Russell Okung,OT, Oklahoma St.

[HEROHAMO]

Well Since no one posted anything about him. I thought I might put a little something together.
Okung is touted as the best Tackle in this years draft. There is good reason to. The guy can do it all when it comes to being a tackle. He is excellent in pass protection and has a mean streak in the running game. Here is a good highlight reel of him. You could practically watch a full game and not see a mistake from Okung. He is that good. Almost a sure thing.

The drop off in talent between Okung and the next tackle is huge.
In my humble opinion. Okung is the only tackle worthy of a top five pick. I dont care much for the combine just watch plenty of his film and its clear. He is ready to go.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kd2dzpYGoA4

[brad7686]

Yea, I think people are just trying to find something wrong with him. He allowed like one sack and two pressures the whole season last year. He's a beast.

[HEROHAMO]

Oh and here is a little cheap shot by Okung. Not really anything too bad. Just shows how nasty he can get. I actually like to see that out of players occasionally.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzEsYTqGrJ4

[Jake]

We would be fools not to take him in the draft. Big fools.

[redskindave]

Okung would be a great pick for us if he is still their at #4

[SkinsJock]

If this guy is there, we have to start replacing the offensive line players - I'm not sure that anyone, currently here, even as a back-up, will be here at the begining of 2012

Okung will be a fixture at LT for many years

I look for this team to get a bunch of offensive linemen in here this spring

[langleyparkjoe]

We would be fools not to take him in the draft. Big fools.

Seriously Jake, no lie my man.. definitely gotta grab that guy. He moves quick on his feet and he's hella strong.

[KazooSkinsFan]

We would be fools not to take him in the draft. Big fools.

Seriously Jake, no lie my man.. definitely gotta grab that guy. He moves quick on his feet and he's hella strong.

I don't know why we drafted Okung! He's a bust, we're so stupid. We didn't develop him, we waited too long to start him. We can't evaluate talent. He would have been great but we ruined him.

Oh, wait. I meant to wait until summer to point out he's a bust and we're stupid, my bad. I'll get back to you on this...

[langleyparkjoe]

We would be fools not to take him in the draft. Big fools.

Seriously Jake, no lie my man.. definitely gotta grab that guy. He moves quick on his feet and he's hella strong.

I don't know why we drafted Okung! He's a bust, we're so stupid. We didn't develop him, we waited too long to start him. We can't evaluate talent. He would have been great but we ruined him.

Oh, wait. I meant to wait until summer to point out he's a bust and we're stupid, my bad. I'll get back to you on this...

Dam fool man

[KazooSkinsFan]

Oh, wait. I meant to wait until summer to point out he's a bust and we're stupid, my bad. I'll get back to you on this...

Dam fool man

I wanted to beat the neggies to this. They're already after the 3-4, which we haven't even switched to. You can't wait until we draft him to beat them, that's WAY too late. You gotta anticipate what's going to happen well in advance to beat them to the negativity.

Anyway, Okung is by FAR the greatest player in this year's draft. A HOF bound rock who's going to anchor our left tackle position for the next decade plus.

Now I'm on the record both ways, I just need to see what happens and then quote the right call!

Did I mention Bradford's a bust? What were we THINKING. Oh my God...

[riggofan]

We would be fools not to take him in the draft. Big fools.

I'm with you 100%.

[crazyhorse1]

We would be fools not to take him in the draft. Big fools.

If we don't take him, Campbell will die.

[crazyhorse1]

If this guy is there, we have to start replacing the offensive line players - I'm not sure that anyone, currently here, even as a back-up, will be here at the begining of 2012

Okung will be a fixture at LT for many years

I look for this team to get a bunch of offensive linemen in here this spring

From where will be get them? We have seven draft choices and need two LT's, two quarterbacks, two running backs, and backups for a number of positions. If we don't land Kemo and Foote as FA's, we'll also need a NT and a LB. You guys are whistling past a graveyard. Also, you can count on at least 3-4 draft choices not making the team. Maybe we can get some of the guys we've cut back just to fill up the roster.

