| While there’s no true
measuring stick for success in the NFL, circa 2002, there’s also no denying the
importance of solid offensive line play for almost any team entertaining serious hopes for
a playoff bid. Clearly, it’s what’s up front that counted a great deal for the
majority of last season’s key contenders, and there’s strong reason to believe
the teams with the sturdiest front walls this coming season will have as good a chance as
any to be left standing in January.
With that in mind, using offensive lines as the sole criterion, we could be looking at
the following division winners.
AFC North — Pittsburgh. The Steelers always seem to have a potent
ground game, but last season, they added a productive passing attack to the mix, thanks in
great part to the best offensive line in the business, its lack of notoriety
notwithstanding. Under the superb direction of OL coach Russ Grimm, the Steelers’
blue-collar blockers simply pound away at the opposition, with Pro Bowl OLG Alan Faneca
and converted C Jeff Hartings leading the way. After leading rusher Jerome Bettis was
sidelined with injuries down the stretch last season, a ground game featuring Chris
Fuamatu-Ma’afala and Amos Zereoue continued to churn out positive yardage behind a
line that specialized in outhitting, as well as outsmarting, the opposition. As far as the
other teams in the division are concerned, the Bengals, Ravens and Browns are all below
average in the OL department.
AFC West — In a close call, the Raiders get the nod over the
Chiefs, whose offensive line could be given a sizable boost — provided newcomer
Willie Roaf is completely over the knee injuries that limited him in New Orleans last
season. The Raiders’ line did a solid job last season despite key injuries to C
Barret Robbins and OG Mo Collins. While the unit’s run blocking fell off a bit, it
allowed just 27 sacks and showed great perseverance. With Robbins and Collins healthy
again, the line should help an offense no longer benefiting from Jon Gruden’s
brainpower to keep moving the chains.
AFC East — The Jets’ offensive line looks like the best in
arguably the NFL’s strongest division — but not by a lot. The unit must overcome
both the loss of highly respected OL coach Bill Muir and Pro Bowl C Kevin Mawae’s
injured left shoulder, which was operated on in late May. It’s quite possible both
the Dolphins, who were racked by injuries on the offensive line last season, especially at
the all-important OLT spot, and the Bills, with top draft pick Mike Williams manning the
fort at right tackle, could measure up to the Jets up front before the season runs its
course.
AFC South — In a division in which OL play is hardly the featured
attraction, the Colts enter the season with probably the most solid unit, even though they
lost their best inside performer, Steve McKinney, to the division-rival Texans via free
agency. As for the rest of the division, the Titans’ line declined significantly last
season, while both the Texans' and Jaguars’ front walls have already been hit with
potentially key injuries before the start of the season.
NFC North — We’ll go with the Bears over the Packers by the
slimmest of margins, even though No. 1 draft pick Marc Colombo will more likely than not
be asked to step right in to protect brittle QB Jim Miller’s blind side in place of
Blake Brockermeyer. The rest of the Bears’ line is rock-solid, especially C Olin
Kreutz, who chose to stay put in Chicago this offseason rather than collect a bigger
paycheck in Miami. The Packers’ impressive young duo of ORT Mark Tauscher and OLG
Mike Wahle anchor an impressive group in front of QB Brett Favre.
NFC West — If you’re looking for evidence to suggest that
the surprising 49ers might be able to overcome the mighty Rams in this offense-heavy
division, you would start with the Niners’ stellar offensive line. A unit that
performed consistently well last season could be even better this season with free-agent
acquisition Ron Stone stepping in at right guard, and the versatile Dave Fiore moving over
to left guard to replace the departed Ray Brown. The Rams’ line, which sent both Ryan
Tucker and Rod Jones packing this offseason, looks scarily understocked and untested by
comparison.
NFC East — A lot of people are picking the Cowboys to possibly
become this year’s version of the Patriots, and the Pokes’ respectable offensive
line is one of the main reasons. Even though they could be hurt by the departure of
longtime OL coach Hudson Houck, who has been replaced by Frank Verducci, the Cowboys pose
an imposing threat up front, particularly at left guard, where Larry Allen is far and away
the best at his position. The Cowboys do get some extremely close competition from the
Eagles, with Tra Thomas having become a Pro Bowl-caliber left tackle, and C Hank Fraley
establishing himself in the pivot following a preseason injury last season to Bubba
Miller.
NFC South — The best offensive line in this division belongs to,
believe it or not, the 1-15 Panthers, who were bolstered big-time last offseason with the
free-agent acquisitions of C Todd Steussie, C Jeff Mitchell and ORG Kevin Donnalley. Both
the Saints and the Buccaneers could be a lot better this season. The New Orleans front
office moved quickly to totally revamp its front wall this offseason without breaking the
bank, and the Bucs’ line is expected to be a lot better now that it's coached by
Muir, who worked wonders with the Jets. But if the Panthers somehow rise from the ashes to
make their presence felt this season, you can bet their line will be primarily
responsible. |
