| 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]. 
                           More Articles   Click Here For Our 2006 Fantasy Football Draft Guide  
                            Wager On Football's 
                              Fantasy Football expert Dave B. stops by every week 
                              to give you the lowdown on Fantasy Football. Fantasy 
                              insight is invaluable when it comes to gaining knowledge 
                              about the one thing that consumes so many of us 
                              die hard football fans for six months every year. 
                              So Listen Up!! Then apply what you learn to your 
                              starting lineups, and an NFL Wager. You'll be surprised 
                              how much skill your new Fantasy Football brain will 
                              contain. Heck you could even make a smarter bet 
                              in our NFL sportsbooks.
 WAGER 
                              AT OUR BEST FOOTBALL WAGERING SPORTSBOOK FOR ALL 
                              THE 2006 NFL SEASON GAMES - VIP.COM SPORTSBOOK 
                             
 |