Why is nobody discussing the offensive line?

[Just Joshin']

Please be specific: who would you target, how much draft capital do you use and why would that team want to trade?

 

It is nice to rant but what is the solution?

[Shaw66]

Who is forgetting the O line?  There are four threads about the O line in progress right now, including this one.  

[Fadingpain]

Every team at this time of year has 1 or 2 guys that the team loves, but simply do not fit.  The numbers push them out, and the teams are really upset to lose such players.

 

Does anyone know if there are any OL floating around the league who fit this mold?

 

I am hoping we could pick up someone's cut.  Our line seems bad enough that such a player might actually start for us.

 

 

[JMF2006]

I really think they might be hungry.........really hungry.

 

With McD`s focus on fitness they may be eating salads for lunch instead of second helpings of potatoes and steak  

[Buffaloflash]

56 minutes ago, Bangarang said:

 

Injuries can happen at any point regardless of who is blocking for you. Start the guy that gives us the best chance to win and that’s it. Should we not play shady either? Can’t risk him getting injured either behind this line.

I sure Shady has complete confidence in the OL!

If drastic changes aren't made soon,he's next to join AJ in triage. 

[billieve420]

45 minutes ago, Gugny said:

Ben Roethlisberger hasn't had an o-line for 14 years.

 

No comparison Big Ben walked onto a 15-1 team his rookie year. He had a strong running game and championship level defense. Ben's main responsibility was to hand off the ball and not screw things up.

 

Josh Allen would be asked to carry a team that is implementing a new offense with a new coordinator. Definitely not the ideal situation for a rookie to walk into. Allen has not shown himself to be heads and shoulder over the other 2 QBs.

 

I don't want him on the field until the coaching staff feels they are 100% sure he is ready to take over and is the best QB on the roster. I want to give Allen every opportunity to be successful.

 

Once named the starter I don't want any setbacks or struggles to result him being yanked in and out of the starting lineup. Because once he hits a rough patch which is to be expected the calls to start Peterman will be loud and should be ignored.

 

[Buffalo Barbarian]

6 minutes ago, 26CornerBlitz said:

 

They drafted Allen and Edmunds as key players in the 1st round.  So what players would you have drafted and signed in UFA.  I want names dammit!

 

I wouldn't have traded up for Edmunds and drafted OG Isaiah Wynn, OT Brian O'Neill and signed OG Andrew Norwell . Should have done more to upgrade the whole offense and work on defense next year when there is supposed to be a ton of defensive talent.

 

 

25 minutes ago, Johnny Hammersticks said:

 

I think this o-line, once they get the personnel straight, will be vastly better than they showed last night.  

 

I hope so but they are just polishing a turd.

 

 

[folz]

With two new starters, another playing a different position, a 2nd year LT, and the center position being a competition still, it will probably take this O-line a little time to gel. If there is any place on the team that needs continuity, it is the O-line. They need to settle on their 5 and get them comfortable with each other. It is foolish to believe that this line with all of the upheaval would come out of the gate and look like world beaters. They played well in week one and not so well last night. Doesn't mean they will be terrible all year. They are going to need a little time to come into their own. Am I a little concerned with the O-line, sure. But I wouldn't take last night as a forecast for how they will play all year. A vanilla offense against a defense that was bringing the house because they wanted to have a good showing for their fans in their first game at home (and for the Hard Knocks cameras). Just as with QB, we should expect a little bit of growing pains with this line. But, hopefully they will get better with each game, the more they play together.

Edited August 18, 2018 by folz

[Call_Of_Ktulu]

I've seen a lot of threads on here with people concerned about the O-Line. I would start in the middle and work my way out, even Tom Brady would suck playing behind this group. O-Line needs to be priority in FA and the draft next year.

Castillo being fired will be the first step in rebuilding the O-Line. I think he is one of the worst OL coaches in the NFL.

[ColoradoBills]

34 minutes ago, 26CornerBlitz said:

 

They drafted Allen and Edmunds as key players in the 1st round.  So what players would you have drafted and signed in UFA.  I want names dammit!

