02-07-2015, 11:42 AM
Basically, if you break down the line as the players currently stand, here is how most see the line: backup/starter/backup/starter/backup. I think most people realize that Joeckel was basically a rookie this last year due to his limited action in his real rookie year. Also, he is playing one of the hardest positions in the NFL and I think most realize that he will get better given more experience. I mean a lot of people were high on him out of college and I don't think he is a lost cause yet. As it stands right now, he is a pretty decent backup option, but is not starter caliber at this point. Beadles had a large learning curve. You go from Mile High to Jacksonville which is pretty different to begin with. Then, you add in that he went from protecting a veteran in Manning to a Rookie in Bortles and working with guys like Clady to working with Joeckel and it seemed like he was playing a lot better after he settled in. Bowanko did pretty well for a 6th round pick, but at this point he is better served as a nice backup option. Linder, pretty much everyone agrees he appears to have a good future and played at starter caliber. Pasztor, when healthy, is a nice backup option.
So, right now at current player levels, we have 2 starters and 3 backups starting with no real bench options to back these players up. The only areas that would probably be addressed in FA are C and RT, as many feel it is too early to give up on Joeckel. I think if we could add either Wisniewski or Hudson at C, and either Bulaga, Franklin or Free at RT the line wouldn't be that bad. Then, in the draft you add a guy like Ogbuehi in the 3rd round to compete with Joeckel for the LT position, or at the least back him up, and maybe spend a later pick on a guy like Max Garcia that could play any of the interior positions.
So, right now at current player levels, we have 2 starters and 3 backups starting with no real bench options to back these players up. The only areas that would probably be addressed in FA are C and RT, as many feel it is too early to give up on Joeckel. I think if we could add either Wisniewski or Hudson at C, and either Bulaga, Franklin or Free at RT the line wouldn't be that bad. Then, in the draft you add a guy like Ogbuehi in the 3rd round to compete with Joeckel for the LT position, or at the least back him up, and maybe spend a later pick on a guy like Max Garcia that could play any of the interior positions.