[SkinsJock]

I'm thinking that Shanahan and Allen are looking a little bit further down the road than this year or next - by the begining of 2012 season we are going to replace everyone on the offensive line and I would imagine about 48 players of the 53 that were on the roster in 2009 - that's what I consider is the minimum we need to see here in order for this franchise to re-make itself

big job but that is the situation we are in right now

no rush, and no worries - we have a lot to get done

[yupchagee]

I'm thinking that Shanahan and Allen are looking a little bit further down the road than this year or next - by the begining of 2012 season we are going to replace everyone on the offensive line and I would imagine about 48 players of the 53 that were on the roster in 2009 - that's what I consider is the minimum we need to see here in order for this franchise to re-make itself

big job but that is the situation we are in right now

no rush, and no worries - we have a lot to get done

Where are you going to find 48 new players in 2 years?

[VetSkinsFan]

If this guy is there, we have to start replacing the offensive line players - I'm not sure that anyone, currently here, even as a back-up, will be here at the begining of 2012

Okung will be a fixture at LT for many years

I look for this team to get a bunch of offensive linemen in here this spring

From where will be get them? We have seven draft choices and need two LT's, two quarterbacks, two running backs, and backups for a number of positions. If we don't land Kemo and Foote as FA's, we'll also need a NT and a LB. You guys are whistling past a graveyard. Also, you can count on at least 3-4 draft choices not making the team. Maybe we can get some of the guys we've cut back just to fill up the roster.

Thought we had 5 picks. I know the 3rd and 6th are already gone (I thnk it's 6th).

It's more than a 1 year process. Provided 1st is Okung, if the 2nd round is a steal of a NT, I don't see an issue. I'm fairly comfortable that after the june 1st cuts (and pre-season) we can pick up some quality (certainly more than we had last year) at the positions of need. Not necessarily franchise players, but adequate stopgaps until we can address it in the long term.

I don't see it as the end of the world just yet. Shanahan and Allen have a lot of work to do. Let's give these established guys the benefit of the doubt and a little patience. It's not like we're trusting a QB coach to build our team.

[Gibbs4Life]

Whether its Okung or Bradford we are soo lucky to have no.4

We're looking at a franchise QB or an heir apparent to Chris Samuels

[Countertrey]

Whether its Okung or Bradford we are soo lucky to have no.4
We're looking at a franchise QB or an heir apparent to Chris Samuels

Luck had nothing to do with it. Incompetence has some rewards.

[markshark84]

Whether its Okung or Bradford we are soo lucky to have no.4

We're looking at a franchise QB or an heir apparent to Chris Samuels

Unfortunetely, this may not be the case. I actually would be surprised if Okung and Bradford were NOT off the board when we pick. I think it is obvious that STL is picking Bradford and that there is a strong possibility that TB or even DET take Okung. While I think (personally) that DET is lock to take Suh; TB may also take him. Penn is a solid OT, both he and Trueblood are FAs this year. It may be cheaper to sign Okung and let Penn go -- and if TB gets either the 1st and 3rd tender for Penn (which appears unlikely) or the 2nd for Trueblood, Okung may go to them. As for DET, they have relatively old OTs and may just decide to protect Stafford who was beat up all last year by his OL.

[crazyhorse1]

If this guy is there, we have to start replacing the offensive line players - I'm not sure that anyone, currently here, even as a back-up, will be here at the begining of 2012

Okung will be a fixture at LT for many years

I look for this team to get a bunch of offensive linemen in here this spring

From where will be get them? We have seven draft choices and need two LT's, two quarterbacks, two running backs, and backups for a number of positions. If we don't land Kemo and Foote as FA's, we'll also need a NT and a LB. You guys are whistling past a graveyard. Also, you can count on at least 3-4 draft choices not making the team. Maybe we can get some of the guys we've cut back just to fill up the roster.

Thought we had 5 picks. I know the 3rd and 6th are already gone (I thnk it's 6th).

