Tribal Warfare
04-11-2008, 12:00 PM
http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/2008/04/11/building_an_offensive_linepart_3/ (http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/2008/04/11/building_an_offensive_linepart_3/)
Building An Offensive Line-Part 3
Apr 11, 2008, 1:56:46 AM by Bob Gretz (http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/bob_gretz/) - FAQ (http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/2004/01/19/bob_gretz_faq/)
The most important task immediately ahead for the Chiefs is rebuilding their offensive line. That group’s poor performance last year was the major reason the team slumped to a disastrous 4-12 season. The ability of the franchise to bounce back into the role of AFC contender depends on what happens with the big guys upfront.
How best to make that improvement? The Chiefs have made it plain they it will come through the NFL Draft, as they’ve not spent any money in the free agency market. But is that the best way to go with this vital unit when there are so many holes to fill at one time?
Over a 10-day period, we are taking an in-depth look at the 12 best offensive lines in the league last year, where the personnel came from and how each team put the group together.
We are running through the O-Lines in alphabetical order, three at a time:
http://www.kcchiefs.com/media/images/2C96625D1E49456C9027EF46EDF917FE.GIF?0.9489769512201727
2007 Offensive Overview: It was a record setting season for the Patriots offense, as they led the NFL in offensive yards per game (411.3) and passing yards (295.7). They were 13th in running the ball (115.6). New England led the league in scoring with 589 points. Pats runners averaged 4.1 yards per carry and the pass protection ranked fifth in the league, allowing a sack of Tom Brady every 28.9 passing plays. New England was 16-0 and lost the Super Bowl to the New York Giants.
Left Tackle: Matt Light was the Patriots 2nd-round selection (48th) in the ‘01 Draft out of Purdue University, where he started 37 games for the Boilermakers. He became the starter at left tackle in his rookie season, replacing Grant Williams, who replaced long-time starter Bruce Armstrong. Only an ankle injury in ‘05 has kept him off the field. Light will be 30 years old in June.
Left Guard: Logan Mankins joined New England as the team’s 1st-round pick (32nd) in the ‘05 Draft out of Fresno State University, where he was a multi-year starter at both left and right tackle. Mankins immediately moved into the starting lineup as a rookie and has not missed a game. He replaced veteran Joe Andruzzi who left in free agency. He turned 26 years old in March.
Center: Dan Koppen was selected in the 5th-round (164th) of the ‘03 Draft by the Patriots and immediately worked his way into the starting lineup, replacing Damien Woody who moved to guard. Koppen was a three-year starter at Boston College University. He will be 29 years old in September.
Right Guard: Stephen Neal and Ross Hochstein split the starts at right guard due to Neal’s injury problems throughout the ‘07 season. Neal joined the Patriots as a college free agent out of Cal State-Bakersfield University in ‘01, where he did not play football, but was one of the country’s top wrestlers. He became a starter in ‘04, replacing starter Joe Andruzzi.
Hochstein joined New England in 2002, but entered the NFL the season before as a 5th-round choice (151st) of Tampa Bay. Hochstein has played both guard spots and center in his time with the Patriots. He will be 31 years old in October.
Right Tackle: Nick Kaczur was the 3rd-round choice (100th) of the Patriots in ‘05 coming out of the University of Toledo where he started 51 games. Kaczur started 11 games at left tackle as a rookie, but moved to the right side in his second season where he’s stayed. Kaczur will be 29 years old in July.
Line Overview: the Patriots have relied on the NFL Draft to build their offensive line. In the last five years, they’ve selected eight blockers in the draft, including 1st and 3rd round choices. With the exception of Hochstein, they’ve drafted or developed all of the top blockers. One of the keys to making it work has been the presence of offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia, who has been with the Patriots for 24 years and coached in the NFL for 26 seasons. What’s remarkable about the Pats is they’ve made significant changes to the starting group without a drop off in production and victories. Only Light has been in all four of the New England Super Bowl trips. The others were worked in over seasons where the Patriots averaged more than 12 victories per year.
http://www.kcchiefs.com/media/images/3A4E25C5BFBF4F53852A2ABD334E1D5C.GIF?0.5416436426723579
2007 Offensive Overview: Although they ended up winning the Super Bowl, the Giants struggled at times offensively last season. They were 16th in yards per game (331.4), fourth in rushing yards (134.3) and 21st in passing yards (197.1). They were 14th in scoring (373). New York runners averaged 4.6 yards per carry and the pass protection finished 11th in the league, giving up a sack every 20.4 passing plays. The Giants were 10-6 and grabbed that Super Bowl victory over the Patriots.
