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Searels continues to mix-and-match

Darling, Gauthier, and Donaldson will be a formidable interior O-line lineup IMO. Tackle, on the other hand, is concerning.
 
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grover said:
When will you guys give McDermott and Linder a break? One was recovering from a major injury and still not 100%, the other was playing injured. McDermott was a top 5 OT coming out of high school, and has been a starter since his freshman year. I have no doubt he'll take a starting spot somewhere on the line, hopefully at LT or RT.

Linder's not as gifted, was considered a glue guy when recruited. But he ended up playing way beyond what anyone imagined, also starting as a freshman. Gauthier may surpass him at Center. But he's had very good snaps and games in the past, and if healthy will contribute and play a critical role on this team.
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Again, McDermott has no business playing guard on a team with championship aspirations. He is a liability. He belongs at tackle and probably as a backup.
 
dycane said:
grover said:
When will you guys give McDermott and Linder a break? One was recovering from a major injury and still not 100%, the other was playing injured. McDermott was a top 5 OT coming out of high school, and has been a starter since his freshman year. I have no doubt he'll take a starting spot somewhere on the line, hopefully at LT or RT.

Linder's not as gifted, was considered a glue guy when recruited. But he ended up playing way beyond what anyone imagined, also starting as a freshman. Gauthier may surpass him at Center. But he's had very good snaps and games in the past, and if healthy will contribute and play a critical role on this team.
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Again, McDermott has no business playing guard on a team with championship aspirations. He is a liability. He belongs at tackle and probably as a backup.
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I said this a few days ago and got crushed for it. They all assured me Linder was the sole reason our Oline sucked the first half of last year.
 
Ethnicsands said:
Hard to see mcdermott at LT with a brand new QB. Sounds like a recipe for a mess.
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Not sure about that. Our new QB, regardless of who's chosen, will be asked to execute quicker drops, make less decisions and potentially even run. Think you'll see an offense closer to what we saw at the end of the year. Kaaya couldn't evade any pressure and Mcdermott was playing LT. From memory, I think he only faced one future NFLer over the time period, but he held up enough.

Think Donaldson should start out at RG. It makes the interior really strong and I think St. Louis is an adequate RT already. Basically, we're at the same spot: we need a serviceable LT. Expect someone like Jovani Haskins (hope he sticks around) to help that position in big games much like Martellus Bennett helped New England's LT in the second half of the super bowl. Chip, chip, chip.
 
LuCane said:
Ethnicsands said:
Hard to see mcdermott at LT with a brand new QB. Sounds like a recipe for a mess.
Click to expand...
Not sure about that. Our new QB, regardless of who's chosen, will be asked to execute quicker drops, make less decisions and potentially even run. Think you'll see an offense closer to what we saw at the end of the year. Kaaya couldn't evade any pressure and Mcdermott was playing LT. From memory, I think he only faced one future NFLer over the time period, but he held up enough.

Think Donaldson should start out at RG. It makes the interior really strong and I think St. Louis is an adequate RT already. Basically, we're at the same spot: we need a serviceable LT. Expect someone like Jovani Haskins (hope he sticks around) to help that position in big games much like Martellus Bennett helped New England's LT in the second half of the super bowl. Chip, chip, chip.
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And that's a big chip on the shoulder.....pun intended :)
 
grover said:
When will you guys give McDermott and Linder a break? One was recovering from a major injury and still not 100%, the other was playing injured. McDermott was a top 5 OT coming out of high school, and has been a starter since his freshman year. I have no doubt he'll take a starting spot somewhere on the line, hopefully at LT or RT.

Linder's not as gifted, was considered a glue guy when recruited. But he ended up playing way beyond what anyone imagined, also starting as a freshman. Gauthier may surpass him at Center. But he's had very good snaps and games in the past, and if healthy will contribute and play a critical role on this team.
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Linder played horrible man. McDermott showed promise at times
 
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McDoormat fits best standing on the sideline next to Testaverde. If he's top 5 on our team, then we're in freakin trouble or maybe Hillbert steps in and steps up. Im beginning to wonder about coach searles evaluations and developmental skills. The line didnt improve at the end of the season as some would so think, the competition was tremendously weaker. Stop being naive by stating kc improved his play towards the end when he still got pushed around or held someone in every game. Maybe we move in another direction if the kid doesnt have what it takes at this level. You can lean on ppl and overpower them in hs and seem like you're a cant miss prospect. Then you step on campus and get punked for 3 yrs.
 
