Despite Brown and Gandy being solid tackles, Kurt Warner's tendency to take sacks and fumble the ball could hurt this line's confidence. The 49ers front four are not formidable, though, so a ton of Edgerrin James is in order for week one.
A new rookie quarterback and a new running back added to the mix, and all of a sudden Atlanta's offensive line has a ton of pressure on them. Weiner and Co. are breathing a sigh of relief, though, as they should be able to run on Detroit without any real muscle inside.
C+
Starters: Yanda, Brown, Grubbs, Flynn, Terry
Key Reserves: Gaither, Chester
There isn't a whole lot of hope for Baltimore, and this sketchy line is a big reason why. Having an unsure passer like rookie Joe Flacco could spell disaster.
D
Starters: Peters, Dockery, Fowler, Butler, Walker
Key Reserves: Chambers, Whittle, Jason
A great reason for optimism in Buffalo is Marshawn Lynch, this suspect line's best friend. Having second year man Trent Edwards grow behind them as well could slow the team's progress, but the line should perform well enough to keep things moving.
C
Starters: Gross, Otah, Kalil, Vincent, Wharton
Key Reserves: Hangartner, Omiyale, Mathis
Rookie Jonathan Stewart and third year man DeAngelo Williams are committed to the power run scheme, and a healthy Jake Delhomme will do wonders for the line. Rookie Jeff Otah is a huge addition, and should keep Delhomme healthy.
B-
Starters: Tait, Metcalf, Kreutz, Garza, Williams
Key Reserves: Beekman, St. Clair, Oakley
The departure of Cedric Benson and the drafting of Matt Forte give birth to optimism, but a lot needs to be proven. It's hard to hate on a line with so many studs, including possibly the best center in the game, but having Kyle Orton as the top signal caller is another reason to be weary.
The line will no longer be blocking for the power back, Rudi Johnson, but will have to adapt to the more finesse Chris Perry. A strong test against an aging but stout Baltimore defense lies ahead of them in week one.
If the line offers any more concussions to Derek Anderson, it's going to be a long season. There's not reason to think it will get worse, but it's obvious there is room for improvement.
B
Starters: Adams, Kosier, Gurode, Columbo, Davis
Key Reserves: Berger, McQuistan, Marten
Rookie Felix Jones can only help the rush attack, and the towering line that has kept Tony Romo on his feet until now, doesn't figure to stop dominating any time soon. This is the type of line that Jimmy Johnson would have built. However, they face Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams in week one, which could spell danger for the run game.
Selvin Young said he could crack 2,000 yards. That must make the offensive line exstatic. Nothing like a little pressure. No matter. Mike Shanahan is the best at making a nobody into someboday, and has never had a bewlo average line.
With the departure of Mike Martz and his unbalanced offense, the offensive line can finally take a sigh of relief. Instead of being asked to block all day for the immobile Jon Kitna, they'll be expected to turn Kevin Smith into Barry Sanders, reincarnated. They should have no problem finding running toom against the Falcons in week one.
Green Bay has a stout line when they're on, and a sketchy one when they're not. Aaron Rodgers and the run game hang completely on the line's ability to over power opposing lines and master the zone-blocking scheme. That will be a nearly insurmountable task on opening day against a stout Minnesota front four. The two Williams tackles will give Scott Wells all that he can handle.
B-
Starters: Winston, Brisiel, Myers, Pitts, Salaam
Key Reserves: Butler, Studdard, White
If this line can give Matt Schaub the time he needs, he could lift this offense to the next level. Not having a reliable running back could really hinder Houston's production, though. They face a tough task against a very active Pittsburgh defense in week one.
C-
Starters: Ugoh, Lilja, Justice, Pollack, Diem
Key Reserves: Johnson, Federkeil, Richard
The injury to Jeff Saturday may end up being a bigger blow than anyone thinks. Don't think for a second that Manning's confidence in his line hasn't dropped a little, especially considering his knee surgery recovery. The line has never given him or anyone else a good reason to doubt them, but Saturday is the anchor that keeps the line together.
Fred Taylor is evidence that this is one of the most under rated lines in the NFL. They protected David Garrard long enough for him to make great decisions (only 3 picks) and excel in the run game. The recent shooting of tackle Richard Collier could lift the line's level of play.
With Brodie Croyle set to start the season, Larry Johnson and the offensive line have their work cut out for them if they want to be relevant come playoffs. They start down fifteen-love with a match-up with the Patriots in week one. Richard Seymour will have a field day against McIntosh.
C
Starters: Carey, Murphy, Satele, Liwienski, Long
Key Reserves: Wilson, McKinnie
Jake Long will do wonders for the Miami line, that is, if he isn't the second coming of Robert Gallery. Chad Pennington has solid protection on both sides, and the only real concern is the ever-so-relaxed run game. Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown have a lot to prove.
