Good linemen hard to find
How hard is it for a good offensive linemen to reach free agency? The Bengals made a one-year starter, Stacy Andrews, their franchise player. And it was absolutely the right move.
Andrews is a behemoth who can play guard and tackle, and he would have made a killing on the free agent market. He started 14 games this year (10 at right tackle) after starting only three in his career before this year. Assuming the Panthers tag Jordan Gross, three of my top eight ranked offensive linemen headed for free agency have already been kept. Baltimore's Jason Brown and Dallas' Flozell Adams are also probably staying put.
At tackle, Seattle's Sean Locklear is the best young option. Jacksonville's Maurice Williams and Pittsburgh's Max Starks both have experience and will be overpaid.
There are a couple lessons here. 1) If a player and agent can somehow be patient, any quality free agent tackle is going to be rewarded with a huge deal. Guys like Tony Pashos hit it rich last year. Imagine if a Pro Bowl quality young tackle made it to the open market?
2) Offensive linemen must be drafted, developed, and retained. Free agency isn't usually going to solve your problems. Tackles are second on the payscale to quarterbacks for a reason.
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