SmokinwithWilly

I'm big for drafting an OT but it doesn't have to be a first rounder. It does have to be one that can actually play LT. Icky's future is uncertain. I'm not a glass half empty kind of guy, I'm a realist. We can't expect Icky to return to pre injury form in a season. We have 2 guys on prove it deals, and an aging Moton on a 2 year deal. If we don't address the issue, next year we could very realistically need a new LT, new ST, new RT if Moton's knee issues get worse. If things don't go well for us at the tackle position, we're in trouble having to go hunt for good starters in FA, AND we have a potential Bryce extension to cripple the cap or Bryce tanks and we're in search of a QB1 again. There's a lot more ways for this to go wrong than to go right for us. As long as we seriously address the position, I'm fine. Bringing in an UDFA and calling it good while we go all in in the draft planning to make a SB run while being paper thin at one of the biggest meat grinder areas on the team, that's just bad planning in my book. We should be drafting one OL guy every year. We haven't been investing in the draft. We have to do it, like it or not. Our entire OL can't be FA pickups.

Relying on a guy that couldn't stay on the Raiders offensive line as our primary backup is beyond scary.

I don't even have this view specifically regarding Bryce. It's my overall view in general. Teams rush these rookie QB into service before they're ready, then keep the seasoned vet backup/mentor who isn't much more than a QB coach himself at that point of his career. With a few rare exceptions, I think the best course for most would be to be drafted, sit a year behind a vet QB to learn, THEN get handed the reigns to the offense. Unfortunately, the ridiculousness of these QB contracts and the success now pressure these coaches/GMs are under don't lend itself favorably to that scenario.

Always be developing a #2 with potential to be a #1 in an emergency. I get the reliable vet QB for a few games angle, but if your QB goes down early on, do you want to just toss a season away like Cinci, pull a Patriots/Cassel or lightning in a bottle with Foles and Philly. Can't do that with guys like Dalton and Pickett. Bryce sustains major injury, the season is over. I'm a competitive person and I don't see how you can just be comfortable with that potential outcome year in and year out.

Yep. We don't even know if Icky will ever play again. Hard to build around a guy that could easily have just had a career ending injury.

It all depends on what damage was found and how well the surgery takes. I think trust is going to be a huge factor. As someone who's had multiple knee injuries, it takes a while to feel safe doing everything without that splinter of doubt in the back of your mind again. I can't imagine what that would feel like for a NFL players.

I'm not an NFL scout obviously, but to me, his side to side footwork looks clunky. Instead of the quick, short step, almost glide like movement that you see from the true elites like Ogdon, it looks like he plants and anchors as he moves with each step. He can be heavy footed. He has the size and mass to do that and it might work for him against bull rushers, but the quick edge guys I think will present a problem. Watch game videos of Proctor vs guys like Ogdon, Joe Thomas, Tyron Smith, or Trent Williams, and just watch from the knees down. It's pretty interesting the difference in the way they move their feet. I'm not saying he won't be able to improve it, I just think that could be part of what gives some of that doubt. It does to me.

I suspect he'll get an opportunity at tackle and end up getting pushed inside to guard. That much weight it's just hard on your knees constantly having to go side to side and plant and leverage. Kind of reminds me of Mekhi Bechton. Huge guy, 360 lbs, knee injuries, and I'm sure his weight played a part in them. Just a risk I wouldn't want to take at 19.

I honestly wouldn't mind taking them both. We need bodies and depth at the C/G position is certainly something we haven't had in a very long time.

I don't see the lateral quickness there to handle speed rushers. He could surprise, but I am very suspect of Bama players at certain positions. Top draft classes every year playing against inferior talent. The gap closes too much when they reach the NFL.

I don't believe in hiring coaches that don't get an interview request from another team but it is what it is.

Measurements only take you so far. I remember Rhule passing on Slater because of arm length even though his film against elite college edge rushers was dominant. He said might be a guard here, right after being named an all pro LT. Obviously you want longer arms, but Proctor is right, you can't ignore the film.

2nd preseason

I'd be happy making millions just to sit on the bench.