Is Well's going to be our center

[Second Deck]

Are we looking at Ross, E. Brown, Well's, Brown, Big or do we play with Step at center.

 

[Redsz]

In my person opinion, the starting line as of now is:

LT: Davis
LG: E Brown
C: Wells
RG: M Brown
RT: Ross

There has been alot of talk of moving Wells to center because people believe it is a more natural fit for his skill set. Jurecki on XTRA 910 has been saying indications are that is were he will play in 06'.

 

[CardinalChris]

I think it makes our starting 5 better, but hinders our depth a little. There are still some depth issues. I'd like to see another OT and OG brought in or drafted.

 

[Mr.Dibbs]

Elton Brown did absolutely nothing last year. I don't see how he can considered a starter. I'd like to see Wells at guard and Leckey at center.

 

[jefftheshark]

Elton Brown did absolutely nothing last year. I don't see how he can considered a starter. I'd like to see Wells at guard and Leckey at center.

I wonder if we will see a difference with a little NFL coaching (as opposed to what he got, by way of coaching, last year).

The Shark

 

[Goldfield]

I think Wells & Ross should compete for the RT job. The loser moves to guard.

Keeping Lecky at center.

Unless E. Brown tears it up in training camp. I dont think he is quite ready to start.

If he is tearing it up AND Ross looks good then I would move Wells to Center.

But I was impressed with Lecky, and as long as Step is OFF the field we will be improved...

 

[JeffGollin]

I think they may experiment with Wells at center. Maybe they'll keep him there; maybe they won't. I think Loney will try a bunch of things and then let events play themselves out before deciding who lines up where.

Trying to scope out what's going to happen - before Wells has even attempted one snap and other optional moves have been tested - kind of defeats the purpose, doesn't it?

 

[Crimson Warrior]

I think Wells & Ross should compete for the RT job. The loser moves to guard.

Keeping Lecky at center.

Unless E. Brown tears it up in training camp. I dont think he is quite ready to start.

If he is tearing it up AND Ross looks good then I would move Wells to Center.

But I was impressed with Lecky, and as long as Step is OFF the field we will be improved...[/QUOTE]

roger that. Leckey was our best center last year.

Wells might best be used at C, though, and Brown did okay for a rookie.

I could see E. Brown getting some snaps at RG.

 

[joeshmo]

I think they may experiment with Wells at center. Maybe they'll keep him there; maybe they won't. I think Loney will try a bunch of things and then let events play themselves out before deciding who lines up where.

Trying to scope out what's going to happen - before Wells has even attempted one snap and other optional moves have been tested - kind of defeats the purpose, doesn't it?

Yep. Loney has only seen these guys on film. He hasnt even had a chance to work with them one on one or as a group onthe practice field to teach him his philosophy and scheme. He might have an idea right now but until he gets his hands on them and sees them first hand all that can change in a heart beat. Then there is also the draft, if we pick an OL in the 1st or 2nd round you better believe they will most likely be starting or given every opporunity to, which could shuffle the line again.

Wells could be the LG, C, RT. Milford Brown would be LG or RG. Elton Brown could be LG or RG, ross could move to the inside, and so on. Remember what Loney has said in the past and many other times, "I want the best 5 guys starting".

I dont think we will even have the slightest idea what the OL might look like until day 1 of training camp.

 

[artp]

Loney has said that he likes to start the 5 best players regardless of position. Guards, Centers, and Tackles may change. Ross may be a OG, Wells may be an OC. I think we need to come up with another OT either draft or FA. I think the starting 5 will be well coached this year. And, I think the talent is better with FA M Brown and another year of experience for E Brown, A Step, and N Leckey.

 

[WildBB]

LT: Big
LG: Gilles (rookie 2nd pick)
C: Leckey/Stepanovich
RG: M. Brown
RT: Wells/Ross

What do ya's think.

 

[JeffGollin]

Heresy

Loney has said that he likes to start the 5 best players regardless of position.
I know a lot of offensive line coaches always say that, but I respectfully differ with that philosophy.

The worst thing that you can do when one lineman gets injured is to move someone over from another position. This means that, instead of having to make one change on your offensive line, you're making two changes.

Do this when two guys get injured and you're talking about four changes.

Talking about throwing a grenade into OL cohesion!

