Carolina OL - 2003

Might as well bust this one out too.

Steussie - expect him here. Too many fans want him gone, and I'll bitch at every last one of them. He gave up four sacks, I believe Piper said, was a steadying force among the line players, and got mention under TSN as being the reason Nesbit got better (though I'd probably put some of that on each of the OL moves). he's too expensive to cut, he's too damn good, he's not even reaching his potential until you add the whole run-blocking thing in.

Nesbit - it's hard to say here. Mostly because his contract terms are unreported. I'd lvoe to see where he signed a three year deal and saved us some cap room in the process, because if he's getting better and has the experience he has, we gotta keep him or let him go on our terms, not his. We gotta deal with the prospect of keeping or losing Terry as it is, two starters (with or without the idea of Jordan/James being ready) isn't something I want to do unless we know we don't want the guy back. I'm torn because it's hard to tell where he is, but no one challenges him and there aren't usually that many mistakes. Some penalties, but he rarely seems to hold, and as a matter of fact they were all fairly disciplined compared to the receivers and Walls.

Mitchell - perfect. I can't wait to see him taking out linemen. I can ask for no more.

RG - Donnalley should be able to return from injury with no problem and turn in another solid year. 2003 is wait and see, though, and I don't know if we'll see him around by the end of his contract.

Depth: Jordan? Might excel in this type setup. James should be a competent RT backup. Tuten's still here...why? Washington or Fletcher could emerge and make the roster, Campion and Louis Williams might have a shot but neither of them do a thing for me right now.

If Jordan doesn't step up this year, a RG should be drafted. Gotta deal with the Terry situation but I'm starting to warm back up to him.

 

I'm interested in seeing how all of our guys do with a more balanced attack and a good stable of RB's. It could make a big difference.

I can't say that I see RT as a day one need next year.

When i say ALL - I mean Terry, Nesbit, Jordan, and James. Particularly Terry, b/c of the RT and overall tackle depth situation, and then Jordan and James b/c of Donnalley's age.

Either way, though, I think things will be different this year.

 

Hope so, because we have two above average players and three average. Bump that up to three above average and we're talking team strength, and there are a lot worse things than having a strength like this.

 

Steussie, my favorite offensive player last year, I saw him trample some pretty good DL last year. Got called for some penalities that hurt his reputation but what the hell some of'em were bad calls. He showed up when the rest were laying down. A nasty streak in this guy that has got to make you glad he is on your team. Our OL improved last year. What other bright spots did we have?

Terry, he looked good then looked bad. I believe he has what it takes but somebody needs to ride his ass. This is the turning point for him this year. This OL will show some pride this year or be shit canned.

 

Steussie: 4 sacks, 3 of them were cheap. More impressively, I doubt there were many more pressures, and he's taking on the best pass rushers. This in a system where the speed rusher knew we were passing. And he's a good run blocker too for a weakside player.

Our best performer last season. So he drew a few flags. Big deal. Let's get a little nasty. Steussie rocks.

Nesbit: Most improved. Been on the line for two years, night and day difference between 99 and 00. Durable, coachable, solid technique is what the coach has said. May never be anything more than he is, but I'll take solid youth that you can depend on if you don't ask a whole lot. I'd rather see us lock him up.

Mitchell: Yeah, it's nice to have a good center. Gimme two good tackles and a good center, and just put bulk on the side.

Donnaley: Good to hear he is healthy. I'd feel better long term if Jordan could supplant him, but we will see.

Terry: His last hurrah. I'm eyeing that Florida right tackle right now.

No, I'll take Terry back if he can step up and if it's at the right price, but I'm thinking that by years end, I'll be wanting an upgrade.

Depth: James is solid depth wise. It's wait and see on the rest.

Overall this is a good group, but once again, I'm going to be praying for a healthy Steussie each and every game. HE makes the group go. Take him away, and we have average to below average players around a center.

 

I was going to say I'd be suprised to see WW start, but then I remembered Navies' bones have an alergic reaction to grass and turf.

We'll see. WW has his own injury history.

Wesley; nothing could please me more. We'll see.

 

Mags did you mean to leave Terry out of the indepth analysis? I mean you skimmed over him a little but nothing deep like the others

 

Re: Re: Carolina OL - 2003

yeah I did. Got going on depth and decided to make it a separate pg, and then never went back. He's always been known as a run blocker who had the athleticism to be a good pass protector. I've yet to see him stay consistent as a pass blocker, and that's a problem. he's still having some knee bend issues, making him reach. Maybe this scheme will hide him more.

Terry's FA after the year, as we know, and this might be the point of contention. We could keep him, and I'm down with that at the right price, but if we can upgrade, we should look at that. No higher than 3rd round, and I wouldn't spend terribly much in FA unless we're getting decent value.

Piper - Starks or Mo Mitchell?

 

Nesbit - 1 year $1.227m

 

Starks. He's just frigging huge. Athletic. Good feet. Engulfs defenders at the point of attack. Has All Pro Right Tackle written all over him.

I like Florida lineman.