Thayer is a guy I love to hear talk about OL. I also LOVED watching him block for Walter Payton (he was a RG on the '85 Bears team). Anyway, he knows OL.
And Olin Kreutz has some great insights too. riczaj01 he makes some points that you have made here. When asked "How do you fix the OL?" he says you have to invest real assets in the unit (beyond Wright). It's not rocket science. You get what you pay for, right?
But on the positive side he points out ways the OL can improve this season. But Shane Waldron needs to do these things.
EDIT: I also loved his positive comments on Caleb Williams. Basically he said that this is what it looks like for rookie QB's coming into the league if they start right away. He said the C.J. Stroud thing is not how it historically happens with these rookies. It is going to be tough sledding for Caleb and he needs to power through and persevere. It's going to be tough this year. But he can persevere and also be a great leader for the team - with how he carries himself during the adversity.
Think it was Silvy that after Thayer looked up the Det, GB and Minny OL's. they've invested in multiple 1st-3rd rd picks on their OL, like the entire f'n line is either that or FA's from other divs w/very few exceptions. Like 1 or 2 late rd picks, not an OL built on "i'm the smartest guy and can find OL talent in 3rd-UDFA like Poles seems to want to try.
That's how you build the OL. Early picks often; actual guys w/actual shots of being + players. Not lottery picks you're hoping to hit big and retire on.
