The New Orleans Saints are a day closer to training camp, and position battles across the roster will be settled during the next month for the upcoming season. Saints 247 continues its 2012 Training Camp Preview with a look at the offensive line.
Losing Carl Nicks sucks. Losing him to Tampa Bay sucks even more.
Losing an established starting player, in any sport, hurts. Losing an all-pro guy that many feel is one of the best at his position? That could be traumatic for a franchise. The Saints decided to let G Carl Nicks go in the offseason, a player who formed one half of what was arguably the best offensive guard tandem in the NFL. Even worse, Nicks now plays for the hated Tamp Bay Buccaneers. Nonetheless, the Saints still possess a very talented offensive front that will be the foundation of another high-powered attack.
Sure Things:
Jermon Bushrod
Ben Grubbs
Brian De La Puente
Jahri Evans
Zach Strief
This group will most likely be the starting lineup for Week 1 of the regular season. Besides Grubbs, there isn’t a whole lot of turnover from a year ago. Jermon Bushrod has improved dramatically as a left tackle, going from a backup his rookie season to a solid starter. De Le Puente, who stepped in after the failed Olin Kreutz Experience, will be the starter at center again this season, and does a very serviceable job at his position. Evans, the only perennial all-pro on the line, is arguably one of the top three guards in the game today. Strief is another solid returning starter that will start at right tackle.
The newcomer, Grubbs, should fit in very nicely. A former first round pick in _ from Auburn, Grubbs played _ years on the Baltimore Ravens, a team whose offensive identity has long centered around a strong run game. His veteran presence will allow the line to work as seamlessly as it has the past few seasons.
Charles Brown
Matt Tennant
Marcel Jones
Andrew Tiller
These four offensive linemen will most likely make the final cut, but as backup options. Brown and Tennant are young veterans that can come in for a spell during an actual game, and can handle their own when the situation arises. Coaches have expected more from Brown, who struggled mightily last season at times. Jones and Tiller are two of the five members of this year’s drafted rookie class. Both players will be given amble time to learn the system and contribute during the preseason.
On the Bubble:
Brian Folkerts
Eric Olsen
DeOn’tae Pannell
Hutch Eckerson
Aderious Simmons
Fenuki Tupou
Scott Winnewisser
All of these players are looking to sneak onto the roster as backup options or special teams personnel. All have everything to prove moving into next week, and all will be given tons of opportunity. Most teams carry nine to ten offensive linemen, and its possible that one of these players has a fantastic camp and makes the team, pushing one of the second tier “sure thing” players out of the picture. It’s almost impossible to predict how a particular player will respond to pro-level competition. Those questions will be answered next week, and fans will see if the next Brian Waters is lurking somewhere on the roster.
Tomorrow: Defensive Line, Linebackers