 

The Bills did not sign any of the top FA OL this year even though everyone knew that OL was a big issue.

They gambled and I hope they can piece something together to keep Josh Allen healthy.

Bodine, Newhouse and a low draft pick was next to nothing.

 

Andrew Norwell	G	26	CAR	JAC	5	$66,500,000	$13,300,000	$30,000,000	$30,000,000	$5,000,000
SolderNate Solder	LT	30	NE	NYG	4	$62,000,000	$15,500,000	$34,800,000	$34,800,000	$10,000,000
RichburgWeston Richburg	C	27	NYG	SF	5	$47,500,000	$9,500,000	$28,500,000	$16,500,000	$9,560,000
PughJustin Pugh	G	28	NYG	ARI	5	$44,775,000	$8,955,000	$15,750,000	$13,000,000	$3,500,000
JensenRyan Jensen	C	27	BAL	TB	4	$42,000,000	$10,500,000	$22,000,000	$22,000,000	$12,000,000
HubbardChris Hubbard	RT	27	PIT	CLE	5	$36,500,000	$7,300,000	$15,150,000	$9,000,000	$5,800,000
FultonZach Fulton	G	26	KC	HOU	4	$28,000,000	$7,000,000	$13,000,000	$13,000,000	$7,000,000
LongSpencer Long	C	27	WAS	NYJ	4	$27,400,000	$6,850,000	$6,000,000	$6,000,000	$6,500,000
KlineJosh Kline	G	28	TEN	TEN	4	$26,500,000	$6,625,000	$12,000,000	$9,250,000	$5,750,000
PounceyMike Pouncey	C	29	MIA	LAC	2	$15,000,000	$7,500,000	$10,000,000	$10,000,000	$6,250,000
OmamehPatrick Omameh	G	28	JAC	NYG	3	$15,000,000	$5,000,000	$10,050,000	$10,050,000	$2,400,000
SittonJosh Sitton	G	32	CHI	MIA	2	$13,500,000	$6,750,000	$8,450,000	$8,450,000	$6,500,000
FuscoBrandon Fusco	G	30	SF	ATL	3	$12,750,000	$4,250,000	$5,500,000	$4,500,000	$3,000,000
KelemeteSenio Kelemete	G	28	NO	HOU	3	$12,000,000	$4,000,000	$5,000,000	$5,000,000	$4,000,000
SullivanJohn Sullivan	C	33	LA	LA	2	$10,750,000	$5,375,000	$5,250,000	$5,250,000	$6,374,999
SmithAndre Smith	G	31	CIN	ARI	2	$8,000,000	$4,000,000	$3,500,000	$3,500,000	$2,676,250

[GreggTX]

Sadly, I agree. Between the lack of talent, Shady being unable to find any room to run and the receivers not getting open and forcing the QB to hold the ball, whoever plays QB for us is going to take a beating. I wouldn't be at all surprised if AJ isn't the only Bills QB to go down with injuries this year. We simply must make every conceivable effort to bolster this OL for next year and keep Josh's butt on the sideline. I'll be really sore if his career gets cut short or otherwise sidetracked by the incompetence of this OL. I've been saying this all along, but so many people just won't accept it until the regular season starts and the train wreck gets everyone's attention.

[Buffalo03]

1 hour ago, Yeezus said:

 

piss off with that that mentality 

 

Thats how you destroy a rookies development. God some Bills fans are absolutely delusional. Go support another team if all you care about is winning right now. We are rebuilding. 

I'm sorry that I've seen enough of crappy to mediocre QBs over the last 15 or so years and would like to see the future now rather than later. There have been plenty of QBs that have started right out of the gate and had great careers and sure some not so much but sure maybe Ryan Leaf would have been a hall of famer if he would have just sat a year or two, I mean hey you never know (sarcasm of course). A bad oline isn't gonna halt his development, all that is gonna halt his development is his grasp of the game. That's what makes or breaks QBs. I'm not delusional. It's better to get him out there and give him a taste of the game now than later. You're delusional if you think we're rebuilding after a playoff season lol

Edited August 18, 2018 by Buffalo03

[GunnerBill]

19 minutes ago, John from Riverside said:

This looks like the group we have for this season unless a team that drafted offensive linemen happens to release a vet due to financial reasons in cuts......we have to make sure we have the best of the OL we CURRENTLY have are on the field......

