4. Guard
Perhaps there’s no position that’s more wide-open than the guard spot.
The signing of James Carpenter, Super Bowl Champion from the Seattle Seahawks, provides one definite starter along the right side. As far as the left side is concerned, it’s anybody’s best guess.
Brian Winters returns for his second season in the NFL. He started 12 games during his rookie season and provided marginal return. A pretty solid run-blocker, Winters struggles greatly in pass protection. His foot-speed is often over-matched against the top notch pass rushing interior lineman.
Willie Colon enters his ninth season in the NFL, and quite frankly, could be cut during training camp. He simply didn’t get the job done in 2014 and at 34-years old it’ll be a tall task to ask this season. Oday Aboushi, Dakota Dozier and fifth round draft pick Jarvis Harrison will also be in the mix.
The offensive line is most definitely one of the scarier units for this team heading into the year. Nick Mangold and D’Brickashaw Ferguson aren’t getting any younger so they’ll need guys to step up around them.
Prediction:
Although he can also play tackle, look for Aboushi to start the season opposite Carpenter at the guard spot.
