Starting Our Best Five Offensive Lineman

[mgteich]

For months, we have been discussing starting out top 5 offensive linemen. As of now, who are they?
=========
Sow, Andrews, Onwenu and Okorafor are four.
============
Is Wallace ready to start?
Is Robinson ready to start?
Leverett?
=====
Should any of the rest really even be on the team if we could find upgrades after the final cuts? Lowe? Anderson? Mafi? Jordan?

With the for I have listed, we either need a starting RG or a starting RT. If Onwenu is the RG, we also need a backup #3 OT.
===========
It isn't terrible to have seven OL's that we can hope to count on as starters or backups.

The solution revolves around RT and backup LT. I would argue that if we have FOUR starters, we could TRY to fill other starting position as well as backup OT and backup OG/OC with players that we think should be playing in the NFL.

The REAL key is backup LT. Do we have one? I'm OK if it is Wallace. We need someone better than Anderson and Lowe.

 

[Zuma]

I understand how moving Onwenu to RT could make the line better but IMO with about a month till the 1st regular season game, we aren’t there yet. I think they make a final decision on the best starting 5 in about 2 weeks when teams cut down to 53…

LG Sow
C Andrews
RG Onwenu
RT Wallace

 

[maust]

NGL I was pleasantly surprised by Leverett

 

[KCSVEN]

Right now I think it has to be:

LT: Okorafor
LG: Mafi
C; Andrews
RG Sow
RT: Onwenu

Leverett backs up across interior
Wallace backs up the tackles, he's not ready today but hopefully he develops fast.
Layden Robinson is the next interior backup.
If Anderson or Lowe see the field we are in trouble.

You can move Onwenu a guard spot and put Wallace at RT if and when he is ready.

It's not a team strength but everyone stays healthy, and the young guys develop a bit they can be ok. Depth is dependent on Wallace and Robinson developing, otherwise there is no depth.

Cole Strange would have been nice to have as a guard.
Almost have to draft tackle in 2025 1st round assuming a worthy prospect is there

 

[mgteich]

I understand how moving Onwenu to RT could make the line better but IMO with about a month till the 1st regular season game, we aren’t there yet. I think they make a final decision on the best starting 5 in about 2 weeks when teams cut down to 53…

LG Sow
C Andrews
RG Onwenu
RT Wallace

Mayo said that he will make the decision right after the 2nd pre-season game. I believe him. We will learn a lot this week in the scrimmage and game.

I like the OL as you stated it. To have that, one of Anderson or Lowe needs to be able to be counted on as one of our three OT's.

 

[mgteich]

Right now I think it has to be:

LT: Okorafor
LG: Mafi
C; Andrews
RG Sow
RT: Onwenu

Leverett backs up across interior
Wallace backs up the tackles, he's not ready today but hopefully he develops fast.
Layden Robinson is the next interior backup.
If Anderson or Lowe see the field we are in trouble.

You can move Onwenu a guard spot and put Wallace at RT if and when he is ready.

It's not a team strength but everyone stays healthy, and the young guys develop a bit they can be ok. Depth is dependent on Wallace and Robinson developing, otherwise there is no depth.

Cole Strange would have been nice to have as a guard.
Almost have to draft tackle in 2025 1st round assuming a worthy prospect is there

If Wallace moves to starting at RT when he is ready (and Onwenu to RG), then we are short a backup OT.

Also, do we really want to count on Mafi as a starter. Didn't we draft Robinson as his replacement? I suppose Mafi at LG may be better than the alternatives until Strange returns.

 

[Zuma]

If Wallace moves to starting at RT when he is ready (and Onwenu to RG), then we are short a backup OT.

Also, do we really want to count on Mafi as a starter. Didn't we draft Robinson as his replacement? I suppose Mafi at LG may be better than the alternatives until Strange returns.

I’d rather see Leverett or Robinson start at LG than Mafi.

 

[KCSVEN]

If Wallace moves to starting at RT when he is ready (and Onwenu to RG), then we are short a backup OT.

Also, do we really want to count on Mafi as a starter. Didn't we draft Robinson as his replacement? I suppose Mafi at LG may be better than the alternatives until Strange returns.

