Offensive Line candidates

[TexanFanInCC]

Hey i havent posted in forever. the new boards had me discouraged for a bit, but my eyes are getting used to it. Just wanted to see what everyone thinks about various o-lineman that could potentially sneak into a very serious role in the o-line for next year. do you guys think kasey studdard could play his way into a big role? i really dont know much about tavo tupola. what do you guys think about him? i havent been to the OTA's so i havent gotten a look at these guys, so if anyone has seen these guys or has some insight, share it.

[texansturningthecorner]

the only rooie i can see possibly contributing is lucas enoka the center from orgen, and he still may not kubes seemed high on chris white taking over sometime. other than that only injury would help them get in just my opinoin of course.

[texans83]

I defiantly see Kasey Studdard being a potential starter by it least mid season. Other than that im not really sure. I do think we might be in for a suprise I cant think of his name but that OT from VT, I'm not sure about this year but I do think that he will become a great LT, he is quick, smart and has the potential. to fit in the Z blocking system IMO.

[HOU-TEX]

I defiantly see Kasey Studdard being a potential starter by it least mid season. Other than that im not really sure. I do think we might be in for a suprise I cant think of his name but that OT from VT, I'm not sure about this year but I do think that he will become a great LT, he is quick, smart and has the potential. to fit in the Z blocking system IMO.
I agree. IMO, Brandon Frye will be a steal for us. He's raw and needs practice but I think he's going to be very good.

[Texan (in Germany)]

LT, RG & C seem to be the areas where there is going to be a competitive fight. I think that if Big Nasty is healthy, then it will be Weary, Black, Frye & Studdard fighting for starter at RG. If not then Black will compete at LT w/ Salaam. I'd really like to see Studdard get a shot at center...seems to be his best fit in ZBS.

[Keyfro]

i totally disagree with you guys...i believe right now we have two solid guards on the team with pitts and weary...i think you give winston a couple of years to develop as our starting RT and if spencer is healthy then he's our starting LT...the only question mark on this team is at Center...but that job will go to either flanagan or mckinney
all the young o-lineman on the roster will be stuck in reserve roles for this year atleast...maybe longer...i don't see pitts, weary, or winston being beaten out of a starting job this year or any year soon after

[Vinny]

I don't think any of the second day draftees start this year....I think we are set with Spencer, Pitts, McKinney/Flannigan, Weary, and Winston....if everyone is healthy.

[doodyps]

I don't know why but I have a wierd gut feeling that Brandon Frye will be starting for us at LT some time by the end of this season. I want spencer back, but I dont feel good about it, and even if he does he could very well be a different player, maybe one better suited at guard ( instead of weary). The scout profile on brandon frye make him seem like a perfet LT for us, but thats not what I'm going on. I just have a strange gut feeling that he is going to surprise alot of people. Also, I've heard people talk about K. Studdard playing center...I dont know if he has experience at it or why people talk about that, but if he could pick that up, I can definatly see him starting by next season. Flanagan and Mckinney will probably be gone by the start of next season. Anyway, something about Frye...his name, his size, just something makes me really think he'll play for us soon

[johndoe]

I don't think any of the second day draftees start this year....I think we are set with Spencer, Pitts, McKinney/Flannigan, Weary, and Winston....if everyone is healthy.
i think vinny has it

[texans83]

I don't know why but I have a wierd gut feeling that Brandon Frye will be starting for us at LT some time by the end of this season. I want spencer back, but I dont feel good about it, and even if he does he could very well be a different player, maybe one better suited at guard ( instead of weary). The scout profile on brandon frye make him seem like a perfet LT for us, but thats not what I'm going on. I just have a strange gut feeling that he is going to surprise alot of people. Also, I've heard people talk about K. Studdard playing center...I dont know if he has experience at it or why people talk about that, but if he could pick that up, I can definatly see him starting by next season. Flanagan and Mckinney will probably be gone by the start of next season. Anyway, something about Frye...his name, his size, just something makes me really think he'll play for us soon
I completely agree with what you are saying about Frye, that's what I was trying to get across. He is quick and that is what we need at LT. If CP does come back then who knows if he will be affective as he could have been. I guess we will just have to wait and see but I expect solid things from Frye and I think he deff will turn some heads. Maybe not this year but in the near future.

