It's close, but think it's the 3rd. OLB and RB tops it, and I think a case could be made for the TE position as well. The only two OLBs who won't be FAs are Mauldin and Reilly (and some PS players). At RB our top two RBs are FAs, and I think Ridley is as well. That leaves Zac Stacy, who I hope is gone anyway as he's slow and just not that good. At least on the OL, if you count Winters as a starter since he started the last half or so of the season, the entire starting unit will be back. Does it need upgrading and do we need better depth? You betcha. I've been calling for drafting Brick's replacement for the last two seasons. Giacomini needs to be upgraded as does Winters/Colon (if he is re-signed). As you state, we need much better depth behind Mangold. To that, I'd add that we need much better depth behind Brick. If Ijalana were worth a darn he could have replaced Giacomini at RT, but he didn't, and he's a FA as well. I basically agree with your second paragraph. The OL is DEFINITELY a major need, but we have to get two RBs and at least one OLB.
In general, you're correct. Somehow the Packers have managed to be, but it caught up with them last season and this season.
Yesh. Going BPA in the draft is fine. But they've got to find some depth somewhere. Somebody has to be stuck and become a long term option. Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk
Jets have a bully offensive line...they look great versus weak fronts but struggle versus top tier lines...it's why they struggle vs Buffalo. Next year we are playing the NFC West, Buffalo twice, Bengals, and KC all of which have strong defensive lines. Could be a long year without upgrading the O-line.
How TB & Mac feel about Dakota Dozier, Jarvis Harrison, and Brent Qvale will figure into their long term approach also. But having a serious competition at RT and/or RG seems to me the easiest quickest way to improve on the short term. Either with the guys mentioned, or by bringing someone in, and getting better at one of those spots right away next year. Otherwise I'd like to see edge speed on both sides of the ball the priority in FA and the draft
If Mac is able to sign an outside FA at all, I would be surprised if it's not a RG to supplant or at least compete with Winters or RT to push Giacomini.
How many good Offensive lines are there in the NFL today? Around three or four. Relative to the rest of the eaue, the OL is good. There's obviously room for improvement at RT, and at RG and potentially LT, but the NFL has an OL problem; most teams have terrible offensive lines, there just aren't enough talented players at that position each year to solve that problem;building a top tier OlL along the lines of the Cowboys or Browns requires years and years of building.
Yes, I'm not sure if a top guy will be avaliable, but we'll see see. My point was really directed at those who say we hae a terrible offensive line. I'd probably try to solidfiy RG with a second round pick or so... if you hit on that, you have three qaulity interior lineman and the hope is that the QB can negate the edge pressure with good pocket awaeness.
While the O-line undoubtedly needs work, I feel like the biggest need is to replace Breno and we will see a nice difference. Honestly dude looked like the weak spot all season long and is the second worst RT I've seen next to Wayne Hunter, hard to succeed with a 4 and a half man line.
Hunter was a disaster, Breno is adequate. You have a poor memory if you believe these two players are/were close ability wise.
we don't even need top guys we have our core at most positions we just need people that can do their damn job lol. the small things...
I think its below average, one injury to Brick or Mangold and we are fucked. Fitz pre-snap reads are elite which helped the offensive line out a ton. Tackle and G need to be upgraded.
Breno is less than adequate, he is a liability. Didn't say he was as bad as Hunter (no one could be) but he is the weak spot of the line.
It would really help to get better on the right side, preferably at RT. Ultimately they need to get more athletic there. The sooner the better
