Om Field: Breaking Down the Lines (Pt. 1)

[-Om-]

What's struck me as much as anything is not just the number of picks used on linemen as compared to our division rivals, but the lack of high picks spent on the lines.

Since taking Samuels with the #3 overall in 2000, the Redskins have used a grand total of two picks higher than the 5th round on linemen--a 3rd for Dockery in '03, and a 3rd for Rinehard in '08.

It goes deeper. 11 of the 16 picks they have used on linemen over the past ten years have come in the 4th, 5th and 6th rounds. And 8 of those 11 have come in the 5th and 6th.

To me it speaks either of a bordeline arrogant belief that one can build legitimate starting-caliber NFL lines almost exclusively with late-round draft picks, or the belief that starters are better acquired through free agency. Either way ... it ain't working.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by -Om-

What's struck me as much as anything is not just the number of picks used on linemen as compared to our division rivals, but the lack of high picks spent on the lines.

Since taking Samuels with the #3 overall in 2000, the Redskins have used a grand total of two picks higher than the 5th round on linemen--a 3rd for Dockery in '03, and a 3rd for Rinehard in '08.

It goes deeper. 11 of the 16 picks they have used on linemen over the past ten years have come in the 4th, 5th and 6th rounds. And 8 of those 11 have come in the 5th and 6th.

To me it speaks either of a bordeline arrogant belief that one can build legitimate starting-caliber NFL lines almost exclusively with late-round draft picks, or the belief that starters are better acquired through free agency. Either way ... it ain't working.

But it's not all that unlike how we built our Super Bowl teams in the 80s. What I'd be really interested in though is how Cerrato drafted when he was the 49ers

[redsk1]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

But it's not all that unlike how we built our Super Bowl teams in the 80s. What I'd be really interested in though is how Cerrato drafted when he was the 49ers

It was a different time back then. I don't think you can make the comparison to today.

The level of athlete is much different, the level of scouting is higher i would believe and the ferocity in which the game is played is much different. I would guess that the NFL is a much younger league than it was back then. Back in the 80's, you might be able to build a team of "older guys." Now, in many positions the older guys have been beaten down so much it makes it difficult.

It would be an interesting comparison if we had the data.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by redsk1

It was a different time back then. I don't think you can make the comparison to today.

The level of athlete is much different, the level of scouting is higher i would believe and the ferocity in which the game is played is much different. I would guess that the NFL is a much younger league than it was back then. Back in the 80's, you might be able to build a team of "older guys." Now, in many positions the older guys have been beaten down so much it makes it difficult.

It would be an interesting comparison if we had the data.

Definitely agree it was a different time. For one thing, back then we probably would have been less likely to be able to make a move for Andre Carter for example. For another, when we draft a guy like Derrick Dockery we'd probably have him here for the long term.

My point was only that in those days a lot of the key linemen (offense and defense) that led us to Super Bowl titles were late draft picks of ours (and other teams), so it's not entirely unreasonable to think that some of our mid to late round picks could be key for us.