Compared to individual baseball and basketball position performance, it is harder to quantify performance of football offensive linemen. Review of game videos or film is used to evaluate performances of individual player's assignments. Some screening of college players prior to the NFL draft such as all conference by position, NFL combines, scouting reports, etc. give some notion as to how well players will perform as professionals. The occurance of undrafted free agents as pro-bowl selections as well as lower draft round players success is a point in fact that the process of screening and drafting players is flawed. Another comment is that early draft picks are overpaid given that they haven't yet proven themselves at the NFL level. On the other hand, the talent of experienced NFL players is evaluated in terms of the value of their contracts. Yet even for experienced players such as free agents they can also be overpaid. For instance the value of Albert Haynesworth's contract is subject to debate and his influence on the effectiveness of other players on the team is part of the debate. Similar arguments are made for the impact of an offensive line's performance on their quarterbacks effectiveness.
Some background:
- Everything You Wanted to Know About the Draft but Forgot to Ask
- Walkthrough: Made, not Born
- Walkthrough: Tale of the Tackles
- Under the Cap: Top Ten Offensive Tackles
- Under the Cap: Top Ten Guards and Centers
- The NFL Salary Cap
- Loser's Curse Haunts the First Round This article's conclusion aren't likely to appliy to the earliest 1st round picks for offensive tackles. These players often start most of the regular season games and usual play for ten or more years. There are some parallels between the high paid rookies and high paid free agents when it comes to team building in regard to cap space available for other team members.
Until week seven, the Giants had gone 38 games with the same starting 5 OL and is considered one of the best in the NFL.
- Interdependence of Offensive Linemen
2008 Season: Sacks Allowed by Position All Teams in the NFL (a 2/09 post)
Some limitations/qualifications of the figures cited are discussed.
Difference between Ryan Clady and Jason Peters This is an interesting blog that brings other factors into consideration.
2008 Sacks Allowed by Position All Teams in the NFL (2/09) post This page adds information to the file cited by including links to NFL players pages, draft year, and the draft position in which offensive linemen were selected or alternatively, information on the year for undrafted free agents (UDFA). The draft position, i.e., 1st OL, 8th OL, or 33rd OL selected, because it is more constant than the draft round since the number of linemen selected varies by draft year, i.e., the 15th OL selected may be in a different draft round in various years. Most of the 2008 starters continued into the 2009 season and the 2009 starts were added for these players. The 2009 sacks allowed figures were not added to individual players. Consequently, the players are listed in 2008 ascending sacks allowed order by position. It is not a fair assumption that the 2008 sacks allowed rank carried over to the 2009 season, i.e., Derrick Dockery did much better in 2009 with the Redskins compared to his last season with the Bills. (Note: PRO-BOWL information is for the 2008 season.)
