The Dolphins have agreed in terms to 2 trades so far, both with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Miami will be sending a 2017 7th RD draft pick in return for TE Julius Thomas. Speaking of Julius Thomas, he was in for his physical yesterday in Miami, and has passed that physical, so now we just wait until March 9th at 4PM, when the trading actually begins! Now that Branden Albert is gone, last years gasser of a pick Laremy Tunsil gets to begin his career as the blindside protector of QB Ryan Tannehill , provided Tannehill plays in his own right, with his mysterious knee condition. Julius Thomas gives Miami a good pass catching TE, but not a lot more than that. He’s not really in an line TE, and doesn’t block, so that means, at least in my view, that the Dolphins should be contacting TE Dion Sims A.S.A.P. Besides being fairly one dimensional (Thomas), Thomas has only played in 27 games out of a possible 48 in the last 3 years. (Jordan Cameron anyone?)
The Dolphins yesterday signed rookie Long Snapper Winston Chapman. Chapman played for Mississippi St,, but tore his ACL in 2015. This is his first NFL contract, which is why he has rookie status. Of course we have long time veteran John Denney, who happens to be an excellent LS and ST’s player. Chapman is a long shot to make the team, and is the annual “Bring in a guy to push Denney”
CB/NB K’Wuan Williams, who Miami was purportedly (love that word!) (in Miami’s case it should be porportedly, right) interested in has decided to sign with the SF 49ers. Good luck with that! Former Dolphins DT’s Jared Odrick (JAX) and Paul Soliai (CAR) have both been released. Would the Dolphins have any interest in either making a return? Not likely.
With the subtraction of former LT Branden Albert, Tunsil moves to LT, and that leaves 2 gaping holes, and maybe even 3 unless you’ve already bought in that C Mike Pouncey will actually be able to play the 2018 season, and I mean the WHOLE season. So how do the Dolphins approach this situation. I have made myself pretty clear for quite some time, and I’m sticking to my grits! Please sign RG Kevin Zeitler. We’ve cleared cap space, and I can’t think of a better way to use it. As Brian in NY was kind enough to point out to me, Zeitler is the 2018-2022 version of Ron Popeil’s “Set it and Forget it” Ronco Oven. Wouldn’t it be great to have finally solved one of the OG spots on our line? We still need a LG. I had brought up Luke Joeckel, and Phelon yesterday pointed out OG Austin Pasztor (MIN). Joeckel could be a relatively low end sign (<$4M)), one with more risk, and Austin Pasztor would be a mid level signing (>$4M). Still, both would be affordable options. I think it’s also imperative that we draft a G/C early in this draft, there are a few good options.
GO DOLPHINS!
Finsmob Unleashed 
Way to go Rock, pissin off the gatekeeper….smh! (I’m just kidding Herd)
Rock,
If you were talking about a LT or even a C then I’d agree with your assessment of the situation when it comes to signing someone like Zeitler. Guard is a major need for us on the offensive line but guards are not anywhere near as valuable as a LT or a Center.
Zeitler could be a very good guard and the top guy in free agency at his positon but I don’t agree that when you have a guard who’s the best out there in free agency you go after him and pay him $58.1M.
I agree that Zeitler is better at his position than what I’ve put out there but there’s 5 guys on the offensive line and you need all five of them playing together to make it work.
Yeah, there’s more than one way to approach the situation but it would be completely wrong to sign Zeitler and go into the season with what we’ve got top to bottom for offensive line talent.
Before Tony Lippett was drafted Mark Dantonio had stated that he thought Lippett played cornerback as well as Darqueze Dennard even though Lippett had limited play time at the position.
Not only did Lippett need to make the conversion to cornerback in the NFL but was drafted in the 5th rd. Dennard was taken in the 1st by Cincinnati.
To this point in their short NFL careers, Lippett has outplayed Dennard.
I like Elflein myself in this situation and one of the biggest reasons is because of what OD keeps pointing out; position flexibility.
Also one of the reasons I rule out Zeitler in free agency. No position flexibility. Do you really pay a guard that kind of money?
I understand that a team needs to look for ways to improve and should be looking to get better and add talent every year but do we really need to sign a guard for $58 m?
Defensive end, even defensive tackle, left tackle, cornerback and even linebacker you would pay that kind of money to but a guard is something you should be able to find anywhere.
There’s no doubt Zeitler is the prize of free agency at guard but one guy doesn’t make the team a winner all by himself. You still need to have talent elsewhere like at the other guard position and with the depth which has been an issue for the team as well.
Zeitler is also a RG which makes him even less valuable.
Nope. Sorry. I’m sticking with my play. Give me Schwenke, Larsen and Wagner and draft Elflein.
Maybe we just go Lamp, Elflein and call it a day.
Maybe we do but we better be active in free agency with defense then. Problem is the linebackers in free agency aren’t the most appealing bunch. I would hope we don’t take this approach.
I feel the same way. I’m not sure Hightower is a good fit for this D, and he will be over paid. Melvin Ingram? Thoughts?
Lou, I think you were mis-reading my post. I generally agree with you that we don’t need to pay the top guy in free agency. I don’t know the players that you are touting but agree that we don’t need to get the highest paid guy at the position. Like I said New England paid less than a million dollars last year for both their guards and they scored an incredible amount of rushing touchdowns and Tom Brady as usual was able to sit back there and pick apart defenses.
Apologies. Yeah, I was just looking over the Pats contracts and Solder is the only guy on their line they’re paying any kind of money to. The remainder of their line is in rookie contracts or are cheap backups.
When you have good coaching you don’t need to be desperate and go out and sign the big names in free agency to big contracts. You just need guys who know how to do their jobs and put them in a position to be successful.
That’s the route I’d rather see the team take and save the money for a player who can really make an impact.
That’s an excellent point Lou.
Jesus Christ Herd, you certainly over-react a lot. Like I said I was kidding but I’m not kidding about this I will not comment to you or about you even tongue and cheek moving forward. I’m not going to stoop to your level to tell you to go fuck yourself back I’m just going to ignore you.
I just read that the Browns have $101 million in cap space- that’s insane! Also the Patriots have the 5th most at almost $55 million. So, that’s awesome.
Pats actually have $62M but they don’t like to spend money.
You would think a team like CLE would be much better with all the draft picks and money they have in free agency.
Yeah, I could see them whiffing on FA’s, but you would think they would have more luck in the draft.
I’m not taking a sky is falling approach to free agency and the draft right now and that’s because we’ve got a very good coaching staff unlike in the past.
I don’t feel we need to go out and overspend on guys to try and get this team up to speed. I think we just need to be smart with our approach and increase the overall talent level on the team, including depth, and then do it again next year and continue to do it each year after that.