C-
Starters: McKinnie, Hicks, Birk, Hutchinson, Cook
Key Reserves: Johnson, Herrara
With human bouncy balls Adrian Peterson and Tarvaris Jackson behind them, it's a good thing the Vike's line is already a well oiled machine. Matt Birk is the center of attention, but the line is blessed with household names that will keep Green Bay's Aaron Kampman frustrated all night, come Monday.
A
Starters: Light, Mankins, Koppen, Neal, Kaczur
Key Reserves: O'Callaghan, Hochstein, Yates
The whole Tom Brady "foot fiasco" could end up being a bigger deal than we think. However, even if he does have a bum foot to start the season, this line is just too dominant to let the Chiefs push them around, especially without Jared Allen.
If Reggie Bush ends up being the guy running behind the line, the Saints might have something to worry about. The passing game is unstoppable, but Bush's dancing in between the tackles antics could sink the Saints' ship. Brown will have his hands full with Gaines Adams.
C+
Starters: Diehl, Seubert, O'Hara, Snee, McKenzie
Key Reserves: Whimper, Ruegamer, Koets
One of the greater strengths of this team, the line can carry the offense in the ground game. The only main concern is if Eli Manning's playoff performance was an aberration, and not a beginning of a consistent career. Diehl will run into a solid Redskin's defense in week one, but if Jason Taylor doesn't play, it should be an easy game for the line.
B
Starters: Ferguson, Faneca, Mangold, Moore, Woody
Key Reserves: Montgomery, Turner, Hunter
This refurbished line takes a bolt in stock with the arrival of Favre, and his presence could mean a steady improvement of the rush offense. They don't have much of a test in Miami in week one, but it should be a good confidence booster.
C+
Starters: Harris, Carlisle, Wade, Gallery, Green
Key Reserves: Wand, Grove, McQuistan, Wakefield
Quite possibly the weakest link to the line, Robert Gallery, still remains the most likely hope towards dominance. If he can’t come around, it will hinder Jamarcus Russell's progress, and put too much pressue on the ground game. Week one agiainst a lack luster Denver pass rush could be a good start.
Don't blame the offensive line for McNabb's injury history. Most of his injuries have happened on the run or outside the pocket. Regardless of where the finger is pointing negatively, it should point to the line when regarding offensive positives. With Kevin Curtis out for at least the first four games, Andy Reid will rely heavily on Brian Westbrook, something that has rarely failed him in the past.
The Steelers will do their best to eliminate the affect of Mario Williams by running the ball effectively and executing the play-action pass. Two things that they just happen to excel at.
Just like last season when they opened against the Bears, the Chargers face another potentially stifling defense in Carolina. Julius Peppers will be all over whichever tackle he faces, but without the run-stuffing Kris Jenkins in the middle, the Chargers shouldn't find it too difficult to run all day with Tomlinson.
B
Starters: Jones, Sims, Vallos, Wahle, Locklear
Key Reserves: Spencer, Williams, Womack
After airing it out last season after the offensive line's continually regressing pay, as well as Shaun Alexandar's drop from the elite, coach Holmgren is once again focusing on the ground game. Unfortunately, none of his current runners seem too promising, and the current line leaves too much to be desired. Aaron Schobel could get to Hasselbeck more than once.
He may not be as athletic as Alex Smith, but J.T. O'Sullivan seems slightly more comfortable in the pocket, and a little better at evading sacks. Still, the line's best friend will continue to be Frank Gore, as Mike Martz looks to make use of him like he did with Marshall Faulk in St. Louis.
D
Starters: Barron, Incognito, Romberg, Bell, Pace
Key Reserves: Leckley, Greco, Goldberg
Does anyone else feel this line has a lot to prove? Steven Jackson just ended his holdout, Marc Bulger has looked pitiful in pre-season, and the Rams big fellas just aren't so scary anymore.
C
Starters: Penn, Sears, Faine, Joseph, Trueblood
Key Reserves: Davis, Zuttah, Buenning
It'd be right to assume the Buccs' should be able to run the ball on New Orleans, but not necessarily when you take a look at their options at running back. Sedrick Ellis, even though a rookie, will cause a lot of problems for the Buccaneer ground game right away.
C+
Starters: Roos, Amano, Mawae, Scott, Stewart
Key Reserves: Harris, Lucas, Loper
Their mobile quarterback and three-headed horse of a rush attack are testaments that the Titans aim to do one thing, and one thing well: Run the ball. The Titans have a solid inside corps that can carve holes in defenses. It's just going to be very difficult to do so against the Jaguar's stout front four on opening day. Kevin Mawae's age may start to show early on.
Finally, a new running scheme. This can only mean a rebirth for Clinton Portis, along with better protection for Jason Campbell. The Redskins aren't Super Bowl contenders just yet, but holding their own againd the defending champion Ney York Giants will go a long way in proving their case.