Left Tackles
- 1. Ryan Clady (Broncos) 0.5 sacks allowed (09,16; 08,16 starts), 2008 draft, 2nd OL selected
- 2. Michael Roos (Titans) 1.0 sacks allowed (09, 16; 08,16 starts) *PRO-BOWL*, 2005 draft 6th OL selected
- 3. Tra (Wm.) Thomas (08, Eagles, 09, Jaguars) 2.0 sacks allowed (09,3; 08,16 starts), 1998 Draft 2nd OL selected
- 3. Orlando Pace (08, Rams, 09, Bears) 2.0 sacks allowed (09,11; 08,14 starts), 1997 Draft 1st OL selected
- 5. Jake Long (Dolphins) 2.5 sacks allowed (09,16; 08,16 starts). 2008 draft 1st OL selected
- 6. Jordan Gross (Panthers) 3.0 sacks allowed (09,9; 08,15 starts) *PRO-BOWL*, 2003 draft 1st OL selected
- 6. Jammal Brown (Saints) 3.0 sacks allowed (08,15 starts), 2005 draft 1st OL selected
- 6. Jared Gaither (Ravens) 3.0 sacks allowed (09,11; 08,15 starts), 2007 Supplemental Draft
- 6. Marcus McNeill (Chargers) 3.0 sacks allowed (09,16; 08,14 starts), 2006 draft 7th OL selected
- 6. Tony Ugoh (Colts) 3.0 sacks allowed (09,4; 08,12 starts), 2007 draft 7th OL selected
- 6. Chris Samuels (Redskins) 3.0 sacks allowed (09,5; 08,12 starts) *PRO-BOWL*, 2000 Draft 1st OL selected
(On injured reserve in 2009)
- 6. Todd Weiner (Falcons) 3.0 sacks allowed (08,11 starts), 1998 draft 8th OL selected
- 13. Walter Jones (Seahawks) 3.5 sacks allowed (08,12 starts) *PRO-BOWL*, 1997 draft 2nd OL selected
(On injured reserve in 2009)
- 14. D’Brickashaw Ferguson (Jets) 4.0 sacks allowed (09,16; 08,16 starts), 2006 draft 1st OL selected
- 14. Bryant McKinnie (Vikings) 4.0 sacks allowed (09,16; 08,12 starts), 2002 draft 2nd OL selected
- 14. Max Starks (Steelers) 4.0 sacks allowed (09,16; 08,11 starts), 2004 draft 9th OL selected
- 17. Joe Thomas (Browns) 4.5 sacks allowed (09,16; 08,16 starts) *PRO-BOWL*, 2007 Draft 1st OL selected
- 17. Branden Albert (Cheifs) 4.5 sacks allowed (09,14; 08,15 starts), 2008 draft 4th OL selected
- 19. Levi Brown (Bengals) 5.5 sacks allowed (09,16; 08,11 starts), 2007 draft 2nd OL selcted
- 20. Mike Gandy (Cardinals) 6.25 sacks allowed (09,12; 08,16 starts), 2001 draft 8th OL selected
- 21. David Diehl (Giants) 6.5 sacks allowed (09,16; 08,16 starts), 2003 draft 5th round 25th OL selected
- 22. Flozell Adams (Cowboys) 7.25 sacks allowed (09,16; 08,16 starts), 1998 draft 7th OL selected
- 23. Khalif Barnes (Jags) 7.5 sacks allowed (09,2; 08,16 starts), 2005 draft 8th OL selected
- 23. Matt Light (Pats) 7.5 sacks allowed (09,11; 08,16 starts), 2001 draft 6th OL selected
- 23. Chad Clifton (Packers) 7.5 sacks allowed (09,12; 08,15 starts), 2000 draft 6th OL selected
- 23. Kwame Harris (Raiders) 7.5 sacks allowed (08,11 starts), 2003 draft 4th OL selected
- 27. Joe Staley (49ers) 8.5 sacks allowed (09,9; 08,16 starts), 2007 draft 3rd OL selected
- 28. Donald Penn (Bucs) 8.5 sacks allowed (09,16; 08,16 starts), UDFA 2006
- 29. Jeff Backus (Lions) 9.25 sacks allowed (09,16; 08,16 starts), 2001 draft 4th OL selected
- 30. John St. Clair (Bears) 9.75 sacks allowed (09,14; 08,16 starts), 2000 draft 14th OL selected
- 31. Duane Brown (Texans) 11.5 sacks allowed (09,16; 08,16 starts), 2008 draft 8th OL selected
- 31. Jason Peters (09 Eagles; 08 Bills) 11.5 sacks allowed (09,15; 08,13 starts) *PRO-BOWL*, UDFA 2004