[Keyfro]

i personally like to keep a positive attitude towards charles spencer's come back...i think he's head is in the right frame of mind for the come back...will there be difficulties sure...but when you are determined to make it sometimes it's just a matter of mind over body winning out
totally agree with vinny...if everyone stays healthy i don't see why those other guys would start for us
that being said...injuries are a part of the game...and for the first time i can say i actually like some of our depth along the o-line...i think brandon frye is a guy who if he becomes a determined player is going to be hard to keep off the field...remember during his last year at va. tech he seemed to underacheive at times...studdard is a guy who physically will not dominate anyone...but his aggression and attitude towards the game is what coaches love about him...guys like scott jackson, chris white, and enoka lucas are players who have physical tools that need more time to develop...if they develop right we have some talent that gives us some leverage in contracts, trades, and most importantly dealing with injuries
still i think it would hurt to add another offensive tackle to the mix...nor would it hurt to add somebody to compete now at the center position...it looks like right now that mike flanagan has the job but mckinney will push for the starting role...hodgdon doesn't look like he's going to make the roster this year...so someone like chris white or enoka lucas is going to be next in line for the job next year

[TK_Gamer]

One thing to keep in mind, I hear alot of people saying this guy is good ZBS fit, that guy is quick. We did not use ZBS last year and I don't see us doing it this year either, we use a power block theme. I don't see that changing till Sherman moves on to another HC job, and Kubiak can put a solid ZBS person in either the O-lineman Coach or OC. I could be wrong. Thats how I see it though.

[Cook Thom]

I am not impressed with any of the rookie offensive linemen. The offensive line and wide receiver are two places where the Texans have not done a lot to improve weak areas.

[Keyfro]

I am not impressed with any of the rookie offensive linemen. The offensive line and wide receiver are two places where the Texans have not done a lot to improve weak areas.

well cook with the limited amount of resources that the team had this offseason what would you have liked to see smith/kubiak have done about our o-line and wide outs?

[Vinny]

I am not impressed with any of the rookie offensive linemen. The offensive line and wide receiver are two places where the Texans have not done a lot to improve weak areas.
I thought the line played well at the end of last season. Weary had arguably the best season of all the linemen and Winston was the most improved lineman since camp. Pitts is a sure starter and Flannigan is healthy with McKinney as a top quality reserve behind all the Guards and the Center. The only real issue is LT and we have 2 veterans backing up Spencer.
Obviously Kubiak thinks that Walters can do as good or better job than Moulds did...or he wouldn't have cut him.

[ObsiWan]

I am not impressed with any of the rookie offensive linemen. The offensive line and wide receiver are two places where the Texans have not done a lot to improve weak areas.

I disagree.
I think we've added some good backup depth. I noticed no one mentioned Tupola from Utah. Good size 6-4, 310-ish. Started all four years. All-conference his last two yrs. Their line didn't allow but 14 sacks TOTAL his senior year. I think he pushes for a a starting position in a year or so.

IMHO This is another transition year. Flanagan, McKinney, and Salaam are headed off into the sunset after this season. Hogston and Bedell are as good as gone now. Lucas becomes the starting C next year. I see most all the youngsters we picked up the last two years serving apprenticeships under these <ahem> "Old Heads" for this season then be worked into the rotation in 08. The line will be (from LT to RT) Spencer, Weary, Lucas, Pitts, Winston. Black, Frye, Studdard, are backups.
This looks like a solid O-line. No more 40-sack seasons here; no matter what Mel Kiper thinks.

[infantrycak]

The line will be (from LT to RT) Spencer, Weary, Lucas, Pitts, Winston. Black, Frye, Studdard, are backups.

Are you projecting a position swap for Pitts and Weary (if so why) or is that just backwards?

[painekiller]

I defiantly see Kasey Studdard being a potential starter by it least mid season. Other than that im not really sure. I do think we might be in for a suprise I cant think of his name but that OT from VT, I'm not sure about this year but I do think that he will become a great LT, he is quick, smart and has the potential. to fit in the Z blocking system IMO.
I don't even see him making the team. He is not quick, and he is a rookie. Who do you see him starting for? Pitts? Weary? I see him on the practice squad this year.

[painekiller]

IMHO This is another transition year. Flanagan, McKinney, and Salaam are headed off into the sunset after this season. Hogston and Bedell are as good as gone now. Lucas becomes the starting C next year. I see most all the youngsters we picked up the last two years serving apprenticeships under these <ahem> "Old Heads" for this season then be worked into the rotation in 08. The line will be (from LT to RT) Spencer, Weary, Lucas, Pitts, Winston. Black, Frye, Studdard, are backups.
This looks like a solid O-line. No more 40-sack seasons here; no matter what Mel Kiper thinks.

I can buy this group without the position switch for Pitts.
But I could see Frye moving Weary out the door or Winston to Guard. ( More likely Frye goes to guard and Winston stays at OT).
I especially agree Hodgdon and Bedell are gone when camp is done.

[FLACKU]

Well I got to tell you Kasey Studdard will start this year. This guys a hell of a player and I have watched him knock D-linemen on their *** for years. The badass had 226 knockdowns in 3 years. So say what you want. He will start!

[Keyfro]

studdard's attitude and aggression are the main reasons why he was drafted...his talent physically is not...he will not start this year...sorry to break it to ya flacku...maybe in three years after he has developed some he maybe ready for a starting role but not this year and probably not next...i see weary and pitts being here and starting for a few more years atleast...and i would take both of them over guys like studdard and frye any day of the week