MHS831

Folks, if your best argument is to cherry pick attributes of Freeling and compare him to a person who had similar attributes (not all, just the cherry-picked attributes) who struggled or busted, an isolate incident, then that is a dumb argument. The work ethic and mental approach to football is critically important. Every player is unique. If you mention a similar player who busted, are you suggesting that there are not similar players who were successful? Make sense.

I understand the concerns--he is not P. Sewell or Joe Thomas. He has technique issues and was not great in the run game and was good in pass protection when UGA did not pass much. Then there is the immediate need vs long term need perspective. I did not see Freeland being there-frankly. Here is why: He has nearly 35" arms and his hands are large (10.5"). He ran a 4.93 40 at the combine. He is very agile. His vertical was 33.5". Physically, he is a freak. He is 21 and he seems very intelligent (coachable). You have to remember, some of these rookies are 24, 25 years old. Freeling is A team player. His shortcomings are fixable. Short arms (as with the kids from Utah and Miami) are not fixable. The Run on OTs began at #9: Fano (picked 10 picks earlier) has 32" arms and his hands are 9". He did not play in the SEC like Freeling. Many think the short arms project him to guard. Mauigoa (picked 10th) has 33" arms. He is a solid player, but his arms make him borderline as a T (they seek 34" and up as ideal) Kayden Proctor (picked 12th overall) struggled in pass protection and projects by many to RT or G. Weight management is a concern. So it is possible that Freeling will be the first LT taken who actually plays LT. (he also has the ability and experience to play RT) His questions are fixable and not limited to physical limitations. Here is the question: If you know that you need a Tackle, and you could choose between all four of these players, who would you pick? I am not sure that Freeling would not be the player I selected if given the opportunity to take any of them.

There are three positions that we have had that are very difficult to fill and we went without for a long time--QB, Edge, OT. If they are on the board when you pick and you can upgrade, you take them--I just did not see Morgan doing it. Freeling was not a second rounder (I forget who said that). If we selected Concepcion or Sadiq, I would not like it. Freeling? OK. I get it. lets move on

I wanted Lemon, actually, but the locker room is very important. Nothing disrupts the chemistry more than a loud, crazy, disgruntled WR. He will become that. They said he sucked during interviews.

Everyone on the board at 19 had some reason to question their future success. If you focus on the deficiencies of your pick vs. the strengths of everyone else, you will always see it as a half empty glass. My view? Tackle was a red flag here--Ickey out and may never be the same and the same was not worth the money he would demand. Moton is old and playing on a peg leg, and Stone Forsythe could not be successful as a homeless man's body guard. This pick has risks just like those before us and after us. I think he has the potential to be the best LT in this draft--and that is more valuable than a S or TE. As much as I did not think they would do it--and I do not see the top of the draft as one that had typical "can't miss" OT prospects. We will be OK. Freeling is a coachable, eager, smart, athletic player. We could have done much worse. I had him going off the board around pick 12, so I did not give him much focus. I love building through the OL, and we were scary at OT--better on paper than in reality, in fact. I get it. Morgan is solid, in my view.

He is a good fit for LT here in the wide zone and with a mobile qb. Freeling has some work to do with his balance and technique, but our OL coach--the guru who works with tackles specifically at practice--had a loud voice in the draft room, one can assume. Ickey was average at T and frankly, not a great fit for our system at T. As a guard, (I Pray they move him there if they keep him) he could be special. I think of this as a long-term play that makes the OL cap manageable by 2027. I think the move might have upgraded 2 positions. He seems positive and he seems coachable. I am not too worried--he reminds me of Gross a bit. Gross was not a LT day 1, but he was a great pick.

He is a good fit for LT here in the wide zone and with a mobile qb. Freeling has some work to do with his balance and technique, but our OL coach--the guru who works with tackles specifically at practice--had a loud voice in the draft room, one can assume. Ickey was average at T and frankly, not a great fit for our system at T. As a guard, (I Pray they move him there if they keep him) he could be special. I think of this as a long-term play that makes the OL cap manageable by 2027. I think the move might have upgraded 2 positions. He seems positive and he seems coachable. I am not too worried--he reminds me of Gross a bit. Gross was not a LT day 1, but he was a great pick.

It is not a given that Walker beats him out. Walker would be a great swing T (and so would Freeling for a season--played both sides in college). Is there some rule that says we have to draft players in the first round from the Carolinas? Horn, Ickey, XL, Freeling--?

I did not think they would do it--with Walker and Moton and Dave Canales comments about seeing the field immediately. There could be something we do not know, but this also has the potential to make us better at 2 spots--Ickey was average at best--could be an elite G. Freeling can become an elite LT. If we get cap room by releasing Hunt in 2027, move Ickey to RG....we got 2 positions covered as we become more cost effective--I get it. I just did not think they would do it.

Love it--but a lot of "Ball knowers" were predicting it. Still, I literally laughed out loud at this.

let me elaborate....Ekwonu was an average (at best) LT. His contract and injury make him a very unique situation. If he comes back, it is likely that he loses some of his lateral movement and agility. When he was drafted, many said he'd be a great G if he does not work out at T. This season, our guards turn 30. The $$ we are paying them + paying Bryce. Ekwonu should move inside, making us younger and cheaper at 2 positions. So long term, this was a great move--and I am surprised that we did it. We will try to get a LB in round 2, but a DT is possible too. Boston (WR) is also an option

It was safe--and at pick 28 the OTs are gone

I think Ickey is now a guard. He was Meh at T,but he could be elite at G----even without the injury. Hunt will be gone by 2027, and Ickey can step in.

I did not think they would draft T, but I also did not think Freeling would be there. I am happy because this is a wise, long-term move. It could mean: 1. They are moving Ickey to G and do not expect him back at LT (He was not that good there anyway--average--this gives them an out. 2. They are not going to extend Ickey. 3. They know more about Moton's knee than we do. 4. Maybe Walker is to be the swing and not the starter. Hurricanes win, by the way

Dont rule out McDonald

Miller!!

they gotta go T.

Hoping for S now--I sense Boston or Concepcion.

Lemon 2 away.

YESSSSS

We could trade up for Lemon.

please go full retard, TB

Freeling, Bain, Lemon, Thieneman---I might take the one that is left at 19

Please someone take him. However, Lemon is still on the board--and Bain---if Bain continues to slide--Morgan could go edge.

I will bet that the Cards will now take Beck. wow.