The O-Line is....

[82CardsGrad]

Playing WAY better than I thought they ever would, and easily good enough to allow us the chance for a W each time they step on the field... 'Course, we'll see what happens up in Seattle this Sunday...

 

[crisper57]

...going to be tested BIG TIME over the next 2 weeks.

 

[WildBB]

...going to be tested BIG TIME over the next 2 weeks.

BIG TIME.

 

[82CardsGrad]

...going to be tested BIG TIME over the next 2 weeks.

I can't wait to see how they perform against arguably the two toughest front 7's/8's in the NFL today...
Could be ugly... particularly Sunday up in Seattle. Or, they might just surprise us.
I think play-calling will be a HUGE factor in determining the ultimate success of the o-line play against Seattle though. Just can't have Palmer taking too many 5-7 step drops as that's asking way too much of the o-line. Gotta do it every now and then just to keep Seattle's defense honest. But, a well-conceived short/mid-range passing game mixed with creative run plays will most likely be the plan... I think...

 

[WildBB]

I can't wait to see how they perform against arguably the two toughest front 7's/8's in the NFL today...
Could be ugly... particularly Sunday up in Seattle. Or, they might just surprise us.
I think play-calling will be a HUGE factor in determining the ultimate success of the o-line play against Seattle though. Just can't have Palmer taking too many 5-7 step drops as that's asking way too much of the o-line. Gotta do it every now and then just to keep Seattle's defense honest. But, a well-conceived short/mid-range passing game mixed with creative run plays will most likely be the plan... I think...

They might miss the quick hitters that Fitz offers. Hopefully one of the TE's can show up to work and do some damage.

Seattle is so tough deep because of Thomas back there. He covers so much ground. The rest play up.

 

[82CardsGrad]

They might miss the quick hitters that Fitz offers. Hopefully one of the TE's can show up to work and do some damage.

Seattle is so tough deep because of Thomas back there. He covers so much ground. The rest play up.

Fitz is playing Sunday - passed all concussion tests and is good to go!

 

[BullheadCardFan]

...going to be tested BIG TIME over the next 2 weeks.

This.

They are playing better than expected which is nice. Still room for improvement.

 

[Buckybird]

I still say the Oline is playing better because #75 was traded to Pittsburgh!!!
Sowell isn't as talented physically, but he makes less mistakes mentally & plays with better technique.

IMO, this team isn't 9-5 & in the playoff race if that move wasn't made!!!

 

[Austin Zonie]

I still say the Oline is playing better because #75 was traded to Pittsburgh!!!
Sowell isn't as talented physically, but he makes less mistakes mentally & plays with better technique.

IMO, this team isn't 9-5 & in the playoff race if that move wasn't made!!!

I was thinking the same thing. Pretty subjective, but sure looks that way. Addition by subtraction.

 

[GuernseyCard]

Could be ugly, but the Rams front seven is not second rate and we handled them.

 

[GuernseyCard]

Fitz is playing Sunday - passed all concussion tests and is good to go!

Not so. That was a tweet from his Dad. He hasn't gone through the league protocols, yet.

 

[Seandonic]

I still say the Oline is playing better because #75 was traded to Pittsburgh!!!
Sowell isn't as talented physically, but he makes less mistakes mentally & plays with better technique.

IMO, this team isn't 9-5 & in the playoff race if that move wasn't made!!!

Totally agree!

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

Sowell still needs to be replaced though. Put an upper level LT on this team and they could beat anybody, even in Seattle. Heck, they can beat anybody as is but a good LT and Cooper being back next year will greatly improve the OL.

If I'm Keim, I pull out all the stops on Eugene Monroe come free agency time. The Cards are actually playing well enough that they can consider being one player away from a SB run.

 

[cardncubfan]

I still say the Oline is playing better because #75 was traded to Pittsburgh!!!
Sowell isn't as talented physically, but he makes less mistakes mentally & plays with better technique.

IMO, this team isn't 9-5 & in the playoff race if that move wasn't made!!!

