatives said:

If the d line sucks next season it sucks only next season. If the oline sucks it increases dramatically the chances Cam is not our ability beyond that. 
I agree that both lines need to be rebuilt, but it ALWAYS matters what the protection is like for your qb because he’s your most expensive, important, and hard to replace player.

I can't disagree, although I still don't think we'll be concerned with protecting a long-term piece at the QB position, whether we send Cam out there or someone else. I expect that whoever is our QB week #1 is not someone we're really trying to develop. That's my primary reason for wanting to go interior DL.

[Rags]

1 hour ago, 1of10Charnatives said:

Please name for me the vet LT who will be available in FA that you would be comfortable entrusting Cam’s blind side to. Like qb it’s one of those positions where the good ones almost never hit FA. 

This thinking that the OL isn’t that bad and doesn’t have to be an urgent priority RIGHT NOW is what has led us to a franchise qb in his prime that causes the owner, HC and GM to turn the phrase “if healthy” into a verbal tic.

For about the eleventy billionth time, if the defense sucks next year, it affects only next year. If the OL sucks, there is an extremely strong possibility it leads to Cam not being our qb beyond that. Think about that real hard and tell me whether BPA still outweighs that.

Lastly with regards to filling huge needs, if you don’t think LT is one of the biggest on the team...

First point, Trent Williams could be had for a second or a third. Anthony Castonzo and Jason Peters are both solid veteran options. There's also Jack Conklin and Bryan Bulaga at RT, and we could try Moton at LT, or leave Little there and see what he can do. If Guard isn't addressed (a much, much bigger nerd than OT) then try Moton or Little at guard. 

You only need elite pass blockers across the line if you HEAVILY rely on passing plays that take longer than 3 seconds for plays to develop, or WRs that can't get open consistently. Our SB run we had Oher and Reemers at tackles, unsurpsingly this was the year where Cam's WRs consistently got separation.

OT is one of the weakest points last season, but amid injuries, poor guard play, and starting literal rookies (which a lot of people seem like another rookie will instantly fix the entire o-line's issues, which lol.) there's reason to believe that with improved interior line play, another year of experience and hopefully better health OT play would improve. 

We're picking in the top 10, and hopefully this isn't a common occurrence, and  we shouldn't be locked into one position (this goes for the people that want Simmons as a panic move to replace Luke as well.) just because we see a weakness. We should go and get the player we love and feel would make our team better.

[WOW!!]

BPA from all needed position.. Ol-DL-LB-DB .. Which ever has the highest ranked player.. That's the best way to draft..

[Rags]

10 minutes ago, 1of10Charnatives said:

If the d line sucks next season it sucks only next season. If the oline sucks it increases dramatically the chances Cam is not our qb beyond that. 

If the o-line sucks next season, it only sucks for next season.

This logic is flawed as hell. Not being able to stop the run is a huge reason teams could just pin their ears back and rush the passer. They knew if they got the ball back more than likely they could control the Time of Possession by running it down our throats. Our defense couldn't get off the field while theirs remained well rested. 

It doesn't matter if we get draft an all pro LT that ends up a HoFer next season if he and the rest of the O-line face constant blitzes and fresh d-linemen all game.

[TheMaulClaw]

2 hours ago, cookinbrak said:

Why not draft a LT and sign a vet DL?

If you'd like to go the rookie LT route in a weak T draft that's what you wanna do.  

Personally I think it's a fluid situation.  I'd prefer a quality vet, but if you can get a great T in the draft that's fine.

[Rags]

8 minutes ago, WOW!! said:

BPA from all needed position.. Ol-DL-LB-DB .. Which ever has the highest ranked player.. That's the best way to draft..

I'd say BPA at whatever position if it fits the coaches plan.

Wouldn't be mad with Jeudy or Lamb at 7, esp with how vital spread offenses are nowadays.

[(ATL'ien)CamNewton]

"..Rookies, especially rookie offensive linemen, don't fill pressing needs. Over the past five NFL seasons, only nine rookie offensive tackles have played 400-plus snaps and earned overall grades above 70.0. None have earned an overall grade above 82.0. Don't address pressing needs in the draft; just draft the best players available.."

https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2020-nfl-mock-draft-jerry-jeudy-new-york-giants-ceedee-lamb-arizona-cardinals

[bababoey]

The dumbest thing too many GM's do is target one player or one position and convince themselves that that is there guy.  That's how you end up with 5 picks in every draft like Gettelmen did and if 2 or 3 of them don't pan out you don't have any depth to fall back on.  Ask the Jet's when Ryan was there. 

[Navy_football]

43 minutes ago, pantherclaw said:

I can promise anyone, and everyone, that the Panthers staff have NEVER ignored the oline, or thought they could get by with a lesser line, because of the athleticism of Cam. 

That is straight up lazy thinking by fans, whom fail to comprehend how difficult it is to build and maintain a quality team in the modern NFL. 

Anybody in football, knows it begins and ends in the trenches. 

 

Maybe they haven't ignored it so much as not made it a top priority. Seems they have been super complacent with allowing bad players time to "develop/gel" instead of just admitting they were bad and moving on to plan B. Amini was horrible. Bell was subpar. Chandler was... well that was a joke really. Making it a top priority means using a first rounder on the position.

How many first round dlinemen has this team drafted during the Rivera era vs how many first round olinemen?