Bring in players who can do the job. Don’t need to have the best guy at every single position; just guys who can get it done. The coaching will take care of the rest.
Agreed 100%.
Pat’s have the cap space they do because of the side deals the organization has w/ Brady which allows him to accept a dirt cheap contract.
Brian,
Miami could take 2 OL in this draft but it won’t be 2 in the first 2 rounds. So keep your eye on Kyle Fuller from Baylor that can play all 3 interior positions at a high level as that 2nd OL taken later.
I will.
Why bother comparing what the NE Patriots have? They find guys that work in their proven system, or they jettison them. I’m not even sure if we have a system here yet. Furthermore, I wouldn’t try and follow their model of personnel, the $1M per O-lneman, because that shit just wouldn’t work here. I understand using it as an example of an extremely low payroll for the O-line, but that’s where it ends. We have to fix our own problems here. We don’t have Tom Brady or Julian Edelman, Dion Lewis or James White, and we don’t operate an offense anything like theirs.
I don’t care exactly how we fix the O-line, but good players who are durable usually are a good start, and Zeitler is that, and because he’s that, I don’t feel bad paying for it, if it makes us a better team.
Winner!
A system in place since 2001 finding system matches is what NE has right now. Early on NE spent plenty early picks to establish that system which allowed them to develop younger cheaper replacements behind them that custom fit that system and that’s why they are where they are now.
All the posts on the blog seem to be between a Rock and Herd place.
Well done!
Brian in NY says:
February 23, 2017 at 4:33 pm (Edit)
Yeah, I read yesterday that he wants to coach at least five more years, post-Brady so he can prove he doesn’t need him to win. Maybe we can just tell him that we believe him?
I think he has his eyes on 347, he must be stopped
Always blaming the Dog !!
http://abc7.com/news/florida-man-claims-dog-shot-his-girlfriend-while-she-slept/1769557/
Damn, that dog is in big trouble. I wonder why he did it. Love triangle perhaps?
Now that’s just sick Mike.
Red rocket
I ain’t exactly a gun control guy, but loaded pistol without the safety on sitting on the nightstand? How many times have I knocked over my glass of water in semi-sleep?
Given that the gate guard for inside info in Davie won’t let Omar in, have to believe these streets are mostly where Stills agent lives. At the same time, not expecting us to keep Stills. And that they bumped up for Carroo was a sign that was the plan all along.
—————————
Omar Kelly@OmarKelly
I’ve heard 2 things regarding Kenny Stills on these streets. Eagles are in play (Tannenbaum knows this) & there’s a California team in play
The Eagles have very little cap space.
Oh, so there is a chance that Omar knows something that Tannenbaum doesn’t?
Not sure what that means, but this is their current cap status.
http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/philadelphia-eagles/cap/
Omar felt the need to inform people that Tannenbaum “know this” as if there was a possibility he knew something Tannenbaum didn’t.
So Omar took rumors that have been out for well over a month & is now passing it off as his info😂 Things never change w/ that tortoise banger.
“on these streets” lol
the streets of the internet rumor mill
Don’t laugh at Omar’s favorite roadway.
Don’t be fooled by the Cheats cap space, when a good team has lots of space it usually means they have lots of UFAs.
Generally, I’m only concerned with how the Patriots go fuck themselves
👍
Brian, okay I gotcha! LOL
LOL @ D-Bolt! You think Omar and Kaep fight over tortoises?
I think they share one😂
Lets just be thankful that Mike can now make jokes about that, especially since Kaep is a FA.
LOL
Lou,
Can you give me your thoughts on why you like Schwenke? He appears to be injury prone, and he hasn’t exactly played well when he does play. I don’t quite get your love for him.
I think it was one of his favorite OL in the draft a few years back. Kind of like my Billy Turner & Jeff Baca😁
This Gronk on Goodell just proves even more that he is a Pats fan who can actually show it on the field. Does leave me sorta hoping that a fine/suspension goes up to the head office next season though.
———————–
“I’m telling you, he wouldn’t get through the highway if our fans saw him. So I don’t think he can even land in the airport in Boston, because Patriots fans are the best fans. They’re the most loyal fans. I’m telling you, they might just carry out Roger themselves. He couldn’t even get to the stadium in Foxboro if he landed in Boston.”
This kind of falls in line with the newfangled way of protesting, vulgarity and violence in this country when you don’t agree with something. Threatening people seems to be more acceptable these days and it’s not good.
But when those roles are reversed & those who were doing the threatening turn into the biggest victims in history
No doubt on that one, and if comes from both sides (even if left thinking left and right don’t matter as much these days). Internet gave a voice to the “common man” and that was a good thing, but now it has turned to people enclaving in places where they only hear what they already agreed with. Probably too deep for this board, but a bit scary when people dispute what “facts” actually are.
No doubt dbolt and Stanger. There is too much propaganda out there in the way of memes and agendas. Even when someone explains an issue very well with facts, the other side whether left or right, does not accept it or runs away because they can’t counter it. Nobody seems to want to be enlightened, just stay in their bunker.
Stanger,
Facts went from being actual evidence that supported something and now just random claims are treated as facts.
Yep — used to be the facts where just something both sides worked around and spun their best case on. Now you get our Pres saying the leaks are a criminal action but what was leaked was false in one short sentence. Then the other side brags about not letting an elected official even answer a question when he is trying to talk to their voters and is willing to answer.
Miss the days where all the same folks read what has happening in the same paper and went from there, or even when they weren’t reading it and let those who were figure out what made sense.
Information overload. The desire to be first not accurate. The unwillingness to have discussions without close minded rantings and insults. Do people really want the truth anymore, or do they just want things the way they see fit only = overly self absorbed?
22: R1P22
EDGE HAASON REDDICK
TEMPLE
54: R2P22
C PAT ELFLEIN
OHIO STATE
98: R3P34
EDGE DEMARCUS WALKER
FLORIDA STATE
167: R5P22
EDGE TYUS BOWSER
HOUSTON
177: R5P32
EDGE JOSH CARRAWAY
TCU
185: R5P40
C JON TOTH
KENTUCKY
207: R6P22
TE ERIC SAUBERT
In regards to this draft Reddick would be drafted as a WOLB and Bowser as a SOLB. Elflein would be my LG & Toth would back up all 3 interior spots as he preps to eventually replace Pouncey. Saubert is my TE who will eventually replace Thomas.
Not sure Elflein makes it to the 2nd round. Lot’s of teams have OL needs and he could help any team getter better.
I almost picked McMillin, but he was available so I took him.
Tim
Your 3:07PM post is spot on. It’s a frustrating thing to watch
It really is. It’s friggin depressing. It’s as if some people want another civil war.
I’m guilty of it occasionally myself. Ask my wife. lol
I’m just so tired of all these protests, and the nonsense that goes with it. Try working to fix the problems with some good ideas, rather than just railing against everything.
@JasonLieser: #Dolphins officially pick up one 3rd-round and two 5th-round compensatory picks.
Good we got the 3rd, but I was hoping one of those 5th’s was a 4th,.
I’m ok w/ 5ths….they’ve treated us pretty well 😂
3rd sorta makes us like the Pats, but nothing wrong with three in the 5th either. And our wheeler-dealer GM might like that better with lots of trading pieces. Watch what happens in the 4th round….lol
Tim Knight says:….”Do people really want the truth anymore, or do they just want things the way they see fit only = overly self absorbed?”
Tim — I blame video games with multiple lives, a restart option and a world of people to play with. Back in the day when you screwed up on the field in the neighborhood you got got picked lower the next time (and that was an ego blow). You were an A-hole and you didn’t learn when the next game was.
There is something to that for sure.
Okay so we got a 3rd and two 5ths. The team thought they would get a 3rd, 4th and 7th so they were close. Miller’s TD production likely hurt the 4th.
So we have:
1.
2.
3.
5a.
5b.
5c.
6.
The RD 3 is almost a 4th though
Was always going to be. We can still draft a player in that range.
Oh, I’m aware of that, but it just looks misleading when you put it that way. 🙂
We got the top comp pick in the the third (#97), which means the highest one. No one knows how the system works for sure, but least we will be ahead of the rest of the comp pack come third round.
I can dig it!
Instead of #86 we drop to #97.
Hey NE only got a 5th this year. LOL
Randy says:
February 24, 2017 at 1:35 pm
Lou,
Can you give me your thoughts on why you like Schwenke? He appears to be injury prone, and he hasn’t exactly played well when he does play. I don’t quite get your love for him.
________________
Is it your opinion that he hasn’t played well or is it something you read somewhere?
Because this is the writeup from Rotoworld:
Schwenke missed time as a 2013 rookie with a high-ankle sprain and needed offseason surgery. In 2014, he tore his MCL and finished the year on I.R. before then dislocating his ankle this past season and again was sent to injured reserve. Schwenke has made just 25-of-48 starts and really hasn’t even been good when on the field. Upgrading their line is a focus for the Titans.
To add another question – Why isn’t he a starter if he’s so good?
We got the 3rd and 9th comp picks in the 5th RD. Overall, we did pretty well with the comp picks.
Lou, Schwenke has had a lot of injuries no?
Hell yeah, and now he wants him to be the starter here over Zeitler? Not sure if that’s the cure for our ills at all.
you people don’t know how to read.
Lou
Read what?
forget it. i’m not getting into this. not worth it
I don’t think we’re getting IN to anything, I just don’t know what you mean.
Lou, let’s not start with that kind of conversation.
Did you not post: “Schwenke missed time as a 2013 rookie with a high-ankle sprain and needed offseason surgery. In 2014, he tore his MCL and finished the year on I.R. before then dislocating his ankle this past season and again was sent to injured reserve.”
So is that not true?
Lou
Unless I misunderstood what your intentions were of signing Schwenke. Did you just want him a as backup instead of Urbik or Steen? You also wanted Ted Larsen and Rick Wagner, right? Is that it?
I think what Lou was going for, I think, is quality quantity vs Singular Star quality.
OK, I get that, but Randy was the one who brought up Schwenke , not me.
Was definitely part of his point. He wanted seven deep on the line, and what teams sticks with the top 5 each season. And he had a point, especially since the price tag was reasonable.
Stanger
You KNOW I can dig it!
Speaking of a flick it is about time for me to see, but Schwenke is definitely on my radar now. He can do both G and back-up at C. Also seems a good fit for a zone blocking scheme. Hope the front office sees that too…..even as the 6th man on the OL.
True, but so can Steen and Urbik. The health issues with Schwenke are more of a concern than his talent.
If I were Steen or Urbik would be very worried about my job and following FA and the draft very closely. No doubt health is a concern with Schwenke, but then what has happened before also might hide a talent buy unless you are looking for a starter. He’s still young. And even if just one guy who could come, Prof Lou had a point on strategy.
Seriously, what was so nuts about me asking “Lou, Schwenke has had a lot of injuries no?” He posted the injuries. LOL
I think you know Tim. No reason to be coy, Roy.
Brian — you been on here way too much with zingers (good ones) in hand. School vacay, teachers retreat, just feeling good? 🙂
LMAO! You know it Stanger!
Winter break
I expect to see a lot more trading on draft day with comp picks being able to be traded for the first time. In the past teams were strapped with them, had to use them. You will see teams make more moves now.
My gut says we make a move earlier into the 3rd.
I wouldn’t be surprised if at the end of the day we moved up in the 3rd and traded into the 4th leaving us with 1, 2, 3 and 4. LOL
Now I’m being zinged? LOL
Update: you’ve been zinged.
Goes both way….lol…..but glad you will be able to appreciate how many zingers they paid for by not heating your school now come July.
LMAO! June 22 my friend!
*
I am getting really anxious for FA and the draft. Too much time on my hands this week!
I still don’t know why I was zinged? For reading something and then being told I don’t know how to read what I read. All this cryptic shit is getting annoying. Say what you mean already. All it is is extra typing and more time wasted. Spit it out! LOL
I was JBB Tim.
It’s all good. But we seem to be cryptic these days. Just say what you feel. Be a homer or a negative Nelly, who cares? LOL
Dint’ forget about us realists!
still trying to make major upgrade to xp from 95. What a nightmare remembering all those passwords that I had set to automatically log on…. 3rd rounder is a surprise for OV considering we got the same results as compared to our players that replaced him. I guess that’s why the football guys for the team get paid the big bucks.
Is there a reason you’re not upgrading straight to Windows 10?
I’m not sure what’s happening here. He’s always going to have problems using a system that old.
windows 10—- I don’t need all the fancy stuff now a days I just surf the net now a daays. The wife has all the stuff on her work laptop.I let her spend the time learning all the new stuff and I can ask her and she then gets frustrated and does what I needed. I win by making her feel smart.
Lou,
I really just wanted to know why you liked Schwenke as a starter for us because from what I have seen of him he really doesn’t stand out much at all…and he seems to struggle staying on the field…which this FO appears to be going away from. There was no ulterior motive or anything. I just wanted your opinion of his level of play and why you felt he was a viable starter.
The Rotoworld write up wasn’t exactly dripping praise for Schwenke.
It’s official as expected
A 3rd and 2 5ths for Vernon, Miller and Matthews
The 3rd rounder is the earliest comp pick this year
So it’s a good one
Ain’t it nice that this year we are just talking about how good our comp picks are rather than figuring out where the two 7ths line up or saying “jeez we got a 6th instead of 5th.” Seems we are going more the Pats way as they are not. They got just a 5th. A 3rd too, but that was from the Browns as part of a trade.
