RPbillsfan Posted February 10, 2019 Share Posted February 10, 2019 This draft and FA market is full of RT candidates. As much as I'd love to see Dawkins move to LG I'm concerned we would fill a hole and open another. It appears that Andre Dillard is the best available LT prospect in this draft. But 9 is way to early to take him. I believe the Bills will be able to fill RT in free agency, maybe Darryl Williams or Juwann James. So, if Dawkins is moved to LG, and Teller progresses at RG, we still need a LT. What are your thoughts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rc2catch Posted February 10, 2019 Share Posted February 10, 2019 He’s a fine tackle, he just needs a little help on the rest of the line. He handled himself quite well when incognito was next to him, if they can put some talent on the line Dawkins is the least of my concerns 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bangarang Posted February 10, 2019 Share Posted February 10, 2019 No idea. Haven’t seen him play LG. I’ve seen people say he projected better at LG though. He has been a decent LT for us so unless we have a plan to replace him I would keep him where he is. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBeaneBandit Posted February 10, 2019 Share Posted February 10, 2019 Probably draft a guy within the 1st 2 rounds and let them sort it out themselves. Get your RT and C in free agency. You could even keep Dawkins at LT for one more year and flip him and the draft pick the next year. If it plays out that way. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Posted February 10, 2019 Share Posted February 10, 2019 I think you have the right thought with your OP. I suspect Dawkins is still "penciled in" at LT, but Beane and McD will be looking for an upgrade at LT. This is probably the case with all positions on the OLine. The only thing we can be certain of is that the OLine in the 2019 season will look much different than the OLine of 2018. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigK14094 Posted February 10, 2019 Share Posted February 10, 2019 There were some plays in Dawkins first year where he was at left guard.....and he was killer there. Can't remember why, perhaps Richie was hurt. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C.Biscuit97 Posted February 10, 2019 Share Posted February 10, 2019 I mean G is an easier position to play because you aren’t on an island like you are a T. It’s why Ts get paid more. So I’m guessing he would be better at LG. But he is fine at OT, though he may never come close to being an all pro. In a perfect world, you get a better LT and you can move Dawkins to RT or G. But it’s not the biggest concern right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QuoteTheRaven83 Posted February 10, 2019 Share Posted February 10, 2019 Teller is fine at LG. I think Dawkins should move to RT, sign a C and RG, draft a LT. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RPbillsfan Posted February 10, 2019 Author Share Posted February 10, 2019 Just now, QuoteTheRaven83 said: Teller is fine at LG. I think Dawkins should move to RT, sign a C and RG, draft a LT. Which LT would you select in this draft. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C.Biscuit97 Posted February 10, 2019 Share Posted February 10, 2019 (edited) 1 minute ago, QuoteTheRaven83 said: Teller is fine at LG. I think Dawkins should move to RT, sign a C and RG, draft a LT. That’s a lot of moves. Good olines are ones they have continuity. You basically are building a complete new oline with that. There would be some struggles big time early in the year. Edited February 10, 2019 by C.Biscuit97 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QuoteTheRaven83 Posted February 10, 2019 Share Posted February 10, 2019 3 minutes ago, C.Biscuit97 said: That’s a lot of moves. Good olines are ones they have continuity. You basically are building a complete new oline with that. There would be some struggles big time early in the year. Good o-lines are ones that have continuity because they have a set chemistry. They're not good and need to mix em around until we're set, then we can have continuity. Continuity on something that isnt working doesn't make sense to me. 7 minutes ago, RPbillsfan said: Which LT would you select in this draft. We'll see after the combine. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunnerBill Posted February 10, 2019 Share Posted February 10, 2019 I think he would be better at LG.... but he is serviceable at LT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ethan in Cleveland Posted February 11, 2019 Share Posted February 11, 2019 12 hours ago, QuoteTheRaven83 said: Teller is fine at LG. I think Dawkins should move to RT, sign a C and RG, draft a LT. You didn't watch the games. Teller was worse than Ducasse and Miller. He was terrible in pass protection. He has tons of upside and I'm not saying he can't get better. But he just wasn't that good last year. As for Dawkins I don't think anyone on this board knows. He has played adequately at LT - great at times but like the entire line he had a down 2018. Like others I don't think a move to LG is out of the question. I suspect it comes down to FA and the draft. If they draft a guy that can play LT and they only sign a true C in FA, then sure Dawkins might slide over to LG. But assuming they let Mills walk any OT draft pick probably gets penciled in at RT. Beane had better take the BPA OL in the draft in at least three rounds whether it is C/G/OT/TE. They need multiple bodies and let it sort itself out in camp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJS Posted February 11, 2019 Share Posted February 11, 2019 Any claim that he would be better at guard is complete speculation. What do we know? He can hold his own at LT, the most important position on the line. I think the Bills would be foolish to move him unless they have a sure fire, proven (in the NFL) upgrade at LT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spielman Posted February 11, 2019 Share Posted February 11, 2019 Dawkins should be at guard. He was a guard in college. He’s an average nfl LT at best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FeelingOnYouboty Posted February 11, 2019 Share Posted February 11, 2019 Really hope we move him to LG. He has a chance to be elite there. At LT he's just above average at best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebandit27 Posted February 11, 2019 Share Posted February 11, 2019 22 hours ago, C.Biscuit97 said: I mean G is an easier position to play because you aren’t on an island like you are a T. It’s why Ts get paid more. So I’m guessing he would be better at LG. But he is fine at OT, though he may never come close to being an all pro. In a perfect world, you get a better LT and you can move Dawkins to RT or G. But it’s not the biggest concern right now. It's not necessarily easier at guard; for some guys, it's actually much more difficult. Things happen a LOT faster inside, and you're facing bigger guys that are built lower to the ground, so the prototypical tall, angular tackle could struggle mightily to adapt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BADOLBILZ Posted February 11, 2019 Share Posted February 11, 2019 4 minutes ago, thebandit27 said: It's not necessarily easier at guard; for some guys, it's actually much more difficult. Things happen a LOT faster inside, and you're facing bigger guys that are built lower to the ground, so the prototypical tall, angular tackle could struggle mightily to adapt. He showed uncommon potential as a drive blocker as a rookie and he moved great for a guard. I just think leaving him at LT is a recipe for losing him in FA..........and if you are going to move him you gotta' move him now when he is openly admitting that he didn't put his best effort into the chance he was given in 2018. It might be justifiable to pay him $12M-$13M at LG when that time comes if he's as good as I think he can be........but if the open market for a solid LT is $17M then you end up with a Levitre situation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoloinOhio Posted February 11, 2019 Share Posted February 11, 2019 I think Dawkins can be a very good LT if he has a quality LG next to him. Instead of moving his position, please just upgrade the LG. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunnerBill Posted February 11, 2019 Share Posted February 11, 2019 57 minutes ago, Spielman said: Dawkins should be at guard. He was a guard in college. He’s an average nfl LT at best. No he wasn't. He was the LT at Temple. I do think he is an average to just above average LT and that is probably his ceiling there whereas he has all pro potential at guard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoloinOhio Posted February 11, 2019 Share Posted February 11, 2019 59 minutes ago, Spielman said: Dawkins should be at guard. He was a guard in college. He’s an average nfl LT at best. Gunner beat me to it but you must be thinking of someone else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C.Biscuit97 Posted February 11, 2019 Share Posted February 11, 2019 46 minutes ago, thebandit27 said: It's not necessarily easier at guard; for some guys, it's actually much more difficult. Things happen a LOT faster inside, and you're facing bigger guys that are built lower to the ground, so the prototypical tall, angular tackle could struggle mightily to adapt. Definitely agree with regards to taller guys. But you can get by easy as a lesser G than T because you are surrounded on both sides. Besides chilling with TEs and RBs, you are more alone on an island at OT. Personally, I think Dawkins is fine at OT, though RT might be his best position. I think some people think because of his attitude, he could be a mauler type G. But I freely admit I don’t really pay attention to oline play. