Fantasy Football - By:
D. Bachman
July 28th, 2006 - Page updated
at 10:00am
WagerOnFootball.com Sportsbook Review
2006 NFL preview - 2006 Offensive line RANKINGS
WagerOnFootball.com Fantasy
Football Draft Guide
Today, we’ll try to shed light on the no-names
by ranking the top 32 offensive lines around the NFL.
Just because your league doesn't reward pancake blocks
doesn't mean the big uglies don't count. A good O-line
like the Seahawks' turns a good runner into an All-Pro
and keeps the quarterback upright and passing straight.
A bad one means a whole lot of three-and-outs.
It’s not easy to judge
NFL offensive linemen. They have no stats of their
own — no tackles, yards or touchdowns. They
work behind the scenes, but in front of everybody.
In the 2006 Wageronfootball.com Fantasy Football Guide
we try to give everybody some love. So here you go
NFL offensive lineman. Here are your rankings and
a little update on every team in the NFL. NFL Offensive
Line Rankings for 2006-2007.
The 2006/07 NFL Offensive
Line Review: Here's your guide to the big boys. The
rankings are in Alphabetical Order In Each Section.
Cincinnati Bengals
2005 - 21 Sacks Allowed (#2 In the nfl)
The Bengals offense is peaking,
and this physical, underrated group deserves much
of the credit. It's a great blend of youth and veteran
talent. All five starters return along a line that
was among the league’s best in 2005. The Bengals
grabbed T Andrew Whitworth (LSU) with their second-round
pick. Whitworth won’t unseat Pro Bowl RT Willie
Anderson this year, but he’s the team’s
future should the club opt to not re-sign Anderson
after the season. The rest of the line includes up-and-coming
tackle Levi Jones and guard Eric Steinbach, along
with stalwarts G Bobbie Williams and 36-year-old C
Rich Braham. If Carson Palmer is healthy, this should
be the best offense in football.
denver broncos
2005 - 23 Sacks Allowed (#3 In the nfl)
Per the norm, the Broncos have
few question marks along their line heading into the
season. Denver returns all five starting linemen,
including RT George Foster, RG Cooper Carlisle, C
Tom Nalen, LG Ben Hamilton and LT Matt Lepsis –
all of whom started in every game in 2005 and comprised
one of the most successful units in the league. The
Broncos did add rookie G Chris Kuper (North Dakota)
and C Greg Eslinger (Minnesota) with their fifth-
and sixth-round picks, respectively. As usual, one
of the elite units in the NFL. I love the Denver Media
ban…the message is clear; the players are not
bigger than the line.
new england patriots
2005 - 28 Sacks Allowed (#6 In the nfl)
The Patriots’ re-signed
their best run blocker, G Stephen Neal, to lock up
most of the offensive line long-term. Neal and Logan
Mankins should be one of the best guard tandems in
the NFL. Starting LT Matt Light (broken right leg)
and C Dan Koppen (shoulder) are healthy again, and
Nick Kaczur is favored to supplant Brandon Gorin at
right guard. Kaczur’s performance as a rookie
in 2005 eased the loss of former starter Tom Ashworth
to Seattle. New England enhanced its depth by landing
a tremendous value pick with G Ryan O’Callaghan
(California) in the fifth round. You know Tom Brady
will be steady, but an uncertain running game will
be too much to overcome if the 2006 version of the
line suffers a rash of injuries similar to a year
ago.
new york giants
2005 - 28 Sacks Allowed (#6 In the nfl)
Chemistry should be at 100%.
Holes should be wide open for Tiki to run wild again.