 

Dawkins is fine.....one pre season game with no help against a monster like Garrett does not change that

Decauuse......I would love to see Teller get a chance to supplant him

Groy should already be the starter

Miller is under rated....and the scheme fits him

Mills is a player we are gonna have to live with this season

 

I was a big John Miller fan but there is no doubt that since Kromer left town he has struggled. He wasn't good last night. He wasn't Bodine bad or Ducasse bad but the only lineman I'd have even given a C to was Mills. 

[fansince88]

A few things that bother me are 

1)Richie Incognito was virtually unnoticed yesterday

2) If Kyle has a long term injury out of this who is going to protect Tyrods blindside?

[Fadingpain]

1 hour ago, Bangarang said:

 

Let them play in their imaginary world. It’s the same world where we are also trading for Khalil Mack.

It's also the world where Josh Allen is clearly a proven high quality franchise QB b/c he made some nice throws, at times, in a pre-season game against the second and third units of a team that didn't win in 2017.  

 

 

Edited August 18, 2018 by Fadingpain

[machine gun kelly]

GB -I disagree and so do a lot of analysts that Miller had a good game last night.  Ducasse, Bodine, and Dawkins ok, but to Dawkins credit he was facing one of the best pass rushers in the league.  They should have given him TE help when they saw Dawkins struggling.

 

Groy will be fine at Center and I believe Dawkins will get back to how he played last year.  Ducasse is the problem, and cut Bodine.  He was so inconsistent.

[Kelly the Dog]

The main reason you start Allen, outside of the fact he is clearly better than the other two, is to open the field for Shady. Teams just have to protect against the howitzer. They can't stack the box and take Shady out of the game. The run game is dependent on Allen being in there. 

[RocCityRoller]

1 hour ago, billspro said:

 

The second team oline looked really good. I think there is a combo that would provide us with an average oline .

 

Agree 100% The second O-line has looked pretty good. A mix of Groy, Teller and maybe Ike B could lift the unit.

 

I'm firmly in Groy's camp now. Teller looks like a football player and all Ike does looks good. He is often in on Murphy's biggest runs.

 

If I could build an Oline for Buffalo it would look like:

 

Dawkins - Teller - Groy - Miller - Ike B or Mills.

Edited August 18, 2018 by RocCityRoller

[Buffaloflash]

44 minutes ago, Warcodered said:

People just seem so terrified that Allen playing with this line will get him hurt and psychologically scar him preventing him from becoming a great quarterback. But his record indicates the exact opposite. In the very first game Allen started at Wyoming he broke his collar bone in multiple places and was done for the season. This is after no one recruited him and he had to fight to get one college to give him a shot. Then the season he comes back he does so well that a quarter back from Wyoming gets mentioned as a potential number 1 pick.

So what you're saying is, we really need to protect this Kid,especially in light of his previous injury.

I agree! 

[3rdand12]

13 minutes ago, ColoradoBills said:

 

The Bills did not sign any of the top FA OL this year even though everyone knew that OL was a big issue.

They gambled and I hope they can piece something together to keep Josh Allen healthy.

Bodine, Newhouse and a low draft pick was next to nothing.

