Old but Slow wrote:It takes time to mold a line (I'm sure there's a joke in there), and this group that was terrible last season are all good athletes with promise. They are learning to communicate with each other and to coordinate, which is essential. If four of the five improve, they become a different entity. My hope is that Pocic is a prime backup this year, and is not needed as a starter. His versatility, intelligence, and skills make him ideal to sub into the line in any position without a huge loss. Perfect addition in my view.
In addition, I hope that Joeckel is not needed, and that Abouji (sorry about the name spelling) is a valuable backup. Generally glass half full, in my view of things, I am seeing a much improved offensive line with mostly the same personnel. I was upset when they signed the 2 dumbos last year, but I am thinking that they have learned from that.
There is one position to fill, as our RT signed with SF (what was he thinking?). Glowinski will move from LG to RG, where he played in college, with Ifedi moving out a spot to RT, which makes sense, and we can assume that Britt will be the center, so the question goes naturally to LG and LT. Fant is the incumbent LT and though inexperienced, is ideally athletic, and coachable. Joeckel is a high upside player who has underperformed, but is still young enough to make an impact, and Odhiambo is a player the team has expressed some confidence in, which puts him in the conversation.
So, unlike you fair weather fans (j/k), I see this offensive line as a developing strength.
I think it would be a lot stronger this year and I said so thinking they would be largely in the same positions.
As it is, the OL is 80% changed. Again.
Continuity along the OL isn't just being on the field together, it's playing next to each other with the same player or players beside each.
Ifedi will be learning how to play RT and Glowinski will be learning how to play on the right side of Britt and with Ifedi. Ifedi has to learn how to play RT in the NFL with a player who is learning how to play RG and with both C and RT.
There will be a new LG who has to learn to play with Britt and maybe a new LT who has to learn how to play with the RT.
Because of this, any continuity they may have developed last year has to be re-established this year again.
And that's how I got to the point of saying get these guys into position early and leave them there to actually get a rhythm together.
They HAVE to settle on positions early and let them actually learn how to play together.
Even with last years experience there are going to be a lot of problems early. It's what happens when developing teamwork.
I just hope it doesn't mean a couple of early preventable losses.