The 2012 Offensive Line

by kjones407 on Oct 29, 2011 2:34 AM EDT

As the offensive line has still been a concern recently due to injury and Rackley's initial struggles, causing the unit to be in a state of flux, I have a proposed starting lineup for the 2012 season. With the performance of Bradfield two weeks ago against the Steelers, I think he has the potential to become a starter and not be soley delegated as a depth player. So my proposed offensive line unit going into 2012 would look like this:

LT: Eugene Monroe

LG: Will Rackley

C: Uche Nwaneri

RG: Eben Britton

RT: Cameron Bradfield

I think this unit could work for several reasons. The switch that stands out the most is moving Nwenari to center. I think this is a change that could work, as Nwenari is cross trained as a center and he would be the longest tenured lineman of the group, making him the best suited candidate to replace Meester. Even if a rookie center was drafted, I still believed Nwaneri would be the best option as he would be more familiar with what is expected of our offensive line than anyone who could be brought in via draft or free agency. The move would also free up the right guard position allowing Britton to be moved permanently from the tackle to the guard position. I think right guard is the ideal spot for Britton to play as he has been labeled as more of a road grader than a pass protector. Combine that with the struggles he has had playing tackle, it should be easier for him to be successful as a guard. If the coaches think he could play left guard then he could also play on the right. When Cameron Bradfield filled in for Monroe, it was said that he was equally good in pass protection as he was in run blocking, which I think is a talent that would be utilized at the tackle position. With Eugene being purely a left tackle in my opinion, the only place that leaves for Bradfield to play is right tackle. While it is expected that he would have to get used to playing on the right, I think he should be able to adjust as tackles are moved from left to right all of the time. If Guy Whimper can be used as a left tackle, then I don't see why Bradfield couldn't make the switch. Finally that would leave Rackley at the position that I think is most natural to him, left guard. Rackley showed significant impovement in the most recent game against the Ravens, so he has shown that he will be able to secure that spot for the forseeable future. That would leave Jason Spitz and current starter, Guy Whimper, as depth. With the youth of this group, I don't see why this unit couldn't become one of the better offensive lineups in the league.

Poll

Would you be happy with this lineup going into the 2012 season?

Yes

33 votes

No

30 votes

63 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

I agree with the 5

But I’d shuffle the interior. Britton at LG, Rackley at C, Nwaneri at RG.

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by Adam Stites on Oct 29, 2011 3:17 AM EDT reply actions

Would you mind explaining?

Just a little on why you think they’d be better served to be lined up the way you proposed.

by Keenan J on Oct 29, 2011 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions

Uche has struggled

when put at C, Rackley is young, and we might as well try it, he may play better(doubt it)

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by rhettchrystal on Oct 29, 2011 7:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Or Estes?

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by tiquanunderwear on Oct 29, 2011 7:51 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree with this

Rackley was drafted with the potential to play center. I’m not sure Meester won’t still be playing center next year, but if he isn’t I would like Rackley there. Uche is our best lineman at the moment, and I’d prefer to keep him at the same spot for consistency.

At some point we need to stop shuffling and just solidify the positions. They won’t get better as a group until that happens.

by Distance on Oct 29, 2011 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions

I agree.

They won’t make much progress as a unit until the positions are solidified.

by Keenan J on Oct 29, 2011 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions

I don't see why this unit couldn't become one of the better offensive lineups in the league.

There could be a lack of talent. Out of that group, Britton hasn’t shown the ability to stay healthy thus progress. Rackley hasn’t shown the ability not to get blown up play after play and Bradfield played in one game, though admirably.

by rws591 on Oct 29, 2011 10:09 AM EDT reply actions

Good points.

Honestly, I think so because of the potential this line up offers. They all have a group of strenghts that, I believe, would compliment each other quite well. In regards to Britton, I think it’d be best to just put him on IR and let his back heal completely. As I said, I just think that it’ll be easier for him to find success as a guard than a tackle. I think you give Rackley an offseason of NFL conditioning and he’ll be fine. His potential really showed against the Ravens because he more than held his on against that defensive front. Lastly, it’s just another case of potential as far as Bradfield goes. I just think that his play against the Steelers showed that he can play at this level, so I don’t see why not give him a chance. With the youth this lineup offers, Nwaneri being the oldest and he’d only be a 6th year pro, if they could gel, I think the ‘potential’ is there for them to give themselves the chance to become one of the better units in the league.

by Keenan J on Oct 29, 2011 10:38 AM EDT up reply actions

I don't have a problem with a young group...

