It All Starts Up Front

It All Starts Up Front
By Chris Cluff
Posted: 2:00 am PDT 2006-08-31

You know the big guys are a big deal when they start to get the big deals.

When the Minnesota Vikings signed All-Pro guard Steve Hutchinson to a $49 million, poison-pilled offer sheet that made it completely impractical for the Seattle Seahawks to match, it showed just how high the stakes have gone in the quest by NFL teams to put together winning offensive lines.

Left tackles have been well paid for a long time, but now interior linemen are starting to reap the rewards from a league that understands where games are actually won and lost.

The Vikings put the exclamation point on that idea when they gave Hutchinson a contract that averages $7 million per year. That's not just left tackle money; it's quarterback money. And they're paying it because they expect Hutch to turn their line into one of the best in the league, to team with left tackle Bryant McKinnie in much the same way Hutch teamed with All-Pro Walter Jones in Seattle the past five years.

The Vikings aren't the only ones who invested heavily in remaking their front five this offseason.

The Cleveland Browns' O-line has been among the league's worst since the team returned to the NFL in 1999, and they tried to do something about it this offseason, signing Pro Bowl center LeCharles Bentley and left tackle Kevin Shaffer to deals that included $12.5 million in bonuses each.

The New York Jets, who couldn't run or pass protect well last season, used both first-round picks on linemen - drafting left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson fourth overall and center Nick Mangold 29^th. Both are scheduled to start immediately.

The Cincinnati Bengals have one of the league's best lines, and they're trying to keep it together beyond this season. They already have re-signed left tackle Levi Jones and right guard Bobbie Williams this year, and they'll have to decide on the three others by next March.

The Vikings, Browns, Jets and Bengals gave big deals to the big guys because they know big guys are a big deal. To the NFL bettor, this position may not seem to warrant much consideration, but no team is going to be successful without a good group up front. The team with the better offensive line is generally the best play.

With that in mind, here's a preseason ranking of the league's 32 offensive lines:

1) Cincinnati: All five starters return from last season, when the Bengals had the sixth-ranked offense and allowed the second-fewest sacks (21). The league's best unit consists of Jones, LG Eric Steinbach, C Rich Braham, Williams and RT Willie Anderson.

2) Denver: C Tom Nalen is the linchpin to the Broncos' zone-blocking scheme that paved the way for the No. 2 rushing attack last season. LT Matt Lepsis is solid, and RT George Foster is a giant mauler who has managed to squeeze himself into the system.

3) Seattle: Thanks to Jones and Hutchinson, the Seahawks featured the No. 2 offense in the league last season, producing the leading rusher and MVP in Shaun Alexander. The 'Hawks return four of the five starters, but Hutch won't be easy to replace.

4) Indianapolis: Pro Bowl C Jeff Saturday and LT Tarik Glenn are the best players on a line that changed its starting guards last season and still gave up the fewest sacks (20) in the league. They're all back this year.

5) N.Y. Giants: One of the best run-blocking lines in the league, the Giants return all five starters from the unit that paved the way to a No. 4 overall ranking on offense in 2005.

6) Miami: In his first year in Miami, line coach Hudson Houck got the unit to cut its sacks allowed from 56 in 2004 to just 26 -- fourth fewest in the league -- in 2005. The Dolphins also were tied for seventh in yards per rush (4.3). The group could be even better this year, with new LT L.J. Shelton replacing Damion McIntosh and Rex Hadnot moving to C from RG. Former first-rounder Vernon Carey is at RT, and RG is up for grabs.

7) Washington: LT Chris Samuels and RT Jon Jansen form one of the better bookends in the league, and C Casey Rabach does the job. The team needs RG Randy Thomas to come back strong from a broken leg and sprained ankle suffered last December.

8) Chicago: The Bears averaged 131 rushing yards per game (eighth in the NFL) and return every starter from that line, headed by All-Pro C Olin Kreutz and LT John Tait.