Left Tackle: David Diehl was a 5th-round selection (160th) of the Giants in ‘03 out of the University of Illinois. In 80 NFL starts, he’s opened games at every position save center. Diehl moved into the starting spot at left tackle late in the ‘06 season. He will be 28 years old in September.
Left Guard: Rich Seubert joined the Giants as a rookie free agent in ‘01 from Western Illinois University. He moved into the starting lineup at left guard in his second season and stayed there until mid-season ‘03 when he suffered a devastating fracture to his right leg that left him sidelined until the ‘05 season. Seubert got back into the opening group in the ‘07 season, starting all 16 games. He turned 29 years of age in March.
Center: Shaun O’Hara came to the Giants as an unrestricted free agent in ‘04 from the Browns. He entered the NFL as an undrafted rookie free agent in Cleveland in ‘01 out of Rutgers University, where he started his final 31 games with the Scarlet Knights. With the Browns, O’Hara picked up 34 starts at left guard, right guard and center over three seasons. In New York, he has been the starting center since joining the team. He will be 31 years old in June.
Right Guard: Chris Snee was the Giants 2nd-round choice (34th) in the ‘04 Draft out of Boston College University, where he was a three-year starter who left school a year early. He moved into the starting lineup as a rookie at left guard and has opened 48 consecutive games. Snee turned 26 years of age in January.
Right Tackle: Kareem McKenzie was signed as an unrestricted free agent by the Giants in ‘05 after four seasons with the New York Jets. McKenzie was a 3rd-round choice (79th) in the’01 Draft. He was a three-year starter at Penn State University. With the Jets, he became a starter in his second season and opened 48 consecutive games. With the Giants, he moved into the right tackle spot and has been the starter there for three seasons. McKenzie will be 29 years old in May.
Line Overview: A mix between the draft and free agency has worked for the Giants, who have made the playoffs for three consecutive seasons and won the Super Bowl back in February. In the last five drafts, the Giants have selected six blockers, with one 2nd-round choice. They will soon need to get some youngsters in the pipeline to replace O’Hara and Seubert.
http://www.kcchiefs.com/media/images/F6968A022A7A4DA9A6A6174E86EC24CF.GIF?0.309841545619044
2007 Offensive Overview: The Saints were able to throw the ball last year, but had troubles running the ball. Overall, they were fourth in offensive yards per game (361.3) and third in passing yards (269.6), but only 28th in rushing yards (91.6). They tied for 12th in points scored with 379. New Orleans backs averaged 3.7 yards per carry and the Saints pass protection ranked No. 1 in the league, allowing a sack every 41.8 pass plays as quarterback Drew Brees went down just 16 times. New Orleans finished the season 7-9.
Left Tackle: Jamal Brown joined the Saints as a 1st-round choice (13th) in ‘05 out of the University of Oklahoma, where he was a three-year starter. Brown entered the starting lineup at left tackle his rookie year and has been a fixture there. He turned 27 years of age in March.
Left Guard: Jamar Nesbit came to New Orleans as an unrestricted free agent in ‘04 out of Jacksonville. Nesbit came into the NFL in ‘99 with Carolina as an undrafted free agent out of the University of South Carolina. He started all four seasons with the Gamecocks. Nesbit spent four years with the Panthers before signing in 2003 as an unrestricted free agent. Overall, he has started 87 of 133 career games in the league, playing center, left guard and left tackle. He will be 32 years old in December.
Center: Jeff Faine came to New Orleans in a Draft Day ‘06 trade with Cleveland. He entered the league as a 1st-round choice (21st) in ‘03 out of Notre Dame University, where he was a three-year starter for the Irish. He has started 66 games in five seasons. Faine left the Saints in ‘08 free agency, signing with Tampa Bay. He was 27 years old last week. New Orleans signed UFA center Matt Lehr from Tampa Bay.
Right Guard: Jahri Evans joined the Saints as a 4th-round pick (108th) in the’06 Draft out of Bloomsburg State University in Pennsylvania, where he was a three-year starter. Evans moved into the starting lineup as a rookie and has opened 32 games there. He will turn 25 years of age in August.
Right Tackle: Jon Stinchcomb was a 2nd-round choice (37th) of the Saints in ‘03 after being a four-year starter at the University of Georgia. Stinchcomb did not become a starter until ‘06, but has now opened 32 straight games at right tackle. In August, he will celebrate his 29th birthday.
Line Overview: The Saints have used all avenues to fill their blocking unit. They went with the 1st-round pick to play the important left tackle spot, especially in an offense that’s built so much around the passing game. Like the Chiefs have done recently, the Saints show great interest in players coming out of the college ranks with extensive playing time. In the last five years New Orleans has used seven draft choices on offensive linemen, including three taken in the first three rounds.