 

Andrew Norwell	G	26	CAR	JAC	5	$66,500,000	$13,300,000	$30,000,000	$30,000,000	$5,000,000
SolderNate Solder	LT	30	NE	NYG	4	$62,000,000	$15,500,000	$34,800,000	$34,800,000	$10,000,000
RichburgWeston Richburg	C	27	NYG	SF	5	$47,500,000	$9,500,000	$28,500,000	$16,500,000	$9,560,000
PughJustin Pugh	G	28	NYG	ARI	5	$44,775,000	$8,955,000	$15,750,000	$13,000,000	$3,500,000
JensenRyan Jensen	C	27	BAL	TB	4	$42,000,000	$10,500,000	$22,000,000	$22,000,000	$12,000,000
HubbardChris Hubbard	RT	27	PIT	CLE	5	$36,500,000	$7,300,000	$15,150,000	$9,000,000	$5,800,000
FultonZach Fulton	G	26	KC	HOU	4	$28,000,000	$7,000,000	$13,000,000	$13,000,000	$7,000,000
LongSpencer Long	C	27	WAS	NYJ	4	$27,400,000	$6,850,000	$6,000,000	$6,000,000	$6,500,000
KlineJosh Kline	G	28	TEN	TEN	4	$26,500,000	$6,625,000	$12,000,000	$9,250,000	$5,750,000
PounceyMike Pouncey	C	29	MIA	LAC	2	$15,000,000	$7,500,000	$10,000,000	$10,000,000	$6,250,000
OmamehPatrick Omameh	G	28	JAC	NYG	3	$15,000,000	$5,000,000	$10,050,000	$10,050,000	$2,400,000
SittonJosh Sitton	G	32	CHI	MIA	2	$13,500,000	$6,750,000	$8,450,000	$8,450,000	$6,500,000
FuscoBrandon Fusco	G	30	SF	ATL	3	$12,750,000	$4,250,000	$5,500,000	$4,500,000	$3,000,000
KelemeteSenio Kelemete	G	28	NO	HOU	3	$12,000,000	$4,000,000	$5,000,000	$5,000,000	$4,000,000
SullivanJohn Sullivan	C	33	LA	LA	2	$10,750,000	$5,375,000	$5,250,000	$5,250,000	$6,374,999
SmithAndre Smith	G	31	CIN	ARI	2	$8,000,000	$4,000,000	$3,500,000	$3,500,000	$2,676,250

Facts are simple and facts are straight

[Pirate Angel]

Vlad Ducasse has naked pictures of someone else's wife...John Miller was a promising looking guard 2 years ago, than someone decided to start Vlad Ducasse. Richie incognito unexpectedly retired and someone said.."I know let's move Vlad Ducasse to LG" ...but why do you drink so much they ask

[Happy]

51 minutes ago, 26CornerBlitz said:

 

So you want McDermott to preach to the team that they're doing everything to win, but we're not going to play Josh as the best QB because you offensive lineman might get him killed.  So hey Nathan, we'll play you instead. 

That’s not what I said, and frankly, have no idea how you arrived at this conclusion 

[3rdand12]

12 minutes ago, Buffalo03 said:

I'm sorry that I've seen enough of crappy to mediocre QBs over the last 15 or so years and would like to see the future now rather than later. There have been plenty of QBs that have started right out of the gate and had great careers and sure some not so much but sure maybe Ryan Leaf would have been a hall of famer if he would have just sat a year or two, I mean hey you never know (sarcasm of course). A bad oline isn't gonna halt his development, all that is gonna halt his development is his grasp of the game. That's what makes or breaks QBs. I'm not delusional. It's better to get him out there and give him a taste of the game now than later. You're delusional if you think we're rebuilding after a playoff season lol

Development asks for repetition against against these ( live bullets , horrible analogy btw )
And injured Allen does himself or the Bills no good.
 

You cannot protect AJM from a blindside tackle. Or have him injured and out. Your line is not ready for prime time. Line shows bette ?r, i will feel less reluctant to let the Kid plays some ball. We all want him to succeed for sure.

 

well maybe not Gugny

 

: )
 

[HOUSE]

You do realize that the Bills Superbowl teams had one weakness, the

OL was considered poor in pass protection, strong running

[26CornerBlitz]

1 hour ago, 26CornerBlitz said:

 

They drafted Allen and Edmunds as key players in the 1st round.  So what players would you have drafted and signed in UFA.  I want names dammit!

 

23 minutes ago, ColoradoBills said:

 

The Bills did not sign any of the top FA OL this year even though everyone knew that OL was a big issue.

They gambled and I hope they can piece something together to keep Josh Allen healthy.

