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Finding offensive line depth remains one of key questions for Saints this offseason
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Re: Finding offensive line depth remains one of key questions for Saints this offseason
No mention of Wozniak. Anyone heard anything?
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Re: Finding offensive line depth remains one of key questions for Saints this offseason
Despite the highest paid lineman of the unit missing half the season, again, the Saints return nearly all of the league's best unit from last season...
Sans its most important reserve/swing starter in Senio Kelemete... The loss of Kelemete cannot be understated... While I could lament the loss of Kelemete and the heresy of arguing to trade the often unavailable Terron Armstead (aka Mr. Glass), I'll stay on point... So without further ado, here's what we got going into training camp before some reserves are reshuffled to assess flexibility again... LT (2) 72 - Terron Armstead, 74 - Jermon Bushrod (FA 2018), 69 - Nate Wozniak (UDFA) LG (2) 75 - Andrus Peat, 79 - Josh LeRibeus (FA 2018), 78 - Landon Turner (RFC) C (2) 60 - Max Unger, 63 - Cameron Tom, 64 - Will Clapp (R7, #245) RG (2) 67 - Larry Warford, 77 - John Fullington, 66 – Andrew Tiller (RFC) RT (2) 71 - Ryan Ramcyzk, 73 - Rick Leonard (R4, #127), 65 - Michael Ola (FA -2018), 61 - Trevor Darling (UDFA) Realistically, I don't see Bushrod, who was our starting LT in the Superbowl playing LT when Armstead goes down, again... More likely scenario is that LT Andrus Peat, as he did so well and often on game day or during games last season will take LT, his natural position... Then Bushrod, who rejuvenated his career in Miami as a Right Guard, can relieve Peat at LG without missing a beat for this group... At Center, we have still one of the league's best in Max Unger, who deserves more league recognition as Captain of the league's best unit last year... Late round pick and LSU Homer favorite Will Clapp, who's aleady seen some RG in OTA/Mini-Camp, will compete with UDFA Cameron Tom... Surprising ProBowler Warford, returns at RG; re-signed FA Josh LeRibeus, John Fullington, Landon Turner, Andrew Tiller will compete as a reserve... But those guys need to be special in camp/pre-season to make the team because, as stated, Clapp and Bushrod have seen time at RG as well... Finally, our best LT, currently at RT, is Ryan Ramczyk; with better draft options available, 4th round pick Rick Leonard will try to be his reserve... Learning a whole new position will likely take a "Sean Payton Red Shirt Year" for former 6' 9" TE Nate Wozniak - which is what I expect to happen... While it seems we could have more depth than ever along the offensive line, suspect the Saints will be leaning toward more depth at DE and DB... Look for something like this when the Saints decide on a 53 man roster, provided everyone including Mr. Glass is relatively healthy opening game... LT (2) 72 - Terron Armstead, 74 - Jermon Bushrod (FA 2018) LG (2) 75 - Andrus Peat C (2) 60 - Max Unger, 64 - Will Clapp (R7, #245) RG (1) 67 - Larry Warford RT (2) 71 - Ryan Ramcyzk, 73 - Rick Leonard (R4, #127) Should Josh LeRibeus have a great camp, or Leonard and Clapp have a shaky to bad camp, he should be the next add... The Saints will likely try to sneak John Fullington and/or Landon Turner onto the practice squad again; per previous comment, Wozniak will be red-shirted... Fullington has been a solid reserve and teams may pick up on that; we'll see what the other kids have to offer when pre-season games arrive... |
Re: Finding offensive line depth remains one of key questions for Saints this offseason
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https://www.nola.com/saints/index.ss...ak_saints.html I see him as a practice squad candidate & possible development at OT. |
Re: Finding offensive line depth remains one of key questions for Saints this offseason
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Agree with everything above ^^ except that Armstead is 100% untradeable- he goes and so does 21 million Next year that # drops to $7.5 million. Not great, but a lot easier to swallow |
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Re: Finding offensive line depth remains one of key questions for Saints this offseason
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...and with the former Tight End experience, he'll be one helluva Tackle eligible receiver... |
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As Kelemete wanted the chance to start full-time - and he earned it... Quote:
Either Trade pre-Jun1 or Trade post-Jun1 and you'll see much different number than what you're citing; Dead Money has different values based on circumstance... |
Re: Finding offensive line depth remains one of key questions for Saints this offseason
I would not be surprised to see TA traded at the end of the season. Clapp can play both guard positions and peat can start at Lt. Laying say too much for an often injuries tackle
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Re: Finding offensive line depth remains one of key questions for Saints this offseason
Last year before the draft I was concerned about O line. NOT this year.