I apologize if I unwittingly stepped into something. It wasn’t my intention at all. It’s not that big a deal…I retract my question! Lol
I don’t see it as being on you. You can have an opinion on a player. Lou posted a series of season ending injuries for Schwenke then ran away from it because of a simple question. It’s on Lou, not you or anyone else
jetssuck,
Just my .02 worth, but I used XP as long as I possibly could(until about a year ago) because I thought it was a really sound platform. The problem is that they no longer support it. If you really don’t do much on your computer, it may not matter, but I had to finally give it up because it just wouldn’t run smoothly. As Tim said, you’re always gonna run into issues using a platform that old…and there is no way to “fix” the problems you’ll run into because Microsoft stopped supporting XP.
The wife wins from the smart compliments I give her and I win big time.win win situation.on xp.
Tim,
I know. I just prefer to avoid the bullshit. It’s not worth getting snarky about. I don’t need to know that badly. Lol
jetsssuck, it doesn’t matter about fancy stuff. It’s about contemporary. There’s no way around it.
Did you always use 3 S’s?
3×5’s got me through a lot of college courses.Now a days, I don’t need the up to date computer stuff.I worked in the industry almost 20 years and it doesn’t interest anymore learning new stuff. All I do is surf and utube videos for various subjects mostly cooking. Frees up my time to keep a closer eye on the little grand kids. They need structure and I’m the family CEO.
Jetssuck
Happy wife happy life! I gotcha. Lol
Randy
I think Lou wanted Schwenke and Larsen as depth, and Rick Wagner as the starter. Lou will have to confirm that. Even if he were depth (Schwenke), you still want guys that can stay healthy, so I’m not sure if he’s the answer.
Mike E,
I’m not going specifically about Slinky Swank….Lou would have to expound about that player himself.
8×10 on Lou’s nightstand.
http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/000/223/454/BrianSchwenke_display_image.jpeg?1273618380
On a different not seeing I’ve been gone for a while…Randy, gave you finally achieved your goal of jerking off Serena Williams you sick fucker?😂
MY 3rd 2017 Miami Dolphins Draft (2/24/17)
FA comes first…
Re-sign: Andre Branch, DE; Jermon Bushrod, OG; John Denney, LS; Kiko Alonso, LB; Spencer Paysinger, LB/ST; Donald Butler, LB; Michael Thomas, FS/ST; Dion Sims, TE; Kenny Stills, WR; Anthony Steen, G; Damien Williams, RB; Jake Brendel, C; Mike Hull, LB
Players to target in FA: Luke Joeckel, OT/OG (check on his knee injury); Chance Warmack, OG; Logan Thomas, TE/QB; Brian Schwenke, C; Dri Archer, OW; Jacquies Smith, DE (check on his knee injury); Michael Mauti, LB; Jordan Poyer, FS; Larry Webster, DE/TE; Brock Coyle, MLB; Willie Beavers, OL; Trey Millard, RB/FB
R1P22: Takkarist McKinley, OLB/DE, UCLA
R2: Pat Elflein, G/C, Ohio State
R3: Ryan Glasgow, DT, Michigan
R5a: Devonte Fields, OLB, Louisville [ ONLY!!! IF his character issues are behind him (that will be tough to tell)]
R5b: Josh Carraway, DE, TCU
R5c: Levon Myers, OG/OT, NIU
R6: Avery Gennesy, OG/OT, Texas A&M
Projected UDFAs coming soon…
So, what you are saying M13 is we are going to target every free agent in the NFL!
Only 12 players out of 100s.
My bad, out of 1,184 players before first cuts.
Close. Lol!
Put Brandon Bell on your UDFA list!
You think Dri Archer can make it in the NFL? It seems he’s too small.
Apologies to you, Brian. It’s just that I’ve seen you post here before that I claim EVERY Draft prospect as my own. That’s never been the case… I have my favorites every year, and I never go beyond 40-50 prospects among 1000s. And I never advocate building through FA… that’s how Tannenbaum lost his job with the stej.
I thought you were being sarcastic with me, so as to mock me. Again, my bad.
I was being sarcastic M13, but never to mock you. I’ve never mocked anyone on this board.
Looks like Earl Mitchell signed with the Niners for 4 years and $16 million. Good for him!
Brian in NY says:
February 24, 2017 at 9:05 pm
You think Dri Archer can make it in the NFL? It seems he’s too small.
————-
No, he’s not too small. He’s Dante Hall Jr who was drafted into the Stealers* system… BAD FIT.
Don’t know what Dri’s problem is at this point [Agent? Arrogance (doubt it) ? Injured? Jaded? Family problems? Mental illness?], but he’s a STUD player, albeit from a smaller school.
Whatever his issue(s) may be, I’m wishing him the very best. He truly seems like a good young man and he deserves a second chance, IMO. And as we’re on the cusp of the 2017 Combine, we should be reminded that Dri outperformed most others (in history!) at his size. He even rivaled 6’5″ Calvin Johnson, stride-for-stride, in the 40-yard dash at 5’8″. ROCKET POWER!!!
Yes(!!!)… I’d kick the tires on Dri Archer, even if we don’t need him. Luv that little dude!
Well, I was pretty high on Jakeem Grant until he got a case of the dropsies, so maybe he can give him a run. Drake may have made Grant expendable though.
Brian in NY says:
February 24, 2017 at 9:16 pm
I was being sarcastic M13, but never to mock you. I’ve never mocked anyone on this board.
————-
THANK YOU for being clear with me here, Brian! I appreciate that, sir.
No problem my friend. I have nothing but the utmost respect for you.
Dbolt,
Thanks to your ass I can’t even watch Serena without you popping up in my mind! So, let’s just say you’ve been used in many strange and wonderful ways when you interrupt my fantasizing about Serena as she’s working her back stroke….because you know there’s gonna need to be some lotion and tissues gone through one way or another, bud. It’s like Christmas. It may only come once a year, but people take weeks off to enjoy the experience. Lol
For my part with Lou, I really was just asking a question. I have no problem with Lou. I should probably pay closer attention to everything that’s said here, so I wouldn’t say something stupid.
At the end of the day is Gase happy with his 53/46?
I gave it a go. LOL
22: R1P22 LB ZACH CUNNINGHAM VANDERBILT
54: R2P22 LB JARRAD DAVIS FLORIDA
97: R3P33 C PAT ELFLEIN OHIO STATE
166: R5P22 EDGE DAESHON HALL TEXAS A&M
178: R5P34 CB MARQUEZ WHITE FLORIDA STATE
184: R5P40 C JON TOTH KENTUCKY
206: R6P22 DL STEVIE TUIKOLOVATU SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
FA will set the table for this with $50M. We’re gonna spend it. LOL
I probably take everything too seriously because, when it comes to my opinions on a subject, I don’t put something out there like what I consider the better course of action for the offensive line without putting a lot of thought and work into it.
