Quote:This was Joeckel's rookie year pretty much and he couldnt even weight room last offseason. If he fails in 2015, Then Its time to be worried and looking at some Veteran LTs

Yes, this was his first full season, and he did come off a season ending injury last year which possibly impaired his off season strengthening. Those things are true, however, lets keep this in perspective;

 

*he isn't a 'true' rookie since he did get a taste of the NFL last season. So unlike Linder, he knew what to expect, which is an advantage.

 

*he was a high round draft pick! We're not talking about a 'walk on' or 7th round pick here; such a high pick is expected to produce at least average results as compared to veterans. He should be clearly better than other rookies, and he wasn't in either case. The expectation for him was obviously high since we traded another high draft pick that we had to get him...

 

*he had the benefit of playing by a veteran guard. Our RG and RT were both rookies.

 

I keep reading statements to the effect that the GM and HC are 'committed' to him. I can see why the GM would feel pressure to keep 'committed' to him since he traded 1st round draft pick Eugene Monroe to get him. Of course in all fairness, Monroe hasn't exactly taken over the world in Baltimore either. From what I've read not many of the linesmen from that particular draft have exactly turned anyone's head so far.

 

It seems fair to say the ball is in Joeckels court; if he shows real signs of coming around this coming season then good for him. If he continues to displayed a lack of strength and poor blocking skills compared to what the expectations were for him, he could turn into a backup or trade fodder. 

---