(07-01-2024, 11:12 AM)NYC4jags Wrote: As we are a few weeks away from training camp and 10 weeks from meaningful NFL football, I figured I'd log a status report on the current line from my personal perspective.

Here are the anticipated starters and those who might challenge them or back them up:

Cam Robinson: Anticipated LT day one - A full offseason working with the core group that includes a probable upgrade at LG and C should help insure he is a middle of the pack LT who will (as always) get beat by speed rushers at times due to slow feet.
Level of concern 1-10: 4 - if he stays healthy and plays solid-to-good  - we should be OK there

Ezra Cleveland: Arrived in Jax last year midseason having been considered a top 15 guard in the league but entered a [BLEEP] show of dysfunction on a patch work line here and did so while playing through an injury plus sustained another injury along the way.  Will he return to the level of play he displayed in Minnesota? Probably.
Level of Concern: 4 - hope he stays healthy - will get offszn reps in this system with better players surrounding him - should be OK

Center: Morse -  Signed a clear upgrade who has been dependable elsewhere. Folks talk about concussions but he has missed very little playing time as a result. This was our biggest need entering the offseason and we should be better.
Level of Concern: 2 - just hope the next concussion isn't the one that finally makes him miss significant time

RG: Sherff - He's a Wiley vet that has lost some push in the run game but still protects well. Having a real Center next to him should help. He also won't be tending to a rookie on the other side this year. That may help as well.
Level of Concern: 4 - I worry about the run game issues last year and hope this guy doesn't make it too difficult to fix the short yardage ineptitude

RT : Anton Harrison - Stud RT entering sophomore season with some positive momentum. Least of my concerns. 
Concern: 0

---

Depth/Competition:

Walker Little - He bounced around last year filling holes - but he struggled too much everywhere he played for my comfort level. This is an important offseason for him to prove something. I have little confidence in him at this point.
I don't think they should continue trying him inside but focus him on learning all the protections at Tackle more fluidly. 

Cooper Hodges - Lots of positive reports of his recovery and looking good in drills w/o pads - we'll see where he ends up come September. Fingers crossed the hype for a 7th rounder is not misplaced. (college tackle expected to be a guard at this level - could backup Scherff) 

Javon Foster - promising rookie tackle who fell a bit in the draft. His college coach says he can definitely play guard as well. Haven't seen that opinion from our staff yet, but worth watching. His roster spot is virtually guaranteed due to draft position unless he really misfires in July and August. 

Tyler Shatley - C/G - Best case scenario is that he's a vet camp body who doesn't make the cut. His play at LG in 2022 was really bad. 

Fortner - Best case scenario is that being demoted makes him work his [BLEEP] off to be a better backup at Center than any of us anticipate given his poor play in 22/23. 

---

Overall - I'm confident this line will clear the way for at least a functional run game even if the blocking is far from elite.
Last season they were the worst run blocking unit in the league, so... the bar is low. 

In protection - I expect a mid-tier performance if they stay mostly healthy - which would be a marked improvement.