Sporting News: AFC Offensive Lines

[Crazy_Chris]

1. Colts RT Ryan Diem and LT Tony Ugoh are the bookends on a line that gives Peyton Manning the time and space to work his magic. Pro Bowl C Jeff Saturday is a tenacious blocker and has strong rapport with Manning.

2. Chargers This unit has paved the way for the NFL's rushing leader the past two years. The left side (G Kris Dielman and T Marcus McNeill) went to the Pro Bowl after last season, and C Nick Hardwick went after '06.

3. Patriots A group led by LT Matt Light, LG Logan Mankins and C Dan Koppen is quick and versatile, able to zone-block on one play and power-block the next. The cohesiveness shows on a unit entering its fourth year together.

4. Browns Neither LT Joe Thomas nor LG Eric Steinbach is a mauler, but both are strong, smart and consistent. They form one of the best left sides in the game. The team can bank on every position except right guard.

5. Bengals The return of a healthy RT Willie Anderson bolsters a line that can blow defenders off the ball. The team used the franchise tag on Stacy Andrews, who can move back to guard after replacing Anderson last year.

6. Jets Pro Bowl LG Alan Faneca will be a mentor to LT D 'Brickashaw Ferguson and C Nick Mangold, both of whom struggled at times last year. The Jets expect former G Damien Woody to be an above-average right tackle.

7. Bills This revamped group showed vast improvement last season. The best of the bunch is LT Jason Peters, who has excellent footwork, quickness and agility. RT Langston Walker (6-8, 366) can overpower defenders.

8. Jaguars A unit that helped the Jags lead the league in rushing over the past two years is in flux with competitions at both left-side positions. The right side is solid with T Tony Pashos and G Vince Manuwai.

9. Titans LT Michael Roos is athletic and savvy, and RT David Stewart is a mauler with a mean streak. The Titans got more physical by adding former Colts RG Jake Scott, who can take on sturdy defensive tackles.

10. Steelers The loss of LG Alan Faneca won't help a unit that struggled last season, especially in pass protection. LT Marvel Smith must play even better, and free agent Justin Hartwig must strengthen the center spot.

11. Broncos If healthy, this could be a solid and athletic group. C Tom Nalen is coming off knee and biceps injuries, and LG Ben Hamilton (postconcussion symptoms) missed all of 2007. Rookie LT Ryan Clady will start.

12. Texans Can rookie LT Duane Brown make an impact? He and free-agent C Chris Myers appear to be good fits in new assistant Alex Gibbs' zone-blocking scheme. Eric Winston has emerged as a solid right tackle.

13. Dolphins The arrival of LT Jake Long allows Vernon Carey to shift back to the right side, where his power and size make him a better fit. C Samson Satele is an up-and-comer, but the guards have health concerns.

14. Ravens This young line will take time to develop. The strength will be inside with RG Marshal Yanda, LG Ben Grubbs and C Jason Brown. All three are athletic and can run-block. The team will have problems at tackle.

15. Raiders LG Robert Gallery, RG Cooper Carlisle and Co. are nice fits in the team's zone-blocking scheme. But the team has a big question at left tackle, where 49ers castoff Kwame Harris will try to protect QB JaMarcus Russell's blind side.

16. Chiefs This unit will be younger, and that likely means more mistakes. It needs a lift from rookie LT Branden Albert, an athletic first-rounder. LG Brian Waters and RT Damion McIntosh are solid players when healthy.

http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=432210

I think the Super Bowl diminished the patriots accomplishments they were damn near dominant for the entire regular season give me them #1.

The only thing I would change is the top 4 I would have it like this...

1.NWE
2.IND
3.CLE
4.SD

[Yung Flippa]

I'm pretty sure that the Ravens line will be better then the Dolphins.

[BeerBaron]

so....we're just going to completely trust the Colts to sure up their guards like that? plus Ugoh is after all just a second year guy that missed time last year hurt.....

Not sure I like them at #1 personally

[PACKmanN]

Thats a terrible list. I would rank them like this

1. CLE
2. SD
3. NE
4. JAG
5. IND
6. TEN
7. JET
8. BUF
9. CIN
10. DEN
11. PIT
12. TEX
13. OAK
14. KC
15. BAL
16. MIA

[Im_a_Romosexual]

so....we're just going to completely trust the Colts to sure up their guards like that? plus Ugoh is after all just a second year guy that missed time last year hurt.....

Not sure I like them at #1 personally

they keep retooling the guards all the time, it should work.

[BeerBaron]

they keep retooling the guards all the time, it should work.

but theres no guarantee it will work this time around. I can't justify making them #1 without someone proven all along the line, yanno?

[TimD]

Not really a fan of this list. Indy too high and I think NE is definitely top 3. They got beat by the G-Men in the superbowl but other than that they were so dominant. maybe a fluke?

