It's Time: The Cardinals Offensive line - Official yearly over analysis

[joeshmo]

True enough, but the difference was that Levi and Lyle were allowed to start. When Gandy got hurt this year, the coaching staff didn't look at Keith and say "next man up." The coaching staff looked at Jeremy Bridges and said, "Well, you didn't come to training camp with us, but now you're our starting left tackle."

Its not like Bridges came straight off the street to being starting LT. He was on the roster in practices for what 12 or more weeks before he had to start.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

Wade Smith - Listed on ESPN as a center, and NFL.com as a guard.
http://www.nfl.com/players/wadesmith/careerstats?id=SMI782502

Rex Hadnot- Guard
http://www.nfl.com/players/rexhadnot/careerstats?id=HAD772615

LT: Levi Brown
LG: Reggie Wells
OC: Lyle Sendlien
RG: Deuce Lutui
RT: Brandon Keith

Bench:
Herman Johnson
Jonathan Palmer
Tom Pestock

- I think Wade Smith is being brought in, to be the back up center.

- I think Rex Hadnot is being brought in, to be the back up guard.

- I think Herman Johnson is going to be the backup OT.

- And the Cardinals will draft a offensive linemen in the middle of the draft.

- Not to mention the UDFA's that will also be brought in.

I think the writing is on the wall for Reggie Wells. If the coaches were unhappy with him last year, and are making a push to become more of a power running team, then he is the odd man out. The simple act of adding Brandon Keith in place of Mike Gandy makes 3 out of the 5 players on our line around 6'4" and 330 lbs.

Yet, the Cardinals cannot be content with thier situation. Lutui, whom has one solid season and a year long contract is still a question mark, and his salary demands will be a huge situation a year from now. Do we have another Antrel (I'm an all pro) Rolle on our hands ?

The same goes for Lyle Sendlien whom I am still not sold on, and only has 1 year on his contract as well. If Rex Hadnot, or Wade Smith are being brought in to compete with Sendlien I think that is great. Cause once again, contract time is right around the corner for Sendlien.

With 3/5 of the line in the final year of their contract then there is no reason that the Cardinals would not invest a draft pick on an offensive lineman. With 5 starters, and 3 backups, the Cardinals are free to go BPA when it comes to what lineman they want. I am also in the boat that would pick Maurice Pouncey at #26.

I will conclude that I wish we could sit Russ Grimm down and get a straight answer from the guy. Just so we could know what our options are, and who is doing what is expected.

 

[Shane]

Wade Smith - Listed on ESPN as a center, and NFL.com as a guard.
http://www.nfl.com/players/wadesmith/careerstats?id=SMI782502

Rex Hadnot- Guard
http://www.nfl.com/players/rexhadnot/careerstats?id=HAD772615

LT: Levi Brown
LG: Reggie Wells
OC: Lyle Sendlien
RG: Deuce Lutui
RT: Brandon Keith

Bench:
Herman Johnson
Jonathan Palmer
Tom Pestock

- I think Wade Smith is being brought in, to be the back up center.

- I think Rex Hadnot is being brought in, to be the back up guard.

- I think Herman Johnson is going to be the backup OT.

- And the Cardinals will draft a offensive linemen in the middle of the draft.

- Not to mention the UDFA's that will also be brought in.

I think the writing is on the wall for Reggie Wells. If the coaches were unhappy with him last year, and are making a push to become more of a power running team, then he is the odd man out. The simple act of adding Brandon Keith in place of Mike Gandy makes 3 out of the 5 players on our line around 6'4" and 330 lbs.

Yet, the Cardinals cannot be content with thier situation. Lutui, whom has one solid season and a year long contract is still a question mark, and his salary demands will be a huge situation a year from now. Do we have another Antrel (I'm an all pro) Rolle on our hands ?

The same goes for Lyle Sendlien whom I am still not sold on, and only has 1 year on his contract as well. If Rex Hadnot, or Wade Smith are being brought in to compete with Sendlien I think that is great. Cause once again, contract time is right around the corner for Sendlien.

With 3/5 of the line in the final year of their contract then there is no reason that the Cardinals would not invest a draft pick on an offensive lineman. With 5 starters, and 3 backups, the Cardinals are free to go BPA when it comes to what lineman they want. I am also in the boat that would pick Maurice Pouncey at #26.

I will conclude that I wish we could sit Russ Grimm down and get a straight answer from the guy. Just so we could know what our options are, and who is doing what is expected.

Im betting Keith is higher on the depth chart than Johnson at this point. The coaches do nothing but rave abotu the guy and his footwork.

 

[Catfish]

IIRC Snakester use to post threads breaking down the play of each O-lineman after each game. While I don't agree with everything he posts I do pay extra attention to the posts on O-line play.

As some have stated Big Herm may be to big for OG. If this is the case then without Gandy or Bridges signed where we are thin is at OG. Yes they both played OT but they could also play OG. Keith and Big Herm are probably our depth at OT and Grimm is looking to improve and or add depth at the interior of the line.

It's easier and cheaper to find depth/starters at the interior Oline positions, especially during FA.

Catfish - Still don't agree with your ongoing statement that Grimm wants O-lineman to sit 3 years before getting playing time.
Levi started as a Rookie.
Lyle S played to games in his rookie year and has started in his 2nd year on.
Keith was a 7th rd pick, those usually are developmental type picks.
Big Herm was a 5th rd pick & Cards are changing his position.

Since the Cards had a long streak of the same OLine starting for 32 + straight games it would be tough for a mid/late rd draft pick to break that up.

Many Pre Combine Mocks had Campbell lasting until our pick. I'd say his combine workout has almost assured he is a Raider.

I didn't say they sit 3 years. I also am not sure that is Russ' preferance, but it does seem to be Whiz' preferance to have rookies sit and learn completely for one year, then play in spots during the second, so that they can guage them. They are usually ready by their third year.

By the way, I am not the only person who has recognized this. I have seen it in print before, and after watching, it seems to fit.

Canuk is correct in that both Levi and Sendlein were sent in to start early due to injury and depletion of talent.

 

[Catfish]

Im betting Keith is higher on the depth chart than Johnson at this point. The coaches do nothing but rave abotu the guy and his footwork.

Shane, I agree with you on Keith being ahead of House. While there is not a lot of talk about the O-line by coaches, what there has been has always pointed out how high their expectations have been on Keith and his footwork. IF that is not just smoke and mirrors they are putting out, then we may have a new LT ready to be tried as a starter.

They have seen enough of him in spot play and practice over tha past two years to know whether or not he is ready.

Also, for those of you who would rather nit-pick about Grimm's RULE being to sit a guy for two years, THERE IS NO RULE. It was just said that this seems to be this staff's preferance concerning rookie O-linemen. It also seems to be sound reasoning, due to the fact that playing O-line is complicated from the outset. Playing in Grimm's scheme is even more so.

 

[Cardiac]

I didn't say they sit 3 years. I also am not sure that is Russ' preferance, but it does seem to be Whiz' preferance to have rookies sit and learn completely for one year, then play in spots during the second, so that they can guage them. They are usually ready by their third year.

By the way, I am not the only person who has recognized this. I have seen it in print before, and after watching, it seems to fit.

Canuk is correct in that both Levi and Sendlein were sent in to start early due to injury and depletion of talent.

I realize it must feel like I'm nit picking but see the bolded section.

DRC was starting half way into his rookie season.
CC and Iwebema saw playing time (limited) in their rookie seasons.
Hyphen got playing time (besides ST's) his rookie year.
Hightower got enough playing time his rookie season to get double digit TD's.
Beanie Wells..........
Now maybe I lost you switching from Grimm to Whis and you still meant O-line. If that's the case I doubt Whis tells Grimm to **** if Grimm wants to start a rookie O-lineman. Russ is the AHC for a reason.

 

[Catfish]

I realize it must feel like I'm nit picking but see the bolded section.

DRC was starting half way into his rookie season.
CC and Iwebema saw playing time (limited) in their rookie seasons.
Hyphen got playing time (besides ST's) his rookie year.
Hightower got enough playing time his rookie season to get double digit TD's.
Beanie Wells..........
Now maybe I lost you switching from Grimm to Whis and you still meant O-line. If that's the case I doubt Whis tells Grimm to **** if Grimm wants to start a rookie O-lineman. Russ is the AHC for a reason.

Cardiac, This whole thread is about O-linemen. No others are in this discussion so why try to justify your stance with CB's and D-linemen?

 

[Cardiac]

Cardiac, This whole thread is about O-linemen. No others are in this discussion so why try to justify your stance with CB's and D-linemen?

I'm guessing you didn't read the last paragraph.

Doesn't matter. I will read another 20 posts from stating that Whis prefers not to play O-lineman for 3 years.

 

[Catfish]

I'm guessing you didn't read the last paragraph.

Doesn't matter. I will read another 20 posts from stating that Whis prefers not to play O-lineman for 3 years.

Sorry Cardiac, my bad. You're right, I didn't finish the last paragraph.

 

[Zeno]

Im betting Keith is higher on the depth chart than Johnson at this point. The coaches do nothing but rave abotu the guy and his footwork.

Rugby agress with you as he has Keith starting at RT and Johnson the back up.

 

[Assface]

One reason young OL don't get playing time compared to other rookies is because that position doesn't get platooned in during the game. Unless there's an injury the starting 5 on the line will play every single snap on offense. All other positions except for QB will rotate in almost the entire depth chart throughout the course of a game.