Offensive Line

Aren't most teams capable of a balanced run/pass ratio playing with a lead?

 

Then it would have helped if you were clearer when you said "shift the run/pass ratio into a more respectable balance (even though we all know that we will throw a lot more than run)". It sounded like you were saying they would be pass-happy in almost any situation.

 

I'm saying that Ben didn't come back to hand the ball off out of the shotgun. The OL is patchwork at this point. Other than DD, the day one starters are still to be determined. That doesn't mean it can't be effective, just that we won't know what we've got until the rubber hits the road. So as it stands, we are a pass-first offense, out of scheme AND necessity. Hopefully, that changes. So again, IF the OL improves quite a bit, and IF the injury bug stays away, Harris just might shift the run/pass ratio into a more respectable balance (even though we all know that we will throw a lot more than run).

 

Haeg is most likely a backup, so I don't think he will be an upgrade over Chuks.

 

That's why I said I hoped he would be an upgrade not that he was.

I have a feeling Okorafor is going to show to be a huge weakness.

 

It seems like a vain hope. Okorafor is the better option, which doesn't say much. I do hope that putting him on the left side, which seems like a more natural fit for him, will help.

 

seems like they would have extended okrafor if he was their long term solution. yet they brought in a guy like haeg and collins and to an extent cowerd and then drafted a LT. he only started on year out of necessity because of injury. similar to hawkins who they traded before the season started in 2019. everyone keeps thinking chuks will be the starting LT and i'm not to sure of that.

 

Haeg is veteran depth. I thought Coward had mostly played guard. I can't imagine he will be the left tackle. Moore is probably the only real threat to Okorafor as a starter.

 

i don't know because of the tomlin love for banner. he seems to think banner can play either side which really surprised me. they do have options i guess. collins may be a wild card as well. there could be a lot of different combinations used come preseason just to see who fits well where. the thing that gets me is , if okrafor is the guy why not lock him in now instead of when he can become a free agent and show he can play LT. that alone would cost them more. that's why i have a suspicion that other options could be coming. as i said earlier these one year deal guys could be them just flooding positions and seeing what sticks for next year. instead of their usual UDFA usage on the line we now have some lower priced vets that they think can give them the same.

 

I take it then you believe Dan Moore Jr will start over him?!

 

Ah... I see.

 

Let me tell you about Green. That man is a savage. A full blown monstrous entity. He has a lot of hate in his heart.

 

That's just the kind of nasty that is missing from that o-line. I think Dotson and Banner are capable of it. I just want to see it.

 

I hope he gets acclimated quickly, like Pouncey did in 2010... or we're gonna be in for a long year. OL is a bigger weakness than CB, IMO.

 

This is good!

 

Let's hope his ability matches his animosity then.

 

Not often words of this nature are a positive thing to say.

 

Some board members are predicting this....just saying.....

 

Every year I ask the same question. Just as a thought. Are we talking starter game one, game five, etc? Rookies need to learn the play book. Do they need a while? Ditto gentlemen who are new to the team? Players who might be capable at multiple positions? Start when?

This is not an argument. Just wondering what the time frame of these thoughts are?

And if these are game one starts, are your thoughts they are season long starters, excluding injury?

 

To me, I would think they would master the playbook as /or more quickly then a freshman starting at his college team. Pro's may be more complicated or intense but how long do they need to get up to speed when they have all summer and preseason? Cam doesn't appear to think attending a mini camp makes a difference as so I don't know. To me, they should be able to start game one if they are the better player IMO>

 

Mac I think their choice to move Fieler last season has made them reluctant to say anything this go around so they aren't painted into a corner by announcing the initial OTA's depth chart.

 

I mostly agree with you with two exceptions. If a rookie safety makes a mistake it could cost you a game. If a rookie LT makes a mistake it could cost you a quarterback.