The Giants’ impressive line returns intact with
a good chance to be even better in 2006. The starting
five of RT Kareem McKenzie, RG Chris Snee, C Shaun
O’Hara, LG David Diehl and LT Luke Petitgout
combined to start 77 of 80 games a year ago and comprised
an upper-level unit in both the running and passing
game. Promising G Rich Seubert returns from a potential
career-ending leg injury in 2003 and could press either
Snee or Diehl for a starting job at either guard position.
pittsburgh steelers
2005 - 28 Sacks Allowed (#6 In the nfl)
The Pittsburgh offensive
linemen are the envy of the league. Can you say “Run
Block?” Just what the doctored ordered for Big
Ben. A young and extremely talented unit. The Steelers’
quiet off season may make for a boring story, but
it’s the best-case scenario for the defending
champs. The greatest unknown heading into the off-season
was whether or not the team would be able to keep
both All-Pro C Jeff Hartings and backup C Chukky Okobi.
Thanks in part to Hartings’ willingness to have
his contract restructured, both players return to
the Steel City in 2006. The rest of the OL consists
of RT Max Starks, RG Kendall Simmons, LG Alan Faneca
and LT Marvel Smith. Fourth-round draft pick T Willie
Colon will boost the depth of a unit that should continue
to have few peers.
Seattle Seahawks
2005 - 27 Sacks Allowed
(T 4th)
The Seahawks still boast solid
continuity, versatility, depth at each position, and
they understand Mike Holmgren’s scheme. It’s
hard to believe that the Seahawks lost one of the
best guards in the league, yet they’re poised
to not miss a beat in 2006. Seattle lost Steve Hutchinson,
he’s only the best guard in the NFL. The offense
will miss a few beats, but coaches are confident that
Floyd “Pork Chop” Womack can step into
Hutchinson’s role at guard and not miss a beat,
barring injuries. If Womack falters, fourth-round
pick Rob Sims (Ohio State) may be ready to challenge
him for the starting spot. The Seahawks’ best
move may have been to sign former Patriots guard Tom
Ashworth. G Walter Jones has missed only three of
the team’s games over the past eight years.
Two 36 year olds anchor the middle of this line. C
Robbie Tobeck should start with Chris Spencer waiting
in the wings, and RG Chris Grey is back on the right
side with 2005 breakout RT Sean Locklear.
carolina panthers
2005 - 28 Sacks Allowed
(T - 6th)
Carolina’s offensive didn’t
live up to expectations in 2005, but it’s ripe
with promise in 2006. Former Titans C Justin Hartwig
is an upgrade over four-year starter Jeff Mitchell
in a move that should help to shore up the line’s
uninspiring run blocking. Pro Bowl LG Mike Wahle hasn’t
missed a game in seven years and keeps getting better.
Tackle Jordan Gross – the team’s No. 1
pick three seasons ago – played well after moving
back to the right side from the left side. 16-game
starter Travelle Wharton returns at left tackle, and
Evan Mathis is expected to win the right guard spot
that opened when Tutan Reyes’ departed for Buffalo.
Carolina’s line has been “good enough”
the last couple years, but isn’t a difference
maker.
chicago bears
2005 - 31 Sacks Allowed
(T - 7th)
With older starters across the
board, there is some risk of falling apart. Injuries
hampered what was an otherwise respectable performance
by the offensive line in 2005. All five starters return
healthy in 2006, including RT Fred Miller, RG Terrence
Metcalf, C Olin Kreutz, LG Ruben Brown and LT John
Tait. G/C Roberto Garza, who earned the most injury-related
playing time at the guard positions in 2005, will
push Metcalf for the starting right guard spot. Tait
and Miller are locked into the starting tackle positions,
but depth will be an issue if either goes down for
an extended period of time. Without a passing game
this team has to run block effectively yet again,
or they aren’t going anywhere.
kansas city chiefs
2005 - 32 Sacks Allowed
(T - 8th)
The Chiefs much-heralded OL
is finally getting long in the tooth. Aging LT Willie
Roaf retired today, so the team signed well-traveled
G Ian Allen to play either guard or tackle, looks
like he’s the man now at LT. Allen’s signing
may allow fourth-year T Jordan Black to switch to
guard, a move that will minimize his greatest weakness
(speed) while maximizing his skills as a pass protector.
