Off to the Off-season (Offensive Line)

March 2, 2008 by Harry Greene

I am a believer that strength in the NFL begins with the lines. It is simply much easier to win with good lines. They are almost always the core of any winning team.

Offensive Linemen

Overview

With better lines last season the Cards would have been in the playoffs. You can run to kill the clock. You can wear down the better teams if you can pound them for an entire game. You can force them to bring the safety up and make it difficult to double-team receivers. You can freeze the opposition with play-action further enhancing the passing game. Good lines dominate the weak teams and prevent upsets. They also mean competitive games against even the top teams on the schedule. That is why solidifying them on offense and defense is essential if the Cards are to win facing a tougher schedule.

IMO
The Cards used a first round draft choice to acquire a right tackle. It often takes 2-3 years to fully evaluate what your have when you take a tackle, though it is clear Joe Thomas was correctly rated higher than the Cards’ choice, Levi Brown. I’d rate Brown’s performance so far as about equal with Joe Staley, who was taken with the 28^th pick.

At this point I don’t see this as a bad selection, I just question whether or not they elevated Brown on the board. I would be lying if I didn’t say I was surprised by Gandy’s play. He really benefited from Grimm’s tutelage and showed he is an average ability tackle. I still believe he is a much better guard and somewhat of an impact player when he mover inside.

This leads us to Reggie Wells. I previously believed his development was stunted by being moved around the line. He finally got his chance to stay in one place and the result was less than overwhelming. Not only wasn’t he an impact player, but he personally stalled drive after drive with careless penalties.

The other guard slot is equally unsettled. I like Lutui a great deal, but he clearly is more motivated playing in front of Leinart. He seems to take it personally to stay in the game better and to let no one pass. He has the skills to be an impact player, but he must step up and play motivated every down.

The arrival of Johnson at center was supposed to stabilize the line. The Cards certainly are paying him adequately and he should be a top tier player at his position. My understanding was that when he arrived he was thought to bring leadership. It’s not that his play was bad, but I didn’t see any veteran leadership.

On many lines it’s the center’s job to call the blocks, but in the Cards’ system every player is responsible for their own assignments on almost every play (which should mean much better blocking next year as the linemen become more experienced). So leadership would have to be portrayed by keeping the young linemen focused on every play. Yet this line had continual, needless penalties.

The Cards knew Gandy was not a leader when they brought him in, thus the acquisition of Johnson. Without leadership a line flounders and cannot sustain drives. Johnson was at times part of the problem.. He missed some critical blitzes (like the one which nailed Leinart) and he was part of the penalty problem. For the most part he did handle his assignment well, but where does this line turn for leadership?

Encouragingly the O-line depth was better than I anticipated, but still was not good enough to be considered playoff level. Add Wells to the reserves and the situation would be brighter.

Therefore there are three clear weaknesses on the Cards’ line aside from leadership: left guard, a lack of depth and a lack of impact players.

Wells shouldn’t be cut. His value as a reserve is outstanding. If he can accept a demotion and remain ready to contribute, his versatility would be a great benefit. He could be the type of flexible backup who can step in at any position and he knows the system.

If Gandy is then moved inside, this means both guards have the potential to be impact players. This solves 2 of the 3 major issues. The difficulty with this theory is that it necessitates finding a left tackle who can lead. If lefty Leinart is starting, the task is not so daunting. However life with the Cards is not that easy. Since Warner is right handed, either tackle could end up protecting the QB’s blindside.

In the end, the Cards may not be able to execute this optimum strategy. Top left tackles, especially leaders, rarely make it to free agency and I don’t see a sure thing at where they are drafting this year. They may be thinking they are better served by choosing a potential impact guard, which would solve some of the problems, though leaving them a little weak at tackle.

Potential Help

Many on the message board want Faneca purchased. The problem is that the cap would be stretched too tightly and it’s also true his style means he’s taken a great deal of punishment and may not now be the most durable of players. It wouldn’t ruin my day if they bought him, but I wonder if the front office has the expertise to handle a cap situation that complex.

Ryan Lilja of the Colts might be a option, but he is still likely to be overpriced. If you believe Starks will hold up, you could opt for him, though he may actually cost more than Faneca. I’d pass. Not much else out there gets me excited.

As for the draft, if by some miracle Jake Long is on the board, I’m taking him. He is mean, mean and meaner (than the average football player). He is not as athletic as I like, but he is a leader and even if he moves to guard, he will be a force for years to come. I don’t like the remainder of this offensive line pool for immediate help, but good developmental players are everywhere. Drafting for depth and waiting for a couple to develop would be a good mantra.

Overall

Some problems simply can’t be fully solved in a given year. There just isn’t enough of the right talent available. Even without better players Grimm’s scheme will benefit from a group of linemen more experienced with the system. Having a year of understanding should greatly enhance their performance.

Should the Cards fail to acquire an impact free agent and if Long doesn’t fall to them in the draft, they should stand pat and try to minimize the dumb mistakes that plagued the line last season. As it stands this line is good enough to again help the club to a .500 record, but it lacks the consistency and dominant players to take the club much higher.

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