Offensive Line Discussion

[powderblueboy]

Good point...if Okung can still play, keep him...but Pouncey--may be time to let him go...his pass pro wasn't all that great...

It wasn't a good point. We all saw how the Oline went over the cliff with Okung's absence. We still remember how pitiful it was the year before he came.

Okung was a great signing.

[wu-dai clan]

Bringing the HEAT.
Bringing the truth.
They just say it's too hot.

[powderblueboy]

Everyone thinks that we can easily move on from one player (okung) because the free agent we target (conklin) will want to sign with us. It doesn't work that way unless you throw ridiculous money at a free agent.

[like54ninjas]

I might agree with you on Pouncey, if they can draft or acquire a decent replacement, or if Happy Campen can coach up Q-berry up a bit more to pass pro better. But on Okung, we're better off to keep him around while we groom his replacement.

$15.5 million for a 32 yo OT who played in 6 games, did not complete all, and is coming off a PE. No fucking thanks.

Still haven’t heard a damn thing about MP, so his career is in limbo at best. Move on.

[like54ninjas]

Harsh.

Counterpoints:

Okung even suiting up and playing again shows a lot grit. What he had is LIFE THREATENING. Would have been easy to pack it up. But he came back, played well, got injured.

Pouncey signed a team friendly extension at a time when he was healthy and playing at a high level. He has a SEVERE injury that is just bad luck. Nothing in what he has done since he became a Bolt has ever indicated a guy who mails it in.

Both Okung and Pouncey were pro bowlers when healthy.

TG

See above post.

PBers yes. PB nods are a fan voting popularity/name recognition contest. Rarely do spots go to current best players at their respective positions.
Over $22 million in 2020 Cap space allocated to 2 older, injury history vets, coming off 2019 career threatening injuries/medical condition are not 2 players that can be counted on to play 16+ games.

[Boltjolt]

It wasn't a good point. We all saw how the Oline went over the cliff with Okung's absence. We still remember how pitiful it was the year before he came.

Okung was a great signing.

Agree, be has been pretty darn good for us. Unfortunate he had the blood clot problem.

[Boltjolt]

Everyone thinks that we can easily move on from one player (okung) because the free agent we target (conklin) will want to sign with us. It doesn't work that way unless you throw ridiculous money at a free agent.

And Conklin isn't a LT. The Titans didn't pick up his 5th year option either, that says a lot. I don't want us to spend 16-18 mil a year on a OL that we are over rating.

[Bolt4Knob]

I might agree with you on Pouncey, if they can draft or acquire a decent replacement, or if Happy Campen can coach up Q-berry up a bit more to pass pro better. But on Okung, we're better off to keep him around while we groom his replacement.

If healthy on March 1 - maybe even March 15

but if there is any question, have to be prepared for free agency

I would agree in that a 100% healthy good to go Okung around when Free Agency opens - would be better. I just don't trust the health.

[Bolt4Knob]

DJ Humphries - not an option anymore. But the price is set for Conklin, Scherff, etc - 15+

[Steve]

Conklin is a better player in every regard except pass protection, where they are about the same. And Conklin was a LT in college, so for a left handed QB, or a running offense, that is willing to protecting him some (TE aligning next to him, TE and RB chips), I don't think a team would hesitate to play him at LT.

Scherff has not played OT since college, but has great fundamentals and plays for a team that simply doesn't need him at OT. If a team needs an OT, they are probably willing to reach for him and play him at RT. His pff grades are higher than Humphries.

Both Conklin (3514 in 4 years) and Scherff (4126 in 5 years) have significantly more snaps than Humphries (2694 in 4 seasons).

If Humphries is getting $15 million, Scherff and Conklin will get more unless they take a hometown discount to stay where they are.

There is obviously wiggle room in any contract that big, but to get the Average per season cost down, you either have to guarantee more (bad idea for historical reasons), or give a bigger signing bonus. Unless the Spanos family is doing really well in their other businesses, the cash flow in the little stadium is going to make those harder to deal with. If we are going to get players in FA, I think we have to overpay to get them. Particularly with letting Rivers go, but even so. And they aren't going to accept the old backloaded, never going to see the money type of deals either.

Then there is simply the fact that you don't get the player you think you are getting. Based on the history of NFL free agency, only 2 positions have had better than average luck paying for upgrades. C on offense and S on D. Given that Buffalo paid a ton to Mitch Morse, the days are probably done, as C are now getting OG type money. Last years S class of Tyrann Mathieu. Lamarcus Joyner, Landon Collins, Adrian Amos, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, and Earl Thomas probably ended the value for S movement.

[Topcat]

And Conklin isn't a LT. The Titans didn't pick up his 5th year option either, that says a lot. I don't want us to spend 16-18 mil a year on a OL that we are over rating.

Yep...don't need to pull another Franklin...

[Steve]

The majority of FA are overrated. Overpaying and giving them a false sense of confidence makes the problem worse