2014 O-Line?

[HKPackFan]

This was an interesting article talking about the future of the Oline:
http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2014/1/10/5 ... ree-agency

I was wondering your thoughts on what you'd like to see.

IMO

LT Baktiari was solid.
LG Josh Sitton was an all pro.
C EDS was average, made the right calls, good in protection, but whiffed on some run blocks, was inconsistent in the run game.
RG TJ Lang was Solid.
RT Barclay. Struggled at times in pass protection, but decent blocking and was overall OK.

Notable Backups: Newhouse - Awful. Garbage. He shouldn't be on the team next year.

With the return of Bulaga I wouldn't mind seeing him Back at the RT spot, that's a definite upgrade over Barclay. I'm not sure when he's scheduled to come back, but if he can come back EARLY and he wants to swap with Baktiari I don't mind if they have a look, but I prefer they nail this down early in the offseason and not have it still being settled through the last days of Preseason. Personally I like the idea of Baktiari and Josh working together for a full offseason and keeping that Left Side Solid, so I'd be happy with keeping the left side the same and adding Bulaga to RT where he's done well for a couple years.

Then we have Sherrod, what shape is he in? Is he ready to move forward from his horrific injury? It's tough to have a #1 pick who appears to be no more than a backup, but at least in that scenario you'd have the comfort if a tackle does go down during the season, you have a starting caliber backup waiting in the wings.

Next big question mark is center. EDS is a free agent, and with Baktiari, Sitton, Lang, Bulaga, I'd say he's the weakest of those 5. Rodgers has a comfort level with him, but honestly, EDS, was average, and in the run game not consistent. I saw him whiff more than a few times and saw lacy getting hit behind the line.

Could Lang play center? If so, then who plays right Guard? Trotter/Barclay slide in at right guard?

You'd want the best 5 guys starting, could Barclay be a good guard? He has a bit of nastiness to him you like to see in the run game. In the Detroit game it was a mess having Lang and Barclay and Newhouse at C, RG, RT, but that was an in game adjustment and Newhouse was just awful, he didn't help matters. But could it work in the offseason? Lang C, Barclay RG, Bulaga RT?

Or keep Lang at his perfect spot in RG and see if Trotter/Barclay could do play center, or bring in someone else? Or is this talk all too dangerous and risky and we should try to bring EDS back on a 2 year modest deal and try to groom Trotter for the center spot or some rookie in the April draft.

In that case we'd go with Baktiari, Sitton, EDS, Lang, Bulaga.....But I just feel we should try to upgrade if possible, and I'm wondering if we could do it with the current guys we have. I don't hate EDS, but I think his run blocking left me less than impressed. With this lineup we'd have some good depth with Trotter, Barclay, and Sherrod, which should be at least 2 players with starting ability as backups.

If we go with Baktiari, Sitton, Lang, Barclay, Bulaga. Then we need some depth at both center and guard, which maybe EDS comes in as a backup if he has no takers in free agency?

We also haven't taken into account the development of Lane Taylor and whatever rookie we draft, I'm sure we will draft at least 1 OLine guy.

Regardless of what happens with EDS, we definitely need another center, with Trotter being a complete unknown, maybe that's where he makes his mark.

[Godgers]

We are in our best shape ever at OL. Nothing to even worry about. Should be a top 5 offensive line next season even if we lose EDS.

[MickeyDavis]

Let's discuss this in the ongoing 2014 thread.