Originally posted by Kolohe:
Originally posted by cciowa:
Originally posted by Kolohe:
That they're more than capable of filling Buckner's role due to their experience which might've also been a reason they didn't go out and pursue too hard to fill the gap. The thing that I'm getting at is, even though Buckner is gone, the rotation at D-line isn't too far off.
I respectfully think you are underestimating the quality buck brought to the table and are really over estimating the ones who are still here. you just do not think i will plug in aa or a guy like jones and a question mark in taylor and we will not miss a beat.. in my opinion
I'm not saying they won't miss a beat, I'm saying if the season had to start today that the rotation at D-line wouldn't be too far off. Some people make it seem like they need to fill the gap ASAP like the season is about to start next week. How about we wait till at least June 1st to see where the D-line is before saying we got a major hole to fill. People had no faith in Armstead (including me) until they just gave him a clean bill of health and every opportunity to prove himself which he did. Now why can't any of the young D-lineman do the same, you don't only need a 1st round pick to do it or a high priced free agent.
And don't forget, last yr we went into FA with departed krapt at DL Coach. We have all seen Kocurek's DLs in MN and elsewhere, and the guy has the "IT" factor. We then saw what he did with Arik, and our DL overall. When you start out FA with the DL Kolohe mentions above, and PLUS add in Coach K, then it is not unreasonable to expect great things from our DL this yr.
The only player i ever picked from the combine, was one DJ Jones, running the cones at 30 degrees to the ground by a 330 lb man....which i previously thot was B.S. Nope, once
you saw him in action, it was easy to see why he stood out at the combine, that drill in particular coming to mind. His loss before SB, really hurt us, as he was as close to a starter as you could get. This yr he will be a starter.
So there is just much good to spread around about our DL. It will take a lot too, in that Buck was one special dude. Just hated to see him go, but $21 mil per? Hey, more power to him. But like Kolohe above, i believe we have reason to be excited about our DL this yr, even with Buck gone. K has had a lot to do with that plus he finally got us to see the real AA.
My concern? Our backups who can legitimately start. That will be our biggest need this yr on DL. And of course, can Dee play 500- 600 snaps? If again only in the 220 range, then we need new. Hopefully the hammy is completely healed and the knees are better. That is a bad combo tho, in an ER.
[ Edited by pasodoc9er on Mar 26, 2020 at 3:44 PM ]