We are flush with offensive guards, but who is the best?

CardShark · January 18th, 2007, 10:05 AM

L. Davis - 6'6",365 - (feels it's his natural position), Has size, strength and great mobility, but does he have the tenacity? Some have stated he needs a nastier attitude. Would be closer to the QB and wouldn't have to defend against a speed rusher, so that should cut down the false starts. He could be dominant here. Wants BIG money.

M. Brown - 6'5",330 - Has good size, strength and technique for both run and pass protection. Was part of unit that played well in second half of season. Plays with attitude.

D. Lutui - 6'4",338 - Has good size, strength and technique for both run and pass protection. Stepped in as a rookie and shored up a pourous line. Plays with attitude.

O. Ross - 6'4",327 - (this is his natural position), has the size and strength to play well against the run, but can he pass block consistently? The move to tackle has failed. He lacks the mobility. Could that affect his confidence to play guard?

E. Brown - 6'5", 340 - Has good size, but wasn't ready as a rookie and he didn't get much time last season. What does he bring and can he beat out Ross?

C. Liwienski - 6'5",325 - Has good size, buit still don't know what he can bring.

Now I didn't include Leckey as I felt he was very effective at center. I didn't include Wells because he was the only one effective at RT and other than that I would put him at center. I didn't include Step, because I feel he needs to just step right out the door. Gorin is a tackle.

The reasons I included Davis were that he said he wants to play there and I think he has the chance to dominate. That doesn't mean he will. The only problem, who would play LT? Could Gorin handle it if we didn't draft or sign someone? Would Davis be a BIG luxury there if Milford continued to show he can fill that spot?

BEERZ · January 18th, 2007, 12:33 PM

I agree with all your opinions on all the linemen.

I would try M.Brown at LT, I think he is athletic enough and I think he would be good there. Put big inside at LG, & if we draft Joe Thomas let him replace Wells at RT.

That IMO is the best of the options we have.

Cut Ross & cut Step...

BigDavis75 · January 18th, 2007, 12:53 PM

I think Milford Brown is an ideal LG for this team and is the best G on the team right now.

DKCards · January 18th, 2007, 12:59 PM

When did LD say that he wanted to play Gaurd over Tackle? I have heard reports and rummors that is what he wanted but I have never heard him say it.

Crazy Canuck · January 18th, 2007, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CardShark

L. Davis - 6'6",365 - (feels it's his natural position), Has size, strength and great mobility, but does he have the tenacity? Some have stated he needs a nastier attitude. Would be closer to the QB and wouldn't have to defend against a speed rusher, so that should cut down the false starts. He could be dominant here. Wants BIG money.

M. Brown - 6'5",330 - Has good size, strength and technique for both run and pass protection. Was part of unit that played well in second half of season. Plays with attitude.

D. Lutui - 6'4",338 - Has good size, strength and technique for both run and pass protection. Stepped in as a rookie and shored up a pourous line. Plays with attitude.

O. Ross - 6'4",327 - (this is his natural position), has the size and strength to play well against the run, but can he pass block consistently? The move to tackle has failed. He lacks the mobility. Could that affect his confidence to play guard?

E. Brown - 6'5", 340 - Has good size, but wasn't ready as a rookie and he didn't get much time last season. What does he bring and can he beat out Ross?

C. Liwienski - 6'5",325 - Has good size, buit still don't know what he can bring.

Now I didn't include Leckey as I felt he was very effective at center. I didn't include Wells because he was the only one effective at RT and other than that I would put him at center. I didn't include Step, because I feel he needs to just step right out the door. Gorin is a tackle.

The reasons I included Davis were that he said he wants to play there and I think he has the chance to dominate. That doesn't mean he will. The only problem, who would play LT? Could Gorin handle it if we didn't draft or sign someone? Would Davis be a BIG luxury there if Milford continued to show he can fill that spot?

Good questions, etc. but, I'm still waiting for a credible source on Big having said he wanted to play guard. For one thing: Why in his free agent year when he's the highest rated tackle on the market would he undermine himself by saying he wants to play guard?