[BeerBaron]

Not really a fan of this list. Indy too high and I think NE is definitely top 3. They got beat by the G-Men in the superbowl but other than that they were so dominant. maybe a fluke?

The Giants were simply better in that game...but someone was keeping Brady on his feet long enough to hock up 50 TDs last year, thats for sure.

[Im_a_Romosexual]

but theres no guarantee it will work this time around. I can't justify making them #1 without someone proven all along the line, yanno?


Very true and I wouldn't put them at 1 (New England), but they churn out guards kind of like Denver puts out runningbacks

[johbur]

The Giants were simply better in that game...but someone was keeping Brady on his feet long enough to hock up 50 TDs last year, thats for sure.

I fully agree. Yeah, NE O-Line got pwned by the Gints, but they have like three pro-bowlers and had a great season. I think it's a measure of disrespect to the D-line of NY to say that the Pats line failed. Justin Tuck had as good a playoff run as I've seen a d-lineman have, then toss on Strahan and Osi and they were incredible.

Pats O-line is at least equal to Colts', IMO.

[BeerBaron]

Very true and I wouldn't put them at 1 (New England), but they churn out guards kind of like Denver puts out runningbacks

Right, I don't disagree with that but for now, they're unproven there. If I could have any of these o-lines and supplant the thing onto my team, I would take NE, SD and maybe Cle as is right now before Indy. I'd like to see those guards in action proving that they're workable again before I'd hand them the #1 spot

[SuperMcgee]

I don't buy the Jets as better than the Bills right now. I like our left side better and I like our right side better. Mangold can take a dump on Fowler for all I care, but I like our group.

[Ness]

San Diego has a great line. I expect them to dominate this season.

[Mr.Regular]

Raiders fans must be scared sh*tless..... Kwame Brown. Thats right Kwame Brown will be protecting (holidng on for dear life) their bluechip QB and blocking for their expensive stable of backs.... Good luck....

[SuperMcgee]

Raiders fans must be scared sh*tless..... Kwame Brown. Thats right Kwame Brown will be protecting (holidng on for dear life) their bluechip QB and blocking for their expensive stable of backs.... Good luck....

Actually it's not. Kwame Brown was that NBA bust.
Kwame Harris is the equally ineffective revolving door on the Raiders line.

[islandboy843]

lol Both suck

Damm Kwame's

[themaninblack]

Bengals are about right at this point though I expect a return to 2005 form especially in the run game. Willie Anderson might not even start for christ's sake.

[Caddy]

I'd move Cleveland up a bit in these rankings. They have a great offensive line which is pretty much solid at all positions and stellar at some.

[GermanSaint]

titans too low , jets too high ....

what a crap after the first four.

they just made a ranking based on some moves on paper.
but i doubt that the titans OL won´t be anything than rocksolid this year.

[bhaarat316]

Pitt needs to be a little lower at least they got number 16 right

[Geo]

I can see why the Colts are that high, they're going to get better. Ugoh has a year under his belt and Diem is healthy again. Inside, Saturday may be getting worse or not, we'll see if this season confirms, but either Pollak or Johnson will be an improvement over Scott at RG imo. The guy was a solid enough starter.

(Edit: Although I'm not sure I would have put them #1 now.)

I've been saying the Browns have the best OL in the league, but I have been wondering if I haven't given them a tad too much credit. I'm pretty sure they are the highest-paid offensive line in the league, been meaning to check out and add their contracts. And that's not even counting the money they gave to LeCharles Bentley who didn't play a game for them.

My hunch says keep an eye on the Cincinnati Bengals' OL though. Wouldn't surprise me if they had a great year like in 2005, which means big things for the offense and thus the team.

[kalbears13]

I'd move Cleveland up a bit in these rankings. They have a great offensive line which is pretty much solid at all positions and stellar at some.

Any OLine that makes Derek Anderson a probowler deserves to be #1. If we actually had a good QB (see below) then we could have made the playoffs.

[bhaarat316]

Any OLine that makes Derek Anderson a probowler deserves to be #1. If we actually had a good QB (see below) then we could have made the playoffs.

if the steelers lost there last game you could have made the playoffs

[BufFan71]

the jets ahead if the bills?
are they crazy?


we have a better left side, and a much better right side.... Mangold (c) is the only position where they MIGHT be better

[kmartin575]

Pitt needs to be a little lower at least they got number 16 right

Go ahead and laugh now but I guarantee by the end of the season the Chiefs will not be the worst line.

[SenorGato]

Nice to see the Jets at 6. If people think Joe Thomas looked kickass last year...I think D'Brick is going to show alot of people why he went 4th in that '06 draft.

Not that they deserve it...I love the Bills O-line (really young too)...the Jags should be past the Jets too.

