Kristjan Sokoli - another conversion project

[NorthHawk]

Here we go again making a Defensive lineman in College an Offensive lineman in the NFL.
Here's a thought, why don't we draft an Offensive lineman and concentrate on refining the technique instead of spending time teaching someone a new position.
That way as a group the OL can concentrate on limiting mental mistakes like false starts and can get their collective act together as a cohesive unit.

[c_hawkbob]

So you think we would have gotten a better guard than Sweezey by drafting one of the college O-linemen that were left on the board when we picked him?

You take the talent you find wherever you find it as long as the potential you see is greater than you see in the others guys available.

[NorthHawk]

I think with the limited time coaches have with players under this CBA, it would be better spent coaching the fine points instead of the basics. If they can turn a DLineman into an average OLineman, maybe they can turn an average group into a great group.
If you start with a higher floor, you will probably end up with a higher ceiling.

[c_hawkbob]

Sorry I don't agree. Sweezey has a chance to be much better than an average lineman and Kristjan "is the NFL's first 4 sigma athlete by SPARQ, ranking as the best athlete in the class and entire NFL" *

http://www.fieldgulls.com/2015/5/2/8537 ... og-buffalo

Why try to make great players out of average athletes if you can have a shot at making great players out of great athletes with a little more work? One of Pete's greatest assets is his ability to coach his coaches, and he has a great deal of faith in those coaches.

[NorthHawk]

Regardless of his athleticism, he is leafy green and our OL needs more help now than the last few years with Max gone and Carp's spot to fill. We haven't been great on the OL even with Veterans, so the time spent teaching basics to one player can be better spent getting better as a group.

Sweezy still made bad mistakes last year and its 3 years into the project. Will time spent on basics with Sokoli mean less time with Sweezy? To be fair with Sweezy, working alongside a rookie RT probably didn't help his development, and I hope he gets all the teaching he needs to reach his full potential.

Keep in mind the limits placed on coaching by the CBA. Will another project impede the progress of this new group with 40% of the OL changed? Will the other rookies get enough attention to reach their full potential as fast as they otherwise would?

We all like a good story and I hope he ends up an All Pro, but I want the OL to improve even more and I think it's accomplished quicker with players already experienced at their position.

[HumanCockroach]

Didn't they draft said floor players?

And I was under the impression that Sweezy was pretty Damn solid.

[c_hawkbob]

Yes Sweezy is solid, every bit as solid as you could pray for a 7th round pick to be even if he were a G in college. For a 7th round pick to be a full time starter every game since 10 games into his rookie season is nothing short of a home run. Besides it's not like Kristjen is the only O-lineman we drafted this year, it's not as though we're depending on him to hurry up and rescue the team, he's a 6th round pick, if not for Sweezy's success nobody would expect anything of him.

[NorthHawk]

You can't expect much from a 7th round pick so he's done well.
He wasn't always that solid last year with some real bad plays (playing beside a rookie doesn't help as it would playing beside a veteran) but how about getting the same amount of improvement from a guy who is already a solid player?

If Glowinski and Pool are going to challenge for a starting job, they will need to refine their technique enough to play at the NFL level. That's going to take time and attention from coaches who are restricted by the CBA in the number of hours they are permitted. How much teaching in the finer details can they give when one is so far behind? Will this mean Sokoli will get minimum coaching this year or will the new players and Sweezy miss out on some of the finer points. It's like an overcrowded classroom with 3 rookie Linemen and one with real potential but way behind.

[HumanCockroach]

Interesting that a player that graded out as the TOP run blocking guard in the NFL last season, and top 5 overall on PFF still isn't all that good in Hawks fans eyes, especially with all the fretting every year about "upgrading" the offensive line, especially considering the investment both financially and draft capital wise.

[obiken]

Yeah if we would have taken Decastro out of Stanford Cbob, Sweezey would have been and after thought. Sweezy is nothing; a journeyman at best, less than Steve August, more than Porkchop or Locklear. Come on we needed top OL that we plug in and have them hold people. We don't even get that. I am so happy I missed this years draft. No more flip outs guys.

[HumanCockroach]

Lol, yeah Bob, if we had taken the guard that graded out in the lower half of all guards in the NFL, the one that was graded in the top five would have been an after thought! Plus maybe we could have watched him intentionally blow out our all pro centers knee with an illegal chop, LIke the Steelers fans got to do.... What's wrong with you.... LMFAO...

[mykc14]

Yeah if we would have taken Decastro out of Stanford Cbob, Sweezey would have been and after thought. Sweezy is nothing; a journeyman at best, less than Steve August, more than Porkchop or Locklear. Come on we needed top OL that we plug in and have them hold people. We don't even get that. I am so happy I missed this years draft. No more flip outs guys.

Really?? Sweezy easily is our best Offensive Lineman right now. If we would have taken Decastro he would be sitting behind Sweezy (or more likely starting at LG). Sweezy is hand down the better player.

[HumanCockroach]

Don't let the truth get in the way, Decastro was a highly rated guard from the Pac -12 bd was considered great in college , and more importantly, it's who Obi wanted, so despite the truth, he's better. LMFAO.