Quote:I think the unit should definitely be improved this year. Parnell is a major upgrade over anything we had at RT last season. He just has to be average and that will be a major improvement. Joeckel/Beadles/Bowanko/Linder should all benefit from having a year of cohesion working with each other to improve as a collective unit. They should also each individually improve with a year of experience, training, practice and workouts under their belt. They still may not be a great unit this year, but it should be a serious improvement.

The fact that Parnell is a 'major upgrade' and 'only has to be average' to be a major improvement is, in itself, pretty pathetic. As far as Joeckel is concerned... he has no more excuses; he saying he's gained substantial weight and strength, he's now into his third season here, he has an outstanding line coach. There's just no excuses now if he turns up similar sacks allowed and rushes allowed this season to what he had last year. 

 

If you think about it, it's really kind'a a 'do or die' situation for Joeckel; but then again, much the same might be said about the coaching staff too. I wonder what the thinking will be on Luke if he gets injured again early on in the season? Trade him or roll the dice on him one more season? If he gets injured again early on in the season, what little confidence I had for him would be gone like the wind.

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