Post by MGB01 on Jun 22, 2019 12:20:00 GMT -5
We continue our FA series by taking a look at offensive linemen
Trent Brown: While Bob Stoops would welcome the mammoth left tackle and chief Dak Prescott protector back, it's probably impractical with Prescott headed for the biggest deal in league history and teams undoubtedly willing to overpay for Brown's services.
Prediction: New York. Oh, speaking of...........but the Hitmen plan of attack come July will be their weakest areas from a 4-12 team, the weakest being the offensive line, with Hitmen quarterbacks being sacked at worst rate in the league--a frightening nine percent of all dropbacks. The Hitmen are in dire need of an upgrade after Kyle Murphy and Jeremiah Poutasi struggled horribly.
Ramon Foster: All-XFL center Ryan Kalil's retirement left "The Big Ragu" as the team's senior lineman, provided he stays. The Enforcers could be in the market for an offensive line overhaul after seeing what Kansas City's physicality and depth did to them in the X-Bowl.
Prediction: Pittsburgh. The Ironmen let Matthew Slauson leave after the 2017 season and paved the way for young players in the form of Landon Turner and Jordan Morgan, neither has been able to hold it down. Foster would lend veteran (plus championship, as a starter for four X-Bowl champions) experience that can help stabilize a line that played too out of sync in 2019.
Daryl Williams: Spent the majority of 2019 season on injured reserve, but the Lonestars have two things in their favor: One while they're losing Brown there's not a real big desire from Stoops to lose both Dallas' regular starting tackles, especially (two) when one played for Stoops at Oklahoma.
Prediction: Dallas. So this is an easy call here. With Stoops bringing a new offense to town the natural speculation is that Williams slides over to left tackle to replace Brown but coming off the injury Williams stays on the right side and the Lonestars go elsewhere.
Marcus Gilbert: Playing right tackle to begin his career, Gilbert moved over to the left side after all-XFL great Michael Roos' retirement in 2015. But injuries and a PED suspension have rendered him to strictly a right tackle option heading into free agency, plus he will be 32 shortly after the 2020 season kicks off.
Prediction: Carolina. The Colonels will be moving on from Matt Tobin, and are in the market for a veteran starter while Tyrell Crosby moves over to the left side. The plan would also be for him to mentor Will Richardson as the Colonels hope to produce three starters from the 2019 draft.
Trey Hopkins: Hopkins played well enough after the loss of T.J. Lang at midseason, landing an second team all-XFL spot, but with the Stampede collapse and accompanying housecleaning Hopkins will be on the move for the second straight year.
Prediction: Dallas. The ex-Longhorn stays in Texas, as Stoops essentially builds an all-Big 12 line with Hopkins, Williams, and left guard Spencer Drango (Baylor). Jermaine Eluemunor was benched after a key penalty in the Chicago game, and Cyril Richardson, another Baylor product, has had plenty of chances to nail down a starting job in his career but hasn't worked out, so Dallas will be moving on there.
Trent Brown: While Bob Stoops would welcome the mammoth left tackle and chief Dak Prescott protector back, it's probably impractical with Prescott headed for the biggest deal in league history and teams undoubtedly willing to overpay for Brown's services.
Prediction: New York. Oh, speaking of...........but the Hitmen plan of attack come July will be their weakest areas from a 4-12 team, the weakest being the offensive line, with Hitmen quarterbacks being sacked at worst rate in the league--a frightening nine percent of all dropbacks. The Hitmen are in dire need of an upgrade after Kyle Murphy and Jeremiah Poutasi struggled horribly.
Ramon Foster: All-XFL center Ryan Kalil's retirement left "The Big Ragu" as the team's senior lineman, provided he stays. The Enforcers could be in the market for an offensive line overhaul after seeing what Kansas City's physicality and depth did to them in the X-Bowl.
Prediction: Pittsburgh. The Ironmen let Matthew Slauson leave after the 2017 season and paved the way for young players in the form of Landon Turner and Jordan Morgan, neither has been able to hold it down. Foster would lend veteran (plus championship, as a starter for four X-Bowl champions) experience that can help stabilize a line that played too out of sync in 2019.
Daryl Williams: Spent the majority of 2019 season on injured reserve, but the Lonestars have two things in their favor: One while they're losing Brown there's not a real big desire from Stoops to lose both Dallas' regular starting tackles, especially (two) when one played for Stoops at Oklahoma.
Prediction: Dallas. So this is an easy call here. With Stoops bringing a new offense to town the natural speculation is that Williams slides over to left tackle to replace Brown but coming off the injury Williams stays on the right side and the Lonestars go elsewhere.
Marcus Gilbert: Playing right tackle to begin his career, Gilbert moved over to the left side after all-XFL great Michael Roos' retirement in 2015. But injuries and a PED suspension have rendered him to strictly a right tackle option heading into free agency, plus he will be 32 shortly after the 2020 season kicks off.
Prediction: Carolina. The Colonels will be moving on from Matt Tobin, and are in the market for a veteran starter while Tyrell Crosby moves over to the left side. The plan would also be for him to mentor Will Richardson as the Colonels hope to produce three starters from the 2019 draft.
Trey Hopkins: Hopkins played well enough after the loss of T.J. Lang at midseason, landing an second team all-XFL spot, but with the Stampede collapse and accompanying housecleaning Hopkins will be on the move for the second straight year.
Prediction: Dallas. The ex-Longhorn stays in Texas, as Stoops essentially builds an all-Big 12 line with Hopkins, Williams, and left guard Spencer Drango (Baylor). Jermaine Eluemunor was benched after a key penalty in the Chicago game, and Cyril Richardson, another Baylor product, has had plenty of chances to nail down a starting job in his career but hasn't worked out, so Dallas will be moving on there.