(05-23-2023, 08:57 PM)NYC4jags Wrote:

(05-23-2023, 08:43 PM)Bullseye Wrote: Best cast scenario on the offensive line:  Little continues the transition back to LT he began late last year and continues to play as well as he did last year-only better, while Harrison displays the feet and nastiness needed to successfully and immediately transition to RT and the starting five stay healthy.  Robinson returns from suspension in shape and eager to help, even if it means sliding inside to LG (something he has been averse to doing until now).  We get a surprise contribution from one of the lower drafted rookies.  All of these factors and more combine to make this a start of a prolonged Super Bowl run.

Lots of ways things could pan out for the OL this season. 

The biggest thing they have going for them is great coaches who know how to utilize their strengths and minimize their weaknesses. It does limit Lawrence to a degree when the line's blocking issues must be mitigated, but maybe we'll see less of that this year. 


Little will be fine if he picks up where he left off

LG is a crapshoot. Didn't really address it in offseason, so we cross our fingers Bartch or an unexpected challenger are up to it.

Center is all Fortner and we pray his experience and offseason training add up to a year 2 improvement. Despite not giving up sacks, he gave up lots of pressure last year. 

RG should be sold with Scherff and we cross our fingers he stays healthy. 

RT is reliance on a rookie and that can go a lot of different ways. 

If these guys can play above average ball as a unit, we have a powerhouse offense. If these guys struggle or don't stay mostly healthy, our impressive roster of skill players won't achieve their full potential of production.

Don't see why Little can't at least pick up where he left off from last year. 

He played LT in college and played it late last year-performing quite well considering the positional rust he must have had.

He has the physical tools and attributes (size, length, feet, balance, technique) to succeed at the position.

Left G is a major concern for me.  I wanted to trust Bartch, but to me he hasn't inspired much confidence since his arrival.  Considering he was initially brought in to be a backup years ago, he's given us quality snaps at C and at LG throughout his tenure here.  But I worry he may be on the decline. I just hope that we have a candidate who can step in at the position.

Fortner had his moments last year-good and bad.  More good than bad, IMO, and I'm eager to see how he has progressed from last year to this season.

I was stoked abut the Scherff signing, but I had moments of concern.  Hopefully those moments were more indicative of his injury than overall decline.

Agreed completely at RT at face value with Harrison in.  But I would say at the moment, there's no shortage of guys who can play RT if it came down to it.  I believe Harrison has the feet to succeed at the position.  But having been switched to the left side in college, can he transition to the right side in the NFL?  It's less of a concern than it would be if he were moving from RT to LT or from G to T, but it's still a concern until he does it.  We know Walker Little can play RT at an acceptable level.  I'd rather NOT move him back there at this point, but if we had to, he could succeed.  I think in a pinch, if Josh Wells has anything left in the tank, he could give us some quality snaps.  But the timing of any injury at RT is key.  Naturally I'd rather the players stay healthy.  But if I had to choose, I would think the most fortuitous time to have an injury at RT would be after Cam Robinson has returned from his suspension and is in game shape (assuming the OL is otherwise healthy and performing well).

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