03-07-2018, 03:13 PM
(03-07-2018, 10:57 AM)phil413 Wrote: This here is the right approach. Though there aren't many stellar tackles, there are a few fringe types to pick from. It would be nice to use the angle of one of Pollack's guys, though Bell only started two of the 12 games he was active for. He has experience in the system and on both sides, so he seems ideal for Cincy's likely price point. That's important for being able to take the best OL, if it's McGlinchey over a lesser prospect just because they're a LT. It also seems like the LT prospects in general are raw, so we will need to have a good stopgap at LT.
The two other things to aim for is Boling playing his natural position, and having enough talent for the two that played well late to have to compete for ONE job. I'd like to be a fly on the wall to know if they'd consider Westerman a serious option at Center. We talk about it, but if that was the case it would allow them to take best OL overall in the 2nd (say Hernandez somehow falls) rather than a true center for need.
Because of this, the other Pollack guy to look at is Joe Looney. Johnathan Cooper and Bell will likely get contacts that will offset a potential comp pick. As a versatile sub interior OL, Looney should be on the same pay grade as a guy like Minter or Sims going elsewhere. He'd be a nice stopgap as a sub to free up some of the younger guys to play at their best positions. Not a major upgrade from T.J., but it's those sort of little moves that could help free up the bigger ones. We can't get away from the comp pick issue though. You know Mikey has a bitter taste in his mouth from not getting the McCarron deal done. He will want to land that 3rd that he will likely fetch, so I expect cut FA's and trades to be on the forefront of the agenda. After that, Bell may be an ideal guy.
Great post Phil, some great thoughts here. I like your thought on Westerman at Center. He was projected to play Center,
not just Guard and he is a very good pass blocker unlike Bodine. Boling at LT should also be in the cards even if it is not
his natural position, he sure looked really good against the Ravens and we all know they have very good pass rushers.
Looney isn't completely looney either lol
With Pollack we might not be as bad off as we all think. Getting Bell and Looney would help big time and they would not
cost tons so it is not unlikely.
