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(04-28-2021 03:43 PM)BearcatMan Wrote:  Also, just to note...one of those guards that you mentioned (Dylan O'Quinn) as a great improvement was bumped to tackle, and is being replaced by a walking holding call (Jeremy Cooper), so I can't guarantee the interior of the line will be as great as they were previously on top of the tackles being a problem. Truthfully, Des is far better against an edge rush than a gut rush, so I hope Cooper can fill in well.

Yeah, I forgot about O'Quinn but I believe Fick and the staff felt there is more depth at the guard position in terms of trying to shore up the interior protection/run blocking. I may be wrong but I remember plays that got blown up by defenders crashing through or pushing back our interior guys into Rid/Doaks before the changes were made at center and guard. If Rid hangs on to the ball too long then the edge rush is an issue. When guys come through your interior that's a direct line to your QB or RB.

(04-28-2021 03:55 PM)bearcatmark Wrote:  Didn't say what I anticipated. Just said it's the biggest area of concern. It's the biggest unknown. The truth is we don't know what we're going to get there. We had great starters last year, but our depth at the position that was ready to play was nonexistent. Are they ready now? We'll see.

My bad if I misunderstood your point. I still stand that I don't think the OLine will prove to be an issue one way or the other. Ridder making more consistent, accurate throws and better reads/decision making is what will take this team over the top. It's why he's worked so hard on mechanics, the x's and o's, footwork, etc., over the offseason.