Has anyone ever systematically studied the tradeoff between continuity and freshness on the O-line? The current wisdom is that freshness trumps continuity on the D-line. Are we absolutely certain that the same is not true on the other side? This all affects the significance of calling someone a "starter." How many oldsters remember a different Seattle sports team for which Downtown Freddie Brown -- a certified all-star -- was not a "starter"? Could we be heading for a world in which O-line players are rotational?
May 25, 2023·edited May 25, 2023Liked by Seaside Joe
I said it in another post this week - the competition for the IOL spots is real, is serious, and is only beneficial to the 'Hawks. Bradford has the raw strength to turn heads in camp, and this will push Brown/Haynes/Lewis to step up their game and show their skills. Same with Oluwatimi, his fight and personality will force Brown to come in and battle immediately.
None of those IOL positions is set or a given. It will have to be earned, battled, ripped from the hands of your teammates. And even then, depth and competition forces these players to keep up that effort and production into the season. Whilst also giving outstanding injury coverage. No NFL team has started the same 5 guys on the OL for a full season. So even if Bradford doesn't make Wk 1 starter, he will still get on-field snaps, possible a lot. Any DT facing down a fresh Anthony in the 4th Qtr of a close game will know they are up against it...
I'm very much in on the "team" element this season. We have some really intriguing depth at a number of important positions (regardless of what some twitterati or media might suggest about DT, RB, TE, OL, S) and that depth should propel us to a strong year and being a team no-one wants to face in January.
Wedderburn will know, since he is clearly able to time-travel 2000-2021-2002 :D.
Bradford may not start, but one of either Olu or Bradford will earn some starting time in 2023 when injuries inevitably take a toll. Quality depth along the OL is something we haven't had in a long time.
Has anyone ever systematically studied the tradeoff between continuity and freshness on the O-line? The current wisdom is that freshness trumps continuity on the D-line. Are we absolutely certain that the same is not true on the other side? This all affects the significance of calling someone a "starter." How many oldsters remember a different Seattle sports team for which Downtown Freddie Brown -- a certified all-star -- was not a "starter"? Could we be heading for a world in which O-line players are rotational?
I said it in another post this week - the competition for the IOL spots is real, is serious, and is only beneficial to the 'Hawks. Bradford has the raw strength to turn heads in camp, and this will push Brown/Haynes/Lewis to step up their game and show their skills. Same with Oluwatimi, his fight and personality will force Brown to come in and battle immediately.
None of those IOL positions is set or a given. It will have to be earned, battled, ripped from the hands of your teammates. And even then, depth and competition forces these players to keep up that effort and production into the season. Whilst also giving outstanding injury coverage. No NFL team has started the same 5 guys on the OL for a full season. So even if Bradford doesn't make Wk 1 starter, he will still get on-field snaps, possible a lot. Any DT facing down a fresh Anthony in the 4th Qtr of a close game will know they are up against it...
I'm very much in on the "team" element this season. We have some really intriguing depth at a number of important positions (regardless of what some twitterati or media might suggest about DT, RB, TE, OL, S) and that depth should propel us to a strong year and being a team no-one wants to face in January.
It strikes me that “you can always draft a <blank> on Day 3” isn’t much of an argument.
Wedderburn will know, since he is clearly able to time-travel 2000-2021-2002 :D.
Bradford may not start, but one of either Olu or Bradford will earn some starting time in 2023 when injuries inevitably take a toll. Quality depth along the OL is something we haven't had in a long time.