Coaching staffs have more flexibility when building their offensive line than with any other position group. Some players can line up at either tackle or guard. Some play guard and center. Some play left and right. And, if you're lucky, the same five guys start in the same five positions for every game and every down. The question is, how much insurance do you want to buy?
In 2011, we started the season with 10 linemen on the roster. We started two rookies on the right side (Moffitt & Carpenter), a second year LT (Okung), a young center who had missed a year (Unger), and a veteran free agent at the end of his career with a nagging injury (Gallery). And we did this after a severely shortened off season. For backups, we had a swing man who hadn't started in a few years (McQuistan) and some guys fresh off the practice squad (Giacomini, Jeanpierre).
This year couldn't be more different. Our young guys now have established success on the field. Yes, we lost one older vet (Gallery), but we got a surprise hit in the 7th round (Sweezy). We also now know what Tom Cable can do with enough time - and this off season, we got the whole calendar.
So, how will this shake out? It's possible that we will go a bit leaner on the offensive line than last year. We simply shouldn't need to buy as big an insurance policy as we needed last year. We might go with just nine. If we are comfortable living dangerously, that nine man squad could include Carpenter as we probably don't need all the backups available to play on Week 1.
So, who are the locks?
At tackle, we have Okung, and Giacomini. McQuistan is listed as a tackle, but he's filling in at left guard right now. And then there's James Carpenter, who might start the season on the PUP list - the team hasn't decided that yet. That leaves us a bit thin at the position, so Allen Barbre (T) and Frank Omiyale (T/G) might be fighting for a spot. Of course, McQuistan could slide over to tackle with someone else taking the guard spot if needed.
At center, Unger is the starter. Jeanpierre is listed as center/guard. Moffitt worked out extensively at center with the 2nd unit this year, so he can take the position too. This position looks to be set. Kris O'Dowd is listed as a center and he could be headed for the practice squad.
At guard, things get more crowded. Sweezy and McQuistan have been starting, but they might make way for Moffitt sooner and Carpenter later. C/G Jeanpierre played well in the 2nd half of last year, though he's not all that quick to the 2nd level. That leaves 4th year Paul Fanaika and rookie Rishaw Johnson hoping for a backup spot.
Putting all this together, we will keep Okung, Giacomini, McQuistan, Unger, Moffitt, Sweezy, and Jeanpierre for sure. Carpenter might be on the PUP list at first, but Carroll says he'll definitely play this year. That's eight men. There's at least one spot open and maybe two.
As I see it, we need another backup tackle. 6th year Barbre and 8th year Omiyale are fighting for that spot. If they pick Barbre, they will likely keep an additional guard as well. If they keep Omiyale, he can fill in at both the tackle and guard spots, so that might complete the roster.
Regarding center and guard, O'Dowd and Johnson can both go to the practice squad, so they stay alive even if they don't make the 53-man cut. As I see it, Fanaika is fighting for his football life.
So... the guys to watch are Barbre, Omiyale, and Fanaika. Our final offensive line unit depends on how those guys perform. O'Dowd and Johnson just need to show enough potential to make the 8-man practice squad. Then again, if Johnson shines, he could make a case for the fifty-three.
All that said, whether Carpenter goes on PUP and whether we keep nine or ten men will either use up a spot or make one available. If the OL frees up a spot, my guess is that it will allow us to keep an additional tight end. Personally, that's my preference.
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