Roster Turnover - Defense

[rns90]

2 minutes ago, Justafan said:

Likely they'll get an OLineman or two in the draft.  I expect an OT and a Guard in FA and a Center in the draft but that's just a hunch from the way the draft seems to be unfolding and what's going to be available in FA.  They need a decent RT and a good interior player in FA.  After that they can adjust a little bit depending on how everything else goes.

I think you might be right.  I thought they would get a C and OT in FA.  But looking at the guards available in FA, there are a TON of them and they can get a mid-level type guy as a starter.  I'd prefer that they sign Wiznewski as a FA C but the better value play might be signing a G for less money and spending a higher pick at C.

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Take it with a giant grain of salt, but our play at the C position has been our BIGGEST weakness on the offensive line for the past 3 years according to PFF. I know. But it's the only grading service we have access to.

 

[SleepingTitan]

1 hour ago, rns90 said:

I think it's pretty obvious that they'll be signing a vet starter in FA.  The only question that remains is whether or not it is at OT or C (or both).

I say we sign & draft both. If you have a problem, focus on it. I don't want to see us watering down this FA/Draft by sprinkling in players at all positions. It's OK to draft a stud high and sign a stud high. I want to see us lock down some of these areas. Next year, we can lock down some other areas. Then the next year, we go for icing, playoffs, and glory. It's a bit like fortifying a castle. Pick a weak spot and focus. 

[Chuka05]

With everyone throwing names out as far as Gs they'd like to sign why hasn't anyone mentioned Incognito?  They're talking about wanting to get a mean and physical line built, so why not him?  Yes I know he has baggage from his past, but he played last year with no issues and rated as one of the best Gs in the league.  He qualifies as a seasoned vet vs a rookie and definitely has the mean streak in him.

[Justafan]

22 minutes ago, Chuka05 said:

With everyone throwing names out as far as Gs they'd like to sign why hasn't anyone mentioned Incognito?  They're talking about wanting to get a mean and physical line built, so why not him?  Yes I know he has baggage from his past, but he played last year with no issues and rated as one of the best Gs in the league.  He qualifies as a seasoned vet vs a rookie and definitely has the mean streak in him.

I like Icognito but he's 33 and I believe will turn 34 during the season.  He's a short term answer at best.  

[Chuka05]

Yeah Incognito's age is up there but for a short term deal he could maybe help us get that mentality we used to have along the Oline and maybe help instill that in the younger guys we have.

[Justafan]

16 minutes ago, Soxcat said:

The three most important positions on the OL are LT, RT and C.  A quality C might be more difficult to find than a RT.  OGs can be guys like Poutasi you draft to play OT and use them at OG if they don't translate to the NFL well.  In other words you keep drafting RTs out of college (they played LT or RT in college) and if they don't work out move them to OG.

The point I made on Bell was apparently missed by @Justafan.  There is a classic example.  Guy is actually a decent OG and a horrible OT.  Point being; those guys are either draft picks that didn't work out at OT or cheap FAs.  We could have a guy like Bell at both OG spots with an above average LT, RT and C and our OL would be damn good.  So IMO, spend whatever it takes to get an above average C and RT in FA, drop Poutasi down to OG to compete for a starting spot with Bell and Spain and quite honestly, if Poutasi/Spain/Bell and Warmack are our OGs with above average C and RT FAs our OL will kick some ass in the run game and still protect Mariota.

 

I'm with you as long as they have a good quality interior player to go along with him.  Poutasi is fine and so is Warmack if they have a decent starter at Center to bolster the interior.  3 below average interior players is bad news so i'm just saying they have to upgrade at G or C.  I would also bring a guy with slightly quicker feet in rather than bring Bell back who was ok but not that great.  

I also think you can scheme help for these guys by letting them sit in the booth more and use a FB to lead block and keep a RB in on 3rd down to help pick up blockers as well.  Theoretically, there are a ton of things you can do to improve pass protection.

RT isn't an option as long as we face the Texans twice a year.  You have to invest in a Tackle somewhere just to protect Mariota.

Also keep in mind that there are much better options at Guard in FA this year than at C.  There are pretty good options at C in the draft imo.

[TitanDuckFan]

We may get lucky enough to find a Guard that has some experience at Center also, at least enough to provide depth. 

We're doing a lot of fretting and hand-wringing over this, so I hope they do something in FA, and not just the draft.

But there is another factor, and that is that Bostad is gone, as are the Whis-schemes.  So even if we do nothing between now and TC (and you KNOW that won't happen) we are still destined to be better!  LOL

 

Hey, I'm just trying to look on the bright side!

[Justafan]

1 minute ago, TitanDuckFan said:

We may get lucky enough to find a Guard that has some experience at Center also, at least enough to provide depth. 

We're doing a lot of fretting and hand-wringing over this, so I hope they do something in FA, and not just the draft.

But there is another factor, and that is that Bostad is gone, as are the Whis-schemes.  So even if we do nothing between now and TC (and you KNOW that won't happen) we are still destined to be better!  LOL

 

Hey, I'm just trying to look on the bright side!

You're absolutely right.  Just adjusting the scheme so that slow footed lineman aren't being left alone on an island against all pro pass rushers should allow the offensive line to play better.  Hopefully Grimm coaches them up and the technique gets better as well.  Some of the angles and pulling last year were absolutely atrocious.  I really feel like Warmack can be a good guard if put in the right situation.  Poutasi is young and has some pretty good upside.  Schwenke is much less of a liability when double teaming rather than going one on one.

Good coaching and scheming along with improvement from Marcus and a decent RB could do literally wonders for this offensive line.  

[TitanDuckFan]

I agree Sox,...  Except about Poutasi.  The guy is a guard.  Yes Whis/Bostad screwed him up.  Yes he's young.  Yes he's powerful and yes his balance is good, but not when there's mobility involved, but he's just not quick enough to be an OT at this level.

Can he be someday?  Maybe.  But he's too far away from being the answer we need right now.

[Justafan]

51 minutes ago, Soxcat said:

Ben Jones is a C with experience at OG.  Not a stud but an upgrade at C with experience and didn't miss any games the last two years which is a +.

A guy like Stefen Wisniewski would be inexpensive and an upgrade at C.

@Justafan So now Warmack is a below average interior guy.  Right.   

 

 

Well, he's yet to prove he can be good or even consistently average. I do think he's been put in situations to fail and poorly coached but some of his struggles are his slow feet and poor leverage. 

[Justafan]

44 minutes ago, TitanDuckFan said:

I agree Sox,...  Except about Poutasi.  The guy is a guard.  Yes Whis/Bostad screwed him up.  Yes he's young.  Yes he's powerful and yes his balance is good, but not when there's mobility involved, but he's just not quick enough to be an OT at this level.

Can he be someday?  Maybe.  But he's too far away from being the answer we need right now.

No way should Poutasi go back outside. I'm hesitant to rely on him for anything more than depth. Give him a fair shot in camp if they like him but I wouldn't be upset if they got a vet and relegated him to backup guard.