OL speculations after OTAs week 1

This topic has 8 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 8 years, 11 months ago by zn.

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June 7, 2015 at 11:53 pm #25998

zn
Moderator

With Robinson and Saffold still recovering, so far the 1s on the OL have been

Washington Reynolds Jones/Barnes/Rhaney Brown Havenstein

The centers are rotating with the #1 spot, competing.

Here;s what I think could happen. (And… this, meaning my ideas on what’s happening, will obviously change a lot over the next several weeks).

So far I think some people have been expecting Reynolds to be the swingman, backing up 4 spots.

Working Washington at LOT for now means HE could be the swingman and Reynolds becomes a guard. It seems to me that on paper anyway, it’s at least possible that Washington could be developed into a role where he backs up 4 spots (everything but center).

We don;t know much about Washington. But he has been in the system. If he breaks through, as I said, he could become the decent swingman they need.

Why Reynolds at guard? Best guard prospect. Experienced guy who is automatically an advantage over the rookies.

Not saying it will play out like that, just that it could.

If so this could be the week 1 OL, assuming there are no injuries.

Robinson
Reynolds (or Saffold)
Jones or Barnes
Saffold (or Reynolds
Havenstein

The worries? First time starter at center WITH a 2nd year starter at LOT WITH a rookie ROT.

The advantages? At least this way they would have 2 experienced guards. And if Reynolds is at least better than Turner, Watkins, Ojinakka, Williams, Smith, and/or Joseph, they are already better off than previous years.

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June 8, 2015 at 12:21 pm #26009

zn
Moderator

Continued.

Reynolds has a shakey performance history (though less so at guard) but then an OL is not just a sum of its individually graded parts.

For example, in the 2nd half of 2012, when the starters came back, the Rams fielded a good OL. 4% sack percentage (lowest for any Rams qb since the 80s), Jackson getting 4.3 a carry, going toe to toe with 5 top 12 defenses and coming out 4-3-1, which you can’t do with a poor OL.

And 2 of the starters were Turner and Richardson. Turner never did anything before 2012 and hasn’t since, and 2012 was BR’s one decent season, and he was out of football after. The history says that Boudreau has a knack for getting the most out of veterna guys like that. Joseph was the only big spectacular failure, and IMO that’s because he was washed up physically.

The question is, does Boudreau get Reynolds to be another Turner circa 2012? Or is he another Joseph?

So is it possible that Reynolds plays? Well it’s early but on paper it looks like it could happen. And maybe not all year–teams of course often use placeholders until rookies are ready. However, it’s just as possible that IF he starts week 1, Reynolds then keeps the spot all year.

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June 8, 2015 at 12:28 pm #26010

Agamemnon
Moderator

I thought Reynolds played better at tackle and not so good at guard. But, maybe I am going senile? 😉

Agamemnon

June 8, 2015 at 12:42 pm #26012

zn
Moderator

Agamemnon wrote:

I thought Reynolds played better at tackle and not so good at guard. But, maybe I am going senile?

No I think it;s the other way around.

He started 10 games at guard for ATL in 2013, and was okay.

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June 8, 2015 at 1:01 pm #26015

Herzog
Participant

That’s a lot better than I thought. If Havenstein is the only Rookie starting, than I would feel so much more comfortable. Dare I say even optimistic.

June 8, 2015 at 1:11 pm #26017

Agamemnon
Moderator

Bad news for me. 🙁

Agamemnon

June 8, 2015 at 1:19 pm #26018

TackleDummy
Participant

zn wrote:

Robinson
Reynolds (or Saffold)
Jones or Barnes
Saffold (or Reynolds
Havenstein

pretty much as I see it. Brown could start at guard. In fact I am expecting him to move to starter before the season is out. And you never know but what one of the lower draft picks or the UDFA might jump up and surprise. It is still a long way before the 13th of September.

NFL 2015 Off Season Calendar

June 9, 2015 at 7:31 am #26032

Agamemnon
Moderator

Lions free-agent profile: Garrett Reynolds

By Sean Yuille

@SeanYuille on Feb 18, 2015, 11:00a 5
Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Should the Detroit Lions re-sign offensive guard Garrett Reynolds?
http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2015/2/18/8052233/lions-free-agents-2015-garrett-reynolds

To get ready for free agency, we’re going to take a look at each of the Detroit Lions’ 2015 free agents. Next up is offensive guard Garrett Reynolds.
2014 stats

10 games (4 starts) | Allowed 3 sacks, 2 QB hits, 4 QB hurries (via Pro Football Focus)
How he joined the Lions

Signed as a free agent in September 2014 (after first signing in July 2014).
Case for re-signing him

Reynolds’ versatility proved to be extremely valuable in 2014. He initially joined the team as an offensive guard, and he was brought back just days after the first game of the season as an offensive tackle. He immediately stepped in as the starting right tackle due to injuries to the Lions’ starter and backup, and he helped keep things afloat on the O-line throughout the season with various players going down. Considering he should be a cheap option, the Lions could do a lot worse than Reynolds from a depth standpoint.
Case against re-signing him

Although Reynolds was versatile, there was a noticeable drop-off when he was in the game at right tackle in 2014. I guess that makes sense considering Reynolds wasn’t at his normal position and was the Lions’ third-stringer, but undrafted rookie Cornelius Lucas jumped him on the depth chart at tackle as the season progressed. It’s true that Reynolds is a better fit at guard, but part of being versatile is being able to perform well at multiple positions. If that’s what the Lions want out of a backup offensive lineman, then there may be better options out there.
Final verdict

Considering the Lions don’t really have any proven depth at guard, it would be wise to re-sign Reynolds. As mentioned earlier, he should be a cheap option, and the fact that he can slide outside to tackle if needed is valuable considering how many injuries the Lions dealt with on the O-line last season. Guard is certainly a better fit for Reynolds, but having someone with experience at multiple positions on the offensive line is important for when emergency situations arise on game day.

Agamemnon

June 9, 2015 at 7:03 pm #26055

zn
Moderator

Agamemnon wrote:

Bad news for me.

It’s easy to distinguish between a guard and a tackle. I do it this way:

* the guard is the one who stands in the batter’s box facing the pitcher

* the tackle is the one who crouches behind him, also facing the pitcher, and shoots free throws
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