03-13-2017, 09:06 AM
(03-12-2017, 01:11 PM)fredtoast Wrote: We just have to have faith and trust Paul "The Process" Alexander.
In over 20 years as an O-line coach he has never had a a first or second round draft pick flop. So based in history both Cedric and Jake should develop into at least solid NFL starters.
We should also remember '09 when Paul's O-line featured....A second year undrafted free agent at center with zero NFL starts (Cook)...a second year undrafted free agent at guard with 6 career starts (Livings)... a journeyman OG who had been cut by the Panthers and was on his 3rd team in 3 years (Mathis)...a second year fourth round pick at OT with 6 career starts (Anthony Collins)...and a second year undrafted free agent with one career start at OT (Roland). They also had Bobbie williams and whitworth, but that team was coming off a 4 win season. No one expected them to sweep the division with that pile of scraps making up the O-line. But when you have a guru like Paul Alexander running the O-line anything is possible.
I have stated before that it would be scary if we lost both Whit and Zeitler. I have not changed my mind. But I just have to trust "The Process".
It's crazy how no one want's to actually give Ced or Fisher a chance. It was Cedric's real first action in over a year and a half, yes they put him in some jumbo packages at the end of his rookie year, but that wasn't enough to get a real feel for the game, then he missed all of pre-season with a toe injury, I have faith that he will improve this year, yes he will not be as good as Whit was at least not this season, but he could do well in his own right. With Fisher, he has been used in quite a few roles, I think now that he is getting a real shot to be the full time starter at RT he should improve, and if that's the case then the RT position will be better than it was the last 2 seasons. I also see people wanting to draft a guard high, but remember we grabbed Westerman last year, plus we still have Hopkins who the coaches really like. It's time to see the youngsters get a chance. The only position I'm all for upgrading is C as Bodine has had 3 years to prove he's the guy, he might be better suited moving to a reserve C/G position.
