25 replies to this topic

[AssKickingBoots]

Rudy sucked, this much is true. It was absolutely pointless to get him to the second level, because I'm not sure if he's blocked a single linebacker in his life (yes, that's pure hyperbole). However, I think his bad reputation is even worse than it should be because of the one game where he launched the ball over Cassel's head... twice. He'd never done that before and hasn't since.

I think Rudy is worth keeping around as a backup C and RG. Maybe his game would improve if he didn't have all of the responsibilities of a Center (pointing out blitzes, snapping the ball, etc.). Then again, Rudy is smart and that may be the only reason to keep him around.

I'm going to suggest something controversial though. Back in the day, it was pretty easy for us to pin-point the problem player on the O-Line because we had such a solid line. It's easy to notice a bad RT when everyone else was playing at a Pro Bowl level (though Wiegmann never got there).

What if the problem now is the whole offensive line sucks? What if Rudy is good enough if he has great players on both sides of him? Branden Albert is the only player that is truly playing at a high level (and some people want to move him) and Waters is the next best but he's no spring chicken. Even despite his weaknesses, I don't know that I can say with any confidence that Rudy isn't good enough to start in this league.

[milkman]

AssKickingBoots, on 31 January 2010 - 11:02 AM, said:

Rudy sucked, this much is true. It was absolutely pointless to get him to the second level, because I'm not sure if he's blocked a single linebacker in his life (yes, that's pure hyperbole). However, I think his bad reputation is even worse than it should be because of the one game where he launched the ball over Cassel's head... twice. He'd never done that before and hasn't since.

I think Rudy is worth keeping around as a backup C and RG. Maybe his game would improve if he didn't have all of the responsibilities of a Center (pointing out blitzes, snapping the ball, etc.). Then again, Rudy is smart and that may be the only reason to keep him around.

I'm going to suggest something controversial though. Back in the day, it was pretty easy for us to pin-point the problem player on the O-Line because we had such a solid line. It's easy to notice a bad RT when everyone else was playing at a Pro Bowl level (though Wiegmann never got there).

What if the problem now is the whole offensive line sucks? What if Rudy is good enough if he has great players on both sides of him? Branden Albert is the only player that is truly playing at a high level (and some people want to move him) and Waters is the next best but he's no spring chicken. Even despite his weaknesses, I don't know that I can say with any confidence that Rudy isn't good enough to start in this league.

I'm pretty sure that Niswanger's problems are all his own.

He did improve his technique, if only slightly,, but the fact is, he just doesn't have a strong enough base to contend with the beef in the middle.

You could hide some of his weakness with better play from bith sides of him, and he didn't look nearly as awful in the last half of the season as Waters' play improved, and Goff was finally replaced (due to injury) in the lineup.

Keep him around as depth because of his ability to play both center and guard, but finding his replacement in the draft (Matt Tennant or Eric Olsen) is, or should be, a priority in the mid rounds.

[nathanKent]

ChiefInAdel, on 31 January 2010 - 09:07 AM, said:

No, it's Rudy.

Goff went on IR when again? Early in the year, so his play wasn't really the contributing factor. Rudy...man, that guy...

He was put on IR after week 9. He played 8 games, starting 7.

[cbuschief]

I got tired of seeing Rudy shoved back into the QB so many times last year...I can't see him playing that position ever again. As far as paying Albert to much to play another position on the line, I think I read he's not making that much now that moving him would over pay at another position on the line. I still feel he can handle LT if he's allowed to adjust his weight back some and going threw offseason and training camp should be all he needs but if they do move him right guard is his natural position from college and I'm fine with that. Center needs addressed and then what ever happens to Albert, if he stays at LT we need a right guard or if he moves there we need a new LT. I agree RT position should be a massive road grader type guy and Ryan is 6'7 and 330 lbs...if he can handle the position that should be a good line. Waters needs to play this year as well.
The top center is projected to go second round with a couple other guys rated 2-3 round talent....to bad last year was a good year for LT's , center's, linebackers out the ass but we passed on all of it!
Hopefully we draft better this year or I'm going to wonder about our scouting people if we fail to upgrade the o-line again.

[milkman]

cbuschief, on 22 February 2010 - 12:44 AM, said:

I got tired of seeing Rudy shoved back into the QB so many times last year...I can't see him playing that position ever again. As far as paying Albert to much to play another position on the line, I think I read he's not making that much now that moving him would over pay at another position on the line. I still feel he can handle LT if he's allowed to adjust his weight back some and going threw offseason and training camp should be all he needs but if they do move him right guard is his natural position from college and I'm fine with that. Center needs addressed and then what ever happens to Albert, if he stays at LT we need a right guard or if he moves there we need a new LT. I agree RT position should be a massive road grader type guy and Ryan is 6'7 and 330 lbs...if he can handle the position that should be a good line. Waters needs to play this year as well.
The top center is projected to go second round with a couple other guys rated 2-3 round talent....to bad last year was a good year for LT's , center's, linebackers out the ass but we passed on all of it!
Hopefully we draft better this year or I'm going to wonder about our scouting people if we fail to upgrade the o-line again.

People who don't have a ****ing clue just need to stop posting on subjects in which that they have no ****ing clue.

Albert played LG in college, not RG.

[warthog]

Well, we're not all experts.