The Jason Peters' football story
Left Guards
- 1. Kris Dielman (Chargers) 0 sacks allowed (09,16; 08,16 starts) *PRO-BOWL*, UDFA 2003
- 1. Charlie Johnson (Colts) 0 sacks allowed (09,12; 08,16 starts), 2006 draft 6th round 35th OL selected
- 1. David Baas (49ers) 0 sacks allowed (09,16; 08,9 starts), 2005 draft 5th OL selected
- 4. Carl Nicks (Saints) 0.5 sacks allowed (09,16; 08,13 starts), 2008 draft 5th round 24th OL selected
- 5. Todd Herremans (Eagles) 0.75 sacks allowed (09,11; 08,15 starts), 2005 draft 4th round 19th OL selected
- 6. Brian Waters (Chiefs) 1.0 sacks allowed (09,15; 08,16 starts) *PRO-BOWL*, UDFA 1999
- 7. Josh Beekman (Bears) 1.25 sacks allowed (09,4; 08,16 starts), 2007 draft 4th round 17th OL selected
- 8. Robert Gallery (Raiders) 1.75 sacks allowed (09,6; 08,16 starts), 2004 draft 1st OL selected
- 8. Reggie Wells (Cardinals) 1.75 sacks allowed (09,16; 08,16 starts), 2003 draft 6th round 29th OL selected
- 10. Eugene Amano (Titans) 2.0 sacks allowed (09,16; 08,16 starts), 2004 draft 7th round 38th OL selected
- 10. Chris Chester (Ravens) 2.0 sacks allowed (09,13; 08,11 starts), 2006 10th OL selected
- 12. Chester Pitts (Texans) 2.5 sacks allowed (09,2; 08,16 starts), 2002 draft 10th OL selected
(On injured reserve after 2 games in 2009)
- 12. Ben Hamilton (Broncos) 2.5 sacks allowed (09,8; 08,16 starts), 2001 draft 4th round 16th OL selected
- 12. Travelle Wharton (Panthers) 2.5 sacks allowed (09,16; 08,14 starts), 2004 draft 12th OL selected
- 12. Jacob Bell (Rams) 2.5 sacks allowed (09,13; 08,13 starts), 2004 draft 5th round 18th OL selected
- 12. Justin (Jeff) Smiley (Dolphins) 2.5 sacks allowed (09,12; 08,12 starts), 2004 draft 6th OL selected
- 17. Rich Seubert (Giants) 3.0 sacks allowed (09,08,16 starts), UDFA 2001
- 17. Pete Kendall (Redskins) 3.0 sacks allowed (08,16 starts), 1996 draft 3rd OL selected
(UFA in 2009)
- 17. Justin Blalock (Falcons) 3.0 sacks allowed (09,16; 08,16 starts), 2007 draft 6th OL selected
- 17. Eric Steinbach (Browns) 3.0 sacks allowed (09,16; 08,14 starts), 2003 draft 5th OL selected
- 21. Floyd Womack (Browns/Seahawks) 3.5 sacks allowed (09,9; 08,14 starts), 2001 draft 4th round 18th OL selected
- 22. Edwin Mulitalo (Lions) 4.25 sacks allowed (08,11 starts), 1999 draft 4th round 21st OL selected
- 23. Arron Sears (Bucs) 4.5 sacks allowed (08,15 starts), 2007 draft 5th OL selected
(Cut in 2009)
- 23. Uche Nwaneri (Jags) 4.5 sacks allowed (09,13; 08,15 starts), 2007 draft 5th round 23rd OL selected
- 23. Cory Procter (Cowboys) 4.5 sacks allowed (08,11 starts), UDFA 2005 (Listed as center for 2009, no starts)
- 26. Logan Mankins (Pats) 5.0 sacks allowed (09,16; 08,16 starts), 2005 draft 4th OL selected
- 09,08,
26. Andrew Whitworth (Bengals) 5.0 sacks allowed (10 starts), 2006 draft 9th OL selected
- 26. Daryn Colledge (Packers) 6.0 sacks allowed (09,16; 08,16 starts), 2006 draft 6th OL selected
- 29. Steve Hutchinson (Vikings) 7.0 sacks allowed (09,16; 08,16 starts) *PRO-BOWL*, 2001 draft 3rd OL selected
- 29. Alan Faneca (Jets) 7.0 sacks allowed (09,16; 08,16 starts) *PRO-BOWL*, 1998 draft 4th OL selected
- 31. Chris Kemoeatu (Steelers) 7.5 sacks allowed (09,12; 08,16 starts), 2005 draft 6th round 40th OL selected