SuperSpck · January 18th, 2007, 01:23 PM

Big played G like he was on rollerskates on some plays. If he's ready to leave than I'll be alright.

Brown has been my favorite guy on the line this year and from the very few games I'd had a chance to see, the games he played in he did his job very well.

Lutui played like a rookie when I got to see him play but he was always played it all out and tried to block the hell out of anyone he could get to.

Leckey was good enough and he's young enough where if he improves then C position will be fine.

Everyone else was "eehh". Once the line got settled it was workmanish. Outside those 3 guys I'd say the rest are replacable, but I wish I could have seen more of Wells. I'd like to see how he develops with more games under his belt.

Goodyear Card · January 18th, 2007, 02:31 PM

1. Move Wells to center.
2. Leave Lutui at RG.
3. Hopefully we can draft Thomas and he can play one of the tackle positions.
4. The other tackle will have to be a free agent signing. Either Davis or someone else. I don't like Davis but I don't see anything better.
5. Brown is ok at LG but I don't have a problem with signing a free agent to compete for the starting position.
6. Cut Ross and Step

Zeno · January 18th, 2007, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goodyear Card

1. Move Wells to center.
2. Leave Lutui at RG.
3. Hopefully we can draft Thomas and he can play one of the tackle positions.
4. The other tackle will have to be a free agent signing. Either Davis or someone else. I don't like Davis but I don't see anything better.
5. Brown is ok at LG but I don't have a problem with signing a free agent to compete for the starting position.
6. Cut Ross and Step

Brown was our best interior lineman at seasons end...why all this talk of replacing him or moving him to OT?

Duckjake · January 18th, 2007, 03:28 PM

Latui gets an edge because he grew up a Cardinal fan just like me.

ajcardfan · January 18th, 2007, 04:54 PM

The "report" on Big wanting to play G was a second-hand report by a poster who heard from a friend who heard from somebody who works for the Cardinals that, that was the case.

ajcardfan · January 18th, 2007, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeno

Brown was our best interior lineman at seasons end...why all this talk of replacing him or moving him to OT?

Exactly. Brown was mauling people. The line finally gelled a little for the first time in 3 or 4 seasons and people want to make 2 or 3 position switches. I heard Whis say in an interview that he thought the oline, as is, could be okay as he was encouraged by how they played better over the last six games. He said they fit his idea of big and physical. But, that didn't mean he wouldn't look at adding a guy to improve it.

Skkorpion · January 18th, 2007, 07:10 PM

Leonard Davis at guard is bulletin board silliness.

Duckjake · January 19th, 2007, 05:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajcardfan

Exactly. Brown was mauling people. The line finally gelled a little for the first time in 3 or 4 seasons and people want to make 2 or 3 position switches. I heard Whis say in an interview that he thought the oline, as is, could be okay as he was encouraged by how they played better over the last six games.....

The last 5 games the Cards, not counting the QB's, had 555 yards rushing on 143 attempts, went over 100 3 times, and allowed 6 sacks.

Promising note: Against Minnesota the Cards threw the ball 51 times with only 1 sack.

BACH · January 19th, 2007, 06:14 AM

It's depends how you're going to use him.

The best right now is probably Brown. The most talented is Lutui.

BTW don't let Brown's pass protection fool you. He good at it at G, BUT that doesn't mean that he has the feet for it at LT. Elton and Big are the only two with feet to play LT for us IMO.

Lutui did protect Leinart's blindside i college for one season, but I doubt he's able to do that in the NFL. I wasn't impressed with his feet - OR not that impressed, that I think he can play OT in the NFL.

RugbyMuffin · January 19th, 2007, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skkorpion

Leonard Davis at guard is bulletin board silliness.

DAMN RIGHT!

He plays in the desert then he plays LT.

END OF DISCUSSION.

Pay his tag, and tell him to do as he is told.

Oh yeah! Lutui is our best guard right now. Milford Brown REALLY played well for us