I just feel some people see who the best guy available is at a position of need in free agency and they hear the experts talking about the guy and they jump on the bandwagon and then they jump all over me for having the opinion I have. I call them “parrots” because rather than doing the slightest bit of homework on the subject they just repeat what others say.
Then they bust my ass and I don’t feel they have the right to do so because their opinion doesn’t matter to me because they aren’t putting anything out there other than repeating what others say.
That being said, I’m not a cap expert and I’m not going thru the trouble to try and figure out if it’s even the slightest bit possible to fit Zeitler and some of those other guys under the cap while letting go of Urbik and Young and maybe someone else.
So, I’ll admit that much. But, if you’re going to bust my ass about what I’m putting out there it would be nice if you went thru the trouble to do a little homework yourself and came up with a solution rather than shooting down someone else’s suggestion. It’s damn ignorant.
Tim,
I’m going to say this is the nicest way I possibly can. Go fuck yourself. Can’t say it any other way. I don’t care if I get blocked from this site and the other but I’ve had it with your stupid ass comments like “it’s on Lou”.
All I can say is if you don’t like my posts, don’t read them and don’t respond to them but that’s all I have to say on the matter.
Randy,
I responded with the Rotowire post about Schwenke’s injuries and ability because it sounded almost exactly like what you said in your post and I asked you if you formed that opinion on Schwenke yourself or did you read it somewhere and just repeat it? I’m sorry it that’s not the case but when people argue a point with me that’s what a lot of them do. They don’t form their own opinion. Rather, they go searching online to see what others are saying and come back in attack mode.
so, basically, that’s it in a nutshell. I don’t feel I need to explain myself to anyone. In my original post about the three players I proposed in free agency for the offensive line I explained what my thoughts were on who would be the backups and who could challenge for a starting spot. I did the same in subsequent posts and I also did so in the post I put in my own blog. If you didn’t read any of them that’s not my problem. I’m not going to explain myself 50 times.
In addition, if you don’t like my solution, my reasoning or whatever you can disagree with me about it if you want and that’s fine. But, if you’re going to just disagree to be an ass about it then keep your comments to yourself.
If you have a better solution, how about sharing it with all of us too rather than just disagreeing and calling people out. Saying you disagree and not having the balls to put something out yourself lacks credibility.
What a diva, you’re the one jumping on Tim and Randy. I don’t know anyone on here that’s a parrot, we all watch tape of guys. You may watch more than the average, but that doesn’t make your opinion any better than anyone else’s.
Thank you for seeing this. WTF is going on? It was a harmless discussion that fruit loops couldn’t handle. Seriously, are will still dealing with this? What a waste of fucking time. Yikes!
Then let’s have something other than the regurgitation of what “pundits” say about players. Zeitler, yeah, he’s the guy. He’s the best free agent guard available. Let’s sign him.
Yeah, way to go out on a fucking limb.
And the “diva” thing is another comment that’s unwarranted. I never said my opinions were better than anyone else’s. The problem is nobody else has a fucking opinion and when I share my opinion I get shit like the comments above from people who don’t take the time to see if any of it would work. Rather, they’re just SURE it’s not going to work because it’s THEIR opinion.
And, it’s always the same people. The one’s who don’t come up with anything on their own but their the first to chime in on something and tell ya why it’s wrong.
I watched the three games Schwenke started in for TEN last season. He filled in at LG and did a damn good job. If he was on this roster last season he probably would have started. He’s a hell of a lot better than Urbik or Steen. Urbik is on the other side of 30 at this point and Schwenke is a younger player who also showed he can pull well from that guard spot. If Pouncey went down he looks to be a guy we can get better play from than the solutions we’ve got right now.
There, I gave a bit more information. I’ve got to write a fucking book and explain myself all the time.
Lou, maybe you’re just crazy. I never said anything to receive a response like that. I replied to you’re fucking post DUDE!!!! Unreal. Get a grip already. It’s not the world according to Lou. LOL
Sometimes things come to fruition. Hey Jude!
One last thing. I’m being called out for wanting Schwenke as a backup offensive lineman because of injury issues yet Pouncey is getting paid all that money at center as a starter yet how many games has Pouncey missed over the past 3 seasons? 17.
Yes let’s add another guy who may play only 5-6 games. Yowza!!!
The difference is we already have Pouncey.
No, the difference is Schwenke would be a backup and would only see action if we needed him or if we were taking our starters out in a blowout.
Lou,
No problem. I too think we all take things a little too seriously and/or read stuff into things that are said. It’s easy to do. This is a very imperfect form of communication. I have said many, many times over the years that I don’t share opinions of players that I don’t personally watch. The similarity to that comment you posted was completely coincidental…but I get your point about parroting others’ opinions.
***
Now, as to Schwenke as a backup, I’d have no problem with that….although he wouldn’t be my first choice as depth. He does have position flexibility, but he hasn’t been all that good at either position. I assumed you were saying as a starter because we’d talked about it as an option to signing Zeitler. My bad for misunderstanding you only wanted him as a backup. Your posts are huge and often, so I admit I don’t read every single one. It’s kinda why I asked you in the first place….I wanted to know your thoughts behind signing him.
If you have NFL Game Pass and go back and watch the three games he stared at LG for TEN you may change your mind. He did a very good job in those three games in both pass protection and in run blocking.
Gets to the 2nd level quick, gets out in front of screens really well and pulls pretty good too.
If you look at what Urbik brings to the table and what Schwenke offers in terms of talent it’s night and day. And, because of Schwenke’s backup status he should come relatively cheap.
The other thing everyone needs to consider is this is not a permanent, long-term solution. I didn’t way we should sign him to a four or five year contract and be saddled with him if things don’t work out.
The team should always be looking for ways to increase the overall level of talent every single year. I look at this from the point of view that these three guys makes us better overall instead of just at guard and allows us to continue to get better. If a guy like Schwenke works out for the best than you can also keep him around longer. But, consider the cluster we’ve had on that line for how many years now and it’s not only been the starters but depth as well.
It doesn’t matter how many draft picks we have because UDFA’s are A-okay and are better than anything else we have. It’s science! LOL
Gotcha Lou. I don’t think I saw the same things you saw…or at least at the same level but that’s okay. He’s a young kid with some talent, but I’m cool moving on.
son of a son of a shula says:
“I think he has his eyes on 347, he must be stopped”
————-
This^^^
The offseason bickering has officially begun!
I’m going to take a break until FA hit guys. Be well.