9) Pittsburgh: The Steelers had the fifth-ranked running game last year behind LT Marvel Smith, LG Alan Faneca and C Jeff Hartings. The right side is the weak link but was good enough to help the Steelers win the Super Bowl (they are +$1000 to win it again on WagerWeb.com).

10) Minnesota: Hutch and McKinnie will team with Pro Bowl C Matt Birk, who returns after missing last season with hip and hernia injuries, and this line should be much improved from the group that was part of the 25^th-ranked offense in 2005.

11) New England: The Patriots were a terrible running team in 2005, averaging just 3.4 yards per carry. But they were excellent in pass protection. They are solid with LT Matt Light and OGs Logan Mankins and Stephen Neal, and the team must hope C Dan Koppen and RT Nick Kaczur return to form after suffering shoulder injuries last season. Rookie Ryan O'Callaghan has taken over at RT while Kaczur has been out, and the rookie might hold the spot.

12) Kansas City: For the past few years, the Chiefs have had one of the top three lines in the NFL. But the sudden retirement of LT Willie Roaf, added to the earlier retirement of RT John Welbourn, knocks the Chiefs from their perch. They are left with a solid middle trio - LG Brian Waters, C Casey Wiegmann and RG Will Shields - but two unproven tackles. The big story is the comeback of Kyle Turley, a former star for New Orleans and St. Louis who figures to play LT at about 280 pounds. If Roaf has a sudden change of heart as the season approaches, this line jumps back into the top five.

13) San Diego: The Chargers were 10^th in overall offense last season, but the line faltered in the second half after LT Roman Oben was lost to a foot injury. Rookie Marcus McNeill figures to play at LT until Oben returns. The rest of the squad remains the same - led by C Nick Hardwick and RG Mike Goff - and looks for a bounce-back season.

14) Atlanta: The Falcons return four of the five linemen who spearheaded the league's top rushing attack. After Shaffer signed with Cleveland, the Falcons traded with New Orleans for LT Wayne Gandy. This unit can run block, but it can't pass protect very well.

15) Philadelphia: This appears to be an improving group, with third-year RG Shawn Andrews and C Jamaal Jackson solidifying the middle while mainstay OTs Jon Runyan and William (formerly Tra) Thomas hold down the outsides.

16) Jacksonville: With the exception of LG Vince Manuwai, who reportedly was terrible in 2005, this line is pretty good. Anchored by third-year LT Khalif Barnes and RG Chris Naeole, the Jags were 10^th in rushing offense in 2005.

17) Carolina: The Panthers could pass protect in 2005, but they weren't a very good running team (3.4 yards per rush). They are solid at RT (Jordan Gross) and LG (Mike Wahle); if C Justin Hartwig is a good addition, the line should not be any worse than the one that helped Carolina to the NFC title game last season.

18) St. Louis: Pro Bowl LT Orlando Pace is the cornerstone of a unit that otherwise is somewhat shaky. The middle of the line could fall apart at any time, as C Andy McCollum and RG Adam Timmerman are both over 35 and LG Richie Incognito is an injury risk. Young RT Alex Barron needs to cut down on the penalties (a league-leading 18 in 2005).

19) Tennessee: The Titans will have three new starters on a unit that had trouble in the running game last season (3.8 yards per carry). The OGs return, but Benji Olson and Zach Piller both struggled in 2005. Kevin Mawae replaces Justin Hartwig at center, second-year player Michael Roos replaces retired LT Brad Hopkins, and RT is a big question mark.

20) Detroit: The Lions were a terrible rushing team last season, averaging just 3.6 yards per carry and 91.9 per game. They re-signed LT Jeff Backus to a long-term contract and need him to rebound from a so-so season. The interior of the line should be better, with new LG Ross Verba and a more motivated C Dominic Raiola and RG Damien Woody. The weak link probably will be new RT Rex Tucker.