Rackley showed significant impovement in the most recent game against the Ravens, so he has shown that will be able to secure that spot for the forseeable future.

but I think you’re reaching here. I’d put finding talent for the O-line on equal footing with talent at WR.

by RyanTrapasso on Oct 29, 2011 1:32 PM EDT reply actions

I won't argue...

the fact that that statement could be a bit of reach at the moment. But here’s my thinking behind that statement. He struggled for the most part up until that game. Not to say that he didn’t struggle, at times, in that game and I’m sure he did but it wasn’t as noticeable as it was the other games he started. If he can show such significant improvement against that front seven, then it tells me that he should continue to improve. Now should that happen and after he gets the conditioning of an NFL player over the offseason, there is no reason to believe he won’t be a staple on the offensive line for years to come.

by Keenan J on Oct 29, 2011 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Also...

I’d have to disagree with you on putting the o-line and receiver spot on equal footing when it comes to needing a talent upgrade. At least the o-line has dependable pieces in Monroe and Nwenari and depth in Bradfield and Spitz. The same can’t be said for the wideout position.

by Keenan J on Oct 29, 2011 2:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Nothing was said on why Meester is being shut out. I think it’s still his job to lose.

Sean

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by cuffs007 on Oct 29, 2011 2:14 PM EDT reply actions

Good point.

You’re right, I didn’t. So since you said something, I’ll address that. It has something to do with what Distance said above about the positions being solidified so they can make progress as a unit. I just believe that it has been Gene’s intention to completely revamp the entire offensive line as soon as possible so they can become that unit that plays together for years, similar to how the Patriots line was when they where in their prime. I just think this lineup gives this team to have that unit and unfortunately, that leaves Meester as the odd man out. It’ll be weird at first to see the offensive line without Meester at center but I think it would be a good move for the future.

by Keenan J on Oct 29, 2011 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions

understood, but...

i don’t think you should replace a guy just for the sake of a youth movement, especially a guy that still solidly contributes… i think he’s going to have to get beat pretty badly in camp to lose his job

Sean

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by cuffs007 on Oct 29, 2011 7:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed.

That replacing a player just for the sake of a youth movement wouldn’t be the best idea if that player is still productive. Yet, we know that he is nearing the end of his career so something is going to have to be done eventually. So do you think the team should wait until his performance takes a spike before moving on?

by Keenan J on Oct 30, 2011 5:56 AM EDT up reply actions

Meester is not only a good center, but an even better director while in that position. He helps the rookie qb. Those are two good, tangible qualities that are hard to replace at one time, with one player. he also has, seemingly, a good intangible of being a leader of sorts on the field.

Sean

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by cuffs007 on Oct 30, 2011 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions

I've had...

my question answered twice back to back in the O-zone about Bradfield and his potential of cracking the starting lineup and my proposed starting lineup that I mentioned here. John said today that John Estes is being groomed to replace Meester. Does anyone have any thoughts on that? I don’t.

by Keenan J on Oct 29, 2011 3:05 PM EDT reply actions

I think we have have to wait and see on Estes

with Centers, you really only see them if they are starting

by Sylvester.The.Jaguar.fan on Oct 29, 2011 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions

you must be kidding

Britton and Rackley are garbage and you want them starting on the same line. Someone’s going to get killed here. I ceretainly wouldn’t have Britton on the roster much less starting – he’s a walking injury + just doesn’t have NFL game. The best lineman is Monroe and he’s just average. O-Line is in need of talent infusioin not reshuffling players that can’t hack it. I’d say look to build in the draft + FA – assuming we get a GM that can really evaluate talent instead of being a great sponsor of the ‘make a wish foundation’ for 1AA players.

by OGN on Oct 29, 2011 9:19 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

I agree with a bunch of what you are saying

although you are a bit extreme in my opinion.

Monroe is good enough to be an above average LT for the foreseeable future. Not sayin he is that now, but I definitely see him as capable of providing a solid couple of years to thee team at LT.

Rackley is a rookie who went through a lockout instead of an offseason of getting ready for the NFL game. He has admittedly struglled, but he still has promise.

Personally, I think that the Jags should look at a G/C this coming draft and go with Monroe,Rackley,Uche,rookie,Bradfield/Whimper/Haslam at RT next year. Then maybe in 2013 if the RT trio proposed had no one stand out as worthy of starting you look at RT in the draft. I have not really decided what role Eben Britton ends up playing but he might have one somewhere.

by Jagsrok9008 on Oct 30, 2011 8:49 AM EDT up reply actions

Monroe

could be above average but he isn’t. Lacks consistency to be labeled above average . As for Britton, he needs to be released – seriously. He is chronically injured at this point and even before the injury bug hit him, he was playing poorly. If he has a role in the NFL – it is as backup and preferrably taking up some other team’s valuable roster spot.

I completely agree on the center positon as we’ve needed to address that 2 drafts ago.

by OGN on Oct 30, 2011 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions