2022 OL

[Joker]

 

[captain stone]

O-line doesn’t seem improved from last year.

If Hines can show that he's capable of a Mongo Karras track as somebody who can immediately provide backup Guard value while Re-learning the Center business, thus making Thanksdad Ferentz expendable for good, then that's an improvement;

If Strange can join the Andruzzi-Mankin$-Thuney line of quality LG play as a Day 1 starter, then that's an improvement;

If Onwenu can provide a bigger & more powerful presence at RG both in run-blocking and in pass-protection, then that's an improvement;

If Trent Brown can play a full schedule for the first time in 4 years, then that's an improvement;

If Desjarlais can make Billy my boy it should've been Tre Smith Sherman expendable, then that's an improvement;

If Stueber can make Yasir c'mon in Durant expendable, then that's an improvement;

And if Wynn/Lose & Cachoo make this their contract years the best of their careers, then that's an improvement too.

That's a lot of Ifs.

 

[captain stone]

I got a wild hair today and called a lawyer in Baton Rouge I've worked with who is deeply imbedded in the LSU football program and asked him about Chasen Hines. He said it's basically all about his weight. He played this season at 360+ and massively (pun intended) underachieved. He also said that Hines at 325 is absolutely an NFL player and probaably a damn good one. He said to watch his weight closely and see where he's at. If he's in primo shape he's a potential starter but if he shows up over, say 340, don't waste your time, just cut his fat ass and move on. So, there you go.

Did he happen to mention what kind of future if any Hines might have as a Center, backup or otherwise?

 

[Ochmed Jones]

If Hines can show that he's capable of a Mongo Karras track as somebody who can immediately provide backup Guard value while learning the Center business, thus making Thanksdad Ferentz expendable for good, then that's an improvement;

If Strange can join the Andruzzi-Mankin$-Thuney line of quality LG play as a Day 1 starter, then that's an improvement;

If Onwenu can provide a bigger & more powerful presence at RG both in run-blocking and in pass-protection, then that's an improvement;

If Trent Brown can play a full schedule for the first time in 4 years, then that's an improvement;

If Desjarlais can make Billy my boy it should've been Tre Smith Sherman expendable, then that's an improvement;

If Stueber can make Yasir c'mon in Durant expendable, then that's an improvement;

And if Wynn/Lose & Cachoo make this their contract years the best of their careers, then that's an improvement too.

That's a lot of Ifs.

Odds of Wynn getting through training camp injured?

 

[n1997y]

O-line doesn’t seem improved from last year.

from what I’ve seen they seem to be playing much better so far. Can you please point out which plays you think haven’t been as good, so I can review them and maybe come around to your way of thinking?

 

[NormZauchin]

I got a wild hair today and called a lawyer in Baton Rouge I've worked with who is deeply imbedded in the LSU football program and asked him about Chasen Hines. He said it's basically all about his weight. He played this season at 360+ and massively (pun intended) underachieved. He also said that Hines at 325 is absolutely an NFL player and probaably a damn good one. He said to watch his weight closely and see where he's at. If he's in primo shape he's a potential starter but if he shows up over, say 340, don't waste your time, just cut his fat ass and move on. So, there you go.

If he comes to camp over 340 lbs., try him out at nose tackle. We need a big fatty there.

 

[DaBruinz]

I think the O-line was greatly overrated last year. Mac seemed to be consistently under pressure/being hit/being sacked for most of the season. It got a little better by the end of the year. I think many of the high grades were based upon their ability to run, which is great, but when they went into passing situations the qb was mauled. For years Brady's amazingly quick release, incredible pocket presense, and respect he earned in choosing the right throw to make time and again, led to the o-line being over valued by the media and then by many posters here. I think Bill saw this, saw them getting old, and costing lots of money and decided to change things around. I guess we will see if they get better or not.

The O-line expectations were VERY high prior to the start of the season. As they should have been. The problem was the injuries/Covid. First to Trent Brown with none of Herron, Cajuste, or Durant able to step up. Then Covid with Wynn. It wasn't until they kicked Onwenu out to RT and inserted Karras at LG that they got some semblance of stability. However, they were still inconsistent throughout the season. There was never that cohesiveness that we've seen previously.

After watching The Bengals in the play-offs, I knew they would target Karras. I said as much and I was right. They also targeted Alex Cappa.
Like others, I was mildly surprised that they moved on from Mason. But, with Onwenu there on significantly lesser contract it is somewhat understandable. Move on a year early rather than a year late.

Both guard positions will have new starters. They will likely be Strange and Onwenu. Strange, athletically speaking, is a huge upgrade over Karras. It will take time for him to gel with the rest of the line, but I expect it to happen.

Trent Brown has a weight clause in his contract. He looked well over 375 last year when he came back from his injury. Hopefully, he comes in at 350 or so and stays healthy. Him and Onwenu would be an excellent pair on that right said if they get to gel.

 

[State]

Bring back Popovich! Two years ago he had the line playing really well.

Who cares today if he wasn’t given the jab?

 

[DaBruinz]

Bring back Popovich! Two years ago he had the line playing really well.

Who cares today if he wasn’t given the jab?

Have to coax him away from Troy. Which shouldn't be hard, but there may be animosity towards the NFL in how things were handled..

 

[State]

The O-line expectations were VERY high prior to the start of the season. As they should have been. The problem was the injuries/Covid. First to Trent Brown with none of Herron, Cajuste, or Durant able to step up. Then Covid with Wynn. It wasn't until they kicked Onwenu out to RT and inserted Karras at LG that they got some semblance of stability. However, they were still inconsistent throughout the season. There was never that cohesiveness that we've seen previously.

After watching The Bengals in the play-offs, I knew they would target Karras. I said as much and I was right. They also targeted Alex Cappa.
Like others, I was mildly surprised that they moved on from Mason. But, with Onwenu there on significantly lesser contract it is somewhat understandable. Move on a year early rather than a year late.

Both guard positions will have new starters. They will likely be Strange and Onwenu. Strange, athletically speaking, is a huge upgrade over Karras. It will take time for him to gel with the rest of the line, but I expect it to happen.

Trent Brown has a weight clause in his contract. He looked well over 375 last year when he came back from his injury. Hopefully, he comes in at 350 or so and stays healthy. Him and Onwenu would be an excellent pair on that right said if they get to gel.

This is a very good entry. However, it doesn’t address that Wynn was also injured last season if my memory isn’t shot.

How realistic is it for him or, for that matter, Trent Brown, who I believe had only had one season the past four where he wasn’t injured, to stay healthy.

And the quality and depth of our backup OTs is troubling.

Really the season hinges on the health of Wynn and Brown unless one of the backups comes through or, more likely, we acquire a veteran player.

 

[Zuma]

This is a very good entry. However, it doesn’t address that Wynn was also injured last season if my memory isn’t shot.

How realistic is it for him or, for that matter, Trent Brown, who I believe had only had one season the past four where he wasn’t injured, to stay healthy.

And the quality and depth of our backup OTs is troubling.

Really the season hinges on the health of Wynn and Brown unless one of the backups comes through or, more likely, we acquire a veteran player.

I thought Heron and Cajuste have played OK at LT in the past but not so much at RT. I guess Onwenu would slide over to RT and someone would fill in at RG. It's not ideal.

 

[State]

Is it crazy to think Strange with his elite physical traits could be the next Matt Light at LT?

Strange-Wynn-Andrews-OneMenu-Brown.

If Wynn us injured, try Steuber at LG. He’s smart and tough if lacking athleticism.

 

[State]

I thought Heron and Cajuste have played OK at LT in the past but not so much at RT. I guess Onwenu would slide over to RT and someone would fill in at RG. It's not ideal.

I really think they are planning on moving Steuber inside. He could go RG if Onwenu was forced by circumstances to play RT.

Just seeing Ferentz out there is embarrassing. He’s a great technician but does not possess an NFL frame.

 

[State]

Herron has played ok at tackle. But last year he seemed to regress.

The guy who looks the part though injury to his quads kept him out of most action is Cajuste. If he finally breaks through we can all breath a sigh of relief.

Yasir Durant, the guy we traded for from the Chiefs, isn’t a capable player so far as I can see. I think Captain Stone calls him a fat slob. Not far off actually.

 

[Zuma]

Is it crazy to think Strange with his elite physical traits could be the next Matt Light at LT?

Strange-Wynn-Andrews-OneMenu-Brown.

If Wynn us injured, try Steuber at LG. He’s smart and tough if lacking athleticism.

I totally see Strange as an OT at some point. The Canadian kid they got could also be decent at LG. Time to move on from Ferentz IMO.

 

[State]

I always keep forgetting about Dejardins. Or however the Canadian spells his name. I understand he dominated up there like Strange did at his secondary league.

 

[DaBruinz]

This is a very good entry. However, it doesn’t address that Wynn was also injured last season if my memory isn’t shot.

How realistic is it for him or, for that matter, Trent Brown, who I believe had only had one season the past four where he wasn’t injured, to stay healthy.

And the quality and depth of our backup OTs is troubling.

Really the season hinges on the health of Wynn and Brown unless one of the backups comes through or, more likely, we acquire a veteran player.

What injury? Wynn missed 1 game due to Covid. That's it. He DID go down in the Play-off game, but, again, he played 16 of 17 regular season games.

 

[DaBruinz]

I always keep forgetting about Dejardins. Or however the Canadian spells his name. I understand he dominated up there like Strange did at his secondary league.

His name is Desjarlais. Not Desjardins. Based on what I could find, Desjarlais played only guard, though he was listed as an "OL" for the Winnepeg Bombers.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

If Hines can show that he's capable of a Mongo Karras track as somebody who can immediately provide backup Guard value while learning the Center business, thus making Thanksdad Ferentz expendable for good, then that's an improvement;

If Strange can join the Andruzzi-Mankin$-Thuney line of quality LG play as a Day 1 starter, then that's an improvement;

If Onwenu can provide a bigger & more powerful presence at RG both in run-blocking and in pass-protection, then that's an improvement;

If Trent Brown can play a full schedule for the first time in 4 years, then that's an improvement;

If Desjarlais can make Billy my boy it should've been Tre Smith Sherman expendable, then that's an improvement;

If Stueber can make Yasir c'mon in Durant expendable, then that's an improvement;

And if Wynn/Lose & Cachoo make this their contract years the best of their careers, then that's an improvement too.

That's a lot of Ifs.

Thanks. Great post.

I would be satisfied with good health for our OTs, and the end of Ferentz and Durant. Those 2 things and we would be all set. Onwenu, Andrews and Srange will be OK, maybe not All Pro, but OK.

 

[mgteich]

What injury? Wynn missed 1 game due to Covid. That's it. He DID go down in the Play-off game, but, again, he played 16 of 17 regular season games.

You are again violating a board rule: using facts to try to convince.