RG Will Shields enters his 14th season having started
in every game 12 seasons in a row, and John Welbourn,
who has averaged only 11 games played the past four
seasons, returns at right tackle. Other returning
starters include Casey Wiegmann at center and Brian
Waters at left guard, both of whom started all 16
games in 2005.
Indianapolis Colts
2005 - 20 Sacks Allowed
(1st)
Peyton Manning was right. He
should have kept his mouth closed, but the team’s
line failed him in the playoffs just like in their
regular season loss to the Steelers. This is not the
most talented line, but the Colts are tough and smart.
Watch those matchups, though. The 3-4 defense is Indy's
Achilles' heel. Thanks in part to the restructuring
of the contracts of LT Tarik Glenn and Pro Bowl C
Jeff Saturday, Indianapolis will return five offensive
linemen who combined to start 78 of 80 games in 2005.
Glenn’s re-signing came as a minor surprise
as many people expected the Colts to shore up their
run blocking via free agency, and Glenn was a primary
culprit in the team’s struggles a year ago.
They will be joined by RT Ryan Diem, RG Jake Scott
and LG Ryan Lilja as starters for a new-look offense
preparing to experience life without Edgerrin James.
Addai owners you may be living an inconsistent season
with this bunch.
Miami Dolphins
2005 - 26 Sacks Allowed
(4th)
Heralded offensive line coach
Hudson Houck squeezed a lot out of an offensive line
that had more questions that answers heading into
the 2005 season. The Dolphins’ biggest addition
on the line was the signing of free agent tackle L.J.
Shelton (Cleveland), who revived his career with the
Browns last year following a disappointing tenure
with the Cardinals. Shelton and Damion McIntosh should
compete for the left tackle position. Miami also resigned
C Seth McKinney, which will prevent starting G Rex
Hadnot from switching to center. Gs Vernon Carey and
Jeno James should round out the starting five. A marginally
better performance can be expected from an OL that
was barely among the top half of the league in 2005.
This improving unit will help Ronnie Brown run wild.
Minnesota Vikings
2005 - 26 Sacks Allowed
(4th)
The Vikings' run-blocking and
pass protection will be worlds better with the addition
of prize free agent OG Steve Hutchinson and the return
of C Matt Birk, who missed all of last season. Hutchinson’s
presence on the left side will be a boon to the development
of LT Bryant McKinnie. On the right side, second-year
tackle Marcus Johnson appears ready to build on a
promising rookie campaign now that he will be locked
into RT. Former Eagle Artis Hicks has an edge over
incumbent Adam Goldberg for the starting spot at right
guard. This veteran group could key surprising seasons
by Chester Taylor and Brad Johnson.
San Diego Chargers
2005 - 31 Sacks Allowed
(t - 7th)
The Chargers don't have one standout lineman on
their roster, but the unit does block for the league's
best running back in LT. Philip Rivers is in as the
new starting QB, and he’ll play behind an experienced
OL that for all intents and purposes returns intact.
LaDainian Tomlinson's durability has suffered for
the ineptitude up front, yet all the starters return?
I don’t get it. Philip Rivers is going to take
some lumps. In their biggest OL-related offseason
move, the Chargers re-signed their prize young guard,
Kris Dielman. Left tackle and 11-year veteran Roman
Oben (foot) should be back to full-strength by the
season opener, and until then second-round pick Marcus
McNeil and Leander Jordan will compete for the starting
job at what could be the line’s weakest area.
Right tackle may be up for grabs, too, as Corey Lekkerkerker
spent more time with the first team in the spring
than did incumbent starter Shane Olivea.
Washington Redskins
2005 - 31 Sacks Allowed
(t - 7th)
Usually they are the fab 5 of the NFC East as long
as they stay healthy. Like the rest of the team, the
Redskins’ OL was the picture of mediocrity for
much of the 2005 season before gelling down the stretch.
