How Will We Fix The OL?

[kidhawk]

We have both draft picks and cap space so we have options here. Who can we target through free agency and the draft to make our OL good enough to give our QB and RBs some room to flourish?

 

[Shane Falco]

Still unsigned:

Will Fries
Mekhi Becton
Teven Jenkins
James Daniels

Quite a few interior guys in the draft.

Might like to sign another swing tackle like they did last year. Although it didn't work out.

 

[chris98251]

We have both draft picks and cap space so we have options here. Who can we target through free agency and the draft to make our OL good enough to give our QB and RBs some room to flourish?

I hope this go round our O line Coach, OC, and RB Coach are all working together to form a line that compliments what they are doing, then use group think with John and Scouts to see who fits the scheme and talent we have.

 

[TheLegendOfBoom]

I can see Seattle having an inquiry with Fries. Probably not interested in Mekhi Becton. The rest is possibly a talk.

 

[sutz]

I'm not sold that they are as bad as many are fearing. Hell, they're all pretty young, couple of guys only 2d or 3d year. Many OL are just coming into their own by then. Young players do get better, no matter what many people say.

I'm all for making some moves, and I'm always up to draft good OL when the time comes, you have to keep guys going through the chain and all that, but I'm actually looking forward to what the kids can do with more experience and some good coaching.

 

[AROS]

Seems clear that if we don't really address the IOL we are looking at the same types of seasons year after year. How serious IS John about a championship? Some great re-signs for sure, and our D is shaping up to being Top 5, but until we truly address the IOL I see us spinning our wheels, maybe sniffing a wildcard and that's about it.

 

[kidhawk]

Seems clear that if we don't really address the IOL we are looking at the same types of seasons year after year. How serious IS John about a championship? Some great re-signs for sure, and our D is shaping up to being Top 5, but until we truly address the IOL I see us spinning our wheels, maybe sniffing a wildcard and that's about it.

This is what I’m thinking as well. We need to fix the middle of the offensive line and have a backup plan at right tackle as I worry about injuries there. If the line is really good then we can have a run game good enough to offset the loss of talent at WR this year.

 

[Shane Falco]

I'm not sold that they are as bad as many are fearing. Hell, they're all pretty young, couple of guys only 2d or 3d year. Many OL are just coming into their own by then. Young players do get better, no matter what many people say.

I'm all for making some moves, and I'm always up to draft good OL when the time comes, you have to keep guys going through the chain and all that, but I'm actually looking forward to what the kids can do with more experience and some good coaching.

Any one of those guys could end up putting it together for sure. I just don't like the idea of running a team that way. I say bring those guys up behind your proven starters. Sure you might get away with throwing a guy in there but 3 positions all at once and hoping they all put it together. Pretty risky in my book.

 

[hawker84]

Fries would be a great start. With Darnold at the helm now, they have to make moves to address the trenches.

 

[James in PA]

 

[Seahawk_Dan]

You order some Fries to go along with your Big Mac.

 

[LeveeBreak]

Fries would make me giddy (assuming his injury has healed properly).

Jenkins and Zeitler would prob be an upgrade, but not pro-bowl level.

Becton would improve our run game...which opens play action. But I admit seeing Forsythe get crushed last year makes me skeptical on tall lineman and their leverage challenges...Becton didn't seem to have that issue.

FA's after that are highly speculative.

Fries + draft seems like the best option. For me, Becton is intruging to what he could do for the run game...sounds like he may be headed to Indy.

 

[Mase]

-- Agree with Aros, but I would say that JS is "serious about a championship", he might just see what that takes differently from most of us. I think he has made honest efforts to address our needs, even on the offensive line.....except for center. He drafted tackles 1st and 3rd round, then drafted a guard early and a guard later last year.

-- Still think his biggest mistake here, including Adams and Harvin, was trading away Unger. It has always made me question JS's believe in the value of that position. He has done nothing to change my mind since then. Olu is a nice depth piece, but he gets pushed around a lot. Fingers crossed.

Mase

 

[Seahawker]

This is John's Achilles heel, right now, at this very moment, shortly after free agency starts. He just refuses to spend $ on IOL or any OLine, waits too long until the few young difference makers are gone. It's like he gets distracted by big upside shiny objects and he prioritizes his phone conversations to anything but offensive line.
Conjecture sure, but what are we to think?
He's got an hour or two left on the timer, then we are likely facing old retreads and 3rd/4th rounders as a patch.

 

[Seahawk_Dan]

This is John's Achilles heel, right now, at this very moment, shortly after free agency starts. He just refuses to spend $ on IOL or any OLine, waits too long until the few young difference makers are gone. It's like he gets distracted by big upside shiny objects and he prioritizes his phone conversations to anything but offensive line.
Conjecture sure, but what are we to think?
He's got an hour or two left on the timer, then we are likely facing old retreads and 3rd/4th rounders as a patch.
View attachment 70031View attachment 70032

Seriously, foot in mouth moment as that season Seattle's Oline (especially guard) was such a cluster f#ck. A better man would be humbled and correct himself.

 

[HawkRiderFan]

I'm looking forward to the change in coaching and scheme to work alongside the (hopefully) upgrade in talent. I don't think the Hawks have done a good job in developing guys they bring in. Not exactly world beaters but guys like Pocic are still carving out decent careers

 

[warden]

I have no faith in improving the interior of the offensive line as long as Schneider is here.

 

[Wsumatt1982]

I think we will get Fries.

Haynes is suited for this type of scheme, I get the feeling this staff feels they can really work with him.

Sundell is a very good fit for this scheme too but he's probably more a year or two away.

I think we will draft two offensive linemen

Mecari is intriguing because he can play all 5 spots, but a good fit for swing Tackle but can play guard and center if needed.

Zeitler for 1 year may be good insurance too.

 

[James in PA]

I have no faith in improving the interior of the offensive line as long as Schneider is here.

I don't either. Will Fries is a hot commodity. Schneider is going to take one look at his contract demands and fall over.

 

[chris98251]

Problem at tackle injuries, interior line scheme, player development and coaching and skill, pick one, we have a good group on paper so what happened. That's what the team needs to sort out and fix.