It was rumored that the Hawks had interest in him, but they never made it public, or had him for a visit. The lambs also had interest, so I am glad he went to the Stealers.
In reality, right now, this team didn't need a center, what they need is Chris Spencer and one of the 96 candidates for right guard to respond well to Mike Solari.
So onward we trek further into free agency.... At least we didn't damage our chances at a late round compensation pick next year. How long till Chop re-signs for the vet minimum?
END
Please Remember to Support the Site by Checking Out the Advertisers. Loyal Readers--If You Could Please Check Out 2 or more Advertisers per day and See What they have to Offer, this Site Would Really Hum. Thank You Again for Your Support.
just an observation and not specifically related to hartwig, but we have signed 2 new running backs and a RB is on everyone's draft wish list.
ReplyDeletewe have signed one new O-lineman.
if we use this as a guide then it seems shaun is being blamed for not running over, around and through the D-lineman, LBs, and safties that were in the backfield almost before he got the handoffs. and most of the O-linemen weren't playing with broken bones and casts. the O-line has been BAD for 2 straight years. some new blood would be encouraging.
i'm not trying love shaun or be negative cause i hope the small changes (coach and wahle) make a difference, but it just seems that an overhaul may be due (not walt or lock). like the safties last year and RBs this year.
what do you guys think?
Just getting rid of chris gray will improve our oline. and JC seems to think that mike solari is enough to make our oline drastically better.
ReplyDeleteanonymous, could you append your initials so we can point out who we're responding to? there are lots of you out there.
ReplyDeleteI think we have done well with what moves were available. It's not like there are a ton of good O-linemen available cheap this offseason. Wahle should be a good pickup. We got Duckett and Jones at very fair prices.
As far as the draft goes, I'm sure Ruskell will be looking at O-linemen. It's just a question of who is a good value at our draft point. The dominant linemen will be gone long before we pick at 25-- but Stewart could possibly fall to us.
Also, guys like me aren't very knowledgable about college linemen. I'm not that savvy about the runners either, but there is youtube for that.
and I agree with mr.snuggles ("snuggles"?) that Chris Gray out of the lineup is a good thing. He had some pretty darn good years but it's time for him to hang 'em up.
I think adding Wahle and not having Gray is huge. That makes our interior line much, much better.
ReplyDeleteSpencer in year #4 (2nd full year as starter) is also going to be improved over Spencer from year #3. Also, not having year #2 Sims and terrible Gray and adding Wahle next to him is going to dramatically make him a better C this year.
I don't think you can get worse production from RG than we got last year. I'm not sold on Sims at RG though.
I'm sick and tired of other guys being bad blockers though.
I remember WR (Jurevicius), TE (Hannam), and FB (Strong) being great at run blocking in '05. Those positions have dramatically gone downhill with respect to blocking in the years since.
At least Jones is considered a good blocking RB at picking up the blitz though.
jeez, how many times can I say "though." Should have proofread what I wrote.
ReplyDeletebk
In addition to Chris Gray leaving, Wahle allows Sims to move back over to RG which is his natural position... plus allows us to have two veteran pro bowlers (wahle was at one time) on the left side again. As for the RB situation, i think it just got to the point where the relationship between the fans and alexander just became sour... we didnt feel he was doing enough, and wanted a change... Ruskell is not only giving us a change, but looking towards to future and what type of O-Line blocking scheme the new coach will use, and making sure our backs fit that zone blocking scheme.
ReplyDeleteI think part of why we signed RB's and O-Line and a TE in Free Agency was to allow Ruskell to take the highest available player on his board on draft day, instead of having to reach on something because of a urgent need. Doesnt mean he wont still draft for the future though.
-CFraychineaud
I'm not sure, but I think this idea that Rob Sims' natural position is RG is a myth. I am already investigating this.
ReplyDeleteSims played left tackle for 2 years at Ohio State and moved to guard in his senior year...
ReplyDeletehttp://sea.scout.com/2/526105.html
I'm looking for a depth chart from his senior year at Ohio, but I'm pretty sure he was RG...
I'll keep checking though before I feel comfortable saying that 100% for sure he was a RG..
Either way, having the left side be veteran pro bowl caliber guys again should really help since we were used to that. Back in 05 Gray was our RG... He wasnt even all that great back then, he just didnt muck up as often as he did last year. I really hope your not saying that Sims cant even compete with what Gray was producing in 05 cause he was still no spring chicken then.
-CFraychineaud
I just hope there aren't going to be any more of those "still learning the position" guys drafted this year.
ReplyDeleteI'm having nightmares about starting the season with some soccer player who's never kicked a field goal before.
-- ck
I stand corrected...
ReplyDelete"College: Started 40 of 47 games for the Buckeyes, earning 12 of those starts at left guard. Shifted to position prior to senior season earning All-Big Ten Conference first-team honors. Made 28 starts at left tackle as an underclassmen. Produced 83 key blocks and eight touchdown-resulting blocks for an offense that collected 5,068 yards, an average of 422.8 yards per game his senior year. His ability to shut down the blitz and stunts saw the offensive line allow only 18 quarterback sacks for the season. Started 11 games at left tackle and finished season with 40 knockdowns as a junior. Took over left tackle duties when incumbent Ivan Douglas was sidelined with health problems (blood clot) during sophomore season. Made collegiate debut in the second week of freshman year vs. Kent State. "
I'd still have to say, hes an improvement over gray from the last 2 years.. and really the whole line should be alot better...
-CFraychineaud
I have often wondered, if Gray was so bad at right guard, why did they always pull Sims and put in Pork at left guard. Seems like they should have pulled Gray and substituted w/ Pork at right guard.
ReplyDeleteJust wondering out loud.
My opinion is that they pulled Sims because he has some upside and it was a mind game (time to learn), where Gray was already playing at or beyond potential
ReplyDeleteI think we are looking solid on the line. Spencer should be much better this year. Center is the toughest position out there in my opinion making all the line calls. Being Sims' 3rd year will be much needed experience beneath the belt and will make Spencer's job easier. Sims should really come into his game this year. The other option would be to pick up a solid OT that may be able to start and moving Lock back down to Gaurd. I would also like to see TR come up with another one of his "diamonds in the rough" players that could contribute on the line.
ReplyDeleteCTS
I'm pretty sure Holmgren likes Gray and likes keeping him as his backup center because of his vast experience and Spencer's jacked up shoulders. For all of you that think Sims is somehow an upgrade over Gray at right guard, I'm thinking you were not paying attention to the line last year. Sure Gray has dropped his game in each of th last two years, but it was Sims who was consistently being blown back on running plays and missing assignments or simple execution on blitz pick up.
ReplyDeleteI would love to see the Hawks pick up a versitile C/G in the draft instead of Gray, but I just don't think that is going to happen if Gray decides he want another paycheck.