Who knows? Not me. New season, new players - a lot of new players, and all we've seen is the preseason vanilla stuff. How will these guys all work togther? Throw in new guys in the last day and that's even less practice for them to acclimate. What will Loggains game plan look like? Can he adjust on the fly? What about the injuries - how bad are they and will guys even play? Way too any questions without answers yet.
I just want to see them put out good effort and look like a pro team at this point.
Anything or anyone you're particularly intrigued by in this game? I'm very interested to see how those two new ILBs we have can handle the dual responsibility of middle field coverage and run defense.
Kyle Long was full go in practice today (at least the portion open to the media). In his post practice press conference, Fox said something to the effect of Cody Whitehair's best position is center... It's hard to rationalize putting him in at center week one against the Texans and their behemoth of a space cork Wilfork and I won't believe it until I see it BUT Kyle Long's RT start week 1 last year makes me question Fox's sanity and if he's insane he just might start Whitehair there week 1. Talk about trial by fire.
+1 I would expect the OL to have a rough first outing in this game. I hope people don't panic if it is a brutal day for them. I do like Whitehair but if he's our starting center he will get eaten alive. That doesn't mean the kid can't be a solid OL for us. It just means (like you say) he's getting a trial by fire.
Could be a tough day for Cutler. Wilfork has met Jay before... doesn't Cutler look like a dead insect in this pic?
It sounds like he's gonna play but I'm skeptical he will be full go. He's only 6 weeks out from back surgery. I think they will work him back in carefully. 6 weeks is awfully quick.
Kyle Long was full go in practice today (at least the portion open to the media). In his post practice press conference, Fox said something to the effect of Cody Whitehair's best position is center... It's hard to rationalize putting him in at center week one against the Texans and their behemoth of a space cork Wilfork and I won't believe it until I see it BUT Kyle Long's RT start week 1 last year makes me question Fox's sanity and if he's insane he just might start Whitehair there week 1. Talk about trial by fire.
+1 I would expect the OL to have a rough first outing in this game. I hope people don't panic if it is a brutal day for them. I do like Whitehair but if he's our starting center he will get eaten alive. That doesn't mean the kid can't be a solid OL for us. It just means (like you say) he's getting a trial by fire.
Could be a tough day for Cutler. Wilfork has met Jay before... doesn't Cutler look like a dead insect in this pic?
I think this is why you start Larsen. Protecting Cutler is key to a successful season. Part of that is on Cutler. He needs to A) get rid of the ball swiftly B) feel the pocket and escape when pressure's coming C) throw the ball away D) get down and protect himself if a sack is inevitable (protecting the ball in the mean time). Part of that is on the O-line (giving him time, getting penalized to protect, etc).
BUT A BIG PART is the coaching staff. While the desire to play Whitehair at center might be tempting because you want to get him experience, be careful of the side effects. If your desire to get a rookie experience jeopardizes your QBs health, you don't do it if you have better options.
IMO Larsen is the best option week 1 at center. He provides the best blend of protection and experience.
BUT A BIG PART is the coaching staff. While the desire to play Whitehair at center might be tempting because you want to get him experience, be careful of the side effects. If your desire to get a rookie experience jeopardizes your QBs health, you don't do it if you have better options.
IMO Larsen is the best option week 1 at center. He provides the best blend of protection and experience.
I agree with your entire post, but I especially agree with this part ^^^^^
And I'm not so sure it's good experience to put a rookie in over his head if it is not necessary. I think the negatives are not only to the team but possibly not good for the player himself. Confidence is part of being a solid player. Just going out and getting your butt kicked (and getting embarrassed in front of your teammates) may not be the best thing here, when we do have other options.
BUT A BIG PART is the coaching staff. While the desire to play Whitehair at center might be tempting because you want to get him experience, be careful of the side effects. If your desire to get a rookie experience jeopardizes your QBs health, you don't do it if you have better options.
IMO Larsen is the best option week 1 at center. He provides the best blend of protection and experience.
I agree with your entire post, but I especially agree with this part ^^^^^
And I'm not so sure it's good experience to put a rookie in over his head if it is not necessary. I think the negatives are not only to the team but possibly not good for the player himself. Confidence is part of being a solid player. Just going out and getting your butt kicked (and getting embarrassed in front of your teammates) may not be the best thing here, when we do have other options.
No, please no Whitehair, there are numerous reasons why he shouldnt start at C. Besides, that one time he played at C in PS was horrible
I agree with your entire post, but I especially agree with this part ^^^^^
And I'm not so sure it's good experience to put a rookie in over his head if it is not necessary. I think the negatives are not only to the team but possibly not good for the player himself. Confidence is part of being a solid player. Just going out and getting your butt kicked (and getting embarrassed in front of your teammates) may not be the best thing here, when we do have other options.
No, please no Whitehair, there are numerous reasons why he shouldnt start at C. Besides, that one time he played at C in PS was horrible
He may end up being a good center at some point. But I would not put him in that role now. I really didn't worry too much about his struggling in that pre-season game 2 at center. I just wrote that off as a rookie trying to learn his LG position, getting some extra snaps at C too. It's understandable that he's a green as a gourd rookie at his primary position. I just wasn't too worried about him struggling.
But a regular season game up against Vince Wilfork may be a disaster. A year from now, maybe not so much. But right now, it's asking a lot of a youngster new to the NFL... and playing a new position too.
No, please no Whitehair, there are numerous reasons why he shouldnt start at C. Besides, that one time he played at C in PS was horrible
He may end up being a good center at some point. But I would not put him in that role now. I really didn't worry too much about his struggling in that pre-season game 2 at center. I just wrote that off as a rookie trying to learn his LG position, getting some extra snaps at C too. It's understandable that he's a green as a gourd rookie at his primary position. I just wasn't too worried about him struggling.
But a regular season game up against Vince Wilfork may be a disaster. A year from now, maybe not so much. But right now, it's asking a lot of a youngster new to the NFL... and playing a new position too.
It's not about Whitehair, it's about what's best for the team AND for the health of Jay Cutler. The Texans can generate enough pressure without having a rookie who's taken 1 qtr of PS snaps at center starting. Save for later. Keep Jay healthy. No one wants Hoyer in the game (except the Texans).
It sounds like he's gonna play but I'm skeptical he will be full go. He's only 6 weeks out from back surgery. I think they will work him back in carefully. 6 weeks is awfully quick.
He may end up being a good center at some point. But I would not put him in that role now. I really didn't worry too much about his struggling in that pre-season game 2 at center. I just wrote that off as a rookie trying to learn his LG position, getting some extra snaps at C too. It's understandable that he's a green as a gourd rookie at his primary position. I just wasn't too worried about him struggling.
But a regular season game up against Vince Wilfork may be a disaster. A year from now, maybe not so much. But right now, it's asking a lot of a youngster new to the NFL... and playing a new position too.
It's not about Whitehair, it's about what's best for the team AND for the health of Jay Cutler. The Texans can generate enough pressure without having a rookie who's taken 1 qtr of PS snaps at center starting. Save for later. Keep Jay healthy. No one wants Hoyer in the game (except the Texans).
It's not about Whitehair, but it may benefit him also, if they don't start him at center this first game.
