Right now, we have found a solid C as Satele and a decent right guard in Hadnot..., Carey is playing decent also at left tackle, but if we find a solid left tackle, we would be upgrading that position, plus the right tackle position, moving Carey to it (Carey is far better at the right side), so finding a solid LT would mean a solid O-Line for in exception for the LG spot, we also need to find a solid LG. So improving the left side of our O-Line is what we need to be focused on. I heard that Alan Faneca is a FA after this season, somebody knows at what side does he play? Go Phins!
LG, doesnt help with the tackle position, and he will be massively overpriced, and his age, for a rebuilding team, isnt something that makes me drool.
We do have 3 young guys (Toledo,Alibi and Mormino) that could compete for 1 spot next year...the other spot could be a free agent.Also look for us to draft 1 more guy, probably in round 3. Ozzy rules!!
what I find funny is everybody wants to draft a LT, but are so against Jake Long cause he projects to be a RT. Funny thing is though, he's a better prospect than Levi Brown was (who went 5th overall). What people have to remember though is Jamaal Brown and Marcus McNeil were RTs in college and became pro bowl LTs. And I garuntee you nobody projected that Robert Gallery couldn't even be a servicable guard in the league, or that Mike Williams (Bills variety) would be out of the league now. Only point I'm trying to make is don't jump to conclusions on where someone can play (plus, I feel the need to defend my Wolverines) Even so, IMO we should look at someone like Chris Williams from Vandy in round 2, and maybe David Justice from Wake in the middle rounds (is a C, but projects very well at G and OT similar to how Sammy Satale was viewed last year)
Marcus McNeil played primarily LT in college. He'd switch to RT on overload plays. Levi Brown is playing RT for a left-hand QB team, or at least he was until Leinart got hurt. Jake Long's stock has dropped off this year. BTW, you catch what Vernon Gholston did to him the last two years?
We also have Esera and Love from the practice squad, they are project players for Houck's developement. Hopefully he has done some good work with them and one or both is deemed good enough to make the 53 man roster.
Finsavior is right. None of those three young guys have shown anything. Glass Joe is exactly that. Mormino wasn't showing enough to win a job in preseason before he got hurt. Alabi has been a perennial disappointment. Liewenski is a journeyman stopgap. Vernon belongs at RT. We'll never win with that left side, and the people we need to improve it aren't on the roster.
How do you figure? Jake Long got absolutely dominated in a couple games. Ghoulston made him his biatch. I guarantee you that Long won't be the first tackle taken come draft day.
what do u mean Mormino wasnt showing enough???? Mormino was a sure starter until he got hurt. all he needs to do now is bulk up, hes the same size as Eric Steinbach, but obviously not as good. look at Eric, does he look like a big beefy Guard? nope. but he can do the job! Alabi was looking good at the start of camp, then he lost it. so hes inconsistent. Toledo cant seem to stop getting hurt. last time it was stepping out of a pool apparently, whats it gonna be this time, slipped over a banana? on the bright side, we do have young guys who can backup.
Gholston dominated him when Long was a junior. Long did not give up a sack this year. Gholston worked primarily against Seve Schilling. I feel like I'm defending Leon Hall again when people say he consistently got burnt when he barely covered Ted Ginn or Dwyane Jarrett.
and I'm positive he didn't. I'm pretty sure Long was going up against Heyward all day, and Gholston went up against Schilling
The only sack I remember Gholston getting against Schilling was the one where he basically shoved Henne to the ground. The other two came against your boy Long. I've been trying to find some highlights of the game, but the only ones I found on youtube where the SC cut, which doesn't show much of anything. But most mock drafts note that Gholston dominated Long this year, hence why his draft stock has skyrocketed.
Alright, you win. Gholston only got one sack against Jake Long according to this http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jake_Long
just to make it clear I like Gholston, and I was not attacking you. People just jump to conclusions when someone on another team is dominant, and I just wanted to point out what actually happened. Happened to Leon Hall last year, gave up 1 long TD to Ginn, and people said he sucked, then he guards Jarrett for one play in which he was suppose to have safety help but didn't, and people say he sucks. Look at Hall this year, 5 ints mostly as a nickleback and when he starts, the Bengals do alright in pass d.
I realize that you weren't attacking, but Gholston has put up better games each of the last two years vs. Long. As for your other boy Hall, I do some work that involves being around the Bengals fairly often and got to meet him on several occasions. Good kid with a good head on his shoulders. He and Jonathan Joseph are going to be a nice 1-2 due at CB here in Cincy for a long time.
Yes we must fix the left side, but on the right we have a #1 draft choice at RT who plays like he just doesn't get it, and a RG, who makes a play then either jumps offside or holds, or goes downfield too soon, or gets a late hit.... you get the picture( not to mention, is a free agent and wants to be paid like a pro bowler). A lot needs to be done with the line, not to say we don't have some talent, but it's not there yet( re: the last 5 games of the year)
Funny that this thread is filled with folks that think there is need for an upgrade at left tackle. The column I'm writing for tomorrow focuses on Vernon Carey's performance in '07, and I promise that you will all be blown away when you see the statistical data and comparisons to the four guys that made the pro bowl at tackle. Carey is much better than you guys perceive.
I thought Carey did alright, not perfect. It was the LG that was a turnstile, all season long, no matter who played. And for those who think Morimino was the answer just look back at the pre season games when we kept getting pushed back into the QB or RB, whoever had the ball.
Starks plays right tackle as a backup for Pitt. He is young at 25 and plenty big at 6'7" so if he has some talent he might be nice fit. No doubt we have money to spend in FA being under the cap.
Hence why I'm for drafting Gholston rather than Jake Long. Carey was pretty serviceable; might not be a Pro Bowl LT, but got the job done better than D. McIntosh did the last two years.