FanPost

The Offensive Line Debate

Hello all

Recently, with mock drafts selecting Chance Warmack to the Jets at 9, the debate on the importance of the offensive line, specifically the guard. One side has said that the OL is not something that is addressed in round one. That is a valid point. Skill positions are the ones that get the stats and the credit. They point out teams like the Packers and Vikings that have had success without OL. Peterson and Rodgers had as good as years as ever and no offensive line.

However, the other side feels that games are won and lost on the OL. Just look at the 49ers this year. Their OL was one of the most dominant in recent memories. When were they taken in the draft? 4 of them were taken within the first round. An even better example is the Jets two years ago. Remember, when the Jets had a bruising OL. Mangold, Ferguson, Faneca, Woodey, and Moore were the best line in football and it wasn't even close. They made Sanchez look promising, Thomas jones an elite RB, and Santonio look like he isn't overpaid.

I stand on the side of the importance of the OL. They can make a terrible offense good and good skill position player play poorly. Games are won and lost on the line. The Jets used to have that philosophy and won. Do you think it was a coincidence that the Jets had no offense and became a circus when the OL disintegrated before our eyes. I think not.

One last point. The NFL today is a passing game. On defense, I believe that there is a new standard coming. The pass rushing DT has become all the rage. With Suh, Fairley, and Atkins all dominating guards everywhere and players like Floyd coming into the league, it has become valuable. The guard position will thus become more imporant in my opinion.

Please use this a thread to debate this issue. Any questions or comments leave them below. I would love to debate this issue with everyone and I look forward to hearing your opinions.

This is a FanPost written by a registered member of this site. The views expressed here are those of the author alone and not those of anybody affiliated with Gang Green Nation or SB Nation.