Our Offensive Line will be............uh, Good Next Year

Having said that… I still believe that we should draft at least 2 more O-linemen. Any combination of OT and G or C.

I love Trent, and think he can only get better… but the failed drug test thing… has me worried. He painted himself a big bullseye on his back… and the NFL might be looking to make an example out of him… We must draft another OT for depth and contingency!

because I was watching Tyson Calabo, a guy we coveted as a FA last season, play last night, and I said to myself, damn, this guy isn’t that good. We have guys on our team that are just as good.

It also struck me when I was watching the Seahawks Carpenter(a rookie RT), a few weeks ago. This is guy who was picked in the first round, who looked no better than our own Willie Smith.

TWill- will he ever get it? 11 failed drug tests since August, a 4 game suspension, and another failed test from a yr long suspension. His play for a 4th overall pick has been average..he’s also the angriest pothead in the world.

Licht- was our best OL before the injury. Will he recover, will his repaired knee take away his greatest asset…getting to the 2nd level?

Monty- better than Rabach but still extremely average.

Chester- not a fan, he’s graded out terribly and needs to be upgraded

Smith- I was also campaigning for him as well. He’s filled in more than admirably and has the potential to be a starting RT but he’s still very raw. Jammal Brown should cut.

OL needs depth and an upgrade at RG, RT and possibly C but Hurt and Smith are good depth guys..

More experience and more gelling is what our O-line needs. Our offense acuatlly started to look like an offense at the end of the season here and help produce quite a few hundred yard days for our rookie backs. I agree, our O-line could use some more depth and maybe another starter at guard and someone to push JB, which I think smith will do. Trent better get his shit together. or i will smack the shit out of him.

But seriously, this is a very, very optimistic way to look at things. Are you really comfortable with depending on a 7th rounder and a UDFA to become good Offensive Linemen in a single offseason? I certainly am not. We need 2 2nd-3rd round talents on the Offensive Line – at OT and at least one of the interior line positions, respectively. We would also be wise to sign one of the top FA Guards this year.

the Vikings and Giants game, focusing on just Willie Smith on every offensive snap and noting down all his good and bad plays. Not sure if I should just type up my notes and post it, or if I should add pictures here and there. But I agree I think we have something there. With a full off-season of coaching and in weight room he could definitely challenge Jammal Brown for the starting RT spot.

for a waterboy or something. He’s been the most overhyped tackle we’ve got. He may have been pro bowl material in NO but here he’s been a waste. Might be a backup but I doubt that. We cut him slack last year for the hip problem all year. Couldn’t fall back on that this season. Too many whiffs of his pass pro and is hot or cold on run blocking. Move Willie into his spot and pray Trent gives up the weed.

They have played much better than expected for a 7th round guard and a undrafted tackle. I think with a full offseason in the weight room and a season of experience, its not unreasonable to think that they both could start next year. Probably wont happen and we still need to draft a OG/OT and a center in the draft, but our situation looks much better than i thought it was before they both played.

can become tomorrows stars.

Hurt – Is a very strong man with good feet. With a little conditioning, he could become good.

Smith – Again, very strong with long arms, and an ideal OT build. Exceptional feet………he just needs to learn to trust them.

We are not as bad off as some on here think.

Personally, if i had to choose one spot to upgrade on the o-line, it would be center – without a doubt. I love both Jones and Molk, and I believe both could be avaliable in the 3rd. BINGO!

would he cost alot? ABSOLUTELY! And he would be worth every penny. Put him with TW and the left side of the line is transformed.

I have been promoting Big Willie for weeks now. It is the best way to see what kind of player he could be. If he wins the RT job next year, WOW!, what a find.

I agree, Tiller, we don’t need a complete overhaul. Injuries make consistent development between players extremely difficult. So do suspensions. Perhaps, TW’s attention has finally been had, and he will come into the offseason training very focused. I know I can’t wait to see who will man the positions next year.

Smith is listed at 6’5" 310 lbs.

Smith came to East Carolina as a Defensive End. He redshirted in 2006. As a freshmen in 2007, he saw action, mainly on special teams, and some as a DE and DT. He started out his sophomore season as a TE, but was moved to Offensive Tackle 3 games into the 2008 season. He saw limited action as a reserve linemen and played on special teams. In 2009 he bacame the starting LT for the Pirates, and never looked back. He started the final 27 games of his career at LT. In 2010, he was the leader of an offensive line that ranked 20th in the nation in fewest sacks allowed, 8th in passing offense, and 16th in scoring.

CBS Sports – A two-year starter at left tackle, Smith is a remarkable athlete with a lot of upside. He earned All-Conference USA honors each of the past two seasons, and might have a higher ceiling than any tackle prospect in the 2011 NFL Draft.

At this point in his development, Smith is too raw and inconsistent to project as a rookie starter in the NFL. Some offensive line coach is likely to be convinced he can coach Smith to block like Walter Jones every play, not just in spurts, and his draft status will reflect that potential of a probably Pro Bowler in two to three years. via CBS Sports

Positives: Excellent lateral agility, slide and ability to pull, trap and seal. Very quick, can bend knees, sink hips, anchor and generate power. Ideal frame for the NFL left tackle position properly proportioned with long arms and strong hands. Can look like Walter Jones for possessions when he uses proper technique, but not full games. Smart in the classroom. Healthy and durable.

Negatives: Former defensive lineman has less than three years experience playing offensive line. Has a tendency to resort to bad habits, most recently in the second half against Maryland in the Military Bowl, including getting too high, waist bending, being late off the snap and occasionally clearly missing an assignment. Too many times allowed the defensive end to get under his outside shoulder on wide rushes. Hand placement is inconsistent, but improving.

Smith had just two years at Offensive Tackle in college. He was labled as raw, but with a ton of upside at the position. Had he played all 4 years at East Carolina as an offensive linemen, we would likely have been looking at a mid-round pick or higher.