For Rebuild Year One - The OL Isn't That Bad

[mgteich]

Well your right.. then all our QB will struggle.. if the O line is I'm shambles it won't even matter.. so I'd rather Drake sit

The question is how long the team will have Drake sit. My guess is until the London game 7 at the latest.

 

[rkarp1]

The question is how long the team will have Drake sit. My guess is until the London game 7 at the latest.

best players play, and Maye will quickly show he is the best QB

the Ol will be much better than feared. Sow/Andrews/Onwenu along the interior will play very well. Wallace at RT will be very adequate and improve week in and week out. I believe he will be the starter at RT day 1 and if healthy log near 100% of the snaps each week.

LT will need to shake out. It is Okorafor for now. they will scheme to help him. if he is simply adequate, the OL play will be ok, but improving week in and week out.
Robinson, J Andrews, Mafi, Turner all improving thru the season.
the staff all need to be on the same page, which apparently they are (no more Klemm/OB situations). the players all have to buy in and be on the same page, apparently they are (no more T Browns/I Wynns looking for more money).
yes, they need that OT stud. Their Sewell. Their Wirfs. hopefully that comes thru the 2025 draft.

 

[mgteich]

BORED, SO LET'S REVIEW WHERE WE THINK WE ARE GOING INTO CAMP

1) It seems that one (popular) set of starters is Okorafor, Sow, Andrews, Onwenu and Wallace. It may take a couple of months to gel, but it seems that this group could be ready for Maye by mid-season.

2) Backup IOLs seem to be Leverett, Andrews and Robinson (with Mafi and Jordan on the outside looking in)

3) We could have one or two backups at OT (Anderson and Lowe). Personally, I favor keeping Lowe as the 10th OL and keep the 3rd and 4th TE's on the Practice Squad.

4) Yes, Mafi could make the team. Yes, we could pick up someone else if all isn't working out.

BOTTOM LINE
This OL could be much better than I expected at the end of the season, or not.

 

[Wozzy]

BORED, SO LET'S REVIEW WHERE WE THINK WE ARE GOING INTO CAMP

1) It seems that one (popular) set of starters is Okorafor, Sow, Andrews, Onwenu and Wallace. It may take a couple of months to gel, but it seems that this group could be ready for Maye by mid-season.

Assuming health I think this is the default lineup until someone better joins the team. There is also the possibility Calvin Anderson, Zuri Henry or Tyrone Wheatley takes one of those tackle spots, just because the first two are named starters doesn't make them a lock if they suck and fall apart.

2) Backup IOLs seem to be Leverett, Andrews and Robinson (with Mafi and Jordan on the outside looking in)

Jake Andrews likely backup center, Mafi probably backup guard or a starter if Onwenu stays at right tackle. Robinson might make the 53 or end up on the practice squad. Leverett is a jag but considering the lack of depth might make the roster.

3) We could have one or two backups at OT (Anderson and Lowe). Personally, I favor keeping Lowe as the 10th OL and keep the 3rd and 4th TE's on the Practice Squad.

Lowe is terrible... time to say goodbye.

4) Yes, Mafi could make the team. Yes, we could pick up someone else if all isn't working out.

We'll see if Mafi worked hard this offseason or loafed off...

BOTTOM LINE
This OL could be much better than I expected at the end of the season, or not.

The collaboration station should have done a better job this offseason filling the offensive tackle position and adding depth inside, there were better free agents available for similar money they paid to Okorafor, Leverett and Michael Jordan... but the interior of the O-Line should be strong with the starters who were already here.

In summation... the O-Line may not be that bad, but it could have been a lot better if the front office put more thought and resources there.

 

[mgteich]

Assuming health I think this is the default lineup until someone better joins the team. There is also the possibility Calvin Anderson, Zuri Henry or Tyrone Wheatley takes one of those tackle spots, just because the first two are named starters doesn't make them a lock if they suck and fall apart.

Jake Andrews likely backup center, Mafi probably backup guard or a starter if Onwenu stays at right tackle. Robinson might make the 53 or end up on the practice squad. Leverett is a jag but considering the lack of depth might make the roster.

