Thoughts on Potential Draft Trade With Cleveland!!!

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

I don't think the offensive line can improve anymore. Granted, players on the O Line tend to peak later, but we have a LOT of age on our offensive front.

We may not have the picks to do it this draft, but next year we have to start taking lineman early. The alternative is to watch the OL regress every year from 2007 on out.

I agree completely. But we didn't allow many sacks last year (I don't know the exact numbers), and our rushing attack was formidable. If the O-line keeps on par with last season and our passing game improves, we'll be in great shape (again, assuming the D gets better).

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by GMScud

I agree completely. But we didn't allow many sacks last year (I don't know the exact numbers), and our rushing attack was formidable. If the O-line keeps on par with last season and our passing game improves, we'll be in great shape (again, assuming the D gets better).

Our O Line definately improved over the course of last year, but I actually believe that this phenomenon may be a leaguewide effect.

I wouldn't call it any more than a longshot observation, but don't offensive lines in general tend to dominate defensive lines as the long season wears on? Isn't this part of the Colts SB winning formula, that their DL bucked a strong trend, giving them a decisive advantage over their opponents?

I don't see our offensive line dropping off much next year, I would expect a similar performance to 2006. From here on out though, any injuries to one of the sages on the OL could really destroy their effectiveness. I'm not sure Jansen is playing as well right now as we give him credit for--but he also plays the one position on the OL we have the personel to seamlessly replace if necessary.

Statistically--and take this with a grain of salt because lineman stats are really troublesome--we had significantly more success running behind Dockery than any other lineman last year. If Wade can't come in and do the job, we could see a turnstyle LG effect the whole year that accompanies a fall in the effectiveness of our rushing game. Boy, if Samuels or Thomas gets hurt, we could be in big trouble.

However if we can avert OL crisis for a second straight year, I think the dirtbags have one more really good year left in them before a slow, steady decline comes.

Getting a dominant blocking TE in the draft or via trade will mask a lot of problems.