Here is an area we would all agree needs an upgrade. I am not too informed on the lineman out there and I am not terribly good at identifying what makes a player good and what makes a player bad when watching the tapes. I get too distracted watching the other positions and I can never know for sure who's assignment is who's. Obviously if it is 1 on 1 you know but sometimes there aer some complex schemes that it is difficult to assign blame. I know people are high on Jake Long and he seems like the mauler we need but I wonder if he is worth a top 10 pick to play, what I feel he will play, right tackle. I think it is clear what our line needs and that is big hogs who can drive the pile but I am not sure that can't be found in the 2nd or 3rd rounds. Either way, it needs to be addressed at some point. We need at least a starting caliber Guard and a Right Tackle who can come in and compete. Do you guys have any prospects you are looking at who might be good fits?
Obvious choices in senior class are Long, Sam Baker and Gosder Cherilus. Long and Cherilus are 315 and 318 lbs, respectively, while Baker is 6-5, 305. I want some one unlike Brick. Per NFLDRAFTCOUNTDOWN: I'm posting this as second pick possibilty, say we go defense first. 6. Tony Hills, OT, Texas There are others who get a lot more attention but don't be surprised if Hills is chosen before a guy like Barry Richardson on Draft Day. A former tight end who took over the starting left tackle job from Jonathan Scott in 2006, Hills is a fantastic athlete with great feet but he doesn't really play with a nasty demeanor and may be a little soft. He won't be a perfect fit for every team but he could excel in a scheme that emphasizes finesse over power. In some ways Hills is similar to Tony Ugoh so the late 1st or early 2nd round is a real possibility.
MJ mentioned the Top Seniors.........the player I think that is going to better than all of the above...Michael Oher, Ole Miss, he's only a Junior. Oher is an unbelievable talent, he may declare for 08's draft.
I think it was called Blindside. Here' a great article on Oher......it's Loooong. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/24/magazine/24football.html?pagewanted=all
Book was GREAT, as are most Lewis articles/books. Hey WW, thanks for posting link. NY Times just reopened their archive when for a while it was a pay-per-article scenario.
If we're looking OL, we need to grab a big, mauling RT. Clement isn't getting it done, like with so many others on this team, and with the left side the way it is, they need a run anchor. As far as the guard spot, they just need an upgrade, of any kind.
I agree, we really do need a big RT. Most of the tackles prospects in this draft are LT (as with most drafts) but the two guys I am looking at are Gosder Cherilus and Barry Richardson in the 2nd round. I hope Cherilus falls, or we can acquire a later 1st round pick somehow. Or Richardson shows improvement and moves up closer to the early 2nd round instead of where he is now (late 2nd round). As for G, I say sign a proven guard because a line of all really young guys + Moore would not be very good.
Oher would be a fantastic fit at RT...and combining him w/ Brick long term would be absolutely Lethal.
As for OG. I like the size of guys like Will Arnold, Jordan Grimes, and Roy Scheuning. All of which are 315+
By the way. Here is an article about Oher from a draft website I recently found. http://www.nfldraftdog.com/2008_nfl_draft/michael_oher.htm
The issue with Oher if you read the book is that he's not the sharpest tool in the shed. No question he can play but learning nfl offenses and making adjustments not sure if he will be able to do that.
Oher has had some issues with school and struggled with his studies, but that IMO, was based on the enivoriment he was dealt as a young child. It's clear, when people took an interest in Michael Oher the person, he has developed in all phases of his life. Oher isn't going to be on a Honor Roll, but he will be a Outstanding NFL player just on physically skills alone. Oher is so physically gifted, and has played very well on the college level, he will have no problem in the NFL. Once he locks up with a D-Lineman....it's over. With the proper coaching in the NFL, Oher should flourish.
Cherilus is a massive human being. He actually lived in the same room last year that i am in this year. Its a small miracle that he fit in this bed cause i have trouble and i'm only 5'10" 175
It would be awesome, but here's the problem. If Oher's stock rises, the Jets aren't going to spend a top ten pick on a RT/G. If Oher declares, some are projecting him as a LT and a Top 15 pick. If Oher is available in the 20 range, the Jets would be wise to trade down (I project the Jets, under current conditions, a 8-10 range pick) and pick up Oher and extra picks. All is moot if he doesn't declare, but I expect him to do so.
