Welcome to the first edition of a weekly segment we’re calling “The Lions Congregation“! Each week, we’ll be getting the consensus from the most informed minds in the Lions blogosphere. This week, we’re talking about the offensive tackle position.
Rank The Top 4 Tackles in the Draft: Michael Oher, Eugene Monroe, Andre Smith, Jason Smith.
Ty, Lions in Winter: Jason Smith, Eugene Monroe, Michael Oher, Andre Smith. I’d be willing to bet that my list looks like everyone else’s, but Smith looked like a man amongst boys in the position drills, and Monroe really impressed me. Monroe looked great and has been neither overly hyped nor overly panned throughout this process. Oher looks like he might be an all-world left guard, huge lower body but not all that athetic. Smith has the talent, but has thrown up nothing but a forest of red flags since the college regular season ended.
Dave, Birk’s Eye View: Jason Smith, Eugene Monroe, Andre Smith, Michael Oher, with Smith and Monroe easily the top two.
Sean, Pride of Detroit: Right now it is obvious that there are two different levels of offensive tackles when it comes to these four potential first-round picks. Jason Smith and Eugene Monroe are in the top tier for sure. It’s tough to say which is better than the other, but for the Lions I sort of think Eugene Monroe would be better suited for their needs. I’ve read that Jason Smith needs to work on his run blocking, and that is not something the Lions would want to wait for when it comes to the top overall pick. Monroe could probably come in with less of a learning curve in that sense. After those two, Michael Oher and Andre Smith are in the next tier, which is mid to late first-round. Andre Smith destroyed any chance of being a top pick with his actions over the weekend, but you can’t deny his talent. I would rank him above Oher for that reason, but there’s no doubt that his character is coming into question.
Steve, Detroit Lions Weblog: Jason Smith took the lead, with Michael Oher being my number two (and personal favorite), Eugene Monroe and then Andre Smith with his character and health/weight issues.
Jeff, Motown Madmen: Before the combine started I had them ranked A Smith, E Monroe, J Smith and M Oher. After Andre’s questionable decisions, including the fact that he came in overweight, dressed improperly for interviews (where he came off as not very intelligent), did not workout and left early without telling anyone, dropped him to the mid to late 1st round for me. Now I would rank the top offensive tackles as Eugene Monroe , Jason Smith and Michael Oher. After that I would include William Beatty and Eben Britton before I would draft Andre Smith (this is on how I would like to see Detroit draft). This decision is based purely on the fact that I don’t believe Detroit needs to take someone at 1-1 (or even 1-20) who is not committed to being the best football player possible. Andre Smith came to the biggest job interview of his life and blew it. Detroit needs to make damn sure that the players they pick (and spend a boat load of money on) are going to give them their best on and off the field from day one. Andre has not shown that and, I believe, should not be taken by Detroit. The Lions need to be sure to make smart choices on smart players throughout the draft. The right person for the job.
Eugene Monroe has shown himself to be worthy of the top pick. He is strong, fast and and excellent against the pass though his run protection could use a little work. Jason Smith is probably the strongest out of the 3 but I feel, as do some others, that he is better suited to the right side than the left unless he plays in a zone blocking scheme. Oher has been bashed a bit for not playing at 100% but I think that will improve with age and he will be a very good tackle in the NFL.
Josh, DetFan1979: I’m not totally familiar with most of the college players at this point, as I watch very little college ball during the year. While I’ve started digging in and watching game snippets on potential Lions where I can, I won’t say I feel I’ve got a lot of solid expereince to go on with this one. Right now, I would say J. Smith and Monroe are pretty much tied, depending on what you look at. Since he is a converted TE and could have some flexibility in overload packages like the Ravens used last year, I guess I’d lean to the following order:
1. J. Smith — flexibility is always a bonus, and as a converted TE I’m sure he can run-block, even if he did have to do a lot of pass-pro as a tackle.
2. Monroe — He seems to be a solid overall prospect of the type you draft and don’t have to worry about that position for a while.