Bodine, Newhouse and a low draft pick was next to nothing.

 

Andrew Norwell	G	26	CAR	JAC	5	$66,500,000	$13,300,000	$30,000,000	$30,000,000	$5,000,000
SolderNate Solder	LT	30	NE	NYG	4	$62,000,000	$15,500,000	$34,800,000	$34,800,000	$10,000,000
RichburgWeston Richburg	C	27	NYG	SF	5	$47,500,000	$9,500,000	$28,500,000	$16,500,000	$9,560,000
PughJustin Pugh	G	28	NYG	ARI	5	$44,775,000	$8,955,000	$15,750,000	$13,000,000	$3,500,000
JensenRyan Jensen	C	27	BAL	TB	4	$42,000,000	$10,500,000	$22,000,000	$22,000,000	$12,000,000
HubbardChris Hubbard	RT	27	PIT	CLE	5	$36,500,000	$7,300,000	$15,150,000	$9,000,000	$5,800,000
FultonZach Fulton	G	26	KC	HOU	4	$28,000,000	$7,000,000	$13,000,000	$13,000,000	$7,000,000
LongSpencer Long	C	27	WAS	NYJ	4	$27,400,000	$6,850,000	$6,000,000	$6,000,000	$6,500,000
KlineJosh Kline	G	28	TEN	TEN	4	$26,500,000	$6,625,000	$12,000,000	$9,250,000	$5,750,000
PounceyMike Pouncey	C	29	MIA	LAC	2	$15,000,000	$7,500,000	$10,000,000	$10,000,000	$6,250,000
OmamehPatrick Omameh	G	28	JAC	NYG	3	$15,000,000	$5,000,000	$10,050,000	$10,050,000	$2,400,000
SittonJosh Sitton	G	32	CHI	MIA	2	$13,500,000	$6,750,000	$8,450,000	$8,450,000	$6,500,000
FuscoBrandon Fusco	G	30	SF	ATL	3	$12,750,000	$4,250,000	$5,500,000	$4,500,000	$3,000,000
KelemeteSenio Kelemete	G	28	NO	HOU	3	$12,000,000	$4,000,000	$5,000,000	$5,000,000	$4,000,000
SullivanJohn Sullivan	C	33	LA	LA	2	$10,750,000	$5,375,000	$5,250,000	$5,250,000	$6,374,999
SmithAndre Smith	G	31	CIN	ARI	2	$8,000,000	$4,000,000	$3,500,000	$3,500,000	$2,676,250

 

No way they could fix everything in one off season with a limited amount of cap space in 2018.  

[ColoradoBills]

52 minutes ago, Bangarang said:

 

So what’s the plan to fix the line before the season starts? Please be specific 

 

It's a little to late for that.  Beane CAN address it some (if he wants) but the base OL is done.

IF Groy is the starting Center I see no usefulness in Bodine who only plays Center.

Go look for a backup OG/C, having Bodine "dress" on game day only being a backup Center is a waste.

IMO

[Scorp83]

1 hour ago, PlayoffsPlease said:

We have our QB . Every other position can be addressed in free agency. Trade draft picks now to put together a real offensive line.

 

Several recent Super Bowls have been won by guys on a  rookie QB contract. There is not time to fart around building a line for three years.  There is on reason to stockpile picks.  The QB search is over. 

Sure...so who's giving up there good offensive linemen??? Not any of the good teams... why would they trade? Then the teams that's building...like us... who's giving away their Dion Dawkins??? I know we're not doing that...if the Titans call us...

 

Dawkins like most good O-linemen are good building blocks... teams are not going to just trade with you cause you want to trade. 

 

It's free agency or the draft. Unless you find a team that knows they're gonna suck... & have talent to trade... that's the only way. The Colts just revamp they're line, so did the Giants...even though I dont think neither team is a contender, they have enough talent to try & build on. 

[MPT]

1 hour ago, GunnerBill said:

Who do you think is trading starting level offensive linemen 2 weeks before the season?