 

[Chopper0080]

Sowell still needs to be replaced though. Put an upper level LT on this team and they could beat anybody, even in Seattle. Heck, they can beat anybody as is but a good LT and Cooper being back next year will greatly improve the OL.

If I'm Keim, I pull out all the stops on Eugene Monroe come free agency time. The Cards are actually playing well enough that they can consider being one player away from a SB run.

I am really curious to see how they approach free agency and the offensive line. My first inclination is that they would draft an OT in round 1 since there should be some very good talent available when they pick. My second was if they signed a free agent OT, then they might also be in the market for a pass rusher in round 1. I am starting to believe a QB in round 1 is doubtful, and in round 2 becoming less likely. We will see who comes out.

By the way, I was reading an article regarding the Cardinals drafting Shazier and how his speed and power might be good enough to make up for his lack of size ala Von Miller (though Miller plays in a 4-3). Curious on your thoughts.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

I am really curious to see how they approach free agency and the offensive line. My first inclination is that they would draft an OT in round 1 since there should be some very good talent available when they pick. My second was if they signed a free agent OT, then they might also be in the market for a pass rusher in round 1. I am starting to believe a QB in round 1 is doubtful, and in round 2 becoming less likely. We will see who comes out.

By the way, I was reading an article regarding the Cardinals drafting Shazier and how his speed and power might be good enough to make up for his lack of size ala Von Miller (though Miller plays in a 4-3). Curious on your thoughts.

I really like Shazier and he is a tackling machine. However, I think he's scheme specific to a 4-3 OLB. He's just not big enough to fit the Cards style(Bowles seems to favor the big OLB's). I think he's generously listed at around 230 but that's probably 10-15 pounds heavier than he actually is.

He may bulk up and get close to 230 for combine but his playing weight is not that. I also think his style of play may lead to injury in the NFL. He flies around and is a hard hitter but, again, at his size, the NFL guys will be much more of a load for him.

The guy I compare him to is Lavonte David, but I think Shazier will be a better player than him. All that being said, for some reason, Shazier is said to be leaning to coming back to OSU. I think he should enter the draft. If Dallas keeps Kiffin at DC, I think he'd be a good fit in that scheme.

 

[Catfish]

...going to be tested BIG TIME over the next 2 weeks.

True that they will be tested but I positively love these guys. They are who we have, and they give all they can. I can't fault them for that. They've hung in there enough to get us 9 wins this year already, and that is far above what anyone should have assumed we would have.

 

[football karma]

I really like Shazier and he is a tackling machine. However, I think he's scheme specific to a 4-3 OLB. He's just not big enough to fit the Cards style(Bowles seems to favor the big OLB's). I think he's generously listed at around 230 but that's probably 10-15 pounds heavier than he actually is.

He may bulk up and get close to 230 for combine but his playing weight is not that. I also think his style of play may lead to injury in the NFL. He flies around and is a hard hitter but, again, at his size, the NFL guys will be much more of a load for him.

The guy I compare him to is Lavonte David, but I think Shazier will be a better player than him. All that being said, for some reason, Shazier is said to be leaning to coming back to OSU. I think he should enter the draft. If Dallas keeps Kiffin at DC, I think he'd be a good fit in that scheme.

there is this not totally rational thought I have that imagines a LB corp of Wash, Dansby, Shazier with a Shaughnessy / Abraham rotation --- super speed to cover and close on the Wilson and Kaepernicks of the world.

But that is just what it is: it puts Shazier in a place where he is asked to set the edge -- and that just wouldnt work

 

[juza76]

Vic baesley could be an option too, but we need to find a good cover safety,a 6'2'' guy who can cover and hit.
Even depth at corner not promising.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

Vic baesley could be an option too, but we need to find a good cover safety,a 6'2'' guy who can cover and hit.
Even depth at corner not promising.

Other than Clinton-Dix, this seems to be a bad draft class for safeties.

 

[Chopper0080]

Other than Clinton-Dix, this seems to be a bad draft class for safeties.

That is the impression I have gotten as well. Might be more CB's shifted to S than S's who actually end up starting. Early though and I haven't been able to really dig into it yet.