- 32. Derrick Dockery (09Redskins/08Bills) 8.25 sacks allowed (09,16; 08,16 starts), 2003 draft 14th OL selected
Centers
- 1. Olin Kreutz (Bears) 0 sacks allowed (09,16; 08,16 starts), 1998 draft 11th OL selected
- 1. Todd McClure (Falcons) 0 sacks allowed (09,16; 08,16 starts), 1999 draft 7th round 30th OL selected
- 1. Chris Myers (Texans) 0 sacks allowed (09,16; 08,16 starts), 2005 draft 6th round 39th OL selected
- 1. Kevin Mawae (Titans) 0 sacks allowed (09,16; 08,15 starts) *PRO-BOWL*,1994 draft 7th OL selected
- 1. Ryan Kalil (Panthers) 0 sacks allowed (09,16; 08,12 starts), 2007 draft 8th OL selected
- 6. Brad Meester (Jags) 0.25 sacks allowed (09,16; 08,10 starts), 2000 draft 10th OL selected
- 7. Lyle Sendlein (Cardinals) 0.5 sacks allowed (09,16; 08,16 starts), UDFA 2007
- 8. Duke Preston (Bills) 0.75 sacks allowed (08,11 starts), UDFA 2005 (no games played in 2009)
- 9. Casey Wiegmann (Broncos) 1.0 sacks allowed (09,16; 08,16 starts), UDFA 1996
- 9. Jeff Faine (Bucs) 1.0 sacks allowed (09,12; 08,16 starts), 2003 draft 3rd OL selected
- 9. Jonathan Goodwin (Saints) 1.0 sacks allowed (09,16; 08,13 starts), 2002 draft 5th round 18th OL selected
- 12. Nick Mangold (Jets) 2.0 sacks allowed (09,16; 08,16 starts) *PRO-BOWL*, 2007 draft 3rd OL selected
- 12. Andre Gurode (Cowboys) 2.0 sacks allowed (09,16; 08,16 starts) *PRO-BOWL*, 2002 draft 6th OL selected
- 12. Shaun O’Hara (Giants) 2.0 sacks allowed (09,16; 08,16 starts) *PRO-BOWL*, UDFA 2000
- 12. Matt Birk (09Ravens/08Vikings) 2.0 sacks allowed (09,16; 08,16 starts), 1998 draft 6th round 29th OL selected
- 12. Jeff Saturday (Colts) 2.0 sacks allowed (09,16; 08,12 starts), UDFA 1999
- 12. Dominic Raiola (Lions) 2.0 sacks allowed (09,16; 08,12 starts), 2001 draft 7th OL selected
- 12. Nick Leckey (Rams) 2.0 sacks allowed (08,10 starts), 2004 draft 6th round 23rd OL selected (1 game no starts in 2009)
- 19. Jason Brown (09Rams/08Ravens) 2.25 sacks allowed (09,16; 08,16 starts), 2005 draft 4th round 22th OL selected
- 19. Jamaal Jackson (Eagles) 2.25 sacks allowed (09,15; 08,16 starts), UDFA 2003
- 21. Hank Fraley (Browns) 2.5 sacks allowed (09,4; 08,16 starts), UDFA 2000. Started at right guard in 2009.
- 21. Nick Hardwick (Chargers) 2.5 sacks allowed (09,1; 08,13 starts), 2004 draft 8th lineman selected< (1 game and 1 start in 2009)
- 21. Jake Grove (09Dolphins/08Raiders) 2.5 sacks allowed (09,10; 08,12 starts), 2004 draft 5th OL selected
- 21. Chris Spencer (Seahawks) 2.5 sacks allowed (09,14; 08,11 starts), 2005 draft 3rd OL selected
- 25. Rudy Niswanger (Chiefs) 3.5 sacks allowed (09,16; 08,15 starts), UDFA 2006
- 25. Scott Wells (Packers) 3.5 sacks allowed (09,14; 08,13 starts), 2004 draft 7th round 41st OL selected
- 27. Eric Heitmann (49ers) 4.0 sacks allowed (09,16; 08,16 starts), 2002 draft 7th round 29th OL selected
- 27. Eric Ghaiciuc (Bengals) 4.0 sacks allowed (08,16 starts), 2005 draft 4th round 20th OL selected (no games in 2009)
- 29. Samson Satele (09Raiders/08Dolphins) 4.5 sacks allowed (09,12; 08,16 starts), 2007 draft 9th OL selected
- 29. Dan Koppen(Pats) 4.5 sacks allowed (09,16; 08,16 starts), 2003 draft 5th round 26th OL selected
- 31. Casey Rabach (Redskins) 5.5 sacks allowed (09,16; 08,16 starts), 2001 draft 10th OL selected
- 32. Justin Harwig (Steelers) 6.5 sacks allowed (09,16; 08,16 starts), 2002 draft 6th round 23rd OL selected
