1) Assuming Solder will recover, he is the LT.
2) Vollmer is the RT
3) Given the health issues of the 2, I would want a guy who can be a reliable backup, playing either side. I don't know enough about Waddle to know if he is the guy, but he seems like a possibility. Signing him or a FA with some starting, and not sucking experience, and drafting one late to compete with Fleming for the 4th spot (which may be ps) would be fine.
4) I'm OK with Stork and think his decline was an anomaly due to injuries and crap playing next to him.
5) Andrews is camp fodder. I would hope he doesn't make the team because we have improved the talent at the position.
6) Now the Guards
Josh Kline is a few steps below Russ Hochstein. If he is on the roster, that's not a crime, but if he is competing for and getting playing time without major injuries, we are in trouble.
Tre Jackson showed me nothing this year. He was awful, and couldn't get ahead of Kline on the depth chart. He was 3rd out of 3 bad Gs. Now this doesn't mean he can never play at a decent level, but I don't know how you could count on that.
Mason was a little better, but still a bottom 10 in the NFL starting G (If you call all 3 of ours starters, they are 30% of the bottom 10 in the NFL). Again he could improve, but expecting a guy who came into the league not knowing how to pass block (not to mention if he was capable if he knew how) and didn't figure it out in a year, to magically get it year 2 is as risky as it gets.
So, we exit the 2015 season, a few points and a Tom Brady beating away from a SB, and we did that with quality at most every position on the field, expect 3 of the worst 10 starting Gs in the NFL rotating in and out causing Brady to get pummelled. (I realize Jackson was injured in the final game, but would it have mattered at all?).
So, we need to overhaul the position, and not pray that 3 of the 10 worst starting Gs in the NFL miraculously get good because they are rookies so sometimes rookies get better.
I would go out and sign a starting caliber G that is at least an average starter. By the way if a pro-bowl caliber guy is available, get him and turn OL into a strength. I do not consider Wendell that guy. He can come back for a camp tryout if he wants, but I would not have any real plans for him. We got the best he had in 2014 and that barely was acceptable. He has missed a year of football. I don't expect him back, but he would be good depth, and certainly better than Andrews.
So, sign a starter and draft another G no later than round 4.
Take whoever shows up at camp between Mason, Jackson, the pick, Kline, Wendell and let them battle for a job.
If the hopers are right, 2 might improve enough so they both start and the average starter we signed can be the 3rd G.
I do not care what it costs. If we make this OL average or better, we stand a very good chance of getting back to the SB. We would have gone this year with any OL we have had since 2001, except this one which was markedly the worst we have had.