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None of our reserves have much experience except for LeReibus who I'm surprised is still on the team after last years bad showing. I just hope we stay healthy! :bng: |
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But Bushrod actually bounced back well at right guard in Miami where Jay Ajayi really exploded till he was hurt and Ajayi was traded... I like the idea of having a veteran reserve in Bushrod who can take that LG spot with Peat moving down when Mr. Glass gets hurt again... |
Re: Finding offensive line depth remains one of key questions for Saints this offseason
Was discussing the Saints offensive line at lunch this past week with a retired HS Coach sitting next to us & I shared this observation with him...
The Saints have three legitimate All-Pro Left Tackles candidates on the roster (Peat, Ramczyk, and Armstead (if available))... Coach put his poboy down stared forward, looked back at me and just nodded in acknowledgement, leaving him speechless... |
Re: Finding offensive line depth remains one of key questions for Saints this offseason
They've set the bar high as a unit and lost one man, Senio Kelemete - but a huge loss...
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Re: Finding offensive line depth remains one of key questions for Saints this offseason
Ramczyk!!!
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Re: Finding offensive line depth remains one of key questions for Saints this offseason
When healthy we have the best line in football. We invested heavily in the last few years with first round draft picks for Peat and Ramczyk. We went out and made a trade for Unger and we signed Warford last year who became a pro bowler under offensive line coach Nielsen to play right guard. And we got a first round talent in Armstead in the third round who slid to the third because of.......you guessed it. Injury concerns!
That is how you build a great O-line. We have gotten a nice return on our investment in the line and it shows in both the running and passing game. |
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Still need depth, though. Bushrod < Kelemete |
Re: Finding offensive line depth remains one of key questions for Saints this offseason
Going into last season I thought the offensive line was going to be our biggest problem. Snaps were too low or too high and the QB wasn’t being protected. It became obvious by game 3 that our line was just fine. No reason to think otherwise
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Re: Finding offensive line depth remains one of key questions for Saints this offseason
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Re: Finding offensive line depth remains one of key questions for Saints this offseason
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Re: Finding offensive line depth remains one of key questions for Saints this offseason
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Re: Finding offensive line depth remains one of key questions for Saints this offseason
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Re: Finding offensive line depth remains one of key questions for Saints this offseason
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Re: Finding offensive line depth remains one of key questions for Saints this offseason
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Re: Finding offensive line depth remains one of key questions for Saints this offseason
PreSeason Hate on the Saints - bring it...
1. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES 2. DALLAS COWBOYS 3. ATLANTA FALCONS 4. PITTSBURGH STEELERS 5. TENNESSEE TITANS 6. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP: Left Tackle: Terron Armstead, 78.2 overall grade Left Guard: Andrus Peat, 46.9 Center: Max Unger, 50.0 Right Guard: Larry Warford, 76.7 Right Tackle: Ryan Ramczyk, 84.2 2017 season-end rank: 9th (+3) No offensive line earned a higher pass-blocking efficiency than the Saint’ unit did a season ago. One of the biggest reasons for that was the superb play from rookie tackle Ryan Ramczyk in Zach Strief’s stead. Ramczyk’s 96.6 pass-blocking efficiency was fifth best among starting offensive tackles. Their key though, will be the health of left tackle Terron Armstead who has managed only 1,064 snaps over the past two seasons after earning a 90.6 overall grade in 2015. Wow, I saw Peat flat out destroy some of the elite tackles and ends in the league last season and only got this grade? Wonder if PFF gives any consideration for game-time or in-game reassignments to LT because Mr. Glass wasn't a geaux? I'd like to ask PFF why Warford got a ProBowl nod with this grade and Ramczyk did not with a better grade of not only his peers but other OTs? Personally, I didn't think Warford deserved the ProBowl invite; felt he benefited playing between Ramczyk and Unger, our two best offensive linemen... |
Re: Finding offensive line depth remains one of key questions for Saints this offseason
Kamara gets the hype, but getting a Franchise Left Tackle, at pick no. 32 no less, was the absolute steal of the draft...
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Re: Finding offensive line depth remains one of key questions for Saints this offseason
I'm not worried about our starters.....I'm worried about how we will play without Kelemete when/if one of them goes down.
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