Right Guards
- 1. Chris Kuper (Broncos) 0 sacks allowed (09,15; 08,16 starts), 2006 draft 5th round 28th OL selected
- 2. Jake Scott (Titans) 0.5 sacks allowed (09,16; 08,16 starts), 2004 draft 5th round 19 OL selected
- 2. Max Jean-Gilles (Eagles) 0.5 sacks allowed (09,5; 08,10 starts), 2006 draft 17th OL selected
- 4. Chris Snee (Giants) 1.0 sacks allowed (09,16; 08,16 starts) *PRO-BOWL*, 2004 draft 4th OL selected
- 4. Harvey Dahl (Falcons) 1.0 sacks allowed (09,11; 08,16 starts), UDFA 2005
- 4. Jason Spitz (Packers) 1.0 sacks allowed (09,4; 08,16 starts), 2006 draft 15 OL selected (injured reserve after game 4 in 2009)
- 4. Ikechuku Ndukwe (09Chiefs/08Dolphins) 1.0 sacks allowed (09,3; 08,15 starts), UDFA 2005
- 4. Brad Butler (Bills) 1.0 sacks allowed (09,2; 08,13 starts), 2006 draft 5th round 27th OL selected. Played at tackle until injured in 2009.
- 4. Davin Joseph (Bucs) 1.0 sacks allowed (09,16; 08,12 starts), 2006 draft 2nd OL selected
- 4. Adrian Jones (09texans/08Chiefs) 1.0 sacks allowed (08,10 starts), 2004 draft 4th round 17th OL selected (cut by Chiefs now with Texans but no games played in 2009)
- 11. Rex Hadnot (Browns) 1.5 sacks allowed (09,6; 08,15 starts), 2004 draft 6th round 25th OL selected
- 12. Deuce Lutui (Cardinals) 2.0 sacks allowed (09,16; 08,16 starts), 2006 draft 5th OL selected
- 12. Brandon Moore (Jets) 2.0 sacks allowed (09,16; 08,16 starts), UDFA 2002
- 12. Mike Brisiel (Texans) 2.0 sacks allowed (09,5; 08,16 starts), UDFA 2006 (injured reserve after 5 games in 2009)
- 12. Jahri Evans (Saints) 2.0 sacks allowed (09,16; 08,16 starts) …RFA, 2006 draft 4th round 18th OL selected
- 12. Mike Pollak (Colts) 2.0 sacks allowed (09,7; 08,13 starts), 2008 draft 10th OL selected
- 12. Stephen Neal (Pats) 2.0 sacks allowed (09,12; 08,9 starts), UDFA 2001
- 18. Roberto Garza (Bears) 2.5 sacks allowed (09,16; 08,16 starts), 2001 draft 4th round 13th OL selected
- 19. Randy Thomas (Redskins) 4.0 sacks allowed (09,2; 08,16 starts), 1999 draft 10th OL selected (injured reserve after 3 games in 2009)
- 19. Bobbie Williams (Bengals) 4.0 sacks allowed (09,16; 08,16 starts), 2000 draft 11th OL selected
- 19. Cooper Carlisle (Raiders) 4.0 sacks allowed (09,16; 08,15 starts), 2000 draft 17th OL selected
- 19. Stephen Peterman (Lions) 4.0 sacks allowed (09,9; 08,14 starts), 2004 draft 10th OL selected
- 19. Tony Wragge (49ers) 4.0 sacks allowed (09,0; 08,10 starts), UDFA 2002
- 24. Leonard Davis (Cowboys) 4.5 sacks allowed (09,16; 08,16 starts) *PRO-BOWL*, 2001 draft 1st OL selected
- 24. Mike Goff (09Chiefs/08Chargers) 4.5 sacks allowed (09,7; 08,16 starts), 1998 draft 14th OL selected
- 26. Darnell Stapleton (Steelers) 5.0 sacks allowed (08,12 starts), UDFA 2007 (injured reserve no games in 2009)
- 27. Ben Grubbs (Ravens) 6.5 sacks allowed (09,16; 08,16 starts),2007 draft 4th OL selected
- 27. Richie Incognito (09Bills/08Rams) 6.5 sacks allowed (09,12; 08,15 starts), 2005 draft 11th OL selected
- 29. Dennis Norman (Jags) 7.25 sacks allowed (08,14 starts), 2001 draft 7th round 39th OL selected (4 games played none started in 2009)
- 30. Anthony Herrera (Vikings) 7.5 sacks allowed (09,14; 08,16 starts), UDFA 2004
No Seahawk or Panther started more then 8 games at RG in 2008.