It's more than a 1 year process. Provided 1st is Okung, if the 2nd round is a steal of a NT, I don't see an issue. I'm fairly comfortable that after the june 1st cuts (and pre-season) we can pick up some quality (certainly more than we had last year) at the positions of need. Not necessarily franchise players, but adequate stopgaps until we can address it in the long term.

I don't see it as the end of the world just yet. Shanahan and Allen have a lot of work to do. Let's give these established guys the benefit of the doubt and a little patience. It's not like we're trusting a QB coach to build our team.

You're right. Didn't mean to write we have seven picks. I'm getting old. The situation is even worse than I painted it. By the way, since my former post, mock drafts have moved OKung into the first three picks. If we don't get Okung in the first we're liable to take a QB. If so, our last likely shot at a standout OL will be in the second round. 4-7 (if we still have a 6,) is unlikely to give us another OL starter. Right now, we have exactly one OL who should be a first team NFL player and Doc is nothing special.
I am alarmed. I think we have a pretty good shot at having another terrible OL. Hicks and Rabach are marginal, at lest. The rookie at LT could be a project, and the RT is yet to be found.

[SnyderSucks]

I'm thinking that Shanahan and Allen are looking a little bit further down the road than this year or next - by the begining of 2012 season we are going to replace everyone on the offensive line and I would imagine about 48 players of the 53 that were on the roster in 2009 - that's what I consider is the minimum we need to see here in order for this franchise to re-make itself

big job but that is the situation we are in right now

no rush, and no worries - we have a lot to get done

Where are you going to find 48 new players in 2 years?

By the start of 2012 is really three offseasons. They've already dumped 10 players from last year, and you can bet more will be gone by the time the season starts.

The real fun is which 5 does he think are still hear for 2012.

1) ey
2) Davis
3) One of either Kelly or Thomas
4) Orakpo
5) Haynsworth

[yupchagee]

I'm thinking that Shanahan and Allen are looking a little bit further down the road than this year or next - by the begining of 2012 season we are going to replace everyone on the offensive line and I would imagine about 48 players of the 53 that were on the roster in 2009 - that's what I consider is the minimum we need to see here in order for this franchise to re-make itself

big job but that is the situation we are in right now

no rush, and no worries - we have a lot to get done

Where are you going to find 48 new players in 2 years?

By the start of 2012 is really three offseasons. They've already dumped 10 players from last year, and you can bet more will be gone by the time the season starts.

The real fun is which 5 does he think are still hear for 2012.

1) ey
2) Davis
3) One of either Kelly or Thomas
4) Orakpo
5) Haynsworth

I didn't say it would be hard to cut players, but how do we replace 48 players in 3 years when we only have 7 (or fewer) draft picks. Good UFA's are hard to find (as our experience has shown), & good UDFA's are even harder to find.

[SnyderSucks]

I'm thinking that Shanahan and Allen are looking a little bit further down the road than this year or next - by the begining of 2012 season we are going to replace everyone on the offensive line and I would imagine about 48 players of the 53 that were on the roster in 2009 - that's what I consider is the minimum we need to see here in order for this franchise to re-make itself

big job but that is the situation we are in right now

no rush, and no worries - we have a lot to get done

Where are you going to find 48 new players in 2 years?

By the start of 2012 is really three offseasons. They've already dumped 10 players from last year, and you can bet more will be gone by the time the season starts.

The real fun is which 5 does he think are still hear for 2012.

1) ey
2) Davis
3) One of either Kelly or Thomas
4) Orakpo
5) Haynsworth

I didn't say it would be hard to cut players, but how do we replace 48 players in 3 years when we only have 7 (or fewer) draft picks. Good UFA's are hard to find (as our experience has shown), & good UDFA's are even harder to find.

You almost have to do it. Beyond the 5 I listed (and I could easily see one of the TE's and Haynesworth gone in 3 seasons), it is somewhat difficult to find who would be still here in three seasons. Maybe Hall, maybe McIntosh, maybe Landry. Almost everyone else is either too old to count on three years from now, or not good enough.