Four of five offensive linemen started in all 16 games
last season, and four starters return following the
retirement of 20-year veteran RG Ray Brown. Back in
the fold are RT Jon Jansen, C Casey Rabach, LG Derrick
Dockery and LT Chris Samuels, and it remains unclear
who will replace Brown at right guard. Rabach was
a disappointment in 2005, but he did play with a torn
labrum. Washington’s line will improve again
in 06 and the addition of coordinator Al Saunders
should help.
Arizona Cardinals
2005 - 45 Sacks Allowed
(t - 13th)
Dennis Green hired Minnesota’s old line coach
Steve Loney to rebuild this sorry group, Loney will
attempt to do what hasn’t been done in recent
memory: build a respectable OL in Arizona. Edge has
to like the sounds of that, but Can he inspir a culture
change on his own? In 2005, the Cardinals held the
dubious distinctions of gaining fewer yards per carry
(3.01) than all of their peers and by surrendering
more sacks (45) than all but eight teams in the NFL.
Second-round draft picks G Taitusi Lutui (USC) and
recently-signed Milford Brown (ex-Texans) should start
at right and left guard, respectively. Brown was considered
something of a bust with the Texans, but Cardinals
coaches seem to believe they can fix his bad habits.
Versatile Reggie Wells will move to center, and the
rest of the line looks solid on paper with Leonard
Davis and Oliver Ross handling tackle duties. Ross
is healthy after missing much of last season.
Atlanta Falcons
2005 - 39 Sacks Allowed
(9th)
Great coaching and offensive blocking schemes give
this young o-line a leg up on competition. The Falcons
filled a major need with their draft day trade for
35-year-old T Wayne Gandy (ex-New Orleans). C Todd
McClure, who remains a steady presence in the middle,
will be backed ably by Austin King. Starting RT Todd
Weiner is healthy following a difficult 2005 season
in which he dealt with numerous injuries. The jury
is still out on backups T Frank Omiyale, G Ben Claxton
and G Chris McGee, and they’ll need to step
up their play to prevent depth from being a big issue
in 2006.
Baltimore Ravens
2005 - 42 Sacks Allowed
(t - 11th)
Veteran T Orlando Brown was released, and a youth
movement is underway led by second-round pick C/G
Chris Chester (Oklahoma), who will provide an immediate
boost at either guard or center. The entire Ravens
team should rebound from their horrific 2005 campaign.
Promising T Tony Pashos is the projected starter on
the right side, but he’ll be pushed by equally-promising
Adam Terry. RG Keydrick Vincent returns healthy, and
C Mike Flynn and LT Jonathan Ogden – both 16-game
starters in 2005 – round out the starting five.
Don’t expect drastic improvement, but this line
has exciting potential, and I expect this O-line to
bounce back nicely.
Cleveland Browns
2005 - 46 Sacks Allowed
(t - 14th)
There will be growing pains, and with the training
camp injury to C LeCharles Bentley (Savage said Bentley
tore his patellar tendon and will undergo surgery
as early as today.) there are serious questions surrounding
this O-Line now. Journeyman center Bob Hallen, will
move into Bentley's starting spot. OT Kevin Shaffer
will at least make this unit respectable. The Browns
took steps in the right direction by signing former
Falcon LT Kevin Shaffer. RT Ryan Tucker, RG Cosey
Coleman and LG Joe Andruzzi all return to round out
the starting five. The Browns could have helped themselves
by finding a quality right tackle in the draft, but
all-in-all this unit looks better on paper, even without
Bentley who is lost for the season.
Houston Texans
2005 - 68 Sacks Allowed
(19th)
New coach Gary Kubiak should bring some of Denver’s
O-line success with him eventually. To mend the league's
worst line, the Texans added aging C Mike Flanagan.
