I'm glad to see people starting to give the OL some love. What was supposed to a huge weakness has proven to be a strength. Their play is the second biggest surprise this season (Colston's first). Alot of credit should go to OL Coach Doug Marrone. He's assembled and has them playing like a veteran unit. But the players are the most surprising -
Jamaal Brown - remember all the worry over his move from RT to LT? I do, according to every TC report he was struggling but like everything else this year he has exceeded expectations. He wasn't supposed to be this good, this soon at LT.
Jamar Nesbit - has proven to be the Swiss army knife of O linemen. Last year he acquited himself well at LT in place of the injured Brown. He moved to OG this year and is playing well. He does lack the upside of the rest of the OL but he's playing well enough to keep his job.
Jeff Faine - losing Bentley was supposed to be the disaster the Saints Offense couldn't overcome. The Saints play at Center actually has gotten better with Faine. Bentley was overrated, Faine underrated. If he can stay healthy through the entire 16 game schedule (plus post season games) he'll prove to be a bargain.
Jhari Evans - I completely missed the boat on Evans after the draft. I openly questioned whether the former Div. II OT could make the transition to NFL Guard. Not only could he, he was ready to start. Evans gets stronger and stronger every week. By the end of the season comparsions to Larry Allen will be everywhere.
John Stinchcomb - One of the very few things Haslett got right. Apparently Haslett was not lying when he said Stinchcomb was ready to play before knee injury last year. This year he's shown very solid technique and good footwork. He may never be a overpowering RT but he kills guys with technique. Like everyone else I was surprised by his play but was truly shocked by just how polished he looks. Remember Stinchcomb is basically a rookie starter. Like all out O linemen he'll get better the more he plays....
Finally how about depth? We currently have Zach Streif a late round rookie who impressed in TC, former decent starter at G Montrae Holland, versatile former Jets starter Jon Goodwin, and former Cowboys starter at OT (I know that isn't saying much) Rob Petitti all as backups. Depth, it's a good thing (let's hope we don't ever have to use it).