Might be worse when you return😂
Glad to see Miami has been looking into D. Hall from TAMU
Lou
I haven’t seen Schwenke play since the Senior Bowl, I don’t often watch Tennessee Titans games. Thing is, he would just be a depth player here, so no reason to get so upset either way, whether people agree with you or not, and whether it’s their own opinion, or a compilation of other opinions. I think you get as much respect for your opinions as anyone else here. We all think we’re right, you should know that by now. 🙂
Your wrong! 😉
Brian in NY says:
February 25, 2017 at 7:13 am (Edit)
The offseason bickering has officially begun!
—————–
Happens every year right after the regular season bickering stops
I thought everyone liked schwenke balls…
PROF LOU; Liked your little note about Pouncey missing 17 games during the last 3 seasons. It was the same kind of problem that got Albert a ticket to Jacksonville. THAT’S WHY I’ve been pushing for drafting a guy who has reliably played over the last several years AT AN ALL-CONFERENCE LEVEL in the Big 10 at both Center & Guard. Potentially, Elflein is just what this franchise needs. And, according to some, LSU’s Ethan Pocic may be even better. Most likely one of those two will still be available when Miami picks in round 2. But, if necessary, our front office should be ready to move up a few spots in round 2 to insure we get a player with position flexibility. Both Tanny and Ajayi deserve a stable, strong and efficient offensive line. The plan is in place.
Let’s do it!
——————-
Leaving to travel to south Florida in a few minutes. Just another day at the (mobile) office!
Wow! We have 2 guard positions to fill and Lou’s recruiting backups, or at least that’s what he’s saying now. If I spent 40 hours a week watching game highlights I’d hope I came away with more…
Diva a self-important person who is temperamental and difficult to please (typically used of a woman).
Well I only come here any more to read Lou, so I guess he doesn’t fit the self-important 😉
Brian in NY says:
February 24, 2017 at 9:20 pm
Looks like Earl Mitchell signed with the Niners for 4 years and $16 million. Good for him!
——————
Agreed. Mitchell is a solid player and seemed like a good guy. My guess is that they just didn’t feel his more atheltic move style at DE didn’t match up with Suh being nothing at all like a stay at home DT. Guessing they want more of a stay at home immovable run stopping rock, but that is pretty much what Phillips is anyhow.
Lots of talk about OL, maybe someone should look into how many games the OL from other teams have missed the last few years, but that would be too logical, so…
Go go it Steve and it would be interesting. Have no doubt it would reveal that we have been particularly hard hit over the last few years, but might just be that because of that we are concentrating too much on the durability factor after have gotten bitten.
At the same time, no doubt in my mind that some players are more injury-prone than others. Not sure if that is genetics, training, or style of play but it is there.
Wyo
I just might be. Then again, maybe not.
🙂
Steve
I can tell you this. I forget whether it was Tannenbaum, Grier or Gase who said it, but he mentioned that he would love to find a consistent 5 OL that can play every game, just like Atlanta did this season. He made it pretty clear that’s what they were going to try and accomplish. I think letting go Branden Albert was a step in that direction.
Of course, that’s not the only way to solve the problem. Having depth players that are as competent as the starters works too, but that’s tough to find, and expensive too, unless you find them in the draft.
Before signing with the Niners, Mitchell also visited with the Seahawks, Broncos and Falcons. And after it was all over he got per $4 mil per year that we had him on the books for next season.
Whatever the reason we did not want to keep him, sounds like we did him a solid by letting him go straight out and helping him be first in to pick the place he wanted to be before the FA cattle rush.
Yep, that was cool, and I’d like to think we did it that way on porpoise.
So would I, and there is a selfish reason for treating your players right in a situation like that. No one is happy getting released, but now he walks into San Fran saying “hey they were fair about it.” Hold him out hoping you get say a 7th for him at best on a one year rental somewhere and he walks in biotching like hell about us screwing him. Only so many teams and players in the league….and FA comes up every year.
No question Stanger. You want to be known as an organization that does the right thing. Otherwise, players may choose elsewhere when you’re looking to sign them, especially if the money is close.
They talk about “culture.” That is hard to define, but so important. Why am so pleased with Gase. Everyone seems to like him, and if anything the Bloody Monday of guard cuts and sitting guys like Ajayi and Maxwell seemed to get the team to respect him more. So doesn’t have to be pushover…..just fair.
Injury history for a guy you’re signing as a backup who should come cheap but is still young and talented enough to get the job done and is a definite upgrade over what we’ve got doesn’t concern me.
I’d be more concerned going into the season with someone like Urbik and hoping to God that Pouncey doesn’t get injured during the season. I’d still be hoping Pouncey stays healthy no matter what but at least if we had Schwenke and Larsen we could be a lot more confident that we’ve got adequate backups rather than having a guy who hasn’t done shit in his NFL career filling in at the most important spot on the offensive line.
So, once again, for those who came in late: Schwenke, Larsen and Wagner with the idea that Wagner would push James at his position but also battle for a guard spot and Schwenke and Larsen are also two players who can play either guard or center if someone goes down on the line.
Then, address the o-line in the draft with a guy like Elflein who is also someone who can play guard or center because Larsen would be a one to two yr deal player at his age and seeing that’s what he got in CHI last season.
Schwenke may be a guy who battles for a spot or, if not, he’s a solid backup. Much more so than what we’ve got now. And, we continue to build the offensive line thru the draft every year but with these guys here we at least have a much better situation than we had last season.
He can only be “solid” if he’s healthy and able to step in. That’s my point of contention.
how can he not be healthy if he’s not playing? that’s what I don’t understand? he was healthy all season in ’16 and played 3 solid games for TEN.
Prof Lou — injury history worries me about every player, and that includes more happy to see things like broken legs and less so about knee injuries and such. Think about #1 #1 Jake Long and how his career has run.
You are right that less worrisome on back-ups, but then particularly when you bring especially a young one in seems the hope is that they show enough to be a starter you want.
And completely buy into what you suggest as a smart alternative, but also thinking it won’t go down exactly like you propose. So say great thought as a way to go, and then try to learn the good lesson from it.
You’re right. It won’t go down this way at all because I doubt the team signs any of the three. I can see Tannenbaum blowing his load all over Zeitler and the team being stuck with the others they have on the roster now; having to choose between the alternatives that remain to fill out those positions.
If it works out, great. If we stay healthy all season it could very well work out. My biggest concern is if someone goes down we’ve not got shit in depth that is anywhere near the talent of what we’ve got as a starter so the offensive line is going to suffer big time.
Especially if it’s Pouncey going down. Even with Tunsil, Zeitler and James in there if Urbik is playing center for us we’re screwed. He is such a poor player and huge weak link he’s going to make everyone’s job around him much more difficult.
Does the level of play not concern anyone? Can you honestly say you’d be comfortable with Urbik and/or Young in there in place of a starter? Can you say it without laughing? lol
Think about this. If we lost Pouncey for a few games and James went down for maybe 3 games as well, would you be able to say you’d feel good about Urbik playing center and Young playing RT or do you think defenses would just blow up our offensive line?
Do you think Ajayi would still be able to run the ball effectively and we’d still be able to provide adequate pass protection?
Maybe Urbik and Young can stay healthy but I could care less if they’re healthy if they can’t play the game and they can’t.
Level of play concerns me very much. But seems other factors come into play as well. From a pure quality of play perspective seems Zeitler would be a clear upgrade on that, but as you mention then cost (another concern) comes into the picture.
And I am doubting that Urbik and Young are on the active roster next year, or at least both them. The one we seem to disagree about is Bushrod, who I see as a valuable 6th or 7th OL guy to add the security you are looking for.
And, keep in mind, at $58.1M you’re only getting Zeitler for 3 yrs tops. Not 7. When you sign a guy to a contract like that they’re going to structure the deal so, between the bonus and first 3 yrs of salary, the guaranteed money is gone.
And, they’re going to do it to limit the cap hit in yrs 1-3 and push most of the salary back to yrs 4-5 where the cap hit will be much greater.
So, once you hit yr 4 the guy becomes a cap casualty and he’s gone. That’s the way these big money contracts usually go. Very few of these guys will play out their entire contract.
If you want a guy for 7 yrs you’re getting him in the draft. You’ll have him for his 4 yr rookie deal and then 3 yrs after you re-sign him to his money contract.
My apologies to the blog for my over reaction to Rock blaming me for not being able to post. He said it was a joke but he also blames me for not being able to use his favorite avi as well. I just get tired of it. For the record, I’ve never banned or blocked anyone, never even thought about it. In fact if I see comments hung up, I approve them. It’s been a bad week in a bad month in a bad year. I’ll set up OD’s article for tomorrow and then someone else can do it from now on. This used to be a fun thing for me to do, an escape. Not so much anymore. Taking a break.
That sucks, hope things turn around for you. It’s a slow time right now football wise, until FA starts and the combine begins. Then it gets exciting again. Maybe that will draw you back.
Herd — you have no need to apologize for anything. You are the guiding light that has made this place work. Can’t tell you how much I appreciate both that and you. Amazing how the board reacts so kindly when real serious stuff comes up, but no doubt at other times just one big messy family. Lot of love still.
Hope you sleep and reconsider, but nothing wrong with a break till it fits into what you want either. And most of all my wish is that whatever the bad is turns good.
Lou
These guys practice every week. If he’s hurt in practice, and out, he’s useless. I think whether a player is a starter or backup, you want to find players who are healthy and durable. I don’t work for the Dolphins, it’s just my preference, which means all of nothing. lol
yeah, and just as important are guys who can play the game. if they can’t get the job done they’re useless whether healthy or not and Urbik and Young both proved to be useless for us last season when they filled in.
There was a huge drop off in the play of the offensive line with those two guys in there.
Current offensive linemen on the roster:
C Jake Brendel
T Jesse Davis
T Ja’Wuan James
T Terry Poole
C Mike Pouncey
C/G Anthony Steen
T Laremy Tunsil
T Kraig Urbik
T Sam Young
Notice the designation by the team of Urbik as a tackle but he was drafted in the 3rd rd of 2009 by PIT as a guard and was waived in 2010. He’ll be 32 when the season starts. Time to move on and bring in some fresh blood.
Besides signing a OG or two in FA, I also want to draft a G/C as well. I’ve said that many times.
right, if we are fortunate enough to get our hands on someone like Elflein in the 2nd rd then we could be on our way.
most of these guys will be camp bodies and nothing more. most will be cut with a couple re-signed to the practice squad. we currently have 3 starters on the line with none of these guys being starters at the guard positions.
In addition, we’ll have more guys on the roster for camp because there’s only 9 here so we need more bodies to practice and fill in if someone goes down.
Lou
Elflein would be ideal. Not sure if he’ll be there RD 2 for us. It’s also possible the “Lamp” lights up for us in RD 1.
I really love Forrest Lamp and don’t know if I can argue with the pick because he’s nasty. But, I would just hope we could get an impact player on defense in the first rd.
Yes, Elflein would be ideal because he could probably battle for a starting guard spot and then if Pouncey goes down he’d be the guy to slide over and take his place. Plus, he would probably be the heir apparent to his position should Pouncey go down again and we decide it’s time to move on.
I’m not saying Tunsil, Elflein, Pouncey, Zeitler and James can’t work. But, we have ZERO depth right now. ZERO.
Mike,
What happens if we sign Zeitler to a big contract and HE goes down in camp? What if he ends up missing the first 3 or 4 games of the season? What if he misses half the season?
What about Pouncey? What happens if he goes down in camp? We going to have Urbik in there taking first team snaps? If we have Elflein maybe that’s solved but then we also need adequate 2nd’s at guard to take his spot. So then we kick Urbik or Steen to one of the guard positions.
We could have injuries to starters. I’m more concerned with starters who suffer an injury. If Schwenke gets injured during a practice and we don’t need him at the time it doesn’t matter. Guys don’t suffer major injuries in practice during the season. There’s hardly any contact anymore; even in padded practices.
Obviously, that’s a killer, which is why I want to sign 2 OG’s and draft another. You can only cover so much.
Thing is, he’s a good risk, he played every game the last 2 seasons, so you know he’s durable.
and that’s exactly my point with what I’m saying. only thing is my guards can play other positions as well.
Wagner can also play LT and RT. Schwenke and Larsen can both play center and guard.
Lou
Urbik didn’t impress me either, and I’m not even sure about Steen, but he was hurt last year, so it’s hard to judge.
Lou — out of your list, seems the only things for sure are these (assuming Pouncey healthy)
T Ja’Wuan James
T Laremy Tunsil
C Mike Pouncey
But then that is why everyone is talking about getting help for the OL. And even more so with Albert seemingly gone (even if that is still not 100% certain). Right now we don’t have a starting G.
exactly.
So all agree on the need but, like in many things, not always on the solution.
I’m gonna tell y’all something and I want ya to listen…
We can’t go wrong with Luke Joeckel at just south of $2M/Yr. We’re talking very low risk/EXTREMELY high reward here. He’s only 25 years old, so his recovery from ACL/MCL/meniscus (knee in October) isn’t a death sentence… just look at Adrian Peterson. I’d expect a full recovery.
Now some would cite his less than stellar play in JAX as a reason to pass on him. I would cite that he had little to no help on that O-Line dating back to 2013. Plus, his rookie campaign in 2013 was derailed by an ankle injury 5 games in (and while playing out of position at RT) that got him placed on IR: give Joeckel a mulligan there.