The Browns have the best O-line in football.

[BlindSite]

The Browns have the best O-line in football.

That's a little extreme imo.

[SenorGato]

That's a little extreme imo.

That group looked absolutely sick for a bunch of guys working for the first time together...I can only hope Faneca does for the Jets left side what Steinbach did to the Browns.

It might be a tad extreme but I'll stand by it. They're too talented.

[skinzzfan25]

Yeah, that left side of the Jets looks filthy.

I bet they run that way more than 60% of the season haha.

[Gay Ork Wang]

How are the Pats not 1? :/

[SenorGato]

Hmmm...which would you guys take over the next 3 seasons:

D'Brick-Faneca-Mangold?

Thomas-Steinbach-Fraley?

Peters-Dockery-Fowler?

I guess this'll be more fun after people actually see the Jets new left side...

[Gay Ork Wang]

Thomas Steinbach and Fraley

[BlindSite]

Hmmm...which would you guys take over the next 3 seasons:

D'Brick-Faneca-Mangold?

Thomas-Steinbach-Fraley?

Peters-Dockery-Fowler?

I guess this'll be more fun after people actually see the Jets new left side...

If D'Brick manages to pass protect he'll be a lot better.

[SenorGato]

If D'Brick manages to pass protect he'll be a lot better.

D'Brick's biggest problem is his weight problem. Thats a metabolism thing and like anyone else his should slow down in time.

D'Brick's pass protection problems are exaggerated by that completely BS stat I constantly see. So many of those sacks attributed to D'Brick on that play are due to stunts meant to attack our LG's. D'Brick has played with mediocre at best G's next to him, and I just can't buy that he gave up the 10-13 (depends on the source) sacks those stats say he did. I can think of at least two in one game (Titans) where the Titans ran stunts with KVB where he blew past and through Clarke like nothing.

He looks bigger than ever this year...yea I'm a little excited to see our O-line this year....

[BufFan71]

D'Brick's biggest problem is his weight problem. Thats a metabolism thing and like anyone else his should slow down in time.

D'Brick's pass protection problems are exaggerated by that completely BS stat I constantly see. So many of those sacks attributed to D'Brick on that play are due to stunts meant to attack our LG's. D'Brick has played with mediocre at best G's next to him, and I just can't buy that he gave up the 10-13 (depends on the source) sacks those stats say he did. I can think of at least two in one game (Titans) where the Titans ran stunts with KVB where he blew past and through Clarke like nothing.

He looks bigger than ever this year...yea I'm a little excited to see our O-line this year....

so because yur LG sucked, D'Brick couldnt pass block?



i take
Peters-Dockery-Fowler
Peters is the best LT in the NFL
ids take DOckery over Faneca
and Fowler will be gone after this season anyways

[PACKmanN]

Hmmm...which would you guys take over the next 3 seasons:

D'Brick-Faneca-Mangold?

Thomas-Steinbach-Fraley?

Peters-Dockery-Fowler?

I guess this'll be more fun after people actually see the Jets new left side...

Give me Cleveland, Buffalo, then NY.

[SuperMcgee]

Give me Cleveland, Buffalo, then NY.

Agreed. Thomas and Steinbach are both top 3 at their position imo.

[leroyisgod]

I believe that 1-4 is pretty tough to rank. You could put these in any different order and I'd have no issues with it. There's not much separation from 1-4.

Also, the Steelers shouldn't be this high.

[SenorGato]

so because yur LG sucked, D'Brick couldnt pass block?



i take
Peters-Dockery-Fowler
Peters is the best LT in the NFL
ids take DOckery over Faneca
and Fowler will be gone after this season anyways

Yea...yea I'd say that'd throw the play of a LT off.

Besides that...he absolutely owned Jason Taylor this year...then shut out Osi, Cole, Geathers, and Schobel...and he played well against KVB and Wimbley.

[Brent]

having Kwame Harris on your O-line should automatically make you the worst.

[LonghornsLegend]

Peters is the best LT in the NFL

I love homers...Not that Peters isn't good, but I just love how people throw out comments like these about their players as if they have watched even half the games of other elite LT's around the league.


How often have you watched games of Walter Jones? You also can't just dismiss Pace because he was hurt last year, Peters I wouldn't put before any of those guys yet, and he's certainly not clearly better as you make it seem.

[yo123]

Peters is the best LT in the NFL




http://thecraptastics.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/fail.jpg

[doingthisinsteadofwork]

having Kwame Harris on your O-line should automatically make you the worst.
Considering hes just as bad as Sims was without Cable I disagree.

[kmartin575]

Considering hes just as bad as Sims was without Cable I disagree.

He's worse than Sims. Hell he got benched last year for a raw rookie.

