The O-line going forward

[Steel Maniac]

If that doesn't get you pumped up for the running game, then I don't know what will.

[Captain Lemming]

If that doesn't get you pumped up for the running game, then I don't know what will.

DD rolls around to the other side and he Dotson create a massive path for our rookie speedster Mcfarland.
All while McDonald and the soon to be crown best blocking receiver in the leagueClapool are DESTOYING secondary players....
75 yard touchdown baby!!!!!

[Steel Maniac]

Claypool sealing on that side is going to be a thing of beauty to see.

[Captain Lemming]

Red zone look once Dotson wins the starting job....

Pouncey for the first time ever sandwiched between TWO powerful guards.
Two tight ends AND Watt at fullback and your one receiver is a 6'4" 240 beast of a blocker?
Run with all those big bodies or pass with all those tall targets.

How do you stop THAT?

[hawaiiansteel]

Too late for all that. We are what we are. If the line fizzles out like what your saying, then we know what will have to be done in
next year's draft with more urgency.

how are we going to be able to do that since we will be trading away all of our draft picks in order to draft Trevor Lawrence, remember?

[Ernie]

Looks like a very promising prospect... especially for a late 4th

[Steel Maniac]

Red zone look once Dotson wins the starting job....

Pouncey for the first time ever sandwiched between TWO powerful guards.
Two tight ends AND Watt at fullback and your one receiver is a 6'4" 240 beast of a blocker?
Run with all those big bodies or pass with all those tall targets.

How do you stop THAT?

Hey, don't forget our fullback leading the way for Conner to score his 15 TD's this season.

[Steel Maniac]

I'll be scooping up Conner in the third or fourth round of my fantasy draft.

[Captain Lemming]

I'll be scooping up Conner in the third or fourth round of my fantasy draft.

Be careful....with the new kid ripping 75 yard touchdown run, Conners goal line opportunities might diminish.

(OK, I know....just talking crazy now)

[Steel Maniac]

Be careful....with the new kid ripping 75 yard touchdown run, Conners goal line opportunities might diminish.

(OK, I know....just talking crazy now)

hahahahahahahhaha...nothing wrong with optimism my friend. If Mcfarland gives our running game that type of pop, we'll be in great shape.

[Chadman]

I think, short term, moving Feiler to LG where he filled in last year makes most sense, with Banner stepping in to RT. I’m getting the feeling that Tomlin and Co had the plan to move Banner in as a starter for a while. There is a quoted conversation from last off season with Tomlin asking Banner to dedicate himself so they can turn him into a “$40m Tackle”, subsequently Banner losing weight and getting into the OL rotation and on the field. Feiler is a limited athlete and OG is better suited to him anyway. Dotson might sit and learn, but all reports suggest he can play. I’d expect he and a Feiler fight for LG next season on. Wisniewski as the swing IOL makes sense. Same thing they did with Finney. Okorafor as the swing OT, giving him reps so they can decide if he’s Villanueva’s long term replacement. If none of these guys step up, it could be ugly. If we get serviceable play from Feiler, Banner and a Okorafor, the team could be set at all spots except OC going forward.

[Steel Maniac]

Let's give him a look; We need the depth...


Saints released RG Larry Warford.

Warford's fate was sealed when the Saints used a first-round pick on G/C Cesar Ruiz last month, giving New Orleans a new interior line of LG Andrus Peat, who was re-signed to a five-year deal in March, C Erik McCoy, and RG Ruiz, with veteran Nick Easton as the top reserve at all three spots. There just wasn't room for Warford at his inflated salary. The move clears $7 million in cap space for the annually-cap strapped Saints. Warford graded out as Pro Football Focus' No. 30 guard out of 82 qualifiers last season. He turns 29 next month and should quickly land on his feet.

RELATED: New Orleans Saints
SOURCE: Ian Rapoport on Twitter

[Iron City Inc.]

Some on this board spoke highly of Robert Hunt who was drafted on day 2. Now Hunt has good tape and he better because he was lined up against Georgia Southern and Appalachian St . Lined up next to Hunt was Dotson and he too has good tape and in some games excellent tape. So how will that play out against a major jump in talent ? IDK he has a lot to like. LL ran some trap plays and counter powers and Dotson was able to make some nice kick out blocks. He stays on his feet after contact which is always a good sign. More knee bender then waist bender so he gets to the 2nd level rather easily.
Pass blocking looked ok as he sets well but the speed of the rushers he faced were not what he will face on Sundays. One thing I would like to see more of is once he's got his man on skates don't be satisfied just getting him a few yards up field ( out of frame ) old days coaching term pancake it out. That mean streak finishing blocks is needed on Sundays. Huge upside but not a sure thing.

[steeler_george]

I think, short term, moving Feiler to LG where he filled in last year makes most sense, with Banner stepping in to RT. I’m getting the feeling that Tomlin and Co had the plan to move Banner in as a starter for a while. There is a quoted conversation from last off season with Tomlin asking Banner to dedicate himself so they can turn him into a “$40m Tackle”, subsequently Banner losing weight and getting into the OL rotation and on the field. Feiler is a limited athlete and OG is better suited to him anyway. Dotson might sit and learn, but all reports suggest he can play. I’d expect he and a Feiler fight for LG next season on. Wisniewski as the swing IOL makes sense. Same thing they did with Finney. Okorafor as the swing OT, giving him reps so they can decide if he’s Villanueva’s long term replacement. If none of these guys step up, it could be ugly. If we get serviceable play from Feiler, Banner and a Okorafor, the team could be set at all spots except OC going forward.

Chadman, I agree with what you said if this was predraft...

Things have changed with them drafting Dotson... I know it is a 4th round pick we are talking about, but from the sound of things they are in love with that kid.
If they would of drafted a tackle then what you say about Feiler sounds perfect.

I love Banner, I don't think ever wanted another Steeler to succeed as much as him. The FO feels the same and that is why I think they might of went Guard instead of Tackle in the draft.

[steeler_george]

My thoughts on the OL going forward.

best case scenerio pre FA/Draft

AV-Feiler-P-DD-OKA

best case post FA/draft

#1
OKA-Dotson-Pouncey-DD-Feiler
reserves: G/C =Wisneiwski T=Banner projects Grey, Hauchxxxx add in some UDFA, vet min. FA
there might be a market for AV to trade ( sounds crazy)

#2
OKA-Feiler-Pouncey-DD-Banner

On to 2021 before FA and Draft ( age as of '21)

This might be extreme, but we might let Feiler ( 28 years) go into FA, he might award us a high comp draft pick in 2022.

OKA (23/24) -Dotson (24years) -Pouncey (32)-DD (31) -Banner (27 years)~~~ look how young that OL got