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunnerBill Posted February 11, 2019 Share Posted February 11, 2019 3 minutes ago, C.Biscuit97 said: Definitely agree with regards to taller guys. But you can get by easy as a lesser G than T because you are surrounded on both sides. Besides chilling with TEs and RBs, you are more alone on an island at OT. Personally, I think Dawkins is fine at OT, though RT might be his best position. I think some people think because of his attitude, he could be a mauler type G. But I freely admit I don’t really pay attention to oline play. It was as a rookie and it was pre-season and maybe I put too much store by it. But he just looked unnatural moving at right tackle. I have always felt his flexibility was Tackle / Guard rather than Left / Right. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BringBackOrton Posted February 11, 2019 Share Posted February 11, 2019 12 minutes ago, GunnerBill said: It was as a rookie and it was pre-season and maybe I put too much store by it. But he just looked unnatural moving at right tackle. I have always felt his flexibility was Tackle / Guard rather than Left / Right. The amount of guys who successfully switch L/R is much less than we think. It’s learning a new position, truly, and every instinct can be wrong. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewEra Posted February 11, 2019 Share Posted February 11, 2019 23 hours ago, Rc2catch said: He’s a fine tackle, he just needs a little help on the rest of the line. He handled himself quite well when incognito was next to him, if they can put some talent on the line Dawkins is the least of my concerns He wasn’t “fine” last year. He was awful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunnerBill Posted February 11, 2019 Share Posted February 11, 2019 3 minutes ago, NewEra said: He wasn’t “fine” last year. He was awful. I don't think he was either fine or awful. The truth is somewhere between the two. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Joshin' Posted February 11, 2019 Share Posted February 11, 2019 8 hours ago, MJS said: Any claim that he would be better at guard is complete speculation. What do we know? He can hold his own at LT, the most important position on the line. I think the Bills would be foolish to move him unless they have a sure fire, proven (in the NFL) upgrade at LT. This makes complete sense. I do not understand the voices to move him without a better replacement. It is also easier to find a G than a LT so focus on G. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunnerBill Posted February 11, 2019 Share Posted February 11, 2019 2 minutes ago, Just Joshin' said: This makes complete sense. I do not understand the voices to move him without a better replacement. It is also easier to find a G than a LT so focus on G. I don't think they should. If they can get an upgrade at LT they should take him. If they can't keep Dawkins there and focus on upgrading at guard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C.Biscuit97 Posted February 11, 2019 Share Posted February 11, 2019 16 minutes ago, GunnerBill said: I don't think he was either fine or awful. The truth is somewhere between the two. Gunner, in this country, you only have two choices. Everything is either the worse or best, black or white, wrong or right. There is no such thing as gray areas. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C.Biscuit97 Posted February 11, 2019 Share Posted February 11, 2019 1 hour ago, GunnerBill said: No he wasn't. He was the LT at Temple. I do think he is an average to just above average LT and that is probably his ceiling there whereas he has all pro potential at guard. I guess the other thing to think about is if you’re Dawkins, why would you ever be ok moving from T to G, especially LT? An average LT makes more than a good G. This could be a mini Peters type situation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunnerBill Posted February 11, 2019 Share Posted February 11, 2019 5 minutes ago, C.Biscuit97 said: I guess the other thing to think about is if you’re Dawkins, why would you ever be ok moving from T to G, especially LT? An average LT makes more than a good G. This could be a mini Peters type situation. As Badol has said - he kind of opened himself up to it with his admission about his play this year. If the Bills want to do it I think they kind of have a window. But clearly they need to have an answer at LT before they do that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C.Biscuit97 Posted February 11, 2019 Share Posted February 11, 2019 Just now, GunnerBill said: As Badol has said - he kind of opened himself up to it with his admission about his play this year. If the Bills want to do it I think they kind of have a window. But clearly they need to have an answer at LT before they do that. I hate to say it, but if he got moved to G, and I was his agent, I’d wait until after the draft and free agency and have him hold out. It sucks but it’s still a business. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunnerBill Posted February 11, 2019 Share Posted February 11, 2019 1 minute ago, C.Biscuit97 said: I hate to say it, but if he got moved to G, and I was his agent, I’d wait until after the draft and free agency and have him hold out. It sucks but it’s still a business. The Bills can't renegotiate his contract yet. You have to have played 3 years. So holding out just means a year he isn't accruing. There is zero benefit to it. It is why if the Bills are doing it they have to do it this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C.Biscuit97 Posted February 11, 2019 Share Posted February 11, 2019 4 minutes ago, GunnerBill said: The Bills can't renegotiate his contract yet. You have to have played 3 years. So holding out just means a year he isn't accruing. There is zero benefit to it. It is why if the Bills are doing it they have to do it this year. Good post. But that move inside could cost him a lot of money in the future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunnerBill Posted February 11, 2019 Share Posted February 11, 2019 3 minutes ago, C.Biscuit97 said: Good post. But that move inside could cost him a lot of money in the future. Could. But if he is a potentially elite guard (as many think) then it won't cost him money compared to being an average tackle. Middle of the league LT money is in that $9m-$12m range. Top end LG money is in that $10-13m range. He knows he wasn't better than a middle of the league LT in 2018 - he has said it himself. Again it only becomes a question if the Bills think they can upgrade at LT and I don't immediately see who that guy is myself. Williams, Little, Dillard? Hmm. Not convinced. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CuddyDark Posted February 11, 2019 Share Posted February 11, 2019 (edited) He's a LG. He plays a lot like Rodger Saffold. I'd bet he could be one of the best LG's in the league. Edited February 11, 2019 by CuddyDark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSHMEAB Posted February 11, 2019 Share Posted February 11, 2019 It's a tricky dynamic here. While I think he could be a stud LG, I think he's fine as an LT and he's playing on a rookie contract at a premium position. I'd be inclined to keep him at LT and allocate resources at guard. I happen to think Teller is a player, so I believe we only need one G. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John from Riverside Posted February 11, 2019 Share Posted February 11, 2019 On 2/10/2019 at 9:48 AM, QuoteTheRaven83 said: Teller is fine at LG. I think Dawkins should move to RT, sign a C and RG, draft a LT. Dawkins didnt look so hot at RT when they tried him there No need to pound a square block into a round hole Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rc2catch Posted February 11, 2019 Share Posted February 11, 2019 1 hour ago, NewEra said: He wasn’t “fine” last year. He was awful. I never said he was fine last year. Just that he’s a fine tackle. They all sucked last year. He’s a young guy and acknowledged he was bad last year and needs to be better. He’s the least of the worries on the line Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewEra Posted February 11, 2019 Share Posted February 11, 2019 3 minutes ago, Rc2catch said: I never said he was fine last year. Just that he’s a fine tackle. They all sucked last year. He’s a young guy and acknowledged he was bad last year and needs to be better. He’s the least of the worries on the line He’s the least of the worries but he plays the most important position, Josh Allen’s blindside. Im not saying he’s doomed. He has a chance to be a solid starting LT. He has the attributes. I’m just saying that he wasn’t good at all last year. Maybe I went overboard with saying he was awful. I think he’s been a pass due to everyone else being so bad. He’s known as our most talented OLmen, yet he performed nearly as bad as the much less talented players and had the 4th most penalties in the league among OL. He’s no sure thing and he protects our franchise blindside. I’d prefer that we had a stud LT and moved Dawkins elsewhere as it stands right now, but the free agent market and draft is stronger at RT and interior than LT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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