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For a lack of a better description….I will simply call it “The Joe Thomas trend”
Conventional wisdom says you only take an elite LT prospect in the top 5 picks.
Now because of the successes of the Browns offensive line play in 2007. OL prospects will go ahead of better prospects, because this is a copy cat league.
Joe Thomas was a big reason why the Browns OL was better in 2007, but he was not the only reason. OC Hank Fraley may not be a great looking player, but make no mistakes about it, he is the General of that line and his play has been solid. LG Eric Steinbach, even though he was snubbed from the Pro-Bowl, played better then any of his peers at his position last season.
The biggest reason for their success was the fact that they also had good depth. RG Seth McKinney was lost for the season in the 8th game of the year, but Ryan Tucker took over and the line play actually improved. Something that rarely is mentioned is how offensive line Coach Steve Marshall was hired in January 2007 and was another reason for their improvement in 2007.
This year barring key injuries they should be even better, because of continuity and they also improved their depth. Either Seth McKinney, Rex Hadnot or LeCharles Bentley can man the RG slot they can then move Ryan Tucker back to RT and have Kevin Shaffer as back-up depth at either tackle position.
This year’s draft is very deep at the OT position, but players that in other years that would have come off the board with the 15th - 20th picks maybe picked in the top10 picks.
Joe Thomas is an elite LT and was deserving of a # 3 selection last year, but was still just one gear of the OL engine for the Browns last season. Selecting lesser talent in the top10 picks this year might just backfire. Especially if this new trend continues.
Conventional wisdom says you only take an elite LT prospect in the top 5 picks.
Now because of the successes of the Browns offensive line play in 2007. OL prospects will go ahead of better prospects, because this is a copy cat league.
Joe Thomas was a big reason why the Browns OL was better in 2007, but he was not the only reason. OC Hank Fraley may not be a great looking player, but make no mistakes about it, he is the General of that line and his play has been solid. LG Eric Steinbach, even though he was snubbed from the Pro-Bowl, played better then any of his peers at his position last season.
The biggest reason for their success was the fact that they also had good depth. RG Seth McKinney was lost for the season in the 8th game of the year, but Ryan Tucker took over and the line play actually improved. Something that rarely is mentioned is how offensive line Coach Steve Marshall was hired in January 2007 and was another reason for their improvement in 2007.
This year barring key injuries they should be even better, because of continuity and they also improved their depth. Either Seth McKinney, Rex Hadnot or LeCharles Bentley can man the RG slot they can then move Ryan Tucker back to RT and have Kevin Shaffer as back-up depth at either tackle position.
This year’s draft is very deep at the OT position, but players that in other years that would have come off the board with the 15th - 20th picks maybe picked in the top10 picks.
Joe Thomas is an elite LT and was deserving of a # 3 selection last year, but was still just one gear of the OL engine for the Browns last season. Selecting lesser talent in the top10 picks this year might just backfire. Especially if this new trend continues.
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