This is particularly devestating when we're dealing with a young, inexperienced offensive line that's never jelled.

Offensive line play is all about timing and teamwork and automatically knowing what the guy on the left of you and the guy to the right of you will be doing in any given situation.

Far better that we teach our linemen how to be really good at one position and get them to feel comfortable with the guys on either side of them. Then train their backups likewise. When a guy gets banged up, move everyone filling that position up one notch.

It's easier for the other four guys to carry a new fifth guy than it is for all five guys to wander around running into one another and blowing assignment after assignment.

Maybe once everyone knows their primary job on the O-line and can handle their assignments blindfolded, Loney can start to cross-train and build some versatility. But not right now - this unit simply isn't ready.

Just one guy's opinion.

 

[Goldfield]

Loney has said that he likes to start the 5 best players regardless of position.
I know a lot of offensive line coaches always say that, but I respectfully differ with that philosophy.

The worst thing that you can do when one lineman gets injured is to move someone over from another position. This means that, instead of having to make one change on your offensive line, you're making two changes.

Do this when two guys get injured and you're talking about four changes.

Talking about throwing a grenade into OL cohesion!

This is particularly devestating when we're dealing with a young, inexperienced offensive line that's never jelled.

Offensive line play is all about timing and teamwork and automatically knowing what the guy on the left of you and the guy to the right of you will be doing in any given situation.

Far better that we teach our linemen how to be really good at one position and get them to feel comfortable with the guys on either side of them. Then train their backups likewise. When a guy gets banged up, move everyone filling that position up one notch.

It's easier for the other four guys to carry a new fifth guy than it is for all five guys to wander around running into one another and blowing assignment after assignment.

Maybe once everyone knows their primary job on the O-line and can handle their assignments blindfolded, Loney can start to cross-train and build some versatility. But not right now - this unit simply isn't ready.

Just one guy's opinion.

Moving from Guard to tackle or tackle to guard is not as bad as everyone makes it out to be. I am tired of hearing this.

Quit babying these guys. They are top notch athletes making insane money to bout. Any good lineman can move around to similar positions. it might be akward at first but it doesnt take long to get settled in...

A tackle can play guard easier than a guard can play tackle. Unless the guard is athletic enough.

I can see a lineup of Big,M.Brown,Lecky,Ross,Wells.

Or Big, M.Brown, Wells, Ross, W. Justice

 

[blindseyed]

LT: Big
LG: Gilles (rookie 2nd pick)
C: Leckey/Stepanovich
RG: M. Brown
RT: Wells/Ross

What do ya's think.

I think that right side looks pretty weak. I'm not all kool-aided out on the Brown signing and Ross...well...hmmm...average at best.

 

[BigRedFan]

I guess Ross has the RT position locked up after last years stellar performance.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

Loney has said that he likes to start the 5 best players regardless of position.
I know a lot of offensive line coaches always say that, but I respectfully differ with that philosophy.

The worst thing that you can do when one lineman gets injured is to move someone over from another position. This means that, instead of having to make one change on your offensive line, you're making two changes.

Do this when two guys get injured and you're talking about four changes.

Talking about throwing a grenade into OL cohesion!

This is particularly devestating when we're dealing with a young, inexperienced offensive line that's never jelled.

Offensive line play is all about timing and teamwork and automatically knowing what the guy on the left of you and the guy to the right of you will be doing in any given situation.

Far better that we teach our linemen how to be really good at one position and get them to feel comfortable with the guys on either side of them. Then train their backups likewise. When a guy gets banged up, move everyone filling that position up one notch.

It's easier for the other four guys to carry a new fifth guy than it is for all five guys to wander around running into one another and blowing assignment after assignment.

Maybe once everyone knows their primary job on the O-line and can handle their assignments blindfolded, Loney can start to cross-train and build some versatility. But not right now - this unit simply isn't ready.

Just one guy's opinion.

You just described exactly what was the Cards OL last year. Alot of injuries and position changes to go along with new/first year players. Hopefully, we get a set starting 5 and they can stay healthy for the most part. I like the lineup of Davis, Brown,Wells, Brown,Ross as the starting unit. Both Brown's are best at run blocking. I see Step as a backup at both G spots and Leckey the backup C. Wells is probably the backup T. We really don't have any depth at the T position. Wakefield and Bridges aren't the answer.

