This is going to be a really good battle for backup positions/roster positions. I've got a feeling we will use personnel that is more familiar to start the season, with Marshall Newhouse getting the RT gig. EDS at C.

What is great is the depth and competition that is behind those starters. I like Barclay. I think Bahktiari is going to be good with a bit of development time in the system. I like Andrew Datko a lot, and I think he may give a great challenge this year. Patrick Lewis should stick as a pure C. Then throw in Sherrod...

This is a lot of talent fighting for very few remaining positions. I cannot believe we only kept 7 OL on our roster last year to start the season. I believe both OL and DL will each get an additional player this year. Most of our losses were lost in the trenches.

Will we have a legit challenge to Newhouse and EDS for their starting positions? That is a huge question, and it should be fun to see their answers. This is better competition than I think we've had in a while up and down the OL.

This is the way I see it using the 3 level in the article of “Safe”, “On the fence” and “Long Shots”

Safe: Bulaga, Sitton, D-Smith, Lang, Newhouse, Barclay, Bakhtiari, Tretter (on PUP)

On the fence: Sherrod, Van Roten, Datko

Long shots: Taylor, Lewis, Gerhart, Hughes


I’m guessing Tretter will be on the PUP so I’m not counting him in these numbers.

That’s 7 in the safe and I’m guessing they’ll keep 8 or 9.

I believe they want to keep Sherrod but if he doesn’t show that he can stay healthy and some potential then he very well could be gone.

Back-up Center is going to be interesting, I know it’s been said Van Roten played Center in practice a lot last year. MM said Lang could play Center (though he didn’t say how well), and they’ve been trying Barclay at Center but sounds like he’s still having problems with the snaps from time to time. Also Lewis, who has some hype but I think that hype has more to do with his college teammates than him. Based on the scouting reports I’ve read Lewis is a poor run blocker but he’s pretty good at pass blocking but had a very mobile QB to help him out when he needed it.

I keep hearing about Datko at OG. I’ve heard the getting him more versatile line. But that line was also used the year Breno Giacomini got cut. And like Giacomini, I don’t think Datko has the mold of OG. Heck there is an open RT battle and the talk is about Newhouse, Barclay (who’s build like an OG) and Sherrod (who’s not even healthy yet). And a little bit of talk about Bakhtiari. Why isn’t Datko in their group? He’s a healthy OT, but the talk of him is of him at OG? Seems strange to me, so I’m thinking he might be gone like Giacomini (who’s been a good starter with the Seahawks). Though I did hear Datko shoulder and overall strength are a lot higher which is why I kept him in the on the fence group.

For the PS I’m thinking Datko or Taylor for one and , Lewis or Gerhart for the other.

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Where've you heard about Datko playing G?

God that shit is stupid. Always trying mess with their Ts.

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Both articles about him at rookie mini camp this year (where guys from last years PS are also welcomed)

Rookie mini camp article 

And every once in a while an OTA is open to the media and the media tweets about what they see. Where I remember reading message/tweets about

Barclay playing RT, RG and C (though has trouble with the snap every so often and probably not ready to start at Center).

Datko at G ... he could of also been at T at times but I don't remember reading that.

Rookie Bakhtiari has been working as the #2 LT.

The starting OL at OTAs has been Bulaga, Sitton, D-Smith, Lang and Newhouse (and sometimes they report Barclay gets a little bit of work with the 1st string at RT as well)

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Well if nothing else they shouldn't be short on bodies if/when injuries strike. Talent on the other hand remains to be seen.

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The way I see it you have your 4 named starters:
Bulaga, Sitton, Dietrich-Smith, Lang

Then you have 2 tackles they have a lot of $ invested in:
Sherrod, Bakhtiari

Then you get to choose 2 more, assuming they keep 8.
Unless Sherrod or Bakhtiari win the starting RT job, probably Newhouse.

Then pick one more:
Lewis, Van Roten, Taylor, Barclay, Hughes, Gerhart, Datko

I assume Tretter is going on the IR and won't count against the 53. I also guess Sherrod could go on the IR again, freeing up another spot. But I don't think he will get cut... [twocents]