Catching Up With Pete Kendall; Could He Be Back?

[Ruhskins]

Randy Thomas' health problems while not a good thing in general, are allowing Rinehart to get more reps against an elite defensive line. While it may be a good idea to pick up another veteran back up, it is time for these young guys to step it up and show what they got. Having these guys take a lot of reps will make them better back ups and potential starters.

[an23dy]

Originally Posted by Ruhskins

Randy Thomas' health problems while not a good thing in general, are allowing Rinehart to get more reps against an elite defensive line. While it may be a good idea to pick up another veteran back up, it is time for these young guys to step it up and show what they got. Having these guys take a lot of reps will make them better back ups and potential starters.

Agreed, Kendall is 36 and we've got a lot of young guys we need to throw into the fire. Everybody was always complaining about how old our O-line is and now they want to sign Kendall and not give the young guys a chance. I think Rinehart and Bridges are good enough, there's even been positive stuff said about Will Montgomery. If we add a player to the O-line it should be a tackle.

[SouperMeister]

Originally Posted by Ruhskins

Randy Thomas' health problems while not a good thing in general, are allowing Rinehart to get more reps against an elite defensive line. While it may be a good idea to pick up another veteran back up, it is time for these young guys to step it up and show what they got. Having these guys take a lot of reps will make them better back ups and potential starters.

Great point. If Rhinhart has NFL ability, this will make him game ready much more quickly than film study and limited practice reps. It would be huge for the OL depth if he turns into a viable option to start this season.

[Chico23231]

Lets see what Reinhardt can do, if he sux, put in Bridges. Dont add more age with Kendall to the OLine. Im more worried with RT and our back up to Samuels.

[Lotus]

We all (including me) seem to discount the idea that Heyer, in his third year, could "get it" and bust loose as a quite good RT.

I'm not saying this is true; I'm saying that it could be true and, if so, RT is no longer the worry that it has been.

[Pocket$ $traight]

Originally Posted by Lotus

We all (including me) seem to discount the idea that Heyer, in his third year, could "get it" and bust loose as a quite good RT.

I'm not saying this is true; I'm saying that it could be true and, if so, RT is no longer the worry that it has been.

But then that brings us to two durability questions. Can Heyer last a full season at RT and if Samuels gets nicked, who plays RT if Heyer has to play LT?

[Lotus]

Originally Posted by Pocket$ $traight

But then that brings us to two durability questions. Can Heyer last a full season at RT and if Samuels gets nicked, who plays RT if Heyer has to play LT?

Those are both good questions. My point was that many of us seem to think of the RT position as half-empty and we seem not to consider the half-full perspective as much.

As for Samuels, Buges talked the other day about Devin Clark filling in for Samuels, not Heyer like last year.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by Lotus

We all (including me) seem to discount the idea that Heyer, in his third year, could "get it" and bust loose as a quite good RT.

I'm not saying this is true; I'm saying that it could be true and, if so, RT is no longer the worry that it has been.

It sure would be nice if he establishes himself as a starting quality RT this year.

He's shown flashes, he just needs to put it all together.

[Chico23231]

Originally Posted by Lotus

We all (including me) seem to discount the idea that Heyer, in his third year, could "get it" and bust loose as a quite good RT.

I'm not saying this is true; I'm saying that it could be true and, if so, RT is no longer the worry that it has been.

I really like this statement. Now lets substitute Cambell for Heyer in that statement, fivisth for third, QB for RT. Then the same statement again this time Devin Thomas for Heyer, WR for RT.......

All statements of if and hope. The topic of O-Line this offseason has been probably the most popular on the Warpath. Why? Because the second half of the last season, the most glaring weakness was O-Line and this was due to the age and health. During the offseason there was alot of anticipation from the greatest fans in the world to see exactly how the FO would tackle the problem. Lots of suggestions were made at every position except LT. Draft Mack at C, Oher at RT, sign a proven player, etc. There were players availible. We did get an upgrade with Dockery, but bigger questions are still left along our biggest weakness the second half of last season. The FO chose to look at defense to spend money which is great, but the true need was overlooked. Now I think the words we need to use are not "if" and "hope" at this point, but "better". Because the D-Lines of Philly, Dallas and NY have not gotten worse. And Heyer better be ready to start at RT and Reinhardt better be ready to step in for Randy Thomas when goes out at some point during the season. Our line when healthy is very solid, but this is the NFL, injuries are apart of it and depth is a neccesary. So Mike Williams better knock that rust off and Bridges better be ready to fight in the trenches like he fights at bars because if not, it is going to be a longgggg season. I have the faith, but it is time step up. "If" the O-line steps up and plays together, guys we are a surprise team this year, and could be looking at lengthy playoff run.