Robinson is not ready today.
Mafi had had a whole off season and in his second year, should be able to hold that spot until maybe Robinson is ready.
But it is a question mark spot without Strange so IF YOU NEED TO, Onwenu comes back inside and Wallace to tackle, and if a tackle gets hurt you move Onwenu back outside.
Depth is lacking, you got to try to get the best 5 and hope for health and development.

 

[mgteich]

I’d rather see Leverett or Robinson start at LG than Mafi.

or start Sow at LG and Robinson at RG.

 

[Zuma]

or start Sow at LG and Robinson at RG.

Yeah I’m ok with that but again…I’m waiting for 53 cut-downs before making that move with Onwenu.

 

[Ring 6]

For months, we have been discussing starting out top 5 offensive linemen. As of now, who are they?
=========
Sow, Andrews, Onwenu and Okorafor are four.
============
Is Wallace ready to start?
Is Robinson ready to start?
Leverett?
=====
Should any of the rest really even be on the team if we could find upgrades after the final cuts? Lowe? Anderson? Mafi? Jordan?

With the for I have listed, we either need a starting RG or a starting RT. If Onwenu is the RG, we also need a backup #3 OT.
===========
It isn't terrible to have seven OL's that we can hope to count on as starters or backups.

The solution revolves around RT and backup LT. I would argue that if we have FOUR starters, we could TRY to fill other starting position as well as backup OT and backup OG/OC with players that we think should be playing in the NFL.

The REAL key is backup LT. Do we have one? I'm OK if it is Wallace. We need someone better than Anderson and Lowe.

You are saying we have 1 good OL, 2 decent and nothing else but question marks and guys we don’t know if they are nfl caliber?

 

[State]

NGL I was pleasantly surprised by Leverett

I was the same with Michael Jordan. Dude looks like our next Connor McDermott.

 

[State]

I’d rather see Leverett or Robinson start at LG than Mafi.

No, Sow. I don’t even think the return of Strange can dislodge him.

 

[State]

Teams need to be built from the inside out. Before the franchise QB—unless you’re willing to sit him for a year—you need the talent in the trenches.

Are five best to this point?

Lowe—fair to poor. A work in progress
Sow—good. Chance to be very good.
Andrews—strong on intangibles but physically mediocre
Onwenu—great
Okorafor—inconsistent and potentially a locker room malcontent.

 

[Stu Pidassle]

Teams need to be built from the inside out. Before the franchise QB—unless you’re willing to sit him for a year—you need the talent in the trenches.

Are five best to this point?

Lowe—fair to poor. A work in progress
Sow—good. Chance to be very good.
Andrews—strong on intangibles but physically mediocre
Onwenu—great
Okorafor—inconsistent and potentially a locker room malcontent.

Did I miss something about Okorafor, or, is your concern from his days in Pitt?

 

[State]

Yes. And the fact he was penciled in as LT but didn’t make the grade right out of the gate. Am I missing something?

 

[State]

He’s the veteran getting a second chance. I hope Okorafor makes the most of it. But I tend to doubt it.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

I understand how moving Onwenu to RT could make the line better but IMO with about a month till the 1st regular season game, we aren’t there yet. I think they make a final decision on the best starting 5 in about 2 weeks when teams cut down to 53…

LG Sow
C Andrews
RG Onwenu
RT Wallace

Correct there is still plenty of time until week 1 to see wallace/okorafor at rt. Id also like to try to get robinson some work in at rg against the 1s if possible to evaluate the backup plan

 

[State]

Does anyone have evidence that Okorafor is a leader? He’s he vocal in assuming a leadership role?

My fear is he’s one of those guys you know at work who is always complaining. Grumbling to himself.

 

[State]

I’m starting to think that the team needs to bite the bullet and embrace youth and talent, even though there will be rough patches along the way.

LT Caedan Wallace*
LG Sidy Sow (I doubt Strange will ever displace him.)
C Ole Davey A
RG Layden Robinson*
RT Big OneMenu Mike

* rookies. Why? Are Okorafor, Anderson, and Lowe getting it done?