Lowe is terrible... time to say goodbye.

We'll see if Mafi worked hard this offseason or loafed off...

The collaboration station should have done a better job this offseason filling the offensive tackle position and adding depth inside, there were better free agents available for similar money they paid to Okorafor, Leverett and Michael Jordan... but the interior of the O-Line should be strong with the starters who were already here.

In summation... the O-Line may not be that bad, but it could have been a lot better if the front office put more thought and resources there.

1) Yes, they should have put in more resources than signing 2 top OT's and used a 3rd and 4th round pick. ??? They'll continue the effprt next year.

2) Mafi might have worked hard or not. I'm not sure that working hard means that he will beat out Leverett or Andrews.

3) I don't think that Mayo will cut the rookie first 4th rounder in 25 years. That is not a way to build a partnership with Wolf.

4) Yes, I understand that folks believe that there was better than Okorafor out there at the same price. Persona;lly, I'm OK with Okorafor and hope that he plays well enough to be extended as our swing OT.

 

[mgteich]

Assuming health I think this is the default lineup until someone better joins the team. There is also the possibility Calvin Anderson, Zuri Henry or Tyrone Wheatley takes one of those tackle spots, just because the first two are named starters doesn't make them a lock if they suck and fall apart.

Jake Andrews likely backup center, Mafi probably backup guard or a starter if Onwenu stays at right tackle. Robinson might make the 53 or end up on the practice squad. Leverett is a jag but considering the lack of depth might make the roster.

Lowe is terrible... time to say goodbye.

We'll see if Mafi worked hard this offseason or loafed off...

The collaboration station should have done a better job this offseason filling the offensive tackle position and adding depth inside, there were better free agents available for similar money they paid to Okorafor, Leverett and Michael Jordan... but the interior of the O-Line should be strong with the starters who were already here.

In summation... the O-Line may not be that bad, but it could have been a lot better if the front office put more thought and resources there.

I'm truly impressed that you think that the ZERO dollars we risked on Michael Jordan was too much. His cap hit is $985K and is zero if he is cut (no dead money).

 

[Wozzy]

1) Yes, they should have put in more resources than signing 2 top OT's and used a 3rd and 4th round pick. ??? They'll continue the effprt next year.

The outside OL free agents brought in were trash, there were better players available this offseason.

2) Mafi might have worked hard or not. I'm not sure that working hard means that he will beat out Leverett or Andrews.

Leverett hasn't started a game since 2022 when he got beat out by a rookie... he's a jag.

Jake Andrews is a center, two different positions.

3) I don't think that Mayo will cut the rookie first 4th rounder in 25 years. That is not a way to build a partnership with Wolf.

You can't keep a player on your roster who is nowhere near ready to compete. I'm not saying this is the case with Robinson, for all I know he's ready to start, he had a limited workout... but his late round draft status is not protecting him.

4) Yes, I understand that folks believe that there was better than Okorafor out there at the same price. Persona;lly, I'm OK with Okorafor and hope that he plays well enough to be extended as our swing OT.

Pittsburgh was desperate for starting tackles... if he was any good they would have kept him.

 

[Wozzy]

I'm truly impressed that you think that the ZERO dollars we risked on Michael Jordan was too much. His cap hit is $985K and is zero if he is cut (no dead money).

Leverett's guaranteed money is less than a million and you think he's a lock... strange.

 

[Real fan 02]

The question is how long the team will have Drake sit. My guess is until the London game 7 at the latest.

The way I see it.. is the HC is preaching competition from every position.. as Bill didn't the same thing. Mayo said 2 weeks ago the best players will play. If Drake wins out.. how do they approach it.. ?.

 

[PatsFan2]

The outside OL free agents brought in were trash, there were better players available this offseason.

Leverett hasn't started a game since 2022 when he got beat out by a rookie... he's a jag.

Jake Andrews is a center, two different positions.

You can't keep a player on your roster who is nowhere near ready to compete. I'm not saying this is the case with Robinson, for all I know he's ready to start, he had a limited workout... but his late round draft status is not protecting him.