Not gonna cut it. A total line face-lift is needed
for David Carr and Andre Johnson to realize their
potential. Signing Mike Flanagan will facilitate the
move of former center Steve McKinney to guard. It’s
a minor miracle that QB David Carr can take the field
without the help of a walker given the beating he’s
taken in his first four years in the league. The Texans
upgraded immensely by selecting T/G Charles Spencer
(Pittsburgh) and T Eric Winston (Miami) in the third
round. Both Spencer and Winston could start immediately
at left guard and right tackle, respectively. Meanwhile,
fourth-year T Seth Wand, who was in the doghouse with
the former coaching staff, has been given new life
and is being projected as a starter on the left side.
Oakland Raiders
2005 - 45 Sacks Allowed
(t - 13th)
On paper, this unit looks great. This may be the
year that the Raiders’ OL finally looks as good
on the field as it does on paper. A domino effect
is in place as the coaching staff has moved stud T
Robert Gallery to the left side, which will allow
T/G Barry Sims to line up at left guard. Meanwhile,
former LG Brad Badger should inherit the right guard
spot vacated upon the team’s release of Ron
Stone, and a healthy Langston Walker will replace
Gallery at right tackle. The only position that keeps
its starter is center, where Jake Grove will remain
the man in the middle. This unit will improve…
Art Shell did a solid job coaching the running game
in his first tour of duty in Oakland.
San Francisco 49ers
2005 - 48 Sacks Allowed
(15th)
The 49ers own a grotesque blend of players on the
downside (Larry Allen, Jeremy Newberry), never-had-a-good-side
(Kwame Harris), with unproven talents like Justin
Smiley and David Baas. The 49ers could be an improved
line if Pro Bowl Guard Larry Allen and LT Jonas Jennings
and two-time Pro Bowl C Jeremy Newberry play up to
snuff. It would be hard for the team to not improve
on a disastrous 2005 season in which they ranked at
or near the bottom of the league in most offensive
categories. Allen will help to keep second-year QB
Alex Smith on his feet, and Jennings – the team’s
big free agent acquisition in 2005 – joins Allen
on the left side after missing 13 of 16 games last
year with a shoulder injury. Meanwhile, Newberry had
knee surgery in the winter and is expected to be 100
percent when the regular season arrives. In fairness
to coach Mike Nolan, this unit was besieged by injuries
in 2005, so here’s hoping for a quick turnaround.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2005 - 41 Sacks Allowed
(t - 10th)
The Bucs applied gauze to mortal wounds and will
forge on with five borderline starters. Chris Simms'
inexperience and Cadillac Williams' iffy durability
beg for more help. GM Bruce Allen smartly continued
to build, using his top two draft picks and free agent
dollars to build depth and competition. The Buccaneers’
selections of G Davin Joseph (Oklahoma) in the first
round and OT Jeremy Trueblood (Boston College) in
the second round, were great. Joseph was widely considered
to be the best guard in the draft and is projected
to start at right guard. Meanwhile, Sean Mahan may
move to center, where he’ll compete with incumbent
John Wade. The team also signed G Toniu Fonoti, a
former second-round pick who weighed about 400 pounds
last season while on the IR and who should compete
for a starting role. T Anthony Davis, a bright spot
on the line at left tackle last season, reported to
camp 25 pounds lighter and may move to guard. LT Kenyatta
Walker’s starting days may be done with.
Detroit Lions
2005 - 31 Sacks Allowed
(t - 7th)
The Lions filled gaping holes with nothing more
than warm bodies. Ugh. Detroit's young skill talent
won't flourish until the blocking is brought up to
snuff. The Lions didn’t have injuries as an
excuse in 2005 – they were simply ineffective.
As a result, they were one of the most active teams
in the free agent market. The team signed G Rex Tucker,
G Barry Stokes, T Courtney VanBuren and T Ross Verba.
Verba is slated to become the new left guard though
he could challenge Kelly Butler for the right tackle
spot. Meanwhile, Tucker, a former Bear who returned
from two years of injuries to play eight games for
the Rams in 2005, has an outside chance to supplant
DeMulling at LG. Stokes and VanBuren provide much-needed
depth. RG Damien Woody, C Dominic Raiola and LT Jeff
Backus, are all consistent performers.
new york jets
2005 - 53 Sacks Allowed
(17th)
The two starters New York let walk (C Kevin Mawae
and OT Jason Fabini) were aging and coming off injuries.
