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
========================
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.
==========
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.