Gotta add that If Bruss doesn't win that job at RG he's a bust. Period. It means his head is not in the game for whatever reason or he can't figure out pass pro at this level, because losing to Shelton in year two at OG would be a catastrophe for him. Shelton is not a good OG. He is a marginal Center though.
My whole issue with Allen is that he is an injury waiting to happen and that Shelton is right there with him in the run game. But honestly the difference in the two is very slight. I think Allen is better overall in consistency (due to pass pro and calls) when he's healthy but not by very much.
For this line to be good this year we need Bruss to show well. If he doesn't we're gonna have a subpar RG, which is not the worst thing in the world but we are definitely marginal at Center and may be subpar at LT. But if Bruss plays well then we have a strength, that being the right side, because he and Hav in the run game will give us good movement with that duo. And from there the marginal Center is protected on each side by good guards which works quite well.
Might be premature to think Avila is good year one at LG but I do think he will be. You can play fast at OG in the NFL as long as you have enough strength to you in the phonebooth. And this guy does. Also unlike Bruss he is very developed in pass pro.
So really LT and RG are the positions on which our hopes are mostly pinned here, where we are going to need stepping up. And that's assuming health overall which will be required of course.
Right on! I predicted that McClendon beats out Bruss. I don’t care which new guy can start at RG, as long as he’s better than what they’ve been putting on the field in recent years.
I’d be happy if by 2024 we no longer are watching or worrying about Allen, Noteboom, or Shelton yo be relied on as the starters on the Oline. No more backup level players should be starting.
I think Jackson is a good OLT. He may not be pro bowl material but he is better than average.
I don't know why everybody thinks Shelton is a lousy guard.
He was the best player by far against Buffalo and then he immediately went to center after that game.
I think he only played one more game at RG.
I didn't review that game so he must have had a terrible game that day for people to put him down as a RG.
Shelton is limited by his size. He blocks good in the run game but he’s not very good in pass protection. He struggles with stunts. He’s not strong enough to consistently anchor against bigger and more athletic Dlinemen.
From what I understand, recovery from a torn achilles takes about 6 months but the long-term loss of strength and range of motion is more severe than other soft tissue injuries.
Noteboom may never be 100% of what he once was. At least Alaric Jackson only suffered a broken bone which means there shouldnt be any drop off in his play.
Noteboom already lacked push in his game. I wonder how much he has lost with that injury.
Jackson had a blood clotting problem too.