Right Tackles
- 1. Ryan Diem (Colts) 1.5 sacks allowed (09,15; 08,16 starts), 2001 draft 4th round 17th OL selected
- 1. Jon Stinchcomb (Saints) 1.5 sacks allowed (09,16; 08,16 starts), 2003 draft 6th OL selected
- 1. Ray Willis (Seahawks) 1.5 sacks allowed (09,16;08,10 starts), 2005 draft 4th round 16th OL selected
- 4. David Stewart (Titans) 2.0 sacks allowed (09,15; 08,16 starts), 2005 draft 4th round 19th OL selected
- 4. Mark Tauscher (Packers) 2.0 sacks allowed (09,8; 08,13 starts), 2000 draft 7th round 28th OL selected
- 6. Ryan Harris (Broncos) 2.5 sacks allowed (09,8; 08,16 starts), 2007 drft 11th OL selected
- 6. Tyson Clabo (Falcons) 2.5 sacks allowed (09,16; 08,16 starts), UDFA 2004
- 8. Langston Walker (09Raiders/08Bills) 3.0 sacks allowed (09,2; 08,16 starts), 2002 draft 11th OL selected
- 8. Nick Kaczur (Pats) 3.0 sacks allowed (09,13; 08,14 starts), 2005 draft 15 OL selected
- 10. Willie Anderson (Ravens) 3.5 sacks allowed (08,11 starts), 1996 draft 2nd OL selected
- 11. Kareem McKenzie (Giants) 4.5 sacks allowed (09,12; 08,16 starts), 2001 draft 9th OL selected
- 11. Vernon Carey (Dolphins) 4.5 sacks allowed (09,16; 08,16 starts), 2004 draft 3rd OL selected
- 11. Kevin Shaffer (09Bears/08Browns) 4.5 sacks allowed (09,05; 08,15 starts), 2002 draft 7th round 31st OL selected
- 14. Jeff Otah (Panthers) 5.0 sacks allowed (09,13; 08,12 starts), 2008 Draft 6th OL selected
- 15. Tony Pashos (09 49ers/08Jags) 5.5 sacks allowed (09,1; 08,16 starts), 2003 draft 5th round 28th OL selected (injured reserve after 5 games with 49ers in 2009)
- 15. Marc Colombo (Cowboys) 5.5 sacks allowed (09,9; 08,16 starts), 2002 draft 4th OL selected
- 17. Willie Colon (Steelers) 5.75 sacks allowed (09,16; 08,16 starts) …RFA, 2006 draft 4th round 23rd OL selected
- 18. John Tait (Bears) 6.0 sacks allowed (08,16 starts), 1999 draft 1st OL selected
- 18. Jeremy Trueblood (Bucs) 6.0 sacks allowed (09,16; 08,16 starts), 2006 draft 11th OL selected
- 18. Ryan Cook (Vikings) 6.0 sacks allowed (09,0; 08,14 starts), 2006 draft 8th OL selected
- 18. Gosder Cherilus (Lions) 6.0 sacks allowed (09,15; 08,13 starts), 2008 draft 5th OL selected
- 22. Damien Woody (Jets) 6.5 sacks allowed (09,16; 08,16 starts), 1999 draft 2nd OL selected
- 22. Jeromey Clary (Chargers) 6.5 sacks allowed (09,10; 08,16 starts), 2006 draft 6th round 33rd OL selected
- 22. Jon Jansen (09Lions/08Redskins) 6.5 sacks allowed (09,2; 08,11 starts), 1999 draft 8th OL selected
(4 games played 2 games started for Lions in 2009)
- 25. Jon Runyan (09Chargers/08Eagles) 7.0 sacks allowed (09,0; 08,16 starts), 1996 draft 4th round 19th OL selected (not active)
- 25. Damion McIntosh (Chiefs) 7.0 sacks allowed (09,2; 08,16 starts), 2000 draft 13th OL selected (2 games played and started for Seahawks in 2009)
- 27. Cornell Green (Raiders) 7.5 sacks allowed (09,12; 08,16 starts), UDFA 2000 (4 games played and started in 2009)
- 27. Alex Barron (Rams) 7.5 sacks allowed (09,16; 08,15 starts), 2005 draft 2nd OL selected
- 29. Eric Winston (Texans) 8.0 sacks allowed (09,16; 08,16 starts), 2006 draft 13th OL selected
- 30. Stacy Andrews (09Eagles/08Bengals) 9.5 sacks allowed (09,2; 08,15 starts), 2004 draft 12th OL selected (8 games played and 1 started for Ravens in 2009)
- 31. Adam Snyder (49ers) 9.5 sacks allowed (09,16; 08,13 starts), 2005 draft 14th OL selected
- 32. Levi Brown (Cardinals) 11.0 sacks allowed (09,16; 08,16 starts), 2007 Draft 2nd OL selected
For an unknown reason, maybe more than one position played, the following players were not included in the 2008 starters list although they started at least 8 games: Barry Sims T UDFA 1999 (started 8 games); Sean Locklear T Rd3 2004 ps84 Seattle Seahawks 11th offensive lineman selected (started 11 games); Geoff Hangartner (started 8 gmes) Levi Jones (started 10 games); and Mike Wahle Supplemental Draft 1998 (started 10 games)
There are 160 offensive line starters in the NFL in non-bye weeks. The list above only included OL with 8 or more games at a position. The following list of new starters gives an indication of the turnover (ten percent or 32 players) from one season to the next of OL . OL (9) in the 2009 draft year are a large proportion of the the turnover especially for first round selections. There are also a significant amount of OL from the 2008 (7) and 2007 (5) drafts. New starters from earlier drafts or for UDFA typically take longer to reach starter status. There will probably be a few more players that will start 8 or more games at one position than are listed below.
New Starters for the 2009 regular season that started at least 8 games:
-
Eugene Monroe Left Tackle (Jaguars) 2009 draft 3rd OL selected Started 13 of 15 games
-
Michael Oher Right & Left Tackle (Ravens) 2009 draft 5th OL selected< Started 16 of 16 games
-
Sam Baker Left Tackle (Falcons) 2008 draft 7th OL selected Started 14 of 14 games
-
Mario Henderson Left Tackle (Raiders) 2007 draft 14th OL selected Started 16 of 16 games
-
Jermon Bushrod Left Tackle (Saints) 2007 draft 20th OL selected Started 14 of 15 games
-
Andy Levitre Left Guard (Bills) 2009 draft 9th OL selected Started 16 of 16 games
-
Jeremy Zuttah Left Guard (Bucs) 2008 draft 12 OL selected Started 16 of 16 games
-
Kasey Studdard Left Guard (Texans) 2007 draft 28th OL selected Started 14 of 16 games
-
Nick Cole Left Guard (Eagles) 2006 UDFA Started 16 of 16 games
-
Rob Sims Left Guard (Seahawks) 2006 draft 23 OL selected Started 14 of 14 games
-
Frank Omiyale Left Guard (Bears) 2005 draft 31st OL selected Started 12 of 16 games
-
Kyle Kosier Left Guard (Cowboys) 2002 draft 32nd OL selected Started 16 of 16 games
-
Vince Manuwai Left Guard (Jaguars) 2002 draft 9th OL selected Started 16 of 16 games
-
Alex Mack Center (Browns) 2009 draft 4th OL selected Started 16 of 16 games
-
Eric Wood Center (Bills) 2009 draft 6th OL selected Started 16 of 16 games
-
John Sullivan Center (Vikings) 2008 draft 30th OL selected Started 16 of 16 games
-
Kyle Cook Center (Bengals) 2007 UDFA Started 16 of 16 games
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Geoff Hangartner Center (Bills) 2005 draft 34th OL selected Started 16 of 16 games
-
Scott Mruczkowski Center (Chargers) 2005 draft 7th round 47th OL selected Started 13 of 14 games
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Max Unger Right Guard (Seahawks) 2009 draft 8th OL selected Started 16 of 16 games
-
Louis Vasquez Right Guard (Chargers) 2009 draft 11th OL selected Started 14 of 14 games
-
Chilo Rachal Right Guard (49ers) 2008 draft 9th OL selected Started 15 of 16 games
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Josh Sitton Right Guard (Packers) 2008 draft 22nd OL selected Started 16 of 16 games
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Donald Thomas Right Guard (Dolphins) 2008 draft 27th OL selected Started 12 of 16 games
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Trai Essex Right Guard (Steelers) 2005 draft 13th OL selected Started 16 of 16 games
-
Eben Britton Right Tackle (Jaguars) 2009 draft 7th OL selected started 15 of 15 games
