So what do you think about the line?

[Tatonka]

i am making one assumption.. the shelton deal goes through.. i feel like even if it doesnt.. we will get a strong LT in the draft, like terry.. which i think will be about even w/ shelton anyways..

so fellow bills fans.. are you happy with this line going into the season?

Starters -

Shelton - Anderson - Teague - Villarial - Williams

Depth -

Tucker - Gandy - Peters - McFarland/Bannan/Draftee

[clumping platelets]

pole or poll :huh:

[Philagape]

Impossible to answer before the draft

[Dicknoze69]

If we get Shelton or someone like Terry, I think we'll be fine.

If not, Teague will be our LT and we may be in some trouble.

[Jersey1031]

definitley need the shelton trade to go through

[Hounds]

The Oline now you would have to say is still bad when what I think is the most important position being LT is still up in the air. If they can find someone to fill that position then I think the line will be good. But as of now that is to big of an if to say the line is good. FInd a LT has to be the biggest need for the Bills as a team.

[Tatonka]

pole.. as in pole smoker.

[OpIv37]

you need a third option- the line is decent but could be improved. I was predicting doom for this team, based mainly on the inexperienced QB and a running team with crap line. This helps but it's not quite the answer we're looking for. Add Shelton and I think we'll have a great year, Losman's 0 starts notwithstanding.

[mybills]

If not, Teague will be our LT and we may be in some trouble.
Am I the only one who doesn't think that!

[G. Host]

I do not think Willis will EVER get 2000 yards in his career. There are very few backs who ever put in 2000 yards in one season and Willis does not appear to be one. I think he can not take that many hits in a year.

[chevyjayce]

Am I the only one who doesn't think that!
I think so!

[Devin]

SHould be a middle option.

"Good, but could be better"

[Mr. Cynical]

I think there needs to be a 3rd option: "Better than last year but still not fixed".

Without a stud LT....and with a $9M RT....and an average C.....this line is not going to be great. At best is will be a B-/C+ IMO.

[mysticsoto]

Am I the only one who doesn't think that!
Nope...I don't either. But TT might be rusty and definitely not a long term decision at LT. The long term decision is Jason Peters. He has the physical qualities you want in a LT.

[HurryUpTom]

I based my vote on the current line (i.e. no Shelton, but including Anderson). I think we have an average RT (MW), average RG (Villarial), below average C (Teague), average LG (Anderson), and horrible LT (Gandy). Conversely, we would have Teague at LT (horrible) and Tucker at C (barely NFL starter material).

I think we are weak and very weak at what I consider the two most important positions on the line (LT and C) and at this point in time, I still consider the line worse than last season (Jennings and Smith for Anderson and Gandy). If we add Shelton and he's as good as has been advertised around here, I think that would give us an improved line in that 10-15 range.

[jamze132]

:funny:
pole or poll :huh:

[Wolffman]

With the signing of Anderson I think the line is decent. Not bad or great, just decent. I may have too much faith in McNally, but IMO he can turn this line into a force. A LT in the draft would really cement it all together.

[HurryUpTom]

With the signing of Anderson I think the line is decent. Not bad or great, just decent. I may have too much faith in McNally, but IMO he can turn this line into a force. A LT in the draft would really cement it all together.
Without Shelton, do you think our line is better than last year?

[mysticsoto]

Without Shelton, do you think our line is better than last year?
When did Shelton become a god?

[Wolffman]

Without Shelton, do you think our line is better than last year?

I think they're about equal talent wise, but depth wise they're better.

If the Bills do get Shelton, then the line will be better. I think he can become better than Jennings with McNally teaching him.

[Jan Reimers]

We have four starters returning from what was a pretty decent line the second half of last year. We have upgraded LG with Anderson, added quality depth in Gandy, and may get additional help from the development of McFarland and the conversions of Peters and Bannan.

But whether we'll be better than last year depends on adding a quality LT. If we get Shelton, we should be fine. If we get a good rookie, we may also be OK. But I really don't like anyone on the current roster as our starting LT.

[ScottLawrence]

Still average.



From what I have read from Ravens fans, the only thing Anderson brings to a team is good run blocking.

He can't pull, and is a bad pass blocking guard.


Get Shelton and I like our offensive line for next year.

[HurryUpTom]

When did Shelton become a god?
I don't think Shelton is a god ... not too sure where you picked that up. I asked him to evaluate the line as it currently stands, not with any future assumptions.

I've already said how I evaluate the line.

[HurryUpTom]

We have four starters returning from what was a pretty decent line the second half of last year. We have upgraded LG with Anderson, added quality depth in Gandy, and may get additional help from the development of McFarland and the conversions of Peters and Bannan.

But whether we'll be better than last year depends on adding a quality LT. If we get Shelton, we should be fine. If we get a good rookie, we may also be OK. But I really don't like anyone on the current roster as our starting LT.
I think our depth is about the same, but judging backups from other teams is difficult. Price was a solid backup and I expect the same from Gandy, not an improvement, and not a step down. I actually thought our OL depth was very good last year so I'm happy that we're just as good there. It was our starters that were weak last year.

I disagree on your assessment as to the abilities of our line at the end of last year, but to each his own.

[mysticsoto]

I don't think Shelton is a god ... not too sure where you picked that up. I asked him to evaluate the line as it currently stands, not with any future assumptions.

I've already said how I evaluate the line.
I say this b'cse I think Shelton is adequate and I do hope we get him...but everyone seems to believe that if we don't get Shelton...we are doomed, doomed, doomed. Shelton is going to be a cheap player for the position. But he is not super fantastic, and we may still need an answer for the longer term.

[SoCalBillsFan]

We lost arguably our best lineman and have not replaced him. I am concerned about that.

[HurryUpTom]

I say this b'cse I think Shelton is adequate and I do hope we get him...but everyone seems to believe that if we don't get Shelton...we are doomed, doomed, doomed. Shelton is going to be a cheap player for the position. But he is not super fantastic, and we may still need an answer for the longer term.I think we are doomed, doomed, doomed, if we don't get an adequate LT and Shelton is the only available option that I have heard of that is an adequate LT. That doesn't make him a god ... just a (most likely, if what everyone says is true) significant improvement over any other option.

I think everyone else we currently have (Teague, Gandy, Peters) would be horrible as a starting LT and drafting an LT is a crapshoot with a late 2nd rounder ... not impossible ... but the odds are not something I think we should rely on.

[SoCalBillsFan]

I think everyone else we currently have (Teague, Gandy, Peters) would be horrible as a starting LT and drafting an LT is a crapshoot with a late 2nd rounder ... not impossible ... but the odds are not something I think we should rely on.


Bingo!

[gobuffalo2007]

OH HELL YEAH!!!!