Originally posted by Evilgenius:
He was a really good player in college. I think he'll stick, but I've said that already. He's not going to start over AD though. If he gets in really great shape he could be a fantastic player. He was a dominant run blocker (just destroyed people) last year and very good in pass protection as well. But he also could barely play half the snaps because he was out of shape.
We need to whip him into shape. He could be a massive steal.
I find myself falling into that trap a bit by assuming that b/c a player has started in the past, he's guaranteed to start again...even if not in camp. I have to pull back from that b/c this is a totally different coaching staff (esp. the position coaches) and with a new zone blocking scheme, playbook, etc. these coaches will have final say in who THEY think is truly best suited for the job. Guys like Davis and Boone were given nice contracts under a power-run scheme. We are the polar opposite of that now and if a younger player shows more upside in that scheme and what the coaches are hoping to accomplish on the field, are there working their asses off, build chemistry and help cement an effective OL, who's to assume anything? For all we know, JT and the coaches have their own ideas about who the better fits are NOW...not yesterday. I would not be surprised if there are way more open jobs that we initially thought. And that's a good thing. The bottom line is Boone/Davis need to get in here, work on conditioning big time, short area quickness, study and master the new playbook and blocking assignment, build chemistry with the other tryouts, etc. and reearn their starting positions. It would be one thing if both were in contact with the coaching staff or FO and let them know of their plans...but I haven't heard anything to this nature...in fact JT said he hasn't heard from either and that's not a great start to a new regime.
niner talk