Building An Offensive Line-Part 3
Apr 11, 2008, 1:56:46 AM by Bob Gretz (http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/bob_gretz/) - FAQ (http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/2004/01/19/bob_gretz_faq/)
The most important task immediately ahead for the Chiefs is rebuilding their offensive line. That group’s poor performance last year was the major reason the team slumped to a disastrous 4-12 season. The ability of the franchise to bounce back into the role of AFC contender depends on what happens with the big guys upfront.
How best to make that improvement? The Chiefs have made it plain they it will come through the NFL Draft, as they’ve not spent any money in the free agency market. But is that the best way to go with this vital unit when there are so many holes to fill at one time?
Over a 10-day period, we are taking an in-depth look at the 12 best offensive lines in the league last year, where the personnel came from and how each team put the group together.
We are running through the O-Lines in alphabetical order, three at a time:
http://www.kcchiefs.com/media/images/2C96625D1E49456C9027EF46EDF917FE.GIF?0.9489769512201727
2007 Offensive Overview: It was a record setting season for the Patriots offense, as they led the NFL in offensive yards per game (411.3) and passing yards (295.7). They were 13th in running the ball (115.6). New England led the league in scoring with 589 points. Pats runners averaged 4.1 yards per carry and the pass protection ranked fifth in the league, allowing a sack of Tom Brady every 28.9 passing plays. New England was 16-0 and lost the Super Bowl to the New York Giants.
Left Tackle: Matt Light was the Patriots 2nd-round selection (48th) in the ‘01 Draft out of Purdue University, where he started 37 games for the Boilermakers. He became the starter at left tackle in his rookie season, replacing Grant Williams, who replaced long-time starter Bruce Armstrong. Only an ankle injury in ‘05 has kept him off the field. Light will be 30 years old in June.
Left Guard: Logan Mankins joined New England as the team’s 1st-round pick (32nd) in the ‘05 Draft out of Fresno State University, where he was a multi-year starter at both left and right tackle. Mankins immediately moved into the starting lineup as a rookie and has not missed a game. He replaced veteran Joe Andruzzi who left in free agency. He turned 26 years old in March.
Center: Dan Koppen was selected in the 5th-round (164th) of the ‘03 Draft by the Patriots and immediately worked his way into the starting lineup, replacing Damien Woody who moved to guard. Koppen was a three-year starter at Boston College University. He will be 29 years old in September.
Right Guard: Stephen Neal and Ross Hochstein split the starts at right guard due to Neal’s injury problems throughout the ‘07 season. Neal joined the Patriots as a college free agent out of Cal State-Bakersfield University in ‘01, where he did not play football, but was one of the country’s top wrestlers. He became a starter in ‘04, replacing starter Joe Andruzzi.
Hochstein joined New England in 2002, but entered the NFL the season before as a 5th-round choice (151st) of Tampa Bay. Hochstein has played both guard spots and center in his time with the Patriots. He will be 31 years old in October.
Right Tackle: Nick Kaczur was the 3rd-round choice (100th) of the Patriots in ‘05 coming out of the University of Toledo where he started 51 games. Kaczur started 11 games at left tackle as a rookie, but moved to the right side in his second season where he’s stayed. Kaczur will be 29 years old in July.
Line Overview: the Patriots have relied on the NFL Draft to build their offensive line. In the last five years, they’ve selected eight blockers in the draft, including 1st and 3rd round choices. With the exception of Hochstein, they’ve drafted or developed all of the top blockers. One of the keys to making it work has been the presence of offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia, who has been with the Patriots for 24 years and coached in the NFL for 26 seasons. What’s remarkable about the Pats is they’ve made significant changes to the starting group without a drop off in production and victories. Only Light has been in all four of the New England Super Bowl trips. The others were worked in over seasons where the Patriots averaged more than 12 victories per year.
http://www.kcchiefs.com/media/images/3A4E25C5BFBF4F53852A2ABD334E1D5C.GIF?0.5416436426723579
2007 Offensive Overview: Although they ended up winning the Super Bowl, the Giants struggled at times offensively last season. They were 16th in yards per game (331.4), fourth in rushing yards (134.3) and 21st in passing yards (197.1). They were 14th in scoring (373). New York runners averaged 4.6 yards per carry and the pass protection finished 11th in the league, giving up a sack every 20.4 passing plays. The Giants were 10-6 and grabbed that Super Bowl victory over the Patriots.