21) N.Y. Jets: The Jets have three new starters, with rookies Ferguson and Mangold and RT Anthony Clement joining holdover OGs Pete Kendall and Brandon Moore. This unit could be pretty good by the second half of the season.

22) Tampa Bay: The Bucs are once again unsettled up front. The guards are the strength, with first-rounder Davin Joseph stepping in at RG and second-year player Dan Buenning on the left side. John Wade or Sean Mahan will start at center. But the tackle spots are up for grabs.

23) Oakland: Under new coach Art Shell and line coach Jackie Slater, the Raiders' front has been reshuffled yet again. Former first-round pick Robert Gallery has moved from RT to LT, Barry Sims has gone from LT to LG and Langston Walker has switched from LG to RT. Rookie Paul McQuistan is the favorite to start at RG. The only guy who did not change spots is C Jake Grove.

24) Dallas: The Cowboys surrendered 50 sacks last season, so fixing the line is a priority. The guards are set, LT Flozell Adams is back from a torn ACL and the center position will be in good hands with either Andre Gurode or Al Johnson. Three guys are haggling over the RT position.

25) Baltimore: Other than Pro Bowl LT Jonathan Ogden, the Ravens don't have much of a line. Its strength used to be in the running game, but the team averaged just 3.6 yards per rush in 2005. Ogden and C Mike Flynn are aging, and the rest are inexperienced or extremely limited.

26) Buffalo: First-round bust Mike Williams is gone, along with former C Trey Teague and OG Bennie Anderson. To replace them, the team signed C Melvin Fowler and LG Tutan Reyes. The best of the holdovers is RG Chris Villarrial. This unit doesn't look to be any better than the one that averaged 3.8 yards per rush and gave up 43 sacks in 2005.

27) San Francisco: The loss of C Jeremy Newberry (knee) for the season hurts what could have been a much improved line. The unit added LG Larry Allen but otherwise is now the same group as last season. LT Jonas Jennings returns from a shoulder injury, and three guys are battling for the spots on the right side, with RT Kwame Harris trying to keep his job.

28) Green Bay: Tackles Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher are back, but the Packers are using rookie guards and a new center, which can't be good for a team that averaged just 84.5 rushing yards per game in 2005.

29) New Orleans: The Saints' line is full of questions. Can Jammal Brown, a first-rounder in 2005, make the move from RT to LT? Can new C Jeff Faine hold up? Can RG Jermaine Mayberry get and stay healthy? And can anyone tell us who those guys are at RT and LG?

30) Houston: The Texans gave up a league-high 68 sacks last season, and they will have a new center, Mike Flanagan, and probably a new LT, rookie Charles Spencer. Then the Texans have to hope Flanagan, RG Seth McKinney and RT Zach Wiegert can stay healthy.

31) Arizona: The Cardinals were last in the NFL in rushing yards per game (71.1) and per attempt (3.2) and rushing touchdowns (two). They signed RB Edgerrin James to improve those numbers, but their line personnel hardly changed. They added OG Milford Brown, but his arrival isn't necessarily a positive since he played on the Texans' line in 2005. The Cardinals then suffered a blow they could hardly afford when RT Oliver Ross was lost for the first few weeks of this season with a knee injury. Arizona will try to fill that gap with Brandon Gorin, recently obtained from New England. But it will be a major achievement if new line coach Steve Loney can fix this unit.

32) Cleveland: The Browns averaged 3.8 yards per rush and gave up 45 sacks last season. They tried to fix those issues by signing Bentley, Shaffer and backup C Bob Hallen. But Bentley was lost for the season on the first day of practice with a knee injury, and Hallen later decided to retire. The Browns then traded with New England for C Ross Tucker, who became the starter when third-string C Alonzo Ephraim was suspended for the first four games. Meanwhile, RT Ryan Tucker is coming back from a knee injury and practiced for the first time just last Sunday. If the two Tuckers can get ready by the opener, the Browns might be able to underachieve as well as they did last year.

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