It Starts with the OLine

[YtownBacker]

One thing I got from Shurmur's initial interviews is that he believes that a good offense starts with a strong offensive line.

Shurmur was a former offensive lineman. Tom Heckert has a history of drafting both sides of the line early in the draft. He has drafted a lot of developmental linemen in the mid to late rounds of the draft.

I'm not saying that they will go with a RT with the first pick but you can expect them to draft DL and OL heavy in this draft. I just don't see them going for the aging OL in FA.

I think Heckert and maybe Shurmur believe you got to have the grunts before you bring in the skilled position players. Holmgren, I really don't know, but when he was GM/HC he drafted guys in the trenches also.

That said, sooner or later you have to address the needs for weapons on offense to be able to run a proper WCO. We have TEs and RBs that can catch the ball and fit the WCO but we need a guy who can stretch the field and really have to have a star in the slot. I think a big time slot receiver is very important for the WCO to really work well.

Then again, having a line that can give a QB time to throw is just as important.

Can we get it all in one year and still help the defensive side?

[DieselPusher]

Someone once said ...dime a dozen

[PlaygroundLegend]

Wheres Rich when you need him for a good laugh

[YtownBacker]

Originally Posted by DieselPusher

Someone once said ...dime a dozen

Said the guy who said Mo Clarett would be the next great back in the NFL. Also the guy who wanted us to draft Troy Smith in the first round.

His draft would be 3 QBs, 2 WRs and 2 RBs. Then put an add in the PD for anybody over 6'2" and 300lbs to apply in person with proof of citizenship.

[BernietheKid]

Originally Posted by YtownBacker

One thing I got from Shurmur's initial interviews is that he believes that a good offense starts with a strong offensive line.

Shurmur was a former offensive lineman. Tom Heckert has a history of drafting both sides of the line early in the draft. He has drafted a lot of developmental linemen in the mid to late rounds of the draft.

I'm not saying that they will go with a RT with the first pick but you can expect them to draft DL and OL heavy in this draft. I just don't see them going for the aging OL in FA.

I think Heckert and maybe Shurmur believe you got to have the grunts before you bring in the skilled position players. Holmgren, I really don't know, but when he was GM/HC he drafted guys in the trenches also.

That said, sooner or later you have to address the needs for weapons on offense to be able to run a proper WCO. We have TEs and RBs that can catch the ball and fit the WCO but we need a guy who can stretch the field and really have to have a star in the slot. I think a big time slot receiver is very important for the WCO to really work well.

Then again, having a line that can give a QB time to throw is just as important.

Can we get it all in one year and still help the defensive side?

Good stuff Y-Town! I posted in another thread that in the nine years Heckert was in Philly they had seven first round pick and out of those seven years they picked a OL/DL in five of those years.

[YtownBacker]

Originally Posted by BernietheKid

Good stuff Y-Town! I posted in another thread that in the nine years Heckert was in Philly they had seven first round pick and out of those seven years they picked a DL in four of those years.

Which could very well be our biggest priority if we switch to the 4-3.

[Alvis27]

You guys are forgetting 1 very important piece of the D that were still lacking especially if we switch to a 4-3 and thats a Linebacker that can control the field. That could be another possible choice early in the draft this year as well as a WR and linemen

[BernietheKid]

Originally Posted by Alvis27

You guys are forgetting 1 very important piece of the D that were still lacking especially if we switch to a 4-3 and thats a Linebacker that can control the field. That could be another possible choice early in the draft this year as well as a WR and linemen

Tom Heckert was as part of the Eagles from 01-09. In the first three rounds of the draft in those years the Eagles picked the most positions in this order: DL-6, WR-5, LB-4, DB-4, OL-2, RB-2, and QB-1. For various reasons such as need and BPA probably accounted for most of these decisions but hopefully this might paint an accurate portrayal of positions Heckert puts a premium on.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/history/ful...3700&type=team

[Tobalaz]

How many seasons have we been trying to patchwork the right side of the line?
We need a rt in the draft, a long term solution for the position that's been killing us since we came back.
No vet or rookie qb is going to last long when the pocket caves before his 2nd step on a 3 step drop.

[Sez.EJ]

Our OL is in pretty good shape other than RT.. if Lauvoa can start..Porkchop can hold the RT spot for a year (if we have to).. I'd like to see us bring in a YOUNG rt in free agency and focus the draft on D.. but I've said this before.. I am a STRONG believer that the game is won in the trenches..especially in our division. See how Pitts OL rebounded nicely from a bad year when they put a stud in at Center (with a 1st round draft pick).

[slowmo411]

I would LOVE to see 3 out of our first 4 picks spent on OL and DL. A beast at RT would make our O a whole lot better add a true #1 WR and we have a legit offense (assuming we have a good play caller). 2 pass rushing DEs and all of a sudden our D will look alot better.
Those would be my first 4 picks and Id spend the rest of the draft on defense

[next2nothing]

Originally Posted by Alvis27

You guys are forgetting 1 very important piece of the D that were still lacking especially if we switch to a 4-3 and thats a Linebacker that can control the field. That could be another possible choice early in the draft this year as well as a WR and linemen

I think D'Qwell will be that LB. He was a premiere 4 - 3 MLB in college and we tried to plug him into a 3 - 4 MLB position that he just didn't fit into. Like putting a square peg into a round hole.

If D'Qwell can stay healthy, he'll shine in the 4 - 3.