Myth of the franchise offensive lineman
Jim Monos, a former NFL scout/exec, explains why drafting linemen high is a waste of time if you don't have a quarterback in a guest column.
Here’s a guest column from my co-host of “Real Football.” Jim Monos worked as an area scout for the Philadelphia Eagles (2000- ‘04) and New Orleans Saints (2005- ‘13) before taking over as the Buffalo Bills director of personnel (May 2013- ‘17). Today, he works for the UFL.
We always love getting his fresh perspective on this sport.
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By Jim Monos
Offensive play is overrated.
Take a breath all football purists. Obviously the O-Line is not completely overrated. Better word may be overvalued. The easiest excuse analysts use when an offense is struggling is “the line is not good enough.” Such a weak and soft analogy. Nobody really understands how hard it is to play offensive line.
The offensive line room is unique. Always has been. Nobody really wants to play offensive line if you do not have to. It can be a miserable existence. You rarely get any credit, you feel underpaid, under-appreciated and every day is physically draining. When you commit to being a top-level offensive lineman, you are committing to living overweight physically and consistently have to fight another man to cash your checks.
No easy days.
Building an offensive line is what needs discussed. I am convinced that taking an offensive lineman in the first round is a complete waste of time unless he is an everyday starter at offensive tackle.