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404CANES said:
McDoormat fits best standing on the sideline next to Testaverde. If he's top 5 on our team, then we're in freakin trouble or maybe Hillbert steps in and steps up. Im beginning to wonder about coach searles evaluations and developmental skills. The line didnt improve at the end of the season as some would so think, the competition was tremendously weaker. Stop being naive by stating kc improved his play towards the end when he still got pushed around or held someone in every game. Maybe we move in another direction if the kid doesnt have what it takes at this level. You can lean on ppl and overpower them in hs and seem like you're a cant miss prospect. Then you step on campus and get punked for 3 yrs.
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Ncstate and Pitt had one of the better dline in the country and they handled them pretty well actually
 
LuCane said:
Ethnicsands said:
Hard to see mcdermott at LT with a brand new QB. Sounds like a recipe for a mess.
Click to expand...
Not sure about that. Our new QB, regardless of who's chosen, will be asked to execute quicker drops, make less decisions and potentially even run. Think you'll see an offense closer to what we saw at the end of the year. Kaaya couldn't evade any pressure and Mcdermott was playing LT. From memory, I think he only faced one future NFLer over the time period, but he held up enough.

Think Donaldson should start out at RG. It makes the interior really strong and I think St. Louis is an adequate RT already. Basically, we're at the same spot: we need a serviceable LT. Expect someone like Jovani Haskins (hope he sticks around) to help that position in big games much like Martellus Bennett helped New England's LT in the second half of the super bowl. Chip, chip, chip.
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Asked to and does are different when you have a first year kid. Some of it depends on where richt comes out at qb. But decision making can get snafu'd. A weak LT is a risk, IMO. But there's a weak link somewhere in any case. Just hope it doesn't lead to a first year qb getting mauled from behind.
 
404CANES said:
McDoormat fits best standing on the sideline next to Testaverde. If he's top 5 on our team, then we're in freakin trouble or maybe Hillbert steps in and steps up. Im beginning to wonder about coach searles evaluations and developmental skills. The line didnt improve at the end of the season as some would so think, the competition was tremendously weaker. Stop being naive by stating kc improved his play towards the end when he still got pushed around or held someone in every game. Maybe we move in another direction if the kid doesnt have what it takes at this level. You can lean on ppl and overpower them in hs and seem like you're a cant miss prospect. Then you step on campus and get punked for 3 yrs.
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I think we have some serious issues on the line. But I have to disagree on Searles. The jury is still out on the evaluation side. Dude has one true recruiting class under his belt. In terms of development, it's hard to tell because people overestimate the ceiling of guys like McDermott -- who, because of numbers, was forced to play somewhere. I thought the interior line play improved as the season progressed, although it's hard not to considering how atrocious the play was at the beginning of the year. My biggest concern is the left side. As ESF pointed out, bad combo to have a newbie behind center with porous blind side. Last thing we need is a green quarterback getting *** raped in Tallahassee the way Wright was in 2005 -- I honestly believe that beating ****ed Wright's head up for the rest of his career.
 
McDermott can play anywhere if it means Linder won't see the field. I'll take that deal everyday of the week.
 
Linder was better at guard than center. McDermott I still don't think we know his ceiling given the timing of his injury a couple years ago.
 
It's obvious that the best 5 are Darling, McDermott, St. Louis, Gauthier, Donaldson.
 
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ben said:
Linder was better at guard than center. McDermott I still don't think we know his ceiling given the timing of his injury a couple years ago.
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I wonder if it is really that Linder is better suited for guard or if it has more to do with him playing better before his shoulders were shredded. I'm pretty sure he's been dealing with bum shoulders for the past couple years now, which results in him not being able to get any push.

Regardless, I hope to see him as bench depth and not starting. If he can get healthy and prove to be quality interior depth, then that's great.
 
I just dont want to see guys starting or getting a lot of playing time based on seniority or hs status. Some seem to think that you all of a sudden get it after horrific play the previous years. Kc looks like Tarzan plays like Jane. I have seen this with my own eyes over and over again. You cant sell me on injuries or playing out of position as an excuse. I dont care to hear about him reaching his upside if hes not progressing. And dont be fooled as the te(Herndon) stayed in to block or chip the dl to protect against getting abused in the trenches. It is dangerously important to find a competent front 5 to support a new qb.
 
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