3. Oher — Personality issues aside, he still seems to be a solid choice at tackle. I don’t seem to have the motivation issues about him that are brought up, but that is a gut feeling, and goodness knows I’ve been wrong as much as I’ve been right.
4. A. Smith — He strikes me as the guy who has great potential, but never quite gets there due not to bad choices, but lack of focus. If a team can find a way to get him focused in what matters, they will have gotten a phenomenal player at a steal of a spot. If not, he could be the next Gallery… (Oakland)
Reverend Spielman, Church of Schwartz: I’ve got them ranked like this: 1. Eugene Monroe, 2. Jason Smith, 3. Michael Oher, 4. Andre Smith following the combine. I don’t really pay too much attention to the drills at the combine but I do pay attention to the interviews and Andre Smith frankly scared the crap out of me. Monroe is the choice over Smith simply because of college experience. Smith played most of his snaps in a 2 point stance, something he’ll rarely use in the pros.
Deacon Blades Boyd, Church of Schwartz: In terms of pure skill, no one comes close to Andre Smith. He was the most dominate tackle in college last year and is the best player in the draft. However, never in my life have I seen a person ruin their draft status as he has. By his own admission, he was out of shape and didn’t participate at the Combine. That is the last straw for a guy who had character issues going into the Combine and I’ll be surprised if he breaks the top 15 now.
As for the other three, I’d go with Jason Smith first based on his interviews and the things he said at the Combine. I like his attitude and his drive to succeed. Next is Oher. He is probably a little better then Jason Smith right now but doesn’t have the potential Smith has. Also this guy wasn’t even talked about much during the season and only in the last few months has his status been elevated so high. He’s getting the “Jay Cutler” push for some reason. And as for Monroe, read my previous sentence since it applies here as well.
Do You Think Gosder Cherilus Can Be an Effective NFL Starter for the Next 10 Years?
Ty, Lions in Winter: Yes. Gosder the Gozarian has elite size, sufficient athleticism for a right tackle, and a nasty mean streak. He showed enough improvement from preseason to Week 17 that I’m convinced he’ll anchor the right side for as long as we manage to keep him here.
Dave, Birk’s Eye View: Yes. Gosder had a few rough patches as a rookie, but he’s the type of tackle who should do well in the revamped offense. He’ll continue to refine and his game and be a fine right tackle when it’s said and done.
Sean, Pride of Detroit: From what I saw last year, I don’t really think Cherilus can be an effective starter. The Lions are mostly to blame, though. They hampered his progression by practicing him at both left and right tackle. It would have been smarter to simply pick a position and stick with it. Even so, I really don’t have a lot of faith in Gosder Cherilus anyways. I hope I’m wrong and he becomes a consistent starter for this team at right tackle in the future, but I just don’t have a good feeling about him for some reason. Maybe I’m being too overly pessimistic, but then again, my expectations are usually always low for any Lions offensive lineman.
Steve, Detroit Lions Weblog: Yes, if he can develop continuity with Peterman. I wonder if he might move to guard if Backus is eventually shifted to right tackle.
Jeff, Motown Madmen: Gosder Cherilus will be a fine right tackle (or right guard, see question #3) with proper coaching and motivation. His rookie season had some problems (penalties, Jim Colletto) but I believe that he will do fine under George Yarno and Scott Linehan. He was highly thought of in last years draft and will play to that potential this season.
Josh, DetFan1979: I’m not too fond of the “draft him and forget about it for 10 years” phrasing that seems so prevalent around NFL media types these last few years. If every guy they say this about actually played at that level for 10 years, no one would be in the market for OT’s right now. Obviously, they are — and it’s because not all of them last 10 years due to lack of motivation over time, mental factors, or injuries.
All that being said, I do think that at the start of the season Gosder was about on par with George Foster.. By the end of the season, I felt he had left him in his dust and was still improving. It is too early to really judge, especially after last season for Detroit — but conisdering the success Kevin Smith had running to that side, I’d say early indications are that if he can keep his head in the game he will be a fixture at RT for the Lions for many years to come.