So in 2014, he’s shifted back to his natty LT position after the ankle injury, only 5 games playing experience under his belt, with little to no help at LG. No wonder he sucked in his second year. I could go on and on, making what seems like excuses.
I’m seeing a low-cost reclamation project here that could see him realize his Pro-Bowl (perhaps even All-Pro) potential in time. Those of us who watched him at A&M know how dominant he can be and why he went R1P2 in the 2013 Draft. He’d be our future RT or LG.
Just IMAGINE having bookend Tackles in Tunsil and the new and improved Joeckel. And how’s this for potential irony… we’re trading Branden Albert to JAX so that they can finally get their LT position figured out while we turn Joeckel into a stud whom they discarded… all while reuniting Julius Thomas with Adam Gase.
REMEMBER my mantra: POSITIONAL VERSATILITY. Luke Joeckel has now played LT, LG, and RT as a pro.
WINNING!!!
😀
Sounds like a smart flyer move to me, and pretty sure at least Gase thinks long-term. But then could also see him wanting to build with “his guys.” He’s brought in a number he worked with in the past like Bushrod and now our new TE. So Q might be if Gase thinks Joeckel that type.
I sure hope so, man!
I think we should look at Joeckel. Problem is, he wasn’t good at LT, and he wasn’t that good at LG either, but he was improving.
the versatility is a must in my book and that’s why I don’t consider Zeitler to be worth $58.1M because he’s got none. How do you sign a guy to that kind of contract who can’t play more than one position.
You can see LT because of it’s importance but just signing a guard to that kind of money makes no sense to me. You end up with a very expensive offensive line when you start going down this road with cheap backups and if your starters go down you’re screwed.
Every guy can only play 1 position at a time. I don’t see that versatility for your starter is important, he’s your RG. If someone else goes down, that’s why you have backups, and those guys need to be versatile.
true you can only play one position at a time. but, there’s times when a LT goes down and the RT flips to the other side and they put the backup at RT. There’s times when a guard moves over to center.
teams that have offensive linemen with position flexibility are ahead of the game and this is something the team wants. they’ve said as much.
Prof Lou,
If you’ll recall, I said it would be NUTS to pay Zeitler — a strict RG — that kind of money. It doesn’t make sense to me either. We 100000000% concur, Bro.
We may now be able to afford Zeitler, but it’s a BAD idea, IMO.
You know far more about the other players out there than me. So maybe not Zeitler, but I would be really bummed if we did not walk out of FA with an above average starting G. And as the game has evolved, have a lot more respect for Gs and less for the importance of say LT. Game comes at all angles these days.
Not only that but we’ve been saying for two years that Elflein should be one of our picks and now that he’s shown he can play two positions he’s even more valuable to us.
If we need to use another pick to move up in the 2nd in order to land Elflein I’m good with that. Hopefully they could make it a future pick and not a current one but I’d rather use a pick to land him due to his position flexibility than sign a guard in free agency for $58m.
JMHO folks
Lou
I have try and understand this. You want good, quality depth, that’s what you’ve been preaching. If that’s the case, why are you moving your all pro RG if someone else gets injured? No comprende friende
If we were to draft Elflein, chances are he’s competing for a starting guard spot. He’s not competing with Pouncey at center although he will probably get snaps at both positions so he could be ready should Pouncey go down.
If Elflein is playing guard during the season and Pouncey goes down you darn well are going to put Elflein at center and put someone else at guard because center is the more important position.
So, there’s your position flexibility. If you have a rookie who can play guard or center and can move when a starter goes down who’s more valuable to your team; him or the $58m guard who can’t?
if the RG is playing at a Pro Bowl level, and plays every game, that’s huge too. Versatility is nice, but not a necessity.
but Mike, you’re assuming he’s going to play in every game for one thing and like MF says below, a RG isn’t anywhere near as valuable to the offensive line as the other positions are.
yes, you want all of your starters playing their positions all year long. we want Tunsil at LT, Pouncey at C, and so on, all year long. that’s the best case scenario. But, if Tunsil went down, your 2nd best LT on your team SHOULB BE the guy playing RT and your backup is playing RT.
Maybe we go after Zeitler and we sign him and maybe that’s a great idea. If that’s the case and it works out then it’s fantastic. But, even if we sign Zeitler, his signing should not be the “be all and end all” of fixing the offensive line. Neither should just signing him and drafting another offensive lineman.
And I understand that you are saying we should sign two guards in free agency and draft another. But, if you’re going after Zeitler then it’s imperative the other guys can play more than just guard. They’ve got to be able to play more than one position.
So, if that’s the direction they go and we’ve got depth than I can live with it even though I don’t agree we should be throwing all that money at a RG.
AH! I see your angle now, Mike E. I’ll try to answer for Prof Lou. I don’t think it wise to sew up $58M for a guy who can only play one position (RG)… the so-called cheapest and easiest position to play in football.
The idea (blueprint) is to have interchangeable parts (EVERYBODY) in the event ANYBODY goes down. Zeitler doesn’t fit this mold at all, being he’s a strict RG.
I see your point and it’s valid… but it just doesn’t fit the mold that Prof Lou, OD, and I are envisioning when somebody (anybody) on the O-Line goes down. And somebody inevitably will (see Pouncey).
M
I get what you and Lou are saying too, and they can both be right. It’s just a different way to approach it. I’d rather have the versatility in my backups, as long as I can count on my guy being there all 16, and giving me quality play for all 16.
YUP! There’s no ONE RIGHT WAY to get it done. We’re just using different approaches/philosophies to get to the same end. NOBODY is wrong here, we’re just going about it differently. ALL GOOD!
stangerx says:
February 25, 2017 at 1:06 pm
You know far more about the other players out there than me. So maybe not Zeitler, but I would be really bummed if we did not walk out of FA with an above average starting G. And as the game has evolved, have a lot more respect for Gs and less for the importance of say LT. Game comes at all angles these days.
———–
You flatter me, Stanger. Hey, it’s truly GRAND conversing with you, Bro! NOT joking either, my man.
I’ll offer you this: BUILD through the Draft, augment via FA. What does that mean? Do not overpay via FA for what we can get from rookie contracts in the Draft. That keeps our salary healthy, continues to infuse great talent at positions of need, and keeps us a continual contender.
In other words, I’ll be good if we come out of FA with no “big-name” signings. Just cover all of our positions of need in a pragmatic manner. It’s unwise to build via FA, my friend.
I’d love to build through the draft, but so long as Albert is on his way out doesn’t seem that is an option for this line at G this year. Don’t have to break the bank for sure, but does seem G is one position where, absent injury, you should know what you are paying for on a 2nd contract. And we do have that money to spend.