(02-29-2024, 12:51 PM)NYC4jags Wrote:

(02-29-2024, 12:46 PM)Caldrac Wrote: With three positions within that interior group I think there's only so much you can do. I don't see them entering training camp with three new faces there. Just doesn't seem realistic at all. 

What should be realistically possible is two new faces in the line-up with a pair of serious investments made that can eventually start in 2025 or play in 2024 in the event someone gets hurt, which we all know will more than likely happen. 

I think we're looking at Robinson at LT, Harrison at RT and Cleveland at LG. This leaves the team with Walker Little still on the bench as the Swing Tackle and Guard role. Cooper Hodges as a guy coming back from injuries that can also play a Swing Tackle role and potential Guard role. 

I think that leaves the team with two decisions to make between March and April. Fortner at Center (Weakest Link) and Scherff at Right Guard (Cap & Age). One of those guys or both of those guys is probably replaced this off season. I would prefer it be Fortner. 

I think I could stomach Robinson - Cleveland - Veteran - Scherff - Harrison in 2024. BUT, the catch is that, Baalke invests a pair of draft picks EARLY in April to solve some of these problems later on in the year or at the beginning of 2025.

Two names that I keep coming back to. Graham Barton out of Duke and Christian Haynes out of Uconn. Those two guys offer some versatility and those two guys are probably RD2 - RD3 options. 

If we go a little further down, in RD4? We can start looking at guys like Javion Cohen at Guard and Andrew Raym at Center, etc. They just need to show a serious effort in bolstering the interior in the immediate time being and very near future. 

That way, it's something like this:

LT - Robinson - Little & Hodges as Swing Tackle Options.
LG - Cleveland - Cooper Hodges as back-up.
C - Veteran - Fortner in back-up role with new face that can play Guard/Center as an early investment. 
RG - Scherff - New face that can play Guard/Tackle as an early investment. 
RT - Harrison - Little & Hodges as Swing Tackle Options.

Just not going to get my hopes up with this current front office. They've had two - three years to get this right, get this corrected, and, they're taking their sweet [BLEEP] time in doing so.

I definitely don't expect three new faces. 

I'm hoping for two - but we may see one clear new starter + competition for another spot that constitutes improved depth. I'd grit my teeth and bear it. 

If they come into camp without any competition for Fortner... I might seriously lose my [BLEEP] though.

Yep. I think that's the must. If that's not the top priority on their to-do list this off season I don't know what they're doing anymore. I think they're better served in signing a free agent at Center, regulating Fortner to back-up duties there and even Guard duties in some capacity and then they have a goal of drafting another promising player that can play C/G or C/T. 

That's why I keep bringing up Barton and Haynes now. One of those guys can start on this football team today if needed and at the minimum is pushing somebody this summer for a job if they decide to keep the same people from last year. Fortner ABSOLUTELY needs competition though.

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