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Phil Loadholt Right Tackle (Vikings) 2009 draft 10th OL selected Started 15 of 15 games
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Chris Williams Right Tackle (Bears) 2008 draft 3rd OL selected Started 16 of 16 games
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Winston Justice Right Tackle (Eagles) 2006 draft 4th OL selected Started 16 of 16 games
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Stephon Heyer Right/Left Tackle (Redskins) 2007 UDFA Started 16 of 16 games
A similar 2008 season file for offensive linemen.
NFL stats- How good is your OLine?
Limited to starting left tackles, but including information on Adjusted Sacks Allowed sacks allowed, false starts, and holding penalties (2006)"
Midpoint 2009 NFL seasonBetween the Lines: Who's Allowing the Most Sacks?
Information for some perspective on offensive lines as units
NFL stats-Offensive line
Figures for sacks allowed are shown for each team.
NFL stats-passing
Google search for sacks allowed stats
April 02, 2009, A Close Look: Sacks Allowed
The following article does not mention line positions for player pages, but might.
17 Sep 2009, SITE NEWS: Improved Search, Player Links On Stat Pages
According to Greg Trippiedi,
"NFL Offensive Tackles Market ... the Redskins and about half of the other teams in the NFL badly need an offensive tackle. It's beyond a highly competitive market. Any college football player who has the footwork to play the position is virtually certain to have a job. Tackles who enter with some sort of credibility are virtually certain to be overdrafted.
Trippiedi has been computing what he calls
"Experimental Lineman Yards. [...] This year, instead of running play success rate, I'm going to be calculating a highly experimental stat that can only be done with game film: lineman yards. The goal is to borrow the adjusted line yards concept from football outsiders, and instead of calculating how well the line does as a whole independent of long runs, I'm going to try to divide the yards gained by the blocker who earns them. Ideally, I'll be able to make a statement like: 'Derrick Dockery is worth 4.5 YPC on front side runs.' We will need to see how this works out. It may be a more objective means of evaluating linemen's performance.
Right now, I don't feel comfortable saying that I won't change the methodology ever so slightly to make this feel more accurate. The idea for lineman yards is borrowed in part from Football Outsiders (the Adjusted Line Yards calculations they do provide baselines for my work here) and also from KC Joyner's POA metrics, but as far as I know, I'm the first person to try to do this at an individual level."
Teams are ranked according to Adjusted Line Yards and rankings are shown for rushing and passing efficiency.
"The second table lists each team's Adjusted Line Yards in each direction listed in official NFL play-by-play, along with rank among the 32 teams."
This is another measure that gives some indication of the linemen on more specific areas of the line.
2009 OFFENSIVE LINES
This is happening because the dominance of defensive line play over offensive lines is, right now, at historically high levels. However, the market for the interior offensive lineman hasn't quite adjusted to this effect just yet. Offensive tackles are in prime demand because NFL pass protection schemes are isolating them on defensive ends one on one.
Updated November 19, 2009