Before anyone gets over excited about multiple high draft picks on Oline, let us take a certain Gabe Carimi as a very relevant reminder that even drafting an Olineman in the first round is not an instant formula for success.
its safer than most positions.
It's really not. The bust rate is fairly similar across all positions. You just gotta pick the right player.
I don't like drafting offensive linemen. With other positions there's at leaet one measurable that highly correlates to a good player, but there's nothing like that for an offensive lineman. You can typically see how good they are on tape with run blocking in college, but pass blocking tape in college doesn't really give much information because of scheme and talent differences. It seems like most of the offensive linemen we've drafted in the past just turn out to be crap too. We've gotten good starters out of undrafted FAs in Penn and Dotson. While our first round pick Davin Joseph has underachieved most of his career. We do need to start looking for a new LT, but I really don't want to spend a first round pick on that. We can upgrade from Davin Joseph or Nicks for that matter (any games played is better than none), and spend less by picking up some free agents. It's easier to find guards too. Meredith is just as good as Joseph.
Not every O-linemen is going to be to be good or great. You have to get by with an adequate guy or two. They have to play together well in a successful system. So far the system, the continuity, and the players aren't playing up to par.Penn has been average at best despite being in the best shape of his career, Zuttah is average, Joseph fluctuates from bad to slightly above average, and Nicks hasn't seen the field. Dotson is the lone bright spot. If znicks comes back healthy and you know Dotson and Zuttah will at the very least be average to above average, The only real spot to address are RG and LT. Penns play no longer reflects his salary so it would be a good spot to explore upgrades. Joseph can play good, but he doesn't most of the time and banking hell return to his glory days is a big risk. His salary is way above his play the last couple years so it seems like the easiest position to upgrade and possible save some cap space. I think 1 or two pieces is all this line needs aside from better coaching/scheme.
At this point Nicks ever being "back" is a fantasy.
Agreed, however, he's "back" on the payroll next year so he azz better be "back" at LG playing at a higher level that most starters.
I don't get the Nicks hate. He had an injury marred 2012 and a nasty MRSA infection kept him out most of 2013. Neither was his fault, least of all the MRSA. Just a string of bad luck with the guy. No reason to think that he's washed up at this point.
Wanting a player to live up to what you pay him = "hate."
Wanting a player to live up to what you pay him = "hate."
Perhaps he would have if the Outbreak monkey hadn't licked the floors at One Buc Place this offseason. I fail to see how that is Nicks' fault.
At this point Nicks ever being "back" is a fantasy.
Agreed, however, he's "back" on the payroll next year so he azz better be "back" at LG playing at a higher level that most starters.
I don't get the Nicks hate. He had an injury marred 2012 and a nasty MRSA infection kept him out most of 2013. Neither was his fault, least of all the MRSA. Just a string of bad luck with the guy. No reason to think that he's washed up at this point.
There's plenty of reason to think he's washed up.
He wasn't living up to his contract before that. Dominik signed a player with a lingering injury to a lucrative contract. Due diligence was not performed.
At this point Nicks ever being "back" is a fantasy.
Agreed, however, he's "back" on the payroll next year so he azz better be "back" at LG playing at a higher level that most starters.
I don't get the Nicks hate. He had an injury marred 2012 and a nasty MRSA infection kept him out most of 2013. Neither was his fault, least of all the MRSA. Just a string of bad luck with the guy. No reason to think that he's washed up at this point.
There's plenty of reason to think he's washed up.
Like what? His failure to play at an all pro level through multiple leg injuries? Or the fact that he got a vicious infection that required surgery this offseason? Sure, it's been a let down, but I don't see how any of this predicts what a healthy Nicks plays like in a Tampa uniform.
Because we've never seen a healthy Nicks, and likely never will. We paid top dollar for damaged goods.
At this point Nicks ever being "back" is a fantasy.
Agreed, however, he's "back" on the payroll next year so he azz better be "back" at LG playing at a higher level that most starters.
I don't get the Nicks hate. He had an injury marred 2012 and a nasty MRSA infection kept him out most of 2013. Neither was his fault, least of all the MRSA. Just a string of bad luck with the guy. No reason to think that he's washed up at this point.
There's plenty of reason to think he's washed up.
Like what? His failure to play at an all pro level through multiple leg injuries? Or the fact that he got a vicious infection that required surgery this offseason? Sure, it's been a let down, but I don't see how any of this predicts what a healthy Nicks plays like in a Tampa uniform.
NFL = Not For Long. He used to be a great player to be sure but having not been a great player for two years now there's more reason to think he'll continue not being a great player anymore than to suddenly become a great player again.
Call me optimistic about his chances of performing well once he gets to 100%, which should happen by training camp next year.
Sure, if he's 100% isure he'll be good. The question is will he ever be 100% again. How many 350 lb guys lose two years to foot problems and then come back 100%?
Call me optimistic about his chances of performing well once he gets to 100%, which should happen by training camp next year.
Nicks said himself he'll never be 100% again , Comrade. "“I will have to deal with it my whole life,” Nicks said. “Honestly, it is not 100 percent, yet. I will just have to deal with it my whole life. I would lie if I told you it didn’t affect me at all. It affects the way I walk, the way I stand around. I have to stand a certain kind of way. It is something I just have to deal with. "" http://www.joebucsfan.com/?p=93539 Talk less and read more , stupid.
Sure, if he's 100% isure he'll be good. The question is will he ever be 100% again. How many 350 lb guys lose two years to foot problems and then come back 100%?
He never missed a game for the Saints, and he'll only be 29 next season. I just think he's had some bad luck these last two seasons. Way too soon to consider him done. Just my opinion.