Reverend Spielman, Church of Schwartz: I really think Cherilus showed us enough last year to say with confidence that he’ll be solid RT for the next 10 years. You can’t underestimate how bad the coaching was last year on that offense. Under a respected line coach in George Yarno, he’ll flourish. I love that nasty streak he has.
Deacon Blades Boyd, Church of Schwartz: Alright, the answer here is simple, YES!!!!! Cherilus will never be a Pro Bowler or a Hall of Famer but he’ll have a solid career. Look at what he did the last 5 games of the season last year and if that doesn’t give you hope, nothing will. In my opinion, he’ll be just like Jeff Backus, only better.
If the Lions Draft a Tackle #1, What Happens To Jeff Backus?
Ty, Lions in Winter: Many say Backus would be pushed to left guard because “he sucks”–but if I were running things I’d plug “new tackle” in at left guard and bring him along slowly, rather than infuriate one of the very very very few veteran leaders we have and hang our hopes on a rookie LT. If the rook has the juice, let him earn the job from Backus fair and square.
Dave, Birk’s Eye View: He moves to left guard for the 2009 season. Beyond that, who knows.
Sean, Pride of Detroit: I wasn’t sure if this would be possible before last week, but now that we know Martin Mayhew has already been thinking about it, Jeff Backus would be moved to guard. The Lions have a need at guard, and let’s be honest, a new face at LT wouldn’t be all that bad. Yes, Backus has been consistent enough to start every game at LT, but trying him at guard wouldn’t be a bad decision at all. It fills a need, and who knows, he could play better at guard than he ever did at tackle.
Steve, Detroit Lions Weblog: I don’t think the Lions will jettison him. Backus seems to be a team-oriented guy, so he might restructure to help out. I think he moves to right tackle after the Lions select Jason Smith with pick 1.1 and Cherilus is the left guard. There is talk that Backus isn’t capable of being a guard.
Jeff, Motown Madmen: Move Backus to right tackle, Cherilus to right guard and Peterman to the bench. Keep Ramirez at left guard (if he can stay healthy).
Josh, DetFan1979: I think that Martin Mayhew has already partially answered this for us: If it is a tackle at #1, then Jeff will be playing OG and competing with Peterman and a draft choice to start at LG. I’m pretty certain he can beat out Peterman, and if the Lions also take one of the great OG/C available in this draft, then I can see a starting line of: Monroe/J. Smith — Backus — Raiola — OG/C — Cherilus. This would concievably allow the Lions to carry only 6 linemen on the final roster if they chose due to versatility among the starters, and the signing of Peterman. But if I were Jeff, I wouldn’t be practicing my OG skills just yet based on where I think the Lions will end up going with the draft.
Reverend Spielman, Church of Schwartz: As much as I hate Backus, I make sure the rookie earns the starting LT job in camp. If not, I plug the rook in at LG and bring him along slowly. If he does win it, I try Backus at LG but I’m not exactly sure that will work out.
Deacon Blades Boyd, Church of Schwartz: Due to his ridiculous salary there is no possible way he will be cut. In all honesty, I have no idea what to do with Backus. He’s MUCH to weak to play guard so I think all the talk of putting him there is pure BS and if they do draft a rookie tackle, they will play the rookie at guard for the first year and let Backus stay at LT. Hell, try him at center even. Then ”the pride of Italy” Dominic Railoa can have his dream come true and go play elsewhere.
Related posts:
Q1- Monroe, J.Smith, Oher, A.Smith- Monroe is just ahead of J Smith because I think Monroe will be a more consistent performer at left tackle.
Q2- Yes, I think Cherilus has a bunch of potential, I’m unsure if he’s top ten in his position though.
Q3- If we draft a LT then I suppose we’d see Backus at LG, unsure how he’d go there though.
Hey Guys
Backus does not have the size, power, bulk or athleticism to play guard in the NFL. He is best left as the LT, the Lions should go out and get a LG to help him out. Drafting a player that is a true Left Guard is a hell of a lot cheaper then a Left Tackle. Backus really isn’t that bad, the man has had zero help beside him for a number of years now
Just my 2 cents