Quote:Just because you are critical of a player doesn't mean you want to see him fail. If LJ played like Joe Thomas all this season, id be first in line to buy his jersey.


I looked back at the top olineman of the draft 2010-present. Russel Okung, Trent Williams, Tyron Smith, Matt Khalil, Lane Johnson and Jake Matthews all had either hit stride, made a probowl, or showed huge potential by the end of year 3. LJ Doesn't come close to any of them, nor has he shown flashes of being able to be good as them. Russel Okoung missed the same amount of games as LJ his rookie year btw, and missed even more his following season.


The only two I left out were Fisher and Joekel. I've seen people on this board absolutely dump on Fisher, when he's played just as good/bad as LJ.


Btw... That bullrush he gave up last game counted as a "hurry". The dude fell into Bortles knee after destroying LJ. If Bortles wasn't atheltic or in a bad position, you would be singing a diff tune about these hurries.

Naw every an gets hit. That's just part of the game. I can tell you Tyron Smith, Matthews, Williams and Johnson were all looked at as scrubs entering their third and fourth years. I distinctly remember the Cowboys have what was considered one of the worst O-lines in football. Smith was seen a huge disappointment prior to 2013 dominant performance and that was his third year.


I don't have an issue with being critical of a player. Ill be the first to say LJ needs to step it up but I'm not seeing the qb get hit every play. I'm not seeing Blake flushed from the pocket every play. I'm seeing Blake have time to make throws and read the defense. I'll take that. I'm in the camp that says I'm glad to see improvement in that a sack isn't surrendered at least once every possession. That to me is improvement I can see.


If him needed to play like Joe Thomas is what's need to not be scrutinized then prepare to be upset because guys like that don't materialize very often. And hey he just might be better because he is only 23.


Looking for that level of play is a fools task. But if you are seeking improvement then you have to agree that it is there.

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