Chris Grier couldn’t help himself with Liam Eichenberg
Just when I was feeling fairly good about Chris Grier running this offseason, he resigned offensive guard Liam Eichenberg to the 2025 roster. Grier’s image of having zero ego has been chipped away slowly but surely and it took another it with Eichenberg’s return. While Eichenberg’s salary hasn’t been announced, you could likely add a box of cookie and have found a better offensive lineman for this roster.
So, why does Grier continue to pursue players who aren’t good and let the good ones he finds walk? On the face it’s price, but it feels like there’s more to it than that. Of course, we’ll never know the ‘why’s and wherefores’ other than he has terrible instincts. I wouldn’t bet with the best pay per head against our Week 1 starting guards as Daniels and Eichenberg…
…and that’s nauseating to even remotely believe this could happen.
Eichenberg is a good kid & a not so hot O-lineman
Eichenberg is a darn good kid. This isn’t personal. But are you telling me that Eichenberg is the best offensive linemen we could find in Free Agency for that price or a box of cookie more? As per PFF, Liam was 106th out of 135 players. There are sixty-four starting spots, so his grade isn’t even equivalent to a decent backup. What’s the fixation on the likes of Eichenberg and Jackson? Who Grier sticks to like glue even though there are better options on the table.
We now have an offensive line stable that included:
- Patrick Paul: A 1st year starter entering his sophomore season. There’s more potential than risk here.
- Austin Jackson: Coming off another season ending injury and not very good.
- Aaron Brewer: Is a spectacular on the move, not so much in the phonebooth, and a quality pass protector.
- James Daniels: Is coming off Achilles Heel surgery.
- Carmon Jackson: Has bombed everywhere including here.
- Larry Borom: Can’t play tackle and might be something at guard… who knows.
- Liam Eichenberg: See above.
- Ryan Hayes: Practice Squad player
- Andrew Meyer: Not starting material as of last season
- Kion Smith: Not starting material as of last season
- Terron Armstead: Maybe? Then what do you do with Jackson or Paul?
Do you feel a chill running up your leg with this group as a whole?
Will Grier even use a premium pick on the offensive line?
You know, I doubt Grier even considers using a premium pick on the offensive line until the 3rd Round. We desperately need corners, defensive tackles, and safeties. I expect him to go defense in the 1st and 2nd Round of the 2025 Draft and then find an offensive lineman in the 3rd or 4th Round. The current construction of the roster has me believing in Grier’s mind, LT Paul, LG Eichenberg or Daniels, C Brewer, RG Eichenberg or Daniels, and RT Jackson is good enough.
Now, I’m not saying this is what he’s thinking. What I am saying is Grier’s insane if he’s thinking this starting group will cut it.
Considering we’ve been saying the same things for a decade about the offensive line, I wouldn’t put it past him. Go Phins!!!