[70Chip]

In today's NFL, QBS are expected to perform no matter how the O-line plays. You're never going to see an O-Line do what the Hogs did in 1991. (9 total sacks, 6 through the first fifteen games when all the starters played, etc, blah blah) We need Campbell to perform in spite of the pressure. Look at how badly Arizona's line played in the SB and they came this close to winning because they have a QB who let's it fly fearlessly and receivers who make it pay off. Defensive coordinators are going to bring as many people as it takes to get pressure. You have a great O-Line? They'll just bring more people than you can block. Receiver is the position that beats pressure nowadays.

So, I'm not content to wait until we have 5 HOFers up front before we contend. Campbell needs to get the ball out more quickly and Vinny's 2nd rounders need to hit home runs. Im tired of making excuses for people. "Oh the offense can't score because the defense doesn't give them the ball at the one yard line." Bullshit.

My fear is that they want to shitcan Zorn (and Campbell naturally) after this season. I just hope they shitcan Vinny as well. He was back on the radio yesterday and boy does he still suck. Poor Frank Hanrahan. He must get migraines thinking about having to work with Cerrato for the next five months.

Wow. I feel better now.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by 70Chip

In today's NFL, QBS are expected to perform no matter how the O-line plays. You're never going to see an O-Line do what the Hogs did in 1991. (9 total sacks, 6 through the first fifteen games when all the starters played, etc, blah blah) We need Campbell to perform in spite of the pressure. Look at how badly Arizona's line played in the SB and they came this close to winning because they have a QB who let's it fly fearlessly and receivers who make it pay off. Defensive coordinators are going to bring as many people as it takes to get pressure. You have a great O-Line? They'll just bring more people than you can block. Receiver is the position that beats pressure nowadays.

So, I'm not content to wait until we have 5 HOFers up front before we contend. Campbell needs to get the ball out more quickly and Vinny's 2nd rounders need to hit home runs. Im tired of making excuses for people. "Oh the offense can't score because the defense doesn't give them the ball at the one yard line." Bullshit.

My fear is that they want to shitcan Zorn (and Campbell naturally) after this season. I just hope they shitcan Vinny as well. He was back on the radio yesterday and boy does he still suck. Poor Frank Hanrahan. He must get migraines thinking about having to work with Cerrato for the next five months.

Wow. I feel better now.

Unfortunately this is what people seem to expect. Apparently Rinehart was supposed to be Steve Hutchinson his first day of minicamp last year, and signing Bridges was supposed to be akin to signing Anthony Munoz.

[rypper11]

Originally Posted by 70Chip

In today's NFL, QBS are expected to perform no matter how the O-line plays. You're never going to see an O-Line do what the Hogs did in 1991. (9 total sacks, 6 through the first fifteen games when all the starters played, etc, blah blah) We need Campbell to perform in spite of the pressure. Look at how badly Arizona's line played in the SB and they came this close to winning because they have a QB who let's it fly fearlessly and receivers who make it pay off. Defensive coordinators are going to bring as many people as it takes to get pressure. You have a great O-Line? They'll just bring more people than you can block. Receiver is the position that beats pressure nowadays.

So, I'm not content to wait until we have 5 HOFers up front before we contend. Campbell needs to get the ball out more quickly and Vinny's 2nd rounders need to hit home runs. Im tired of making excuses for people. "Oh the offense can't score because the defense doesn't give them the ball at the one yard line." Bullshit.

Completely agree. I don't think we have a good line. But I'd say middle of the pack. Dock is an upgrade (though Kendall would be a great coach because he is such a great technician) and Heyer is an upgrade over Jansen in the passing game but a detriment in the running game. Expect lots of run left this year and JC holding the ball forever with max protect schemes.

