IOL Week 1 Starters

[NorthHawk]

Sundell gets the start at Center and Bradford at RG.
It might be because Olu had a back problem during TC but maybe the coaches just like Sundell better.

[c_hawkbob]

I'm of the impression that Olu was the penciled in starter before the injury. That said, he may have a hell of a time getting the slot back. Sundell it seems was gonna start one way or the other, being listed as co starter at both LG & C on the .com depth chart since training camp. Olu's injury just gave the decision a boost.

[River Dog]

I've never been impressed with Olu and IMO was one of the weak links on our OL.

It would be nice to see some stability at the center position. That position has been a perennial recurring problem ever since we traded away Max Unger without a plan to replace him other than "Next man up!"

[NorthHawk]

I've never been impressed with Olu and IMO was one of the weak links on our OL.

It would be nice to see some stability at the center position. That position has been a perennial recurring problem ever since we traded away Max Unger without a plan to replace him other than "Next man up!"

That's why I have been disappointed in at least 10 consecutive drafts and FA where we overlooked the obvious need and instead settled for retreads, UFAs and (for a lack of a better term) throwaway picks.

[River Dog]

I've never been impressed with Olu and IMO was one of the weak links on our OL.

It would be nice to see some stability at the center position. That position has been a perennial recurring problem ever since we traded away Max Unger without a plan to replace him other than "Next man up!"

That's why I have been disappointed in at least 10 consecutive drafts and FA where we overlooked the obvious need and instead settled for retreads, UFAs and (for a lack of a better term) throwaway picks.

Yeah, if there's one thing that you and I have seen eye-to-eye on, it's our de-valuation of the offensive line.

But I don't know who to blame for it, Pete or JS. Pete was the undisputed boss, so he has to take the lion's share of the blame, but I'm not sure how much we should be pointing the finger at Schneider. It seems like there's a much bigger emphasis on the OL, so maybe we need to cut JS some slack, at least as far as the OL is concerned.

[NorthHawk]

Maybe. But he's had 2 drafts and only addressed the IOL once and still bypassed a couple of very good Centers and Guards. I get the feeling with nothing to substantiate it that he grudgingly selected Zabel this past draft. There are 3 positions of need and only 1 was addressed in the off season. Maybe this new system is a much better fit for Bradford and the others and Sundell will be better than his draft position (or was he a UFA?).
We're going to find out pretty soon.