Pittsburgh was desperate for starting tackles... if he was any good they would have kept him.

Rham is going to have to chip a lot if the outsides to help our LT.

 

[mgteich]

Leverett's guaranteed money is less than a million and you think he's a lock... strange.

I suppose that Leverett isn't a lock. I just think that fits the Ferentz position better than anyone else. I do acknowledge that Jordan might beat him out for the C/G roster spot.

We will keep 3 backup IOL's. My very personal view is that Leverett will win one of thoe three positions.

You keep focusing on guaranteed money and then think that Mafi will make the team. He has zero guaranteed money.

 

[Real fan 02]

Rham is going to have to chip a lot if the outsides to help our LT.

He and gibby are great pass blockers...

 

[mgteich]

The way I see it.. is the HC is preaching competition from every position.. as Bill didn't the same thing. Mayo said 2 weeks ago the best players will play. If Drake wins out.. how do they approach it.. ?.

If Drake is ready to play Game 1, they will need to walk back the statement since the OL is not likely to be ready.

 

[Real fan 02]

If Drake is ready to play Game 1, they will need to walk back the statement since the OL is not likely to be ready.

I've had posters tell me no. He has to sit. I've mentioned that every team heading into training camp has to come together. Even our championship teams had to come together in camp Even though we had the God at QB..

 

[Real fan 02]

I suppose that Leverett isn't a lock. I just think that fits the Ferentz position better than anyone else. I do acknowledge that Jordan might beat him out for the C/G roster spot.

We will keep 3 backup IOL's. My very personal view is that Leverett will win one of thoe three positions.

You keep focusing on guaranteed money and then think that Mafi will make the team. He has zero guaranteed money.

Who do you realistic think will be our starting 5?
I have Wallace at LT, Sow at LG, Andrews at C Mafi at RG , Onwenu RT??

 

[Real fan 02]

He and gibby are great pass blockers...

@PatsFan2

 

[mgteich]

Who do you realistic think will be our starting 5?
I have Wallace at LT, Sow at LG, Andrews at C Mafi at RG , Onwenu RT??

Okorafor, Sow, Andrews, Onwenu, Wallace

It is the OT's that are the key (and yes, Anderson might be the starter at LT).

Okorafor was signed to play LT.

Wallace was signed to be developed to be an NFL LT.

I think that Wallace may be ready to start at RT, but not at LT.

As an aside, you have Mafi starting. I have him being cut. IMO, they signed Jordan and Leverett, and drafted Robinson, all because they didn't want Mafi starting at RG.

 

[Real fan 02]

Okorafor, Sow, Andrews, Onwenu, Wallace

It is the OT's that are the key (and yes, Anderson might be the starter at LT).

Okorafor was signed to play LT.

Wallace was signed to be developed to be an NFL LT.

I think that Wallace may be ready to start at RT, but not at LT.

As an aside, you have Mafi starting. I have him being cut. IMO, they signed Jordan and Leverett, and drafted Robinson, all because they didn't want Mafi starting at RG.

I forgot about Chuck from pitt.. I actually thought Mafi played well last season.. I think he's a player for us.. young, strong guy. He could really push those other guys for a starter job.. especially with LG up for grabs.. I don't think we'll see stranger.. this season.

 

[n1997y]

Well your right.. then all our QB will struggle.. if the O line is I'm shambles it won't even matter.. so I'd rather Drake sit

An experienced QB can cope with a mediocre OL better than an inexperienced QB, and he can also do more to help the OL do a better job.

And I’m not as convinced as some on here that Drake Maye will be walking on water from the start of camp. We will see, but don’t be surprised if it takes him months, or even a full year, to crack the starting roster.

 

[Zuma]

Well your right.. then all our QB will struggle.. if the O line is I'm shambles it won't even matter.. so I'd rather Drake sit

IMO they really like Chuks at LT if Wallace barely sniffs snaps there. Nothing was worse than watching OL players struggle the past few years because BB was too stubborn (among other reasons) to make changes. Admitting a wrong and making changes to benefit the team is a strength…not a weakness.