OL 2025

toffee

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OK, keep up the OL discussion, we were quite optimistic about the OL 2024, the addition of Fant, who was starting LT and RT for different teams; Tomlinson, a pro-bowler; and Connor Williams, one of the highly ranked C on PFF, injected a lot of hope. Too bad that was injured, Tomlinson was our best guard, but isn't the future, Connor was the biggest disappointment, he quitted on us.


This season, is the second season Schneider's been in total control. This is likely the starting lineup:

LT - Cross: The best of what we have, but I often critizie him for subpar anchoring, his butt was often a foot or so from Geno as he was pushed towards Geno, and didn't have the strength to be away from Geno.

LG - open for competition, Haynes? Zabel? Probably Zabel, so the question would be how much better Zabel over Tomlinson in his rookie season? Tomlinson was 62 overall, 65 pass blocking, 59.7 run blocking, or 66th out of 136 guards.

C - Olu? Zabel? Olu (64 overall, 54.8 pass blk, 65.8 run blk) was kind of ok, but not inspiring. Sundell?

RG - Bradford? Haynes? Both didn't excel in 2024

RT - Lucas, he was below average in 2024.

What is your opinion on our 2025 OL? I am totally fired up, liking an OL filled with players drafted by the Hawks. Schneider didn't sign any veteran IOL in the free agent period, he was confident about the line, didn't feel the need to invest big $$$.
 

bileever

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I like what you wrote here, but disagree with your conclusion. I guess I'm the opposite of "fired up." I'm optimistic about Zabel, but after last season's performance, I'm filled with trepidation. I don't think Schneider was confident at all about the O line, he tried to sign some free agents and struck out.

Hopefully, the change in the offensive coordinator and O-line coach will have a positive effect on the line. But I'm not expecting any miracles.
 

Seahawker

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Maybe...

LT. Cross/Jones
LG. Zabel/Laumea
C. Olu/Sundell
RG. Bradford/Haynes/Cabeldue
RT. Lucas/Jerrel

Richman, Willie, Kight, Manages, Laulu, Elsbury, Fualalo.

I think Bradford & Haynes may be on the bubble if they don't show marked improvement early.

We need to find a vet OG preseason cut
To start at RG out the gate.

Fast & loose #'s, but 34M cap room, minus 14M draft leaves 20M. Save 10M for emergency $ and another 10 to sign a vet RG & CB at cut time to transition this young team into the season.

You never know which young OLineman could make a splash but they are all longshots. Regardless, I favor carrying 10 OL on the roster which will be hard for JS to do if they keep 3 QB's.
Maybe no music in camp, just pin your ears back.
 

Wsumatt1982

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I'm kind of surprised some people keep putting Zabel at Center when multiple people from the team has said he's the LG. Zero percent chance of him being at center so hopefully that stops now.

I like the line, it should continue to grow together with coaching, continuity, stability and another year of experience. I think this line can be middle of the road. It's not great, but it's too talented to be last again.
 

GemCity

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For our current group of year 3-4 players, I feel like this is a ‘now or never’ scenario. We all know O-line takes time to mature…they should be at the sweet spot performance wise.

Agree with Zabel at LG. Imo, Olu was starting to come along.

Performance wise…flip a coin. It’s hard to be overly optimistic as we were damn near at the bottom of the barrel. We took Zabel…so, I’m happy that the biggest need was addressed.

The addition of Kubiak is going to have the biggest effect up front - subjective but, I feel this is the first time in a long time that we have a good O-coordinator leading the charge.
 

Hotchy

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If Haynes and Olu can figure it out and perform to their expectations, and Lucas can stay healthy......these things aren't even out of reach to ask for. Hard work and good coaching should easily help Haynes and Olu. Injuries are just shit luck. Cross/Zabel/Olu/Haynes/Lucas . If we see this lineup all season we're winning the West
 
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toffee

toffee

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This time last year, .NET was sure that Haynes would be our starting RG, he was the highest rated IOL in last year's draft. He was the designated RG until he wasn't and despite repeated opportunities, he couldn't.

Fast-forward to this year. We don't have a starting LG, or anyone on the roster with proven LG experience. We are assuming Zebel will be our LG, I think so too. Quoting John Schneider: "He is until he isn't".

The great John Schneider seems to share ole toffee's observation of Charles Cross, despite his excellent PFF ratings, either due to strenth or technique, Cross did not anchor well. He suffered over 40 QB pressures, not counting being pushed to within 2 feet of QB. Schneider exercised 5th year option but no multi-year extension.
 

chris98251

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Regardless of who we throw out there it will take 8 games or so before we start seeing sustained production, Grubb had Haynes in the dog house all year and didn't help him come along as he should have, so really this is a rookie year again for him but has the experience of getting his ass handed to him by NFL lineman.
 

Scout

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With the zone blocking scheme change I would say that Zabel should be the LG, Olu at center and then Bradford and Haynes at RG is a toss up. Bradford isn't a lock to start at RG because of the shift to zone blocking so Haynes may have a shot.

In theory if Zabel is your A+ anchor on the inside you shift him to center but I think Zabel can do more at LG teamed up with Cross next to him and help out Olu with that A gap on the QB's blind side.

RG is the easiest position to learn and play on the line so Bradford or Haynes being plugged in there is perfectly acceptable.
 

Sperrydogg

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OK, keep up the OL discussion, we were quite optimistic about the OL 2024, the addition of Fant, who was starting LT and RT for different teams; Tomlinson, a pro-bowler; and Connor Williams, one of the highly ranked C on PFF, injected a lot of hope. Too bad that was injured, Tomlinson was our best guard, but isn't the future, Connor was the biggest disappointment, he quitted on us.


This season, is the second season Schneider's been in total control. This is likely the starting lineup:

LT - Cross: The best of what we have, but I often critizie him for subpar anchoring, his butt was often a foot or so from Geno as he was pushed towards Geno, and didn't have the strength to be away from Geno.

LG - open for competition, Haynes? Zabel? Probably Zabel, so the question would be how much better Zabel over Tomlinson in his rookie season? Tomlinson was 62 overall, 65 pass blocking, 59.7 run blocking, or 66th out of 136 guards.

C - Olu? Zabel? Olu (64 overall, 54.8 pass blk, 65.8 run blk) was kind of ok, but not inspiring. Sundell?

RG - Bradford? Haynes? Both didn't excel in 2024

RT - Lucas, he was below average in 2024.

What is your opinion on our 2025 OL? I am totally fired up, liking an OL filled with players drafted by the Hawks. Schneider didn't sign any veteran IOL in the free agent period, he was confident about the line, didn't feel the need to invest big $$$.
Can’t believe Conner quitted
 
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