Originally posted by NCommand:
Originally posted by pdizo916:
Originally posted by NCommand:
This is what scares me now. They missed the 24 hour boat to add veteran OL and now we're banking on more rookies to shore up the OL? Fans have no idea what is asked of these OL. This isn't just a zone blocking scheme here. From Mack setting the pass protection sets to every type of running play out there and the amount that is asked of them (#1 in rushing attempts) and needing to be in tip top shape, the jump from college to Kyle's offense is no joke. This is why Kyle prefers veterans esp. ones that know his system even if they aren't talented. You look at that grand list of OL over the years and only a handful are talented and several of them were holdovers.
You and I agree on the O line for the most part.
But maybe you can I can argue that Banks, Moore, mckivitz are ready to take over. They had year(s) in the NFL, although they lack game experience. But at least they know what to expect out of Kyle's system.
I also think Brunskill can benefit GREATLY if he kicks out to RT.
The O line will probably suck for the first part of the season. However, I think the unit can gel as the season progresses.
Great point about how they are all well versed in the system already. I don't think guys like Moore, Brunskill, Skule and McKivitz are talented players. Like Fusco, Person and Compton, these guys are hard workers and are familiar with the system and can get you through a few games as depth. But they continue to prove, the longer they play, the worse they get. A guy like Banks and Tomlinson are first and high second round talents. In theory, they should get BETTER as time goes on. We did see that with Laken. But a team needs quality depth. Our depth is stronger together than our front line OL. IMHO, of course. I think we needed an infusion at the front line in talent which then makes your depth better by default.
Williams - HOF player but oft-dinged up. Who's talented behind him and learning his HOF ways?
Banks - should have the Laken Tomlinson like talent to grow over several years but will probably be a moderate player to start. Learned from Tomlinson to replace him a year in advance. 👍
Mack - final year IF he doesn't retire after getting married. And who's talented behind him and learning his HOF ways? Most important position on the OL...makes all the pass protection sets for the QB.
Brunskill - we've seen enough but Fusco, Person, Compton and Brunskill; this isn't a position of importance for Kyle. At all.
McGlinchey - first round talent with no real talent behind him for the long haul either. Career threatening injury and has played injured "for a very long time" according to MM.
I feel good about the depth stepping in which is inevitable in our system but I have lots of immediate 'and' long term concerns here.
Perhaps a guy like Moore surprises and becomes a really good starter AND continues to get better and better (not worse).
Both of you have some great points here. I'll just add that Laken Tomlinson was a first round draftee but was only worth a *fifth round pick* by the time the 49ers came around. As good as Laken was for us, last year at guard, he was a disappointment before coming here. In other words, guys like McKivits, Skule, and Moore still have a shot at making the starting lineup. I don't think they are at the journeyman level yet, considering they've only had about two years in redshirt mode. I'm hoping they still can develop.
Add in a possible early draft pick to revamp the OLine depth, and I can see this line developing as Pdizo said, throughout the first half of the season. Also great point about s
marts and intelligence being as valuable as athleticism and power on Kyle's OLine. I think that's been long neglected on the OLine discussion. Compton and Brunskill were pretty solid on the smarts and intelligence side and didn't miss a lot of assignments. They were physically overmatched - a decent portion of the time, but still enabled the 49ers to get to the NFCCG. If I could have two all pros on that OLIne, and ONLY two all pros (the rest being average) it would be at Left Tackle and Center. Trey can see the right side of the line breaking down in pass protection and escape. Trey can't see the left side breaking down and that's where Trent is. Center is also important because he does make all the protection calls and that center can't make protection call mistakes at all.
Now if they can Draft a Trent Williams 2.0 to play right tackle, I'd be overjoyed!!