I'm trying to think positive about it ... and the only positive I can come up with is ... perhaps Coach Mike is settling on a OL very early ... which I feel would be freaking swell.
Originally Posted by: Zero2Cool
It is kind of funny, but, yeah. Seems like he's looking to change what clearly was not working, and decisively acting to establish his change on our OL, before TC.
That is a positive.
Having had a couple of days to think about it, it does make sense. If Sherrod is indeed able to return, it will be better for him to be at RT in transitioning back into the starting lineup. That is one scenario.
Another scenario involves Bakhtiari eventually starting at RT. Tauscher did it as a 7th Round rookie in 2000. Who knows? Maybe Datko has developed enough to legitimately contend for the starting position.
No matter what, if we are not adding any more personnel but what we've drafted or signed UDFA these past 3 seasons, this shift on the line makes sense. Old guard, proven talent on the Left, new blood on the Right.
A third scenario at RT is that Marshall Newhouse puts it all together and wins the job. That would be fine. Maybe he makes that jump in his level of play year 3.
As for Center, I still think Tretter or Patrick Lewis contend there for the starting spot. Ted knew exactly what he was bringing in with Lewis, a 3-time All Big 12 selection at both G and C. He did make a pre-draft visit to GB.
So, given all of this, the line is changing. GOOD! Something had to give there, and maybe these changes and new players challenging to start will help. Regardless, this line is way better without Jeff Saturday. it is already improved.
One other thing of note: this is where Ted Thompson and Mike McCarthy can really make their draft & develop philosophy shine. I can see it. We've got some good talent that has been with us now on our OL for the last 2 or 3 seasons. Maybe this is the moment when one or two more (besides Bulaga, Sitton and Lang) of those guys breaks through:
2008 Sitton R4
2009 Lang R4
2010 Bulaga R1 and Newhouse R5
2011 Sherrod R1
2012 Datko R7
2013 Bakhtiari R4 and Tretter R4