RG? RT? or both?...

[KillerKat]

The only thing we need to focus on offense this season is the right side of the line. Do we give Otah another chance with Bell/Schwartz as his backup? Do we upgrade at RG and keep Hangartner as the backup C and RG? Do we upgrade both positions?

I'm not sure which one is the bigger need. If Otah stays healthy, we should be fine there but then again he's never played a full season. Hangartner and Bell are solid but Im not so sure they should stay as the starters. There were games last season where the right side of the line was owned.

Bell bottom 20 in league in pass blocking according to pro football focus (47th to be exact, but 29th if you exclude the ties): http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2011/12/15/signature-stats-snapshot-offensive-tackle-pass-blocking-efficiency/

Football Outsiders show that we're around 5th in run blocking. However, 21st in pass blocking.

http://footballoutsiders.com/stats/ol

The second chart in that link shows we're 23rd in the league running up the midddle, 24th running towards RT. However in the 3rd chart, we only run at the RT 10% of the time but up the middle 57% of the time.

It seems to me that since we are really good at run blocking as a group and weaker at pass blocking, we should upgrade who is the worst at pass blocking at the least. Then you're left to wonder if Otah will stay healthy next season and if so, your move will be for nought. So then you go back to thinking about upgrading the RG spot or just cutting Otah since he isn't dependable. It will be interesting to see how it unfolds.

[nickzz]

i don't want bell playing

[rayzor]

pick up a 3rd and use 3rd and 4th on amini silatolu and mitchell schwartz.

or take the route we used a few years back and just bring in a bunch of OL to compete in the offseason/TC and hope that we have a group solid enough to get through the next year where we can address it better.

i just don't like using the first couple picks on anything on the offense this year.

[Herbert The Love Bug]

Zack Williams will eventually be a solid guard in this league. I'd like to see what he can do. I have faith in Hangartner as well. Otah/Bell/Shwartz is good enough for me at tackle. I honestly expect Otah to finally be ready to play.

[Riverboat Ron]

I think we have great depth a Guard, it wouldn't surprise me at all if we went with Reiff if he's available though. I'm sure management knows more than us about Otah and depending on how they feel, we may move on. OT just seems like a Hurney pick to me, I'd be happy with Reiff, Coples or Brockers with an emphasis on the defensive line.

[CBDellinger]

There's no reason to not roll with Otah at this point. He's only going to count a mill or so against the cap and it's his contract year. If ever he had a reason to play this is the year. If he doesnt perform he will be out of the NFL.

That being said I think if you have a chance to get a quality O-lineman in the draft you do it... and that goes for this year or any year. Esp if you can get a guy who can slide from RG to RT in the event of an injury.

I think the FO likes Hangman and will keep him around. He's not elite but he's servicable and you'd rather have solid guys over unknowns.

[PhillyB]

Give otah his final shot this year. If he can't stay healthy get rid of him next year and draft a right tackle with pass blocking specialties.

[jtnc]

Give otah his final shot this year. If he can't stay healthy get rid of him next year and draft a right tackle with pass blocking specialties.

His contract is up after next season anyway.

[Zithers]

otah will be our RT next year unless he shows up to camp looking like poo. then we can begin to worry about it. and even then, wasn't schwartz okay in that spot?

RG i don't see as a problem since hangartner, schwartz, and bernadeau should all be pretty cheap. and we already re-signed garry williams.

[pantherclaw]

Hangman is a solid starter. I can see picking someone up that can play both tackle and guard, and let him compete.

As far as right tackle, i don't think bell is the answer.

I'd suggest they draft a guy to groom for LT.

Getting our future LT is the bigger need. Could always move Gross back to right tackle for another 6 years. That is the best route to go IMO.

[KillerKat]

Hangman is a solid starter. I can see picking someone up that can play both tackle and guard, and let him compete.

As far as right tackle, i don't think bell is the answer.

I'd suggest they draft a guy to groom for LT.

Getting our future LT is the bigger need. Could always move Gross back to right tackle for another 6 years. That is the best route to go IMO.

Im hoping Ziemba is that guy, but he was quiet as hell last season.

[panthers55]

I went on pro-football weekly and they had Bell listed as giving up 4.75 sacks in 2011. That seems like a low amount. If that is true though, I am wondering why everyone wants to dump him so quickly. Sure it was at left tackle but a pro-bowler like D'bricksaw Ferguson gave up 9.5 sacks in 16 starts. With no offseason andno preseason Bell was thrust in with no support. I frankly thought he did pretty well given the circumstances. Who says a draft pick outside of the first or second round will do any better? I understand why the staff is high on his potential honestly.

[KillerKat]

don't forget about free agency too guys...

[Mr. Scot]

I don't trust Otah enough to count on him being a starter anymore.

Bell, Schwartz and Hangartner are all guys who should probably be backups.

If we really wanna talk playoffs, or Super Bowl, new starters are needed at both spots.