Unacceptable. Eichenberg is constantly grouped in as just another ‘part of the problem’ on the offensive line. A replacement level player that Grier has failed to replace. Wait a minute. This guy was forced to play and learn 3 positions in his rookie year. The coaching staff were asking too much. Why, Because the actual replacement level players were unable to hold their own water at their designated positions. Let’s take a step back and remember that he was impenetrable in college. He didn’t give up a single sack in his last 2 and a half years (33 straight games) in College! Those are Laremy Tunsil type numbers! While it wasn’t the SEC, I think we can agree, Norte Dame has a legit schedule.(and are known to produce stud NFL lineman if nothing else.) His chances to succeed were further hindered by poor play around him. It’s hard to thrive as an individual when the unit and coaching staff around you are a dumpster fire. I know his 1st few games of the year at his natural right tackle spot were not standout performances (before getting bounced around to LG and LT). But let’s not forget Phillips was almost invisible the 1st half of the year, before figuring it out in a big way down the stretch and proving to be a standout rookie. I would argue Eichenberg did improve down the stretch and begin to perform more consistently. I admit He didn’t thrive like Phillips, but he was not a hole like Davis/Jackson/Mancz. But again he was never given the time and patience to develop and grow at one position as a rookie. There is still a lot of promise with Eichenberg. I know it’s frustrating to fans that the Offensive Line has not been addressed as a priority yet and players like Davis and Jackson would still be in the picture if the season started today. I agree we definitely do need one OT and or C. But let’s not throw the baby out with the bath water. Eichenberg is a much better player and has more pedigree as a prospect than those guys. Eichenberg should actually have a future as a long term starter on this team. LE Should be penciled in with Conner Williams and Robert Hunt as day 1 starters on the Offensive Line.
As with every new regime I am going to give the coaching staff a 2 year window and accept that they know better then me. On paper we have a real offensive line coach and a creative head coach that should help them excel. If coach wants to keep ‘em then I’m all in.
I think we had a lot of guys playing out of position because of Jackson’s failure as a LT. The reason Liam slid to the 2nd round is he lacks the athleticism to be a LT. Still hopeful for him at RT and really want us to land a legit LT so we can move him to the right side. Then let Williams and Davis compete for the LG.
I'm willing to see what a change in coaching and scheme does for our line. We still need talent, but I have questions about whether better/different coaching can make them effective, if not good. It's already hard for a rookie OL to play well, but stick him in the middle of a row of turnstiles and it's almost impossible to succeed. I'm cautiously optimistic that Coach is going to apply laser focus on the line.
i dont think he should be cut or anything but he didnt show anything worth being a 2nd round pick we traded up for last season and anyone claiming he did is lying to themselves. He was easily part of the problem last year. Now every year is different so its a clean slate imo but im not going to be told he was good last season.
There were no bright spots on our OL last season. None. Some were darker shades of black than others, but it was nothing short of miraculous that we finished above .500 with them. I won't give any of them a pass.
Overall I agree with your point. The only spot I’d differ is, I’d say the way Hunt played down the stretch was pretty good. I want to say the 2nd half of the season he was #12 G by PFF.
I’m firmly of the belief that coaching was the main issue last year. You don’t get that bad without the captain steering the ship into the rocks. The problem is that we don’t know: - which of the players have the capacity to be NFL starter level and which are busts. You never hit on 100% of your picks so there’s no shame in cutting and moving on from a bad pick. There is shame in not knowing if you made a good pick or a bad pick. - whether the bad habits ingrained by Flores’ coaching staff can be untrained by the new regime. Untraining bad habits is much harder than training good habits. - Whether the new coaching staff will actually fit their scheme to the talent. Every coaching staff says they’ll do it but most end up hammering square pegs into round holes. - Whether the players acquired fit the coaching scheme. With rotating buzz saw of OCs and OL coaches we’ve had it’s hard to argue we even had a coherent scheme for the OL over the last 3 years. I’m in the wait and see camp. I believe proper coaching will take the OL issues out of Great Train Wreck of 1918 territory, but I have no expectations for 2022 beyond clearing up the wreckage and working out what can be salvaged and what needs to be scrapped.
Excellent points, all. McDaniel may believe he has players with unfulfilled potential on the current roster, but without having the option of evaluating them up close, it's hard to have confidence that he'll get more out of them. Then again, he has the benefit of being able to watch thousands of hours of practice and game tape, so maybe he has enough information to make a fair evaluation. I'm sure he's had the chance to scout a lot of our young guys, as well. I'm still hoping we can sign a true anchor at tackle before this free agency period ends. The fact that we could likely have had Collins for a late round pick suggests our interest in him may be limited.
More was asked of him than any other player on the team. I am betting he is gonna be a really, really solid player at RT or RG.
As I recapped in another post, I generally liked what I saw of him as a starting rookie. Part of the blame definitely falls on the team and the coaching for some of his shortcomings last year. Expect a big improvement this coming season- he's a tough dude, the right attitude, and he has the stuff.
I think he can be a very good guard. Not very optimistic about him at tackle though, whether it's the right or the left side. His feet and hips are very lacking for the tackle position.
Well I'm hoping he can be the solution for us at RT. He was a left tackle in college, though I think he is better suited to the right side. As was said he was bounced around quite a bit last season, so maybe if he hits camp with the idea he is on the right he will have enough time to get coached up and practice on that side.
I don't think he'll be dominant at RT this year, but a new scheme, better coaches and better linemen around him all help. It will also help that we'll run the ball extensively to the left side for obvious reasons.