T Daniel Loper

[Laxpunk2006]

I want defend Samuels here a second. Before his knee injury (and Biceps injury, which ended his season) he was playing at a high level at LT. Once he tweaked his knee I could tell that the speed rushes were simply just beating him because he just didn't have the lateral movement.

I've said all offseason that I personally would like to see this team go after Jordon Gross. I realize he is going to cost big $, but I personally believe it is $ well spent. The guy can immediatley step in and play RT, which will allow Heyer to develop further, and will also fill an immediate need.

I completely agree about Samuels but have to disagree regarding Gross. While you are correct that he could step in day one and be an All-Pro RT for us it doesn't make sense financially. After completeing a Pro Bowl year at LT he is going to command elite LT money. Giving that to a guy to start at RT when we already have Jansen eating up starter money at the position puts us in a bind. To add to that he isn't even young. The guy is 27 possibly 28 by season's start. Considering the amount of guarunteed money it's going to take to land this cat it's a dangerous move. 2-3 more years and he's 30+ putting us in the same position we're in now, big money to aging players.

The only way I'd like to see us invest big money into the position would be through a high draft choice. That way we at least have a young guy on the rise who can grow with the line we build, rather than beginning his decline as our younger players peak.

[TheLongshot]

I can't say I'm a fan of his. He's somebody interesting to bring in, but do we really know he's better than Heyer? We've already got one Heyer we don't need another. I say draft OL/DL in the first round (unless we trade down) and then just have that player we draft compete for a starting spot right out the gate. If its a RT, then let that rookie and Heyer compete for the starting spot.

But if we're gonna just sign another average player for youth, why not just stick with what we've got?

You know, the guy also plays guard, which is where his one start came at. He may be a decent option to compete for Kendall's spot.

[Thinking Skins]

You know, the guy also plays guard, which is where his one start came at. He may be a decent option to compete for Kendall's spot.

But we've already got a guy to come in and compete for that spot (Rinehart). I don't want another mediocre guy here (Fabini). I'd like to see a stud on the OL, like a younger Huchinson. if that's not Rinehart, then lets draft somebody to be that, whether it be at G or T. I want somebody who's considered the best at his position hands down.

I just don't see the purpose of replacing Fabini with another guy who's of the same talent level (or at least hasn't proven that he's at a better talent level).

[seantaylor=god]

Because he has lost a step. If you can't see that then you need to get your eyes checked. He is a very good starter now but not elite. The whole line would be better off in m opinion.

I think he can return to an elite player at guard.

haha. Wow. Dude lost a step from being top 5 in the league to top 10. Ok. He is still better than anyone else we have or could hope to get, even if we draft a OT in the 1st he will not be a better LT than Samuels right away. Draft a guy, put him at RT (where we have no one) Then in 2 years you'll see if Samuels will be slipping and see if you can swap em out.

Wouldnt mind getting a decent RT in free agency

[TheLongshot]

But we've already got a guy to come in and compete for that spot (Rinehart). I don't want another mediocre guy here (Fabini). I'd like to see a stud on the OL, like a younger Huchinson. if that's not Rinehart, then lets draft somebody to be that, whether it be at G or T. I want somebody who's considered the best at his position hands down.

I just don't see the purpose of replacing Fabini with another guy who's of the same talent level (or at least hasn't proven that he's at a better talent level).

I don't know how you can compare an over-the-hill tackle with a young player who probably still has some upside and say that they have the same talent level. In fact, I don't know how you can judge Loper's talent level when you probably haven't even seen him play.

I don't know if the guy is any good or not, but from what little there is to read on him, Fisher seemed to like him. If the FO decides he's a pretty good player, I wouldn't mind him at all on this team.

[Thinking Skins]

I don't know how you can compare an over-the-hill tackle with a young player who probably still has some upside and say that they have the same talent level. In fact, I don't know how you can judge Loper's talent level when you probably haven't even seen him play.

I don't know if the guy is any good or not, but from what little there is to read on him, Fisher seemed to like him. If the FO decides he's a pretty good player, I wouldn't mind him at all on this team.

You're right that I don't know about him, but from what I'm hearing (mainly the OP), its that he's an "affordable option", a fifth round pick, and a "pretty good player". Those are decent things to have on a team, but we have a team full of pretty good players. I want some real studs.

I don't know that this guy isn't a stud, but he hasn't proven that he will be...and from his draft position and the fact that he's not a starter in this league, I'm led to believe that he'll be another mediocre player to compete for a spot, but who we'll be crying about how bad he is in a year two.

[Thinking Skins]

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying I'm "against" bringing him in, but just that its not a move thats high on my priority list. My first option is to draft a stud in the first round, then to trade down and draft a stud in the second round (like a second Jon Jansen). Those are the things that I want to happen the most.