Quote:The legit only reason he's an FA is because of the injury. He has been a top end pass blocker and average to above average in the run game and is 26 years old. He wants to be guaranteed a starting spot at LT and that's hard to promise when he's coming off an ACL. The guy is a very solid LT and has a chance to be a long term fixture at LT.

 

I'm with you on not handing him the job, but he'd be a great signing...if he doesn't come here it isn't the end of the world but he'd definitely help the Offensive Line a lot whether that's as a starter at LT, elsewhere, or a backup.

I'm well aware he was a very solid player pre injury, but that's the whole point, he's got a bum leg right now. I'd love the signing, it would push Joeckel and we'd finally get to see if he'll step up from some competition. Even knowing that competition is in the building.

 

What's nonsense is people thinking Beachum is going to come in here and take over from day one. He may not even be ready to go at the start of the season, but people are just so ready to get rid of Joeckel. I can guarantee you that Joeckel wouldn't be on the waiver wire for very long if we cut him.

 

At the end of the day, Joeckel's a young, healthy, average LT. He isn't going anywhere this season, no matter how many fans think he should.

 

Could you imagine the amount of tears that would be flying, if Caldwell signed Beachum, shipped off Joeckel for peanuts and Beachum wasn't ready for week 1? What if he has a set back? Then we'd be trotting out some guy who has no business being the starting LT right now. I'd be willing to bet people wouldn't be so happy about getting rid of Joeckel then. People would then be screaming at Caldwell for not having a backup behind Beachum.

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