Worrisome things: Offensive Line

[OldSchool]

While we were already one of the youngest offensive lines last year, we got even younger this year:

First our Starters:

Eric Fisher (23)
Jeff Allen (24)
Rod Hudson (24)
Rishaw Johnson (25)
Donald Stephenson (25)

Backups (not all of these guys will make the roster obviously, but these are the main ones including the new picks):

Rokevious Watkins (25)
Jeff Linkenbach (26)
Eric Kush (24)
Laurent Duvernay-Tardiff (23)
Zach FUlton (22)

Holy Shit! I don't think I've ever heard of any team in the league running with an offensive line that is this young and this inexperienced. With the defensive front 7s that we have to face next year (Rams, Seahawks, Niners, Jets, Cardinals, Bills, Steelers, Patriots), how do they expect this offensive line to hold up well against that? I really hope that they are going to sign a veteran or two to help these younger guys develop and also serve as quality depth or even starters at OG or something.

Here is a taste of the pass rushers/DLs we will face next year:

SF:
Aldon Smith - Justin Smith - Ray McDonald - Ahmad Brooks

St. Louis:
Robert Quinn - Michael Brockers - Aaron Donald - Chris Long

Arizona:
Sam Acho - Calais Campbell - Darnell Dockett - Daryl Washington (MLB blitzes) - John Abraham

Buffalo:
Mario Williams - Marcell Dareus - Kyle Williams - Jerry Hughes

Here are two guys that are still out there who can help.

1. Uche Nwaneri, 30 - He's a solid NFL guard who still plays at a sufficiently high level. He shouldn't cost too much at this point and would go a long way towards improving this OL.

2. Daryn Colledge, 32 - At this point of his career, he's good as a back-up with starter ability and the ability to play either guard position. He offers position versatility and a good amount of NFL experience.

I just think that Dorsey and Reid are playing with fire if their goal is to have our OL learn and develop through trial and error without a single solid veteran presence to help guide the younger guys a long the way.

What are your thoughts on this? Do you think that we'll be fine against the schedule that we have?

[Exoter175]

With Allen, Hudson, and Kush, I really find little reason to doubt the talent in our interior, the only issue I see is depth, and seriously Rishaw is not that good, some of ya'll overrate him heavily. Fulton adds a little interior depth, which is why I think he makes the team without breaking a sweat this year. I'm curious to see how well the Doc can swap ends.

[Exoter175]

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

I think what was pleasantly surprising about Kush was that he wasn't a disaster. Keep in mind he came from a very small school and that the new CBA makes it extremely difficult for rookies to learn the game in their rookie season. If that's Kush's floor, I'm looking forward to seeing him compete for the starting job this season with a lot more seasoning. It won't take much to be just as good as Hudson.

Hudson's upside is that you can pretty much put him anywhere on the interior and he'll play well. Kush is the more natural Center between them, but I'm not sure Kush is ready for that starting job yet. When he is though, expect Hudson to take LG IMO.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by Saccopoo

Not really, especially with the structured contracts.

And S'ua-Filo has started at LT as well. The guy is pretty talented.

For a team desperate for quality line play/depth, it wouldn't have been a bad pick.

Better than getting a guy who can't do anything other than rush the passer playing behind two Pro Bowlers.

I look forward to Ford's special teams contributions.

[RealSNR]

Originally Posted by Saccopoo

Not really, especially with the structured contracts.

And S'ua-Filo has started at LT as well. The guy is pretty talented.

For a team desperate for quality line play/depth, it wouldn't have been a bad pick.

Better than getting a guy who can't do anything other than rush the passer playing behind two Pro Bowlers.

I look forward to Ford's special teams contributions.

Should we be drafting a 1st round offensive lineman next year when Hudson and Stephenson's contracts run out and we elect to save money to spend on more important players?

We had ONE hole in the starting offensive line going into the draft, and you advocated pissing away a 1st rounder on it. Are you a fan of doing this every time we let somebody go just because it wouldn't have been a bad pick?