Yes I know it takes time to do this. I have done a little research on this, so to speak. Two years ago, on a forum far far away, I would argue with posters who thought that our o-line totally sucked and that Thompson had ample time to put together a great line. Although there main contention was for Thompson to just sign some experienced FA's and all our problems are solved. Never mind Thompson went this route in 2005 and it didn't work.
They thought that the line from 2000 to 2004 was the greatest thing since sliced cheese and that they were put together and gelled right a way. I would continually point out that Rivera and Flanagan were 5 yr vets in the 2000 season, Wahle was entering his 3rd season and was pretty terrible his first two years. Of course Clifton and Tauscher were rookies that year but they got a ton of work. In 2000 Green rushed for 1,175. In 2001 he rushed for 1,387; in 2002 he had 1,240. In these 3 years there was virtually nobody with rushing yds. behind Green. One year the next highest was 283, one year the next was 175. So things were not as hunky dory as everyone says it was in those days.
That line did finally his the jackpot in the 2003 season. Finally in their 4th full year together did they put it together and had a monster year rushing the ball. It took 4 years to become a pretty dominant line, from the rushing perspective.
To compare with the crappy lines Thompson has put together Green rushed for 1,059 in 2006, Grant tore it up in 2007 and had 1,203 last year.
BTW, the year after Green's super 2003 rushing season he had 1,163 in 2004 and najeh had 359 in 2004. That great line, rush wise, dominated only one year. They could pass block pretty well but so did the 2007 and 2008 line.
"Jim T" wrote: