Even if Long walks, we BETTER not take a LT in the first round

[SB Dreamer]

Only thing I know (based on the past drafts) is that they will do opposite of anything generally accepted as the "right" pick at the time. If that means a tackle in the 1st...it is what it is...Failure is in this franchise's DNA

[islandah]

Agreed. However, you still need to have an effective offensive line.

Yes, but we seem to have proven that throwing high draft picks at it is at best an ineffecient way to end up with a mediocre line. Vernon Carey -1st round, Jake Long - #1 pick of first round, Pouncey - 1st round, Jerry - 3rd round. With that use of resources, it should be the most dominant line in the nfl.
What skill players could we have had with 3 1sts, and a 3rd?

[sinPHIN]

i dont think it will happen but you never know

[CANDolphan]

Yes, but we seem to have proven that throwing high draft picks at it is at best an ineffecient way to end up with a mediocre line. Vernon Carey -1st round, Jake Long - #1 pick of first round, Pouncey - 1st round, Jerry - 3rd round. With that use of resources, it should be the most dominant line in the nfl.
What skill players could we have had with 3 1sts, and a 3rd?

That's over a long stretch of time though. Carey was 2003, Long was 08, Jerry 2009, Pouncey 2011

[Exuro]

Only thing I know (based on the past drafts) is that they will do opposite of anything generally accepted as the "right" pick at the time. If that means a tackle in the 1st...it is what it is...Failure is in this franchise's DNA

What are you talking about? The pundits have called Miami's last two 1st round draft picks. The general consensus was Pouncey in 2011 and Tannehill in 2012.

[Doctor Phibes]

The 49ers have 3 first round picks playing on their OL and it doesn't seem to have done their offense any harm (2nd in the league in yards per play). I think that most people would agree their QB(s) is average at best, so in a QB league how can they have one of the best offenses ? The answer - it's because they are the best blocking team in the NFL

[Gonzo]

That's over a long stretch of time though. Carey was 2003, Long was 08, Jerry 2009, Pouncey 2011

Carey is the only one in there that shouldn't be included, but Martin should be. Currently, 4 of our starting linemen (at least when Long is healthy) are high round picks. The payoff? A mediocre line, at best and a serious lack of playmakers.

[ANUFan]

What are you talking about? The pundits have called Miami's last two 1st round draft picks. The general consensus was Pouncey in 2011 and Tannehill in 2012.

Don't confuse them with facts...

[Gonzo]

The 49ers have 3 first round picks playing on their OL and it doesn't seem to have done their offense any harm (2nd in the league in yards per play). I think that most people would agree their QB(s) is average at best, so in a QB league how can they have one of the best offenses ? The answer - it's because they are the best blocking team in the NFL

They have one of the best offenses in the league (well, upper half ranked offense anyways) because of coaching, Frank Gore, and a defense that gives them tons of opportunities. Further, they had the luxury of addressing both offensive line and playmakers thanks to a good number of draft picks (2 first rounders in 2006, 2007, and 2010); grabbing Vernon Davis, Patrick Wilis, Crabtree, Aldon Smith, and AJ Jenkins all during that same time frame. If we could do that, I would have no problem with high picks used on cornfed.

[CANDolphan]

Carey is the only one in there that shouldn't be included, but Martin should be. Currently, 4 of our starting linemen (at least when Long is healthy) are high round picks. The payoff? A mediocre line, at best and a serious lack of playmakers.

I agree with what you're saying in principle but 1) it's too early to declare certain picks a bust. Martin is being shifted around, he was brought in KNOWING that his play at RT would be a work in progress, and we certainly hit a homerun with Pouncey.

Jake Long was playing, up until this year, like a top 10 tackle every season, sometimes looking downright dominant throughout a stretch of 6-7 games. Sadly, that Jake is injured and broken. I can't blame anyone for that.