Left Tackle: David Diehl was a 5th-round selection (160th) of the Giants in ‘03 out of the University of Illinois. In 80 NFL starts, he’s opened games at every position save center. Diehl moved into the starting spot at left tackle late in the ‘06 season. He will be 28 years old in September.
Left Guard: Rich Seubert joined the Giants as a rookie free agent in ‘01 from Western Illinois University. He moved into the starting lineup at left guard in his second season and stayed there until mid-season ‘03 when he suffered a devastating fracture to his right leg that left him sidelined until the ‘05 season. Seubert got back into the opening group in the ‘07 season, starting all 16 games. He turned 29 years of age in March.
Center: Shaun O’Hara came to the Giants as an unrestricted free agent in ‘04 from the Browns. He entered the NFL as an undrafted rookie free agent in Cleveland in ‘01 out of Rutgers University, where he started his final 31 games with the Scarlet Knights. With the Browns, O’Hara picked up 34 starts at left guard, right guard and center over three seasons. In New York, he has been the starting center since joining the team. He will be 31 years old in June.
Right Guard: Chris Snee was the Giants 2nd-round choice (34th) in the ‘04 Draft out of Boston College University, where he was a three-year starter who left school a year early. He moved into the starting lineup as a rookie at left guard and has opened 48 consecutive games. Snee turned 26 years of age in January.
Right Tackle: Kareem McKenzie was signed as an unrestricted free agent by the Giants in ‘05 after four seasons with the New York Jets. McKenzie was a 3rd-round choice (79th) in the’01 Draft. He was a three-year starter at Penn State University. With the Jets, he became a starter in his second season and opened 48 consecutive games. With the Giants, he moved into the right tackle spot and has been the starter there for three seasons. McKenzie will be 29 years old in May.
Line Overview: A mix between the draft and free agency has worked for the Giants, who have made the playoffs for three consecutive seasons and won the Super Bowl back in February. In the last five drafts, the Giants have selected six blockers, with one 2nd-round choice. They will soon need to get some youngsters in the pipeline to replace O’Hara and Seubert.
http://www.kcchiefs.com/media/images/F6968A022A7A4DA9A6A6174E86EC24CF.GIF?0.309841545619044
2007 Offensive Overview: The Saints were able to throw the ball last year, but had troubles running the ball. Overall, they were fourth in offensive yards per game (361.3) and third in passing yards (269.6), but only 28th in rushing yards (91.6). They tied for 12th in points scored with 379. New Orleans backs averaged 3.7 yards per carry and the Saints pass protection ranked No. 1 in the league, allowing a sack every 41.8 pass plays as quarterback Drew Brees went down just 16 times. New Orleans finished the season 7-9.
Left Tackle: Jamal Brown joined the Saints as a 1st-round choice (13th) in ‘05 out of the University of Oklahoma, where he was a three-year starter. Brown entered the starting lineup at left tackle his rookie year and has been a fixture there. He turned 27 years of age in March.
Left Guard: Jamar Nesbit came to New Orleans as an unrestricted free agent in ‘04 out of Jacksonville. Nesbit came into the NFL in ‘99 with Carolina as an undrafted free agent out of the University of South Carolina. He started all four seasons with the Gamecocks. Nesbit spent four years with the Panthers before signing in 2003 as an unrestricted free agent. Overall, he has started 87 of 133 career games in the league, playing center, left guard and left tackle. He will be 32 years old in December.
Center: Jeff Faine came to New Orleans in a Draft Day ‘06 trade with Cleveland. He entered the league as a 1st-round choice (21st) in ‘03 out of Notre Dame University, where he was a three-year starter for the Irish. He has started 66 games in five seasons. Faine left the Saints in ‘08 free agency, signing with Tampa Bay. He was 27 years old last week. New Orleans signed UFA center Matt Lehr from Tampa Bay.
Right Guard: Jahri Evans joined the Saints as a 4th-round pick (108th) in the’06 Draft out of Bloomsburg State University in Pennsylvania, where he was a three-year starter. Evans moved into the starting lineup as a rookie and has opened 32 games there. He will turn 25 years of age in August.
Right Tackle: Jon Stinchcomb was a 2nd-round choice (37th) of the Saints in ‘03 after being a four-year starter at the University of Georgia. Stinchcomb did not become a starter until ‘06, but has now opened 32 straight games at right tackle. In August, he will celebrate his 29th birthday.
Line Overview: The Saints have used all avenues to fill their blocking unit. They went with the 1st-round pick to play the important left tackle spot, especially in an offense that’s built so much around the passing game. Like the Chiefs have done recently, the Saints show great interest in players coming out of the college ranks with extensive playing time. In the last five years New Orleans has used seven draft choices on offensive linemen, including three taken in the first three rounds.