 

1 hour ago, Bangarang said:

 

Any suggestions? These threads are typically general statements but rarely can anyone give a specific remedy.

 

1 hour ago, Johnny Hammersticks said:

 

Agreed.  Who we trading for OP?  Don’t make us do your homework for your thread.  Put some thought into viable trade candidates.

 

32 minutes ago, Dalton said:

Please be specific: who would you target, how much draft capital do you use and why would that team want to trade?

 

It is nice to rant but what is the solution?

 

To those asking for specific solutions: OP is not a general manager. There are about 180 guards (just guards, not just offensive linemen) in the NFL, and that doesn't include practice squad players. Fans do not have the resources to do the work of a general manager. A general manager has the resources to investigate which ones would be a scheme fit, which are viable trade candidates, and which are in favorable contract situations. Out of 180 players (plus many more on roster bubbles) I highly doubt that there are zero available to us. Beane likely has a list of appropriate targets. I'm hoping he's just waiting for roster cuts to see if any on his list end up on waivers, but he needs to address the situation one way or another. 

[Scorp83]

1 hour ago, Over 29 years of fanhood said:

 

Im not a GM. I’d start by looking at the Cowboys. They have a stout line, might have good depth, may have a youngster that can backfill a vet. 

 

Free agents? 

 

Joeckel is out there, worth a look? 

 

The Cowboys are at a delusional state... they think they can beat the Eagles for the division! They are not trading any of their linemen 

[Johnny Hammersticks]

2 minutes ago, MPT said:

 

 

 

 

To those asking for specific solutions: OP is not a general manager. There are about 180 guards (just guards, not just offensive linemen) in the NFL, and that doesn't include practice squad players. Fans do not have the resources to do the work of a general manager. A general manager has the resources to investigate which ones would be a scheme fit, which are viable trade candidates, and which are in favorable contract situations. Out of 180 players (plus many more on roster bubbles) I highly doubt that there are zero available to us. Beane likely has a list of appropriate targets. I'm hoping he's just waiting for roster cuts to see if any on his list end up on waivers, but he needs to address the situation one way or another. 

 

You’re obviously new around here.  Most of us fancy ourselves to be as knowledgable as the best NFL GMs.  

[ColoradoBills]

2 minutes ago, 26CornerBlitz said:

 

 

No way they could fix everything in one off season with a limited amount of cap space in 2018.  

 

I totally agree with you 26, but you got to admit that with a bad OL the offense will struggle.

It is what it is now.  Remember how many posters had Conor McDermott slated as starting RT.

I do not want to see Newhouse take snaps at LT too.

 

Next year some decent FA $'s AND one of the 2-3 round picks are needed to solidify the OL.

[26CornerBlitz]

1 minute ago, ColoradoBills said:

 

I totally agree with you 26, but you got to admit that with a bad OL the offense will struggle.

It is what it is now.  Remember how many posters had Conor McDermott slated as starting RT.

I do not want to see Newhouse take snaps at LT too.

 

Next year some decent FA $'s AND one of the 2-3 round picks are needed to solidify the OL.

 

That they would struggle has been the expectation for me given the losses in the offseason. They should still play the best QB regardless who they think gives them the best chance of winning. 

[Pete]

Our oline has been neglected since the glory years.  Its a bunch of misfit toys.  No 1st rounders, no big FA signings.  They grab lineman off the scrapheap, throw them at a wall, see who sticks, and try and coach them up.  The Bills just traded a **** ton to get their QB.  Now let's protect them and give Josh the tools to succeed ie legitimate WRs and Oline

Edited August 18, 2018 by Pete

[ColoradoBills]

5 minutes ago, 26CornerBlitz said:

 

That they would struggle has been the expectation for me given the losses in the offseason. They should still play the best QB regardless who they think gives them the best chance of winning. 

 

Josh Allen will have to start way earlier than I wanted but...............that's the way it goes.

So that being said, Daboll should build a line that helps him the most.

Sacrifice run blocking and hope that by giving JA the most time and protection, the running game will open up some because of his arm threat.

