11-20-2016, 03:25 AM
(11-17-2016, 03:13 PM)ochocincos Wrote: Being bad at RT doesn't mean you'll be bad at LT. LT and RT typically require different skill sets. LT is usually the more athletic, RT is more the power road grader.
Ogbuehi was praised for his outstanding athleticism coming out of Texas A&M but criticized for his lack of strength and anchor...both of which are needed to really succeed at RT.
He might be able to handle LT better, especially if the rushers are more speed oriented rather than powerful.
Either way, he really can't be trusted to start next year and needs to be a backup to get another year of grooming and add strength.
I agree with this. The OL is in flux as their star is getting even older, the young guys aren't there yet and their impending FA may be out the door. You need stability. There are a lot of solid Free agent Right Tackles (don't try to abbreviate it) out there, and I'll get to that. Rather than risk Andy's career or AJ mentally burning out they'll need to change their practices. They'll get some comp picks from Jones, Sanu and Co. so this is the year to realize you made a mistake, solidify RT and let the youngsters fight (for a roster spot at least) over the athletic positions like long term LT or LG even.
Whit needs retained, period. What they do with him starts the domino effect. He still grades with PFF as one of the best, you tell him he's welcome to stay as long as he can keep up even, and if a position move benefits him or the team so be it. Zeitler is under-achieving in his contract year, but may be one of the top guards on the market so he will get paid elsewhere. Bodine's best position is LG, but could move to RG if needed. Westerman should be up to speed and competing for a job in the interior. There is a lot of shuffling that could go on next year, but I'd shy from doing it and making Andy even more vulnerable no matter how bad things get this year.
So this is my prediction for next year's line, for better or worse:
LT: Fisher/Ogbuehi LG: Boling C: Westerman RG: Whitworth RT: Rick Wagner Backups: mid round G, Bodine (if not cut), journeyman vet like Winston
RT: Wagner is an ideal fit. He has strong hands, anchors well for a RT but won't let a guy run around him. He'd weaken a rival, is a mean Big Ten guy, just do it.
RG: They make the proactive move to extend Whit's career and form a totally stable right side.
C: Westerman could eventually be a weapon inside, ideally they draft a center by the 3rd or sign an average vet though.
LG: With so many parts moving for the better long term, Bodine secures LG but could even lose his job if enough youngsters produce.
LT: Fisher has looked good in sample sizes. It is very possible he's their 4th or 5th best OL, but won't play as he's a true LT instead of the super sub we hope'd he'd be. I'll take an average LT that excels in keeping speed rushers from the QB but won't gain ground (but won't get blown up) in the run game. I agree with Ocho even that Ogbuehi shouldn't be given anything. OT depth is hard to find, so if he can improve some he's at least a backup swing tackle. Point is though, if Fisher looks descent now, then it's not such a terrible thing to think that these two competing for a starting job is a bad plan.