Fine. But it still cost this unit experience and stability.
Prior to the draft, the Jets’ offensive line
looked suspect, at best. However, the Jets looked
over more glamorous picks and selected T D’Brickashaw
Ferguson (Virginia) with the No. 4 overall selection
and C Nick Mangold (Ohio State) with the 29th overall
pick. The rest of the line isn’t exciting. Ferguson
should play immediately on the left side, while T
Adrian Jones will move to the right side. Meanwhile,
Mangold will compete with free agent signee Trey Teague
for the starting center spot. C/G Pete Kendall will
move to his more natural position of guard and Brandon
Moore is currently slated to start at right guard.
On paper, it’s a huge and much-needed upgrade.
Philadelphia Eagles
2005 - 42 Sacks Allowed
(17th)
The Eagles will return only two offensive linemen
who started in more than eight games in 2005. OT Jon
Runyan, among others, is back. And if the starters
take up residency in the infirmary again, the team
can turn to its stable of young reserves, who gained
valuable experience in 2005. As has become their custom,
the team used the draft to make significant upgrades
along their OL. The selection of T Winston Justice
(USC) in the second round was considered something
of a steal, and the team also chose G Max Jean-Gilles
(Georgia) in the fourth round to bolster the interior.
Though Justice could start immediately for many teams,
he’ll provided much-needed depth for starting
tackles Jon Runyan and Tra Thomas. The jury is still
out on this unit for another year, sorry Westbrook
and Buckhalter owners!
Dallas Cowboys
2005 - 50 Sacks Allowed
(16th)
Parcells will demand excellence. It’s Now or
never for this former dominant unit. Free agent Jason
Fabini and a healthy Flozell Adams will improve the
pass protection on the edges. That's great news for
QB Drew Bledsoe, who needs a clean pocket to thrive,
and TE Jason Witten, who will have more time to get
open. The Cowboys fielded one of the worst lines in
the NFL last season, and the team took a number of
steps to upgrade the unit that protects immobile QB
Drew Bledsoe. Signing former Jet T Jason Fabini and
former Lion T Kyle Kosier to compete with Rob Petitti
for the starting right tackle spot. Fortunately, both
Adams and aging RG Marco Rivera (neck) return to full
health in 2006. There are some decent pieces here,
but nothing that would suggest excellence.
Buffalo Bills
2005 - 43 Sacks Allowed
(12th)
Cutting deadweight like Mike Williams and Bennie
Anderson was a step in the right direction, but very
few personnel additions were made to this dreadful
group. Suffice it to say the Bills’ biggest
acquisition on the line may not be their best. Buffalo
signed 6’7”, 370-pound Aaron Gibson, who
is hoping to revive his career minus about 30 pounds
(he used to play at more than 400). The 1999 first-round
draft pick has played in only four games the past
two seasons, including zero in 2005. Gibson will back
up the Bills’ best offensive lineman in RT Jason
Peters. Left tackle appears to be set with Mike Gandy,
and Buffalo’s other free agent acquisition was
former Panther G Tutan Reyes. Reyes will compete with
veteran Bennie Anderson and second-year player Duke
Preston for the starting left guard spot. The Bills
did little to bolster their line via the draft while
selecting three offensive linemen on the second day
that are projects. At a glance, it appears that Buffalo’s
RBs, QBs and WRs will have similarly trying seasons
in 2006.
