Entire O-Line Run Down + Options

Entire O-Line Run Down + Options

One of the main areas of concern that the majority of Titan fans in this forum seem to want to address in the off-season is the O-Line. The O-Line seems to be the biggest area of need, obviously before the running game is to be addressed.

Looking ahead through a crystal ball, with Hasselbeck under contract until 2012, baring a real hot start next year, Jake Locker will probably be the guy that is handed the reigns early on in 2012. Meaning the Titans will want some help around him to keep him upright.

Looking at our current staff, comprised of 2 former teammates, Houston Oilers Hall of Famers, Munchak and Matthews - you almost can smell a O-Line heavy Draft for the Titans in '12, this being Munch's first (input) crack at the Draft.

So just for kicks here's a quick run down of the position and how it MAY look in 2012 ...

Left Tackle is has and still be set with the return of, underrated around the league, Michael Roos whose under contract until 2013 and will only be in his early 30's.

Right Tackle "Big Country" David Stewart will be in blue a year longer than Roos, after both got 6 year deals, with the latter coming a year after.

Both Roos and "Big Country" are about the same age; and have and will be the staple at the Tackle positions at least for another 2 years.

Guards and Center is where things get a little dicey and some upgrades could be made - according to many Titan fans who are collaberating for some changes up-front.

Eugene Amano the C/G is locked up until the end of 2014 and is the third highest paid O-Line on the Titans roster. He almost takes a starting position by default because of that.

Leaving the two most likely expendable Guards, Jake Scott who walks after this year (unless re-signed) and LeRoy Harris a year after this.

If Roos, Stewart and Amano are starting next year, I feel Scott (a servicable veteran) will be let go to pursue a different team, where as Harris may be better suited as a floater/backup to fill in at either guard or center position.

Backup O-Liners are free agents in: Velasco ('12), Otto ('12) Matthews ('13), Kropog ('14), Stingly ('15)

So ONLY assuming, Scott, Velasco and Otto are let go that free's up 3 valuable O-Liners; 1 - 2 of those preferably starting in 2012.

Some Notable FREE AGENT O-LINERS in 2012



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"Big" Ben Grubbs, Guard, out of Baltimore (will only be in his late 20's, this is the big man I would love to see the Titans throw big money at in free agency but eh who knows - I'm sure Baltimore will re-sign him if they havent already)

Nick Hardwick, Center, out of San Diego (a capable veteran center)

Jeff Saturday, Center, out of Indy (a servicable stop-gap mentor, if he doesnt retire along with his buddy Peyon)

Some of the TOP Studs at the Tackle, Guard and Center position (ASSUMING they are coming out in next years Draft) - here are some of the "young bloods" as potential suitors to our o-line ...

Matt Kalil one of the top rated Tackles coming outta USC and blocks for Matt Barkley, will probably be off the board early so the Titans would have to collapse down the stretch this year to have a high enough pick, most likely. 6'7 3 bills



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David DeCastro one of the top rated Guards who blocks for Andrew Luck of Standford would be a legit guard to plug in for years to come and would help slide Amano out of there. Since I live in California and get to see there games, I sure wouldnt mind this mammoth inside our line. 6'5 300+



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Michael Brewster one of the top rated Centers out of Ohio State. An athletic mobile center is what the Titans have seemed to lack, considering Amano and Harris make better guards due to their lack of mobility. 6'5 290+



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So Finally brings me to my vision of how I would have the o-line looking in 2012 ...

LT- Roos, RT - Stewart, C - Brewster/Amano, G - Grubbs, G - Kalil and move him to Tackle a year or two once Roos or Stewart leaves


Just wanted to know what others thought of the o-line because before everyone starts going - "WELL AMANO SUCKS! AND HARRIS SUCKS!" you got to look at it logically from a contract stand-point because apart from 1 big signing or a high draft pick, I think the o-line may very well look similiar to now ...

CREDITS GO TO:

http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/tennessee-titans/

credited for the Tennessee Titan's roster, salary and contract situation (pretty sure its accurate and up to date as close as possible)

http://nfltraderumors.co/2012-nfl-free-agents/

credited for free agents of 2012

 

Correct. The o-line as a whole has been collectively poor this year. But Stewart and especially Roos have been a solid duo at the tackle position for years now, and the typical Titans fan who thinks the sky is falling and wants radical changes after one bad half of a year is ludacris in my opinion.

Roos and Stewart get a free pass. The entire Titans coaching staff have undergone drastic changes from just a year ago and the season is only a little more than half way over ...

 

yeah id be all for this as well. I think at least one of the guards will be the weak point and many titans fans wont like it, thus I hope they go out and sign Grubbs but like you said he will be really expensive and there will be plenty of interested parties besides us ha.

Hardwick has been solid and reliable and like many of us have voiced, a big time center is what they are lacking. Mawae was the commander on the line even at age 36 and 37. Hardwick is 30ish so yeah i'd be on board with that move. Amano and Harris need to be moved to guard permenetly. A solid, true center is what this team needs I think we all agree there ...

As for Konz over Brewster I realize Konz is the better prospect of the two, but he should go higher than Brewster by a round or 2 and drafting a center that early like you alluded to probably isnt the way to go, especially if they make a run at Hardwick or some other veteran.