Offensive Line Discussion

I know its pretty doom and gloom around here lately but I think we could solve most of this team's problems by upgrading one unit on the team.  By the title and general tenor around here I bet you know I'm referring to the offensive line.  Fixing the offensive line would have a ripple effect that would improve the team on all levels.  If Manning has more time to throw even to non-elite targets he will find open men and if we can run block well enough to run against two deep safeties and nickel/dime sets we will force run sets so Manning can pass even more effectively.  Giving Manning this kind of help will result in more points and TOP which will allow our defense to play fewer minutes with the lead more often - which it is designed to do and does very well.  The offensive line is also a unit that won't fix itself by getting healthy like our receiving core and defensive backfield should with even average luck.  The line needs to be fixed and the way to do that is through the draft.

Our priorities in our search of a better line should be in order:

1. Build an elite pass blocking line above all else - remember we have the greatest QB of all time and we should be pass first

2. Don't reach for size in hope of helping the run, just get better more athletic and powerful zone blocking linemen who improve the scheme we already have

3. Build a line that can run block against dime and nickel packages with two deep safeties - meaning run block at least average and that doesn't have to be fantastic

3. Target at least one tackle in the first or second round who can protect Manning's blindside

4. Target at least one guard who can upgrade the run

5. Target athletic ability, intelligence and durability as keeping a smart zone blocking line that can move well and play as a unit over long stretches will be very effective  

After the break I'll give a rundown of who we have and who we could add to our 2011 line.  I hope this can spark some intelligent conversation about our line and its future.

Who we already have:

-Jeff Saturday

I have to admit that Saturday is my favorite Colts player.  His ability to set the protections at the line and the way he sets double teams and chips to the next level are invaluable,  but as he gets older he will continue to lose the ability to take on large interior defensive linemen by himself.  Saturday should be a starter next year but needs some help to his right and left  to offset his weaknesses.

-Ryan Diem

Diem has been a solid player for us for a long time but it finally seems like he is on his way out.  He still has the strength to drive block but he has lost too much speed and mobility to run block in space like we need our guys to do.  He can still land a good initial punch in pass protection to beat bull rushers but gets beat on speed moves far too often and lacks agility to recover.  He is no longer good enough to be a starter for the Colts and certainly doesn't deserve to be paid like one.

-Charlie Johnson

Johnson is a hard guy for me to pin down.  He has surprising agility and athletic ability as a former tight end and is a bit of a tweener so its hard to say if his lateral agility makes him better as a tackle or if his good footwork and athletic ability make him better as a guard.  He is still developing as a linemen so I would love to see him back as either a tackle or guard because quality versatile linemen like him can always find ways to help.

-Kyle DeVan

I tend to like DeVan more than the next guy.  He is very aware when moving through space and puts his good size frame to good use.  He is a good pass protector and a decent run blocker but lacks the mobility and parts of his technique aren’t good enough to really be a great guard.  He is still developing at 25 so I wouldn't be upset to see him start next year nor would I be shocked to see him improve to become a well above average starter.

-Mike Pollak

While he is very smart and technically sound he is simply overmatched physically at the line.  He seems best when the blocking assignment allows him to help the C or T with their man and then move to the LB as this makes the most of his skills and intelligence.  However when the DT is in his zone and is his primary responsibility he too often fails win the battle even with help.  His familiarity whith the system and technique would make him a good backup but I really think his spot can be upgraded.

-Jamie Richard

To me Richard is nearly the opposite of Pollack.  He is a good athlete who can move well in space but lacks the polish and information processing that Pollack has.  These problems do seem more fixable than Pollack’s because with more time in the system you can become more polished and react quicker whereas its difficult to just become a better athlete.  Its too early to give up on the 26 year old but he does need to start showing something soon.