Green Bay Packers
2005 - 27 Sacks Allowed
(t - 5th)
This offense couldn’t overcome the loss of
starting guards Mike Wahle and Marco Rivera prior
to the 2005 season, and now the team must deal with
the defection of free agent C Mike Flanagan to the
Texans. The arrival of a zone blocking scheme in Green
Bay is good news. Second-round pick T/G Daryn Colledge
will have every chance to win the job at left guard
over fellow draft pick Jason Spitz and returning players
Adrian Klemm and Will Whitticker. Second-year G Junius
Coston turned heads at minicamps and may line up opposite
Colledge at the other guard spot. Whitticker and Klemm,
who struggled as starters last season, may end up
with backup roles. G/C Scott Wells is the logical
choice to fill the void left by Flanagan at center,
but it remains to be seen if he can handle the job.
Tackle Chad Clifton is slated to start at left tackle,
but following knee and ankle surgery in the offseason
his return to full health is still in question.
Jacksonville Jaguars
2005 - 32 Sacks Allowed
(t - 5th)
The front office deserves a slap on the wrist for
their NOshow in offensive line free agency. Perhaps
the biggest addition to the OL is new assistant head
coach Mike Tice, who coached five different offensive
linemen to 10 Pro Bowl appearances during his tenure
with the Vikings. Tice’s biggest project may
be former No. 4 overall pick Mike Williams, who the
Jaguars signed in March, he’ll back up Maurice
Williams and Khalif Barnes at the tackle positions.
Promising G Vince Manuwai was re-signed to a one-year
deal, and C Dennis Norman, RG Chris Naeole and LG
Vince Manuwai should round out the first unit.
new orleans saints
2005 - 41 Sacks Allowed
(t - 10th)
New Orleans took a bit hit with the departure of
LeCharles Bentley in free agency to the Browns and
with the team’s draft day trade of LT Wayne
Gandy to the Falcons. The Saints tried to recover
by drafting OT Jahri Evans (Bloomsburg, PA) in the
fourth round and by making a draft day trade with
Cleveland for C Jeff Faine. 2005 first-round pick
Jammal Brown will spell Gandy on the left side, where
coaches believe he’ll be at his best. Jon Stinchcomb
is listed as the Saints’ No. 1 right tackle
despite playing in only 10 games in his first three
season. Reggie Bush better get used to avoiding tacklers
in the backfield. This line is below average.
st. louis rams
2005 - 46 Sacks Allowed
(t - 14th)
Maybe Mike Martz leaving will help?? It’s
hard to field an offensive line with bookends the
quality of Orlando Pace and Alex Barron and produce
sub-par results, but the Rams did just that in 2005.
Pace and Barron return in 2006, but the problem is,
so does the rest of the 2005 version of the line that
struggled to produce a running game and allowed 46
takedowns of various Rams QBs. The Rams need to develop
some new talent and Barron needs to cut down on mental
errors to be elite. LG Claude Terrell, who was a pleasant
surprise in 2005, gained a lot of weight following
offseason wrist surgery and may be pushed for the
starting spot by 13-year veteran T Todd Steussie.
Steussie, who represents the team’s most exciting
acquisition, was originally signed to back up any
of the four tackle or guard positions. G Adam Timmerman
(knee) and C Andy McCollum (shoulder, knee) are both
expected back at full health.
Tennessee Titans
2005 - 31 Sacks Allowed
(t - 7th)
Traditionally a strong line, the Titans have struggled
with cap casualties, age, and defections over the
last few seasons. The Titans signed Pro Bowl C Kevin
Mawae, which should ease the team’s loss of
departed C Justin Hartwig to the Panthers. What the
rest of the line lacks in star power, it may make
up for in consistency. RT Michael Roos, RG Benji Olson
and LG Zach Piller each started 16 games last season,
and with LT Brad Hopkins’ retirement looming
Roos will move to the left side. Meanwhile, third-year
G Jacob Bell has the advantage over second-year players
David Stewart and Daniel Loper to take over Roos’
vacated spot at right tackle. The Titans appear to
be heading in the right direction, but don’t
expect great strides in bettering the unit’s
lackluster performance from a year ago. Enjoy the
season everyone, and email me your thoughts at [email protected].
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