Fixing the front 5

[Brooklyn Bully]

All of oure holes can't be fixed by next year. We may be looking at 2-3 drafts/FA periods. We need way too much right now, and unless JR plans to spend his ass off, it can't be done.

[rayzor]

lock up kalil

find the best RG in free agency

fix depth issues in FA.

new QB becomes the Oline's best friend, buys them gifts and supper on the night before games.

thats about it.

[Ricky Spanish]

It reminds of what the debate would be if Payton Manning and Ben Roethlisberger had come out in the same draft. They are very different guys. We should have a coach by them and based on what he wants to run we should pick accordingly.

At first look Luck would appear to be the top choice but if we continue to run as much or more than we pass, Newton could be a better fit. Plus i want to hear what folks say about their work ethic, football knowledge, and other features. Because Newton was a transfer and Luck is a redshirt sophomore neither really showed up on the radar screen until this year.

If Luck stays in school, newton becomes the prohibitive favorite for the top pick.

Luck was class valedictorian in his high school, has a photographic memory, played both football and soccer, has great grades, no character issues to speak of whatsoever, comes from a family of QBs, his teammates love him, being coached by a former NFL QB, and has a ridiculous work ethic.

Cam Newton Stole Laptops in Florida, cheated on tests, had to transfer to get away from that stuff, his father shopped him around for money, and he is a running QB first before a thrower.

I want Luck.

[Pimpdaddy]

If we upgrade the G and maybe the RT position we will be fine.

Think we'll need more than that to compete in the NFC South. We need a bonified franchise QB to play the most important position on the team in addition to fixing the line. Its hard to tell if Jimmay is just mediocre because the line is so terrible. We don't have to have a stud at QB if the offensive scheme can help him succeed as we seen with Jake 'rabbits foot' Dulhomme and with some other teams in the past. Its a bitch of a position the offense is in.

[Urrymonster]

Gross (30), Mack (24), Kalil (25), Schwartz (24), Williams (24) - Average age - 25

Notice what our problem is? Even the guys we lost are not ancient Wharton (29) & Otah (24). Our 'best' line up gives us an average age of just over 26, that suggests our OLine has 'at best' an average of 2-4 years in the league. Add in that our current starters have 196 starts between them, with 116 from Gross, it turns out the rest average one full season of starting between them.

Take a look at the leagues top OLines and they all have a good few years on our current starters. The Jets are possibly the best all round OLine and they have an average age of 28.

We actually have a moderately decent OLine individually. Look at games where they try and play us straight up, or where they do not have the players to try anything complex. We do dominate them. Then compare it to the teams that use stunts, overloads, delayed and DB blitzes and you see us get caught out. Those are the sorts of things that come with experience and several years of starting, not to mention continuity on the line.

Another thing to consider that there is literally only one team that can run and pass block well, most have a glaring problem and there is little teams can really do about that. So you can't expect this group to excel in both areas, that simply isn't going to happen.

We have a young and potentially great OLine, whilst we need depth, I personally think we have every starter already on the roster than we need next year.

PS - Anyone who thinks Mack and Schwartz suck need to watch some other lines play for a change, all those two need is experience.

[weyco2000]

Why does every thread turn into a Luck lovefest? BTW, Luck may just stay in Stanford and Newton could stay at AU, finding a LT should be priority #1.

[Brooklyn Bully]

Why does every thread turn into a Luck lovefest? BTW, Luck may just stay in Stanford and Newton could stay at AU, finding a LT should be priority #1.

Fair opinion. But who's our QB next year then? You trust Jimmy? Or, go look at which FA QBs will be out there. Who do you want running the team?

Oh, and no WAY Newton stays at Auburn. He and that school are about to get hit hard by the NCAA. And I'm an Auburn fan! I just know what's in store.

[weyco2000]

Fair opinion. But who's our QB next year then? You trust Jimmy? Or, go look at which FA QBs will be out there. Who do you want running the team?

Oh, and no WAY Newton stays at Auburn. He and that school are about to get hit hard by the NCAA. And I'm an Auburn fan! I just know what's in store.

Trust me I hated Clausen in college, but when the Panthers went into the season with Moore and 2 rookies at QB, I cringed. Not having a veteran QB on the roster to give advice and explain certain situations to a guy, who is obviously confused, has been disastrous. Most rookies have that guy they can go to the sidelines for advice, in all fairness Clausen doesn't have that mentor. I think it's way to early to say which way we should go, until the FO/coaching staff is in place.

As far as Newton is concerned, yeah he's coming out but you know JR will not draft him.