2009 Offensive Line Rankings

Last year it was the Jets, and this year it is the Jaguars that made huge waves in the off-season to bolster their offensive line. The Jaguars' line had problems last year and at times really struggled. It should come as no surprise that priority one in the off-season was improving their line, and they immediately wrestled away 3 time Pro-Bowl LT Tra Thomas from PHI. JAX also made a big splash by selecting Eugene Monroe with the 8th pick overall in the 2009 NFL Draft. Monroe is a plug and play, NFL caliber tackle and ready to make an impact. It's a little scary to think TD machine Maurice Jones Drew no longer has Fred Taylor to contend with AND has a better o-line blocking for him. Starting guards Maurice Williams and Vince Manuwai return from injuries after both only played one game in 2008. We expect this line to make huge strides in 2009.

The offensive line for the Chiefs has fallen so far, it is getting painful to watch. An era ended when all-world, 11 time Pro Bowl T Willie Roaf and 12 time Pro Bowl G Will Shields retired a few years ago, and the Chiefs have been struggling ever since. They did themselves absolutely no favors by letting C Casey Wiegmann slip away to Denver last year. All Wiegmann proceeded to do was earn a Pro-Bowl while playing for the Broncos (DOAH!). The Chiefs are trying to find a quality line again, and they did add Mike Goff from San Diego in the off-season. They also have 4 time Pro-Bowl G Brian Waters returning, as well as second year lineman Brandon Albert (15th pick overall in 2008 Draft), who they plan to try to move to the key LT position this year. The new coaching staff has their work cutout for them though, as this line has not come together yet.

Just when you think the Saints' offensive line couldn't possibly go any higher, it does. Over the last four years, the Saints have improved in both pass AND run blocking. No other team in the NFL can say that. Now the Saints have improved themselves to the point they have reached a ceiling, but who knows, maybe after 2009 they will be rated #1 in both categories for 2010. LT Jamal Brown is the headliner of this group having notched two Pro-Bowls in the last three years (he just missed going three for three). The best part about the Saints is that their entire line returns in 2009, so there will be no growing pains or chemistry within the line to have to worry about. This bodes extremely well for QB Drew Brees and the rest of the Saints' offensive skill position players. Draft these players with the added security of knowing they play with a great offensive line.

The headlines for the Eagles' line in the off-season was the loss of 3 Time Pro-Bowl LT Tra Thomas to the Jaguars. However, the Eagles actually upgraded that position through the acquisition of 2 Time Pro-Bowl LT Jason Peters from Buffalo. The aforementioned Thomas is 34 and hasn't earned a trip to the Pro-Bowl since 2004. Whereas Peters is a rising star at only 27 years old with Pro-Bowl visits in 2007 and 2008. Peters joins his old college teammate from Arkansas and 2 Time Pro-Bowl Guard, Shawn "Hurricane" Andrews. The Eagles also picked up the solid RT veteran Stacy Andrews from the Bengals in the off-season. Andrews joins a very, very good offensive line that could carry the Eagles to the Super Bowl. The Eagles are loaded with offensive weapons and have the line needed to realize the full potential of those weapons. Watch out.