 

[AntSports Steve]

In one of the threads where the Cards matched Buffalos offer sheet for Wells, it appeared that the Cards were planning on keeping Wells at LG. So, the OL looks about the same as the planned starting OL from last year.

LT Big
LG Wells
OC Step/Leckey
RG Milford Brown
RT Ross

Step/Leckey will be entering their 3rd year. Leckey handled the position well last year when he started so I think he's alright there.

I still see the weak link as Ross. And I see no player on the roster to even push him. If this their planned OL, I think they are crazy and will end up with simular results as last year. This OL even with a better coach is only better because a rookie is not starting at RG and instead you get a average vet standing next to Ross.

 

[WildBB]

Loney has said that he likes to start the 5 best players regardless of position.
I know a lot of offensive line coaches always say that, but I respectfully differ with that philosophy.

The worst thing that you can do when one lineman gets injured is to move someone over from another position. This means that, instead of having to make one change on your offensive line, you're making two changes.

Do this when two guys get injured and you're talking about four changes.

Talking about throwing a grenade into OL cohesion!

This is particularly devestating when we're dealing with a young, inexperienced offensive line that's never jelled.

Offensive line play is all about timing and teamwork and automatically knowing what the guy on the left of you and the guy to the right of you will be doing in any given situation.

Far better that we teach our linemen how to be really good at one position and get them to feel comfortable with the guys on either side of them. Then train their backups likewise. When a guy gets banged up, move everyone filling that position up one notch.

It's easier for the other four guys to carry a new fifth guy than it is for all five guys to wander around running into one another and blowing assignment after assignment.

Maybe once everyone knows their primary job on the O-line and can handle their assignments blindfolded, Loney can start to cross-train and build some versatility. But not right now - this unit simply isn't ready.

Just one guy's opinion.

So where do you put Wells?

 

[BigDavis75]

I just hope Leckey doesn't get robbed of a job after being nothing but very solid last year.

 

[Duckjake]

I just hope Leckey doesn't get robbed of a job after being nothing but very solid last year.

Well would be what, the 9th or 10th different guy to start at Center for the Cardinals since 1999? Nothing like a little continuity.

Compare that to the Center position on some of the top rated Olines in the NFL:

Hartings Pittsburgh: 10 yrs in the NFL 5 seasons with Steelers
Wiegman @ KC 10/5
Tobek @ SEA 13/6
Saturday @ Colts 7/7
Nalen @ Denver 12/12
Kreutz @ Bears 8/8

 

[JeffGollin]

Quit babying these guys.
It's not a matter of babying anyone. I've watched a ton of pro football over a 60 year period.

Over and over again, I've watched O-lines - where one backup "moves up one" on the depth chart to replace an injured player - outperform O-lines where everyone gets shuffled to "put the best 5 guys on the field."

It's not a matter of babying. It's a matter of "what works."

Regarding Wells - Whether they try him at center or move him to LT (with Leonard D moving to either guard or RT), once they figure out where he can be the most useful, they ought to leave him there.

In my opinion, here's the deal regarding Wells. He has the best feet of any of our linemen. But - at least from the LG position - he can't run block worth beans. (No dominance. No pop). He's also fairly young and comes from a tiny college background and is continuing to learn how to play well at a higher level. He's smart, so there's talk about trying him at center. He's nimble, thus might be best suited to move outside to LT to handle speed rushers better than Leonard can.

But when everything gets sorted out, it will be Loney filling the five line spots with guys he feels can get the job done within the specific roles required by their positions. If he wants 2 roadgraders at guard, Wells could be the odd man out unless he can prove he can play better than Step or Leckey at center or if he, in fact, fits the job description for starting LT.

Our O-line during training camp going to be like Grand Central Station. Out of the jumble of at least 8 candidates (including Davis, Ross, M Brown, E Brown, Stepanovich, Leckey, Wells and the New Rookie) will emerge 5 starters. That's a lot of sorting out to do, and anything can happen.

 

[seesred]

I think our rookie from last year Elton will make some noise this year. He played hurt last year and was coming on towards the end of the year. This year he will know more and have a bigger learning curve. Don't count him out.

GBR
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