Finally: 5 NFL OT's

[stelfans]

What makes peopple think Crownover will be any better than Bryant? Have to agree with DaBruinz here. Way too soon.

 

[p8ryts]

Campbell looked good to great before his knee injury and fair to terrible after it.

I am 100% convinced he rushed back and the knee wasn’t ready. Question is how well and when the knee will heal.

Very, very hard to say what they will do before we know that. And I don’t think we really see that until game 1 of the real season.

To be clear, wish Campbell nothing but the best.

I think I missed the snaps where he was great.

 

[40yrpatsfan]

Moses won't likely be around, so you have a sixth round pick moving Campbell to guard, even before he's practiced.

Campbell would have to have an pretty unimpressive season for that to occur.

For 2027, the key question is whether Lomu is a better LT than Campbell, which is possible cause he moves like a natural LT (nothing to do with the arm length of either). If that turns out to be true, then Will would move to either RT or G. Moving him to RT signals that Crownover isn't starter material and we're keeping Onwenu at G (or find another guard in FA or draft). Moving WC to guard signals that Crownover can be the starting RT and we can move on from Onwenu without having to acquire another guard. Onwenu's salary makes it likely that this will be his last year here.

 

[mgteich]

My hope for 2027:

- Campbell sticks at LT
- AVT at LG
- Wilson at OC
- Lomu at RT
- Crownover at swing tackle
- Ben Brown as primary IOL depth

You need athletic bookend tackles in today's NFL, e.g., Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt. I'm ok if Campbell and Lomu end up flipping sides, whatever works best.

That leaves only RG to address for 2027, which is far easier than finding another starting tackle.

We have the strongest, deepest, and most versatile OL that we've had since 2011. Finally.

Your plan requires three things
1) Lomu or Campbell being able to switch to RT.
2) Crownover to be an adequate LT backup (really not very likely), and
3) Finding a starting RG (if it were so easy, we would have signed on instead of paying Onwenu $17M.

My plan requires
1) Campbell moving to LG
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Part of the issue is Crownover. If he doesn't work out, I can see us being forced to move Lomu or Campbell to RT. I think that it is possible that a year of mentoring might bring him to the level of a starter. If not, we would need to have a backup LT and backup RT active in every game, which is not the best use of an active roster spot.
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So, my BOTTOM LINE is to allow the OL coaches to work with the linemen through camp and through a year of practices. We can then decide where we are and our best plan going forward. I think that Crownover is the key open question mark. If he can't start or play LT as a swing RT, we will need a RG and a backup LT.

 

[Bill Lee]

For 2027, the key question is whether Lomu is a better LT than Campbell, which is possible cause he moves like a natural LT (nothing to do with the arm length of either). If that turns out to be true, then Will would move to either RT or G. Moving him to RT signals that Crownover isn't starter material and we're keeping Onwenu at G (or find another guard in FA or draft). Moving WC to guard signals that Crownover can be the starting RT and we can move on from Onwenu without having to acquire another guard. Onwenu's salary makes it likely that this will be his last year here.

You lost me for a second there.

In some cultures, WC = Water Closet = Toilet.

 

[Wozzy]

I wouldn't be so quick to throw Crownover in as the backup right tackle. He's really wide, and had a decent forty... but that's about it. Doesn't mean he'll be bad, but it also doesn't mean he'll instantly be good or not need some development. Vederian Lowe was really wide and a little athletic.

I hope Marcus Bryant is busting his tail this offseason. If he comes ready to play he could provide some depth at tackle which would allow Lomu the freedom to sit or provide depth across the line the way Nate Solder did as a rookie. Lomu could get reps at guard if a player gets dinged up for a few plays, or tackle. Ideally you want him to watch and learn, but there's also the distinct possibility he is too talented to keep off the field. Kid's 21 and already a stud.