[The Goat]

Originally Posted by 70Chip

In today's NFL, QBS are expected to perform no matter how the O-line plays. You're never going to see an O-Line do what the Hogs did in 1991. (9 total sacks, 6 through the first fifteen games when all the starters played, etc, blah blah) We need Campbell to perform in spite of the pressure. Look at how badly Arizona's line played in the SB and they came this close to winning because they have a QB who let's it fly fearlessly and receivers who make it pay off. Defensive coordinators are going to bring as many people as it takes to get pressure. You have a great O-Line? They'll just bring more people than you can block. Receiver is the position that beats pressure nowadays.

So, I'm not content to wait until we have 5 HOFers up front before we contend. Campbell needs to get the ball out more quickly and Vinny's 2nd rounders need to hit home runs. Im tired of making excuses for people. "Oh the offense can't score because the defense doesn't give them the ball at the one yard line." Bullshit.

My fear is that they want to shitcan Zorn (and Campbell naturally) after this season. I just hope they shitcan Vinny as well. He was back on the radio yesterday and boy does he still suck. Poor Frank Hanrahan. He must get migraines thinking about having to work with Cerrato for the next five months.

Wow. I feel better now.

Your argument pivots on Kurt Warner, probably the best "pressure" QB in the game today, working w/ the greatest WR in the game today and a 2nd WR easily in the top 5. In short...the argument doesn't hold water beyond the AZ Cards. Looking at top offenses you tend to see one resounding theme: a top notch offensive line. Brady has typically had one in NE. Peyton in Indy. Mini-Manning in NY has one of the best lines in the game and can be very good when he's on (such as he was at Fed Ex field last year). And finally, the most impressive QB in the game today IMHO, Drew Brees, has a very good (though maybe a bit underrated) line in front of him. I think anyone who watches the game play by play, seeing things develop, can easily recognize many of Zorn's plays fell apart before JC or any of his targets could be in a position to make something happen because the o-line crumbled. Zorn has basically said so himself.

[Skinny Tee]

Originally Posted by Chico23231

I really like this statement. Now lets substitute Cambell for Heyer in that statement, fivisth for third, QB for RT. Then the same statement again this time Devin Thomas for Heyer, WR for RT.......

All statements of if and hope. The topic of O-Line this offseason has been probably the most popular on the Warpath. Why? Because the second half of the last season, the most glaring weakness was O-Line and this was due to the age and health. During the offseason there was alot of anticipation from the greatest fans in the world to see exactly how the FO would tackle the problem. Lots of suggestions were made at every position except LT. Draft Mack at C, Oher at RT, sign a proven player, etc. There were players availible. We did get an upgrade with Dockery, but bigger questions are still left along our biggest weakness the second half of last season. The FO chose to look at defense to spend money which is great, but the true need was overlooked. Now I think the words we need to use are not "if" and "hope" at this point, but "better". Because the D-Lines of Philly, Dallas and NY have not gotten worse. And Heyer better be ready to start at RT and Reinhardt better be ready to step in for Randy Thomas when goes out at some point during the season. Our line when healthy is very solid, but this is the NFL, injuries are apart of it and depth is a neccesary. So Mike Williams better knock that rust off and Bridges better be ready to fight in the trenches like he fights at bars because if not, it is going to be a longgggg season. I have the faith, but it is time step up. "If" the O-line steps up and plays together, guys we are a surprise team this year, and could be looking at lengthy playoff run.

I think this is more of a realistic way to look at things.

Our seasons are always contingent upon players who've never had any previous dominant football prowess stepping up and "getting it". It's not like these players are finding red mushrooms in the offseason that will make them twice their size and give them the ability to block the Dwight Freenys of the world.

Reinhardt is young and will more than likely perform between 10-20% better or worse than he did last year. He couldn't even crack the lineup last year when we desperately needed lineman and were even letting people like Justin Geslinger play for us.


Without steroids being involved name me a player who just "got it" and then became 80-100% more effective than he's ever played in his life.

[tryfuhl]

So who on this site is still saying wait for the season to worry about the uncertainties on the line? Just checking.