How do they do it? The same way as everyone else. Drafts, trades, and free agency. It looks to me like the plan is to use this year as a rebuilding year and get pretty high picks for the next draft. There are roughly 200 players this year who would have been free agents that are not because of the CBA. So next year (or the next season that they play football), there will be roughly twice as many good free agents available as usual. There will still only be 32 teams, so with that many more people free, the amount you have to spend on most of the guys will go down and they'll be in a position to add a lot of players quickly. This season they'll replace 15 to 20 guys, see who they like as they rebuild, pick up as many good guys as they can in FA next year, then fill in the last few holes in the 2012 draft and be ready to really compete. You will also see them trade several players that still have value but aren't in the long term plans - Carter, Moss, Montgomery, Campbell, Landry, and one of the TE's are all potential trades.

Really, the back end of the roster isn't that hard to churn. The backups on a 4-12 team are very easy to replace. What you are looking at is replacing starters. Out of the 22, I've listed four still here in 2012, so you need 18 more in the next three seasons. They'll sign one or two in FA this year, draft two or three, and trade for one or two. Really, you are only looking at 6 new players a year - eminently doable.

[PulpExposure]

Really, the back end of the roster isn't that hard to churn. The backups on a 4-12 team are very easy to replace. What you are looking at is replacing starters. Out of the 22, I've listed four still here in 2012, so you need 18 more in the next three seasons. They'll sign one or two in FA this year, draft two or three, and trade for one or two. Really, you are only looking at 6 new players a year - eminently doable.

And to be honest, it shouldn't be hard to replace most starters on a 4-12 team, either. There's a reason why the team went 4-12, and it's not only because of the back end of the roster.

[yupchagee]

I'm thinking that Shanahan and Allen are looking a little bit further down the road than this year or next - by the begining of 2012 season we are going to replace everyone on the offensive line and I would imagine about 48 players of the 53 that were on the roster in 2009 - that's what I consider is the minimum we need to see here in order for this franchise to re-make itself

big job but that is the situation we are in right now

no rush, and no worries - we have a lot to get done

Where are you going to find 48 new players in 2 years?

By the start of 2012 is really three offseasons. They've already dumped 10 players from last year, and you can bet more will be gone by the time the season starts.

The real fun is which 5 does he think are still hear for 2012.

1) ey
2) Davis
3) One of either Kelly or Thomas
4) Orakpo
5) Haynsworth

I didn't say it would be hard to cut players, but how do we replace 48 players in 3 years when we only have 7 (or fewer) draft picks. Good UFA's are hard to find (as our experience has shown), & good UDFA's are even harder to find.

You almost have to do it. Beyond the 5 I listed (and I could easily see one of the TE's and Haynesworth gone in 3 seasons), it is somewhat difficult to find who would be still here in three seasons. Maybe Hall, maybe McIntosh, maybe Landry. Almost everyone else is either too old to count on three years from now, or not good enough.

How do they do it? The same way as everyone else. Drafts, trades, and free agency. It looks to me like the plan is to use this year as a rebuilding year and get pretty high picks for the next draft. There are roughly 200 players this year who would have been free agents that are not because of the CBA. So next year (or the next season that they play football), there will be roughly twice as many good free agents available as usual. There will still only be 32 teams, so with that many more people free, the amount you have to spend on most of the guys will go down and they'll be in a position to add a lot of players quickly. This season they'll replace 15 to 20 guys, see who they like as they rebuild, pick up as many good guys as they can in FA next year, then fill in the last few holes in the 2012 draft and be ready to really compete. You will also see them trade several players that still have value but aren't in the long term plans - Carter, Moss, Montgomery, Campbell, Landry, and one of the TE's are all potential trades.

Really, the back end of the roster isn't that hard to churn. The backups on a 4-12 team are very easy to replace. What you are looking at is replacing starters. Out of the 22, I've listed four still here in 2012, so you need 18 more in the next three seasons. They'll sign one or two in FA this year, draft two or three, and trade for one or two. Really, you are only looking at 6 new players a year - eminently doable.

That's 6 new STARTERS a year for 3 years. Not easy.