 

[Hugepatsfan]

Campbell looked fine at LT for most of last year before injury. But "fine" would be more accurate than "great" and it's not unheard of for players to start out hot and then fade. He sucked after injury but no reason to not give him every chance to seize LT. He's never played on the right side before and the questions with him are inside/outside as opposed to left or right side really, so I just don't see that being something to actively seek out doing. Now, if Campbell settles in as only an ok player and Lomu is a stud then maybe consider flipping them.

If Campbell struggles at LT and needs to move to LG, then so be it. Lomu is a first round LT prospect so he can have a shot at it. AVT has played RG before and Onwenu is a FA after the year so you could flip AVT there with Campbell at LG. Then Bryant, Crownover and whoever else compete for RT (or Moses plays year 3 of his deal depending on how this year goes for him). But hopefully it doesn't come to that and Campbell just builds off the solid year he had pre-injury.

 

[mgteich]

Campbell looked fine at LT for most of last year before injury. But "fine" would be more accurate than "great" and it's not unheard of for players to start out hot and then fade. He sucked after injury but no reason to not give him every chance to seize LT. He's never played on the right side before and the questions with him are inside/outside as opposed to left or right side really, so I just don't see that being something to actively seek out doing. Now, if Campbell settles in as only an ok player and Lomu is a stud then maybe consider flipping them.

If Campbell struggles at LT and needs to move to LG, then so be it. Lomu is a first round LT prospect so he can have a shot at it. AVT has played RG before and Onwenu is a FA after the year so you could flip AVT there with Campbell at LG. Then Bryant, Crownover and whoever else compete for RT (or Moses plays year 3 of his deal depending on how this year goes for him). But hopefully it doesn't come to that and Campbell just builds off the solid year he had pre-injury.

The key for me is that almost everyone thinks that one of the two LT's can easily be productive as a RT.

What if we have 2 LT's both able to start in 2027 (Campbell and Lomu) and both much, much better on the left side?

Yes, Campbell is more valuable as a LT, but how much more than at LG?
Yes, Lumo might be able to play RT, but how much more valuable is he at LT?

 

[Hugepatsfan]

The key for me is that almost everyone thinks that one of the two LT's can easily be productive as a RT.

What if we have 2 LT's both able to start in 2027 (Campbell and Lomu) and both much, much better on the left side?

Yes, Campbell is more valuable as a LT, but how much more than at LG?
Yes, Lumo might be able to play RT, but how much more valuable is he at LT?

Well in any of these scenarios, there's a third player you have to consider. You're talking about Lumo/Campbell (two players) but LT/RT/LG (3 positions).

If Crownover or Bryant prove to be legit starting options at RT then sure, consider the shuffle. It'd be what's best for the team. But a starting caliber RT usually takes a premium investment and it's not just about wanting to make that investment, the right guy has to be available where you pick (or where you can trade up to) or allowed to make it to FA for you to spend on (which takes money away from another position). If Campbell/Lomu is a high quality OT duo and there's no 3rd guy beating down the door to start too, I'd rather be looking for a guard moving forward than an OT. That's probably the more realistic path to landing a high quality piece.

 

[mike_usagisan]

I think they want to see what Lumo is capable of. If he can play RT, that solves an issue. If he can only play LT, that creates a situation where we have to move things around.

 

[mgteich]

Well in any of these scenarios, there's a third player you have to consider. You're talking about Lumo/Campbell (two players) but LT/RT/LG (3 positions).

If Crownover or Bryant prove to be legit starting options at RT then sure, consider the shuffle. It'd be what's best for the team. But a starting caliber RT usually takes a premium investment and it's not just about wanting to make that investment, the right guy has to be available where you pick (or where you can trade up to) or allowed to make it to FA for you to spend on (which takes money away from another position). If Campbell/Lomu is a high quality OT duo and there's no 3rd guy beating down the door to start too, I'd rather be looking for a guard moving forward than an OT. That's probably the more realistic path to landing a high quality piece.

I think that it is likely that Campbell and Lumo is indeed a high-quality OT duo: a LT and a LT.

We shall see after a year of coaching what the situation is before next off-season.