[kalbears13]

if the steelers lost there last game you could have made the playoffs

They did lose their last game...

Derek Anderson threw 4 picks against the Bengals to clinch a playoff spot and pretty much blew it during the whole second half of the season.

[doingthisinsteadofwork]

He's worse than Sims. Hell he got benched last year for a raw rookie.
Statistically both him and Sims are even. The only reason Sims wasnt benched was because there was nobody behind him worth starting.

[smittyjs]

Titans have a top three unit IMO, Roos and stewart are to of top young tackles, both just got new contracts, while scoot is an improvement over olson, and eugene amano is just as good as bell was, and mawae is still playing at a top level. IMo overall the o-line is the strongest part of this team this year.

[kmartin575]

Statistically both him and Sims are even. The only reason Sims wasnt benched was because there was nobody behind him worth starting.

Kwame Harris has been at right tackle usually facing inferior pass rushers. Statistically comparing a right tackle and a left tackle is pointless.

[Ness]

Kwame Harris has been at right tackle usually facing inferior pass rushers. Statistically comparing a right tackle and a left tackle is pointless.
Well by just watching each player play you can at least make some differences. Not stat wise of course. I remember when Kwame Harris was blocking for us in 2006, defenses relentlessly blitzed from that side. He of course struggled, but he was getting more than his fair share.

[yourfavestoner]

Jags and Titans behind the Bills, Jets, and Bengals is meh...

[doingthisinsteadofwork]

Kwame Harris has been at right tackle usually facing inferior pass rushers. Statistically comparing a right tackle and a left tackle is pointless.
And Sims was a G in 06 before that year they both played LT and their stats were similar.
The difference being Harris was better at run blocking and didnt false start as much.

[stephenson86]

D'Brick's biggest problem is his weight problem. Thats a metabolism thing and like anyone else his should slow down in time.

D'Brick's pass protection problems are exaggerated by that completely BS stat I constantly see. So many of those sacks attributed to D'Brick on that play are due to stunts meant to attack our LG's. D'Brick has played with mediocre at best G's next to him, and I just can't buy that he gave up the 10-13 (depends on the source) sacks those stats say he did. I can think of at least two in one game (Titans) where the Titans ran stunts with KVB where he blew past and through Clarke like nothing.

He looks bigger than ever this year...yea I'm a little excited to see our O-line this year....

yeh in all fairness tennessee were running alot of stunts etc with fat al and KVB

so i can agree with that

[themaninblack]

I hope the Bengals can return to '05 form as far as run blocking is concerned. This is Ghiaciuc's make or break year here but the rest of the line(when healthy) can be dominant.

[Dam8610]

Thats a terrible list. I would rank them like this

1. CLE
2. SD
3. NE
4. JAG
5. IND
6. TEN
7. JET
8. BUF
9. CIN
10. DEN
11. PIT
12. TEX
13. OAK
14. KC
15. BAL
16. MIA

I see you're not a fan of lighter, quicker linemen that rely more on technique than physicality.

[CC.SD]

Raiders fans must be scared sh*tless..... Kwame Brown. Thats right Kwame Brown will be protecting (holidng on for dear life) their bluechip QB and blocking for their expensive stable of backs.... Good luck....

Kwame Brown vs. Kwame Harris...the ultimate battle.

for the record, Brown wins, but only because he throws a cake at the buzzer.

[keylime_5]

I make the Kwame Brown/Harris mistake all the time too.

I see you're not a fan of lighter, quicker linemen that rely more on technique than physicality.

in all fairness he did have Cleveland #1 and Steinbach and Thomas fit that description (even though the rest of their line is totally the opposite)

[jriles0522]

That group looked absolutely sick for a bunch of guys working for the first time together...I can only hope Faneca does for the Jets left side what Steinbach did to the Browns.

It might be a tad extreme but I'll stand by it. They're too talented.

Scouts, Inc. had the Browns offensive line ranked No. 1. Stating that while most teams have 4 starting caliber lineman, the browns have 7 or 8. Also, that Joe Thomas will probably establish himself as the game's premier lineman by the end of the season.

[BufFan71]

Scouts, Inc. had the Browns offensive line ranked No. 1. Stating that while most teams have 4 starting caliber lineman, the browns have 7 or 8. Also, that Joe Thomas will probably establish himself as the game's premier lineman by the end of the season.

Not as long as Jason Peters is in a NFL Uniform

[BlindSite]

You're forgetting a lot of already established talent in SD and New Orleans, so calm down a little there guys.

[kalbears13]

Scouts, Inc. had the Browns offensive line ranked No. 1. Stating that while most teams have 4 starting caliber lineman, the browns have 7 or 8. Also, that Joe Thomas will probably establish himself as the game's premier lineman by the end of the season.

...and to think if Lecharles Bentley hadn't gotten injured...