Offensive Linemen needed

[MHS831]

The Otah knees bother me. At 24, the problems he is having are not good. He may have to be moved to RG to save the knees if he can use them. Even if he stays at RT, we have to have depth at OT. Williams, Petitte were not good.

Prospects in draft: I think a stud sleeper is Willie Smith, ECU as a mid to late round LT. Carpenter, Hairston, Pinkston, Franklin, Brewer, are some pretty good prospects in the middle of the draft. Smith has a huge upside. If we could draft a guy with abilities to play the LEFT tackle, then we could stop moving Wharton out when Gross goes down. Why weaken 2 positions? If Otah cannot play, you have a guy who could compete for the RT job and, maybe one day, switch back to the left side as Gross ages.

If Otah plays RT, we still have Schwartz and Duke Robinson at RG. Maybe Chud and co. get something from the two. Schwartz looked pretty good during the last few games, and Robinson's time is now.

I question Bernardeau as the backup center.

John Moffit from Wisconsin might give us solid depth behind center and LG.

Do not be surprised if we address OL depth needs especially since Otah is so questionable. Nobody is talking about it, but if we trade down and don't go QB, one of the picks could be a T. Later, I expect a G/C.

Didn't Hangartner get cut?

[teeray]

Well, O line has like a 80% success rate in the first round. It is the safest position of them all.

[Jackofalltrades]

A lot of OT's can't just be moved inside, they're tackles for a reason. The don't typically have the lateral mobility.

I am a little worried about Otah myself, but if we can nail down a couple OG's then Wharton can move to RT.

We do need some more quality depth in addition to a starting RG.

[Fiz]

hangartner signed as an UFA with Buffalo

the only position that needs addressing is the RG position which is arguably the easiest position to fill on offense.

depth is easily addressed by FA signings.

Otah was told to hold out by Fox and not play.

It's not a big deal

[Jackofalltrades]

Hangartner is the starting C for the Bills.

[WhiteBoysCanRun22]

I wouldn't worry too much. We just need to make sure he doesn't start practicing again until perhaps training camp. Thomas Davis ignored his doctor's advice, tried to come back too soon & ended up injured again. Don't be like Davis

[Mr. Scot]

I'm interested to see what Matsko does with the guys we have.

[MHS831]

hangartner signed as an UFA with Buffalo

the only position that needs addressing is the RG position which is arguably the easiest position to fill on offense.

depth is easily addressed by FA signings.

Otah was told to hold out by Fox and not play.

It's not a big deal

So you are OK with Bernadeau as the backup C? He scared me with his shotgun snaps in preseason. I had not heard that about OTAH. Thought he was really messed up. Good news.

[MHS831]

How do you all feel about Schwartz and or Robinson as the RG?

[davos]

I could see a 3rd-6th round pick used at RG and minor moves for depth...but with the new offense & coaches in there, we may not have to make many changes with the OL

[MHS831]

I wouldn't worry too much. We just need to make sure he doesn't start practicing again until perhaps training camp. Thomas Davis ignored his doctor's advice, tried to come back too soon & ended up injured again. Don't be like Davis

Yeah, my sons and I were at the OTA when it happened. It was the beginning of the nightmare.

[Fiz]

So you are OK with Bernadeau as the backup C? He scared me with his shotgun snaps in preseason. I had not heard that about OTAH. Thought he was really messed up. Good news.

wanting a quality backup at C is greedy as poo. No team in the league has a starting caliber center as a backup.

[MHS831]

wanting a quality backup at C is greedy as poo. No team in the league has a starting caliber center as a backup.

I didn't say starting-caliber. And I mentioned G/C hybrid backups, like Hangartner.

[panthers55]

Otah had meniscus repair surgery which can take up to 2 months to heal and then another 8-10 weeks of rehab. It is much more involved than meniscus removal surgery which is very common and typically is easily recovered from in a few weeks. The difference is when they remove the meniscus the two bones rub together and arthritis and joint problems can occur in the future. When the meniscus is repaired the expectation is that things return to normal and the knee is fine in the future.

At this point there is every reason to believe that Otah will be fine and able to play right tackle as before. The whole notion that we need to move him inside or that he won't be able to perform appears to be coming from left field.

First of all several guys got plenty of work last year which helped build depth which was sorely lacking. Secondly we solved this problem in 2008 when we got Vincent by simply bringing in several cheap guys and looking for a diamond in the rough. We will likely draft a few guys perhaps with our few extra compensatory picks. But honestly I am not that concerned about our line this year and think they will do a decent job. After all we are due a bit of good luck with our offensive line for once. Maybe we can avoid the injuries for starters.