Just had to go onto PFF and mine some more data for this discussion.

 

Let's start with our best rated tackle and cherry pick down some of the names who are worse.  PFF rates 84 tackles who took at least 25% of the snaps available at that position.  Number 55 of the 84 is our own Austin Pasztor, going down from Pasztor:

 

 

Rank  Name                          PFF rating          Draft Round   Pick number   Year

 

55       Austin Pasztor              -7.8                      F.A.                   -                  2012

56       Sam Young                    -8.8                       6th               179                 2010

56 tie   D.J. Fluker                     -8.8                      1st                   11                 2013

59        Gabe Carimi                 -10.1                     1st                   29                 2011

63        Eugene Monroe         -12.9                      1st                    8                  2009

67        Luke Joeckel              -15.8                      1st                   2                  2013

70        Gosder Cherilus           -16.8                      1st                  17                 2008

72        Eric Fisher                    -17.5                      1st                   1                  2013

75        Michael Oher                -20.2                      1st                 23                  2009

78        Greg Robinson             -24.3                       1st                  2                  2014

80        JaWan James              -28.4                       1st                 19                  2014

81        Matt Kalil                      -29.1                        1st                  4                  2012

84        Jake Matthews             -36.4                        1st                  6                  2014

 

 

When you compare our tackles to some other first round picks and to Eugene Monroe things don't look as bad as the o-line play looked on the field.  I completely agree with those who are upset at the terrible job the o-line did this year where I don't agree is that some or all of the players need to be replaced.  My reasons:

 

-Dead Fish offense

-Offensive line coach absent with cancer when a newly formed line needed him the most

-O-lines take time to learn to play together as a unit

-Overall failure of the offensive vets like Henne, Lewis, and Shorts to step up to the situation

-Youth and inexperience

-Too much inexperience in one place at one time

 

I think a new offensive coordinator, a new playbook and quality offensive line coaching are what we need more than different players at least until the existing group has a fair chance to prove their worth or lack thereof.

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