-Jeff Linkenbach

During the few times he played I made a point to watch Linkenbach closely.  I was very impressed with his ability to engage and maintain blocks in pass protection and he was rarely beat by speed moves or a bull rush.  I did have a hard time assessing his run blocking ability but it seemed like he had a hard time moving his man out of the play though he did for the most part prevent run penetration.  He seemed like he could move well enough in space.  At 6-4 311 and only 23 years old he has the frame and potential to become a starting NFL tackle as early as next year.  If we want to focus on LT and a guard spot then I would be just fine letting Linkenbach start at RT.

Jacques McClendon

-Polian said on his show that McClendon will be a starter next year.  Its hard to tell if thats the truth or him just trying to pump up McClendon's confidence but either way I like the idea.  From what he showed in preseason he maintains the athletic ability and technique to be a very good zone blocking guard and has been getting reps at center to backup and eventually replace Saturday.  It seems a bit crazy but I'm going to go ahead and assume our 4th rounder from 2010 will start at RG in 2011.

Joe Reitz

-At 6-7 320 and a former basketball star he certainly has the size and athletic ability to be a starting NFL tackle.  What he lacks is experience.  I played football with him in high school (I was a C/G and he was a TE) and took honors classes with him - I can tell you he is highly intelligent with an pleasant outgoing personality but also that he didn't even play tackle in HS.  We need to keep him either on the roster or on the practice squad because he has the raw mental and physical tools to be a gem.

Michael Toudouze

-As a backup I like Toudouze.  Its hard to say much about a guy you never see play but the reports are positive on his mobilty/size combination but isn't refined enough as a late bloomer to get starting consideration.  If we have room he would be a nice guy to keep around but as history has shown we aren't afraid to cut him.

I know this rundown is not 100% accurate as I don't watch every practice and don't get to see coach's game film but I feel like I have a decent feel for each guy.  Please if you think I got something wrong on someone let me know in the comments.

Who we should add:

-Left Tackle

This should be our #1 priority and who we should spend our 22nd pick on.  The draft in general is light on elite OT prospects which doesn't really effect us anyway because the elite prospects are almost always gone in the first 10-15 picks in which we don’t pick this year or ever.  We should be looking for a prospect at 22 that has elite pass protection ability and is at least a competent run blocker  (the lack elite run blocking ability allows him to fall to us at 22).  Two guys who fit this mold the best are Anthony Castonzo of Boston College and Derek Sherrod of Mississippi State.  Both have elite pass blocking tools with the footwork, technique, and intelligence to excel as blind side protectors but neither are road graters also that would make them truly elite and come off the board before we pick.  There are a couple other guys who are very interesting.  Nate Solder of Colorado has alot of people divided on him as many love his 6'9 height/length and agility as a pass blocker but others hate his 6'9 height/length as they think rushers will get under and around him and he will fail to get leverage in running plays.  Tyron Smith of USC has likely more upside than any other tackle on the board with elite level strength in the running game and athletic ability to pass protect though he is very young and undersized at 280.  If Tyron can put on some bulk he will likely end up being the best LT in the class.  In my opinion we should take the experienced, technically sound pass protector in Castonzo but really any of these guys would be an upgrade.  

-Guard

Since we have some viable options here like Johnson, DeVan, and McClendon we don't absolutely have to get a guard in the first three or four rounds but if one comes to us that early that has a second or third round grade we need to pull the trigger.  Guys like Pouncey of Florida and Cannon of TCU could be gone by the second round and may not be zone-blocking fits anyways.  Wisniewski of Penn St. would be a great fit and I would be very happy and shocked if he made it to our second round pick.  Some other guys who could be available in the 2-4 rounds would be O'Dowd of USC, Linnenkohl of Oregon St., Ijalana of Villanova, and Watkins of Baylor and they would fit in our line various ways either starting or adding depth.  If we had a meatier center I think Rodney Hudson of Florida St. would be great but his 285 pound frame likely isn't enough to complement Saturday.  John Mofitt of Wisconsin is one of the 'road grater' types that people around here are pining for that I think has enough agility in space and speed to fit well into our scheme and he could possibly still be around in the third.  There are a ton of options here and again it would be easy to upgrade our starting line or depth with even one early round selection.

How do you think we should improve our line and who would you like start next year?