 

[mike_usagisan]

I think that it is likely that Campbell and Lumo is indeed a high-quality OT duo: a LT and a LT.

We shall see after a year of coaching what the situation is before next off-season.

Just because I'm curious, why do you think Lumo can't play RT?

 

[mgteich]

Just because I'm curious, why do you think Lumo can't play RT?

I didn't that Lomu "can't" play RT. I'm reasonably sure that he can. My suggestion is that we have no reason to believe that he would be anywhere as good on the right side. I do have confidence that he can be a very good starter at LT. Ditto for Campbell.
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I know that AVT can play RT at a solid NFL level as can Moses.

I HOPE that Crownover who has been our hope for a midround replacement for Moses these path months can also be an NFL starter. I have no reason to believe that he can play on the left side and am not sure how much effort should be made to try to teach him to be an OK backup LT. I think that we should focus on making him the best RT that can be.

I have no expectations that wither Lumo or Campbell can be solid starters at RT.
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[mike_usagisan]

I didn't that he "can't" play RT. My suggestion is that we have no reason to believe that he would be anywhere as good on the right side. I do have confidence that he can be a very good starter at LT.

That makes sense. You never really know if offensive linemen can switch sides until they do it. The good thing with Campbell and Moses, is we already have starters and the coaches can see what we have with Lumo.

Wouldn't surprise me if they see if he can play guard in an emergency, too.

 

[mgteich]

That makes sense. You never really know if offensive linemen can switch sides until they do it. The good thing with Campbell and Moses, is we already have starters and the coaches can see what we have with Lumo.

Wouldn't surprise me if they see if he can play guard in an emergency, too.

Lomu may be a better LG than RT. Lomu starting at LG is something I haven't considered.

Flexibility in the 3 left side LT/LG seems to excellent.

 

[mike_usagisan]

Lomu may be a better LG than RT. Lomu starting at LG is something I haven't considered.

Flexibility in the 3 left side LT/LG seems to excellent.

Yeah. I'm with you. Let's see who the best offensive line personnel are and what makes the most sense where they line up.

The good thing is I think they bought some time to get it figured out rather than having to have Lomu start somewhere at the start of the season. It's really 2027 where we're going to finally see what makes the most sense.

 

[Family]

What makes peopple think Crownover will be any better than Bryant? Have to agree with DaBruinz here. Way too soon.

For me it's more reading the tea leaves. They drafted two tackles after two last year.

 

[mgteich]

For me it's more reading the tea leaves. They drafted two tackles after two last year.

The team didn't draft Crownover just to cut him in favor Bryant without giving the coaches a year to work with Crownover.

Crownover doesn't even need to be active this year, although I think that he will be (perhaps as a jumbo 6th OL).

 

[mike_usagisan]

For me it's more reading the tea leaves. They drafted two tackles after two last year.

Right. For me, tt certainly doesn't inspire a whole lot of confidence in Bryant.

 

[patfanken]

Way overcomplicated, guys. Lomu has been acquired to be our top swing OT for this season. The kid is a plus athlete, and he literally has a full season and an off season to learn to play RT. Meantime he picks up valuable reps and learns his craft. The kid, like Campbell last season is just 21 and not even full grown yet. Quite frankly, I don't even want him playing significant minutes this season.

As for Campbell, there have been a lot of VERY good OTs in this league who have had very choppy first seasons before coming fully into their own. But they all "flashed" in their rookie year. just like Campbell did and then grew into top notch players. I'm fully expecting Campbell to come back to camp stronger, heavier, healthier and a LOT smarter this season. I'm betting we will see a noticeable difference, and he's coming off a pretty good rookie season until he was hurt (13 games) Also, btw, we DID win 3 playoff games last season.

So, we will now have an OL of Campbell, AVT, Wilson, Owenu, Moses starting and Lomu, Bryant, Brown, Wallace, and Crownover as the backups. I actually see Crownover getting some time at RG this August as well. BTW- I wouldn't see too much in Lomu getting snaps a LT this summer, he IS being trained to be our swing OT for this season