SN Ranks The AFC Guard/Centre Combo's

[Livinginthe past]

Some rankings, nothing too controversial - these guys don't hit the headlines very often.

Mankins (1st round pick a couple of years back) has been nothing short of excellent at LG for the Patriots - he is already top 5 in the NFL, I would say.

Dan Koppen has excellent chemistry with Brady (no, not that type of chemistry ) - which very, very important when communicating blocking assignments and the like.

Neal is a converted wrestler, stil has plenty of upside 0 i'd rate him in the 'above average' category and no higher.

Im surpised the Colts aren't higher - I think they have the best O-Line (as a whole)in the NFL aswell as the best centre (who was undrafted).

1. PATRIOTS RG Stephen Neal, C Dan Koppen and LG Logan Mankins do a great job of working combination blocks. The standout is Mankins, who has good quickness and strength.

2. CHARGERS C Nick Hardwick and LG Kris Dielman are two of the finest young interior linemen in the league. Both are tough, nasty and relentless. RG Mike Goff is underrated and consistent.

3. CHIEFS LG Brian Waters is as good as they come, and small but athletic C Casey Wiegmann fits the Chiefs' system well. RG John Welbourn has the unenviable task of replacing retired star Will Shields.

4. COLTS C Jeff Saturday made the past two Pro Bowls. RG Jake Scott and LG Ryan Lilja are adept at interior pass protection and pulling on running plays.

5. BRONCOS C Tom Nalen, 36, looked spry enough in '06 to merit Pro Bowl consideration. LG Ben Hamilton gets to the second level extremely well. Chris Kuper and Montrae Holland will compete at right guard.

6. JAGUARS RG Chris Naeole and LG Vince Manuwai helped the Jags post a franchise record in rushing yards last season. C Brad Meester is showing improvement.

7. STEELERS Pro Bowl LG Alan Faneca is unhappy about his contract. C Chukky Okobi might start over newcomer Sean Mahan. RG Kendall Simmons is inconsistent.

8. BENGALS Despite losing LG Eric Steinbach, the interior is solid. C Eric Ghiaciuc is improving, and RG Bobbie Williams is a punishing run blocker. Andrew Whitworth and Stacy Andrews are battling on the left side.

9. JETS The potential departure of LG Pete Kendall would mean a major drop-off. C Nick Mangold is an emerging star, and RG Brandon Moore does a workmanlike job.

10. BROWNS LG Eric Steinbach is a master technician. C Hank Fraley is always on top of the line calls. RG Seth McKinney missed 2006 with a neck injury.

11. TITANS C Kevin Mawae, 36, has a calming influence on a young group. LG Jacob Bell is athletic and has good feet; RG Benji Olson is more physical.

12. BILLS Free-agent pickup Derrick Dockery provides a big upgrade at left guard. Duke Preston is the favorite to win the right guard job. C Melvin Fowler has a nice feel for the game.

13. TEXANS Old pros Mike Flanagan and Steve McKinney are competing for the starting job at center. LG Chester Pitts is dependable, and RG Fred Weary is on the rise.

14. RAVENS RG Chris Chester will start until rookie Ben Grubbs is ready. Then, the Ravens would like to insert Chester for C Mike Flynn. LG Jason Brown has a huge upside.

15. DOLPHINS The team shifted Rex Hadnot to right guard to open up center for rookie Samson Satele and his nonstop motor. Aging Chris Liwienski will play left guard.

16. RAIDERS Guards Paul McQuistan and Kevin Boothe endured growing pains as rookies in '06 and could be spelled by Cooper Carlisle. Injuries and uneven play have hindered C Jake Grove's progress.

http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn...c.php?t=225746

[SteelCityMan786]

Not bad ranking for the Steelers Center/Guard Combo. This year and possibly next will adjusting years since Hartings Retired and Faneca most likely will be gone.

[boLT fan]

16. RAIDERS Guards Paul McQuistan and Kevin Boothe endured growing pains as rookies in '06 and could be spelled by Cooper Carlisle. Injuries and uneven play have hindered C Jake Grove's progress.

He says all the bad things, and still has them at 16? Other than this ranking it looks good.

[Livinginthe past]

Originally Posted by boLT fan

He says all the bad things, and still has them at 16? Other than this ranking it looks good.

Its just the AFC, dude!

16 is as bad as it gets

[tony hipchest]

ravens 14th???

talk to any ravens fan and they will tell you THEY have the best line in the nfl. then they will remind you that steve mcnair was the mvp and willis mcgahee is the best rb in the league. they are gonna be the greatest offense this season...

so the patriots are the best? thats gonna be an expensive unit to keep together... im thinking management prefers it when theyre players were just "disrespected"

[boLT fan]

Originally Posted by Livinginthe past

Its just the AFC, dude!

16 is as bad as it gets

Oooh... ok...

This moment... never happened...

[Livinginthe past]

Originally Posted by boLT fan

Oooh... ok...

This moment... never happened...

LOL.

We've all had our 'momentary misjudgements'

[CantStop85]

8th is pretty generous for the Bengals, considering 2 out of the 3 starting guards/center were backups last year. Then again, there are some pretty bad lines in the AFC.

[Livinginthe past]

Originally Posted by tony hipchest

ravens 14th???

talk to any ravens fan and they will tell you THEY have the best line in the nfl. then they will remind you that steve mcnair was the mvp and willis mcgahee is the best rb in the league. they are gonna be the greatest offense this season...

so the patriots are the best? thats gonna be an expensive unit to keep together... im thinking management prefers it when theyre players were just "disrespected"

I honestly don't think the Patriots will ever find themselves in a position where they are being held hostage by a Guard.

In my opinion, the Patriots have the best O-lione co-ord in the NFL (by some distance) - when you look at the production gained from mostly low round/undrafted guys its pretty phenomonal.

They appear to get better in the postseason too.

Centre and LT are the key positions - the Patriots are set at both for the time being - we have plenty of guys on the roster who have been learning and improving in the background for a few years.

[tony hipchest]

Originally Posted by Livinginthe past

I honestly don't think the Patriots will ever find themselves in a position where they are being held hostage by a Guard.

.

thats right, the pats are only held hostage by safeties, wr's and cornerbacks

i'll give you the best HC and a top 2 qb, but claiming the best ol coach is way to homeristic. nobody but the most die hard patfans even know who he is....

theyve never even led in any statistical category. thats like saying the 49ers ol coach and unit was better than joe bugel and the "hogs". so anyways, if mr. whoever is so great we can expect him to be a head coaching candidate next season?