Edited August 18, 2018 by ColoradoBills

[MPT]

5 minutes ago, Johnny Hammersticks said:

 

You’re obviously new around here.  Most of us fancy ourselves to be as knowledgable as the best NFL GMs.  

 

Well sure, but even the most knowledgeable forum poster still doesn't have Jerry Jones' phone number. It's all about opportunity and access, you see. Asking a fellow forum goer which GM is willing to trade an offensive lineman is just pointless. 

[LSHMEAB]

4 hours ago, NewEraBills said:

With the way this OL is he's going to play sooner or later this year anyway.  Peterman cannot extend plays and will be a sitting duck.  He has a weak arm.  It's not a good recipe at all.  Bad OL, weak arm QB who cannot extend plays but will have to run for his life.  Peterman doesn't need another 5 INT game.  It's a major possibility if the OL plays like it did last night.

 

5 pick GAME???? That's awful generous of you!

[Norcalbillsfan]

33 minutes ago, Kelly the Dog said:

The main reason you start Allen, outside of the fact he is clearly better than the other two, is to open the field for Shady. Teams just have to protect against the howitzer. They can't stack the box and take Shady out of the game. The run game is dependent on Allen being in there. 

I like this, a lot of arguments about tyrod opening things up for shady cuz you had to respect both legs, but allen can scramble for 5 yards at any time but more importantly he can roll out on a play action and fire it 50 yards on the run. Defenses last year : contain shady contain tyrod, and challenge tyrod to pass. This year should be different. But someone please tell josh to SLIDE! Stop putting your head down!

[GunnerBill]

29 minutes ago, MPT said:

 

 

 

 

To those asking for specific solutions: OP is not a general manager. There are about 180 guards (just guards, not just offensive linemen) in the NFL, and that doesn't include practice squad players. Fans do not have the resources to do the work of a general manager. A general manager has the resources to investigate which ones would be a scheme fit, which are viable trade candidates, and which are in favorable contract situations. Out of 180 players (plus many more on roster bubbles) I highly doubt that there are zero available to us. Beane likely has a list of appropriate targets. I'm hoping he's just waiting for roster cuts to see if any on his list end up on waivers, but he needs to address the situation one way or another. 

 

Nobody was saying there is nobody available. I was saying there is nobody good available. There are at least half a dozen teams in the league struggling to field a competent starting 5. There is a severe lack of talent in the NFL at OL and it is a consequence of the way OL is played and coached in college. 

 

To flip your argument on yourself.... maybe you think we Bills fans are so knowledgeable that we are the only people who have noticed Vlad Ducasse and Russell Bodine suck? We are not. Everyone knows that guys like that suck but they are still in the league because they are better than the alternatives. If there were a list of magical solutions out there sitting as backups on other teams then they wouldn't stay backups anymore. We saw that here when LA tried to pinch Groy. 

 

You wanna throw a 1st or 2nd round pick at an above average NFL guard (not even a great one) I am guessing some GM somewhere will bite on that. But it wouldn't be a good use of resources. 

Edited August 18, 2018 by GunnerBill

[Kelly the Dog]

8 minutes ago, Norcalbillsfan said:

I like this, a lot of arguments about tyrod opening things up for shady cuz you had to respect both legs, but allen can scramble for 5 yards at any time but more importantly he can roll out on a play action and fire it 50 yards on the run. Defenses last year : contain shady contain tyrod, and challenge tyrod to pass. This year should be different. But someone please tell josh to SLIDE! Stop putting your head down!

They allow you to go head first now and the defenders can't smack you. I don't mind when he does that. It's no more chance of injury and because of his big body it's 2-3 more yards than sliding, which is marked at the earliest place you hit the ground. 

[Norcalbillsfan]

7 minutes ago, Kelly the Dog said:

They allow you to go head first now and the defenders can't smack you. I don't mind when he does that. It's no more chance of injury and because of his big body it's 2-3 more yards than sliding, which is marked at the earliest place you hit the ground. 

Not "supposed" to smack you. In the process before he dives with his head down hes a runner and can get rocked. I'd rather him play it safe and have a long career