McKinnie back at LT

[jonboy79]

That all might be true, but he's impressed in TC playing at right tackle, not guard. There is no actual evidence on film to suggest KO performs at a high level at the guard position; there's more evidence that he performs well at the tackle position. Filmstudy went so far as to say he doesn't see why Osemele was projected as a "guard only" in the NFL based on his performance against Atlanta. When I watched him play, I saw a tackle playing tackle, not a guard playing tackle. That doesn't mean he won't play guard well, but why not just let him play tackle?

This team needs to put its best 5 offensive linemen on the field, and that means the best 5 this year and the best 5 long-term. The foundation of a good OL is unit cohesion; I have no interest in seeing one guy start half the season and another come in and relieve him. Why bother? We need to sort this out NOW, not later.

We know Oher, Yanda, and Birk are locked into starting spots. To me, the only question is McKinnie and KO. If this team believes McKinnie will play LT at a higher level than anyone else, then Oher plays RT and KO and Williams battle it out for LG. However, that's not optimal long-term--McKinnie is not a guy who will be on this team next year and it forces KO to learn a new position when he already looks capable at tackle, a more important position in any event. I think this team needs to figure out if they have a franchise LT on the roster.

The best long-term solution is a line with Oher and Osemele as bookend tackles. At that point, you'd need to find the best LG on the roster, whether that be Williams or someone else, and that position would need to be filled long-term by someone else. That solution would also require Oher to have improved significantly at LT, which by all accounts he has.

I think next year is Oher's last in purple, so I'm not sure how much more "long term' that is. I'd rather play the better guy while we have him. Our future Lt is in college now.

[leachisabeast]

Yes, Tackles can transition well to Guard, but at this point, KO has seen very little time there. I'm not in any way saying that he won't be a great Guard long term, but at this point, I'm hard pressed to say that he's better than Williams now at Guard when there's very little evidence to support that.

Williams was signed during OTAs and immediately made the starter. KO was a little banged up at that point, but something made the FO believe they needed to bring in a veteran and give him that kid of contract at a time when they had precious little Cap space.

Now, since then, KO has impressed playing RT, no doubt, but because of the McKinnie issue, he hasn't seen a lot of time at Guard and until he does, I expect that Williams will continue - and should continue - to start .

I agree with everything you said. I was just saying that I think KO is going to transition well into a guard, and that the jury is still out on whether or not Bobbie is going to survive the full season.

[Raveninwoodlawn]

Yes, Tackles can transition well to Guard, but at this point, KO has seen very little time there. I'm not in any way saying that he won't be a great Guard long term, but at this point, I'm hard pressed to say that he's better than Williams now at Guard when there's very little evidence to support that.

Williams was signed during OTAs and immediately made the starter. KO was a little banged up at that point, but something made the FO believe they needed to bring in a veteran and give him that kid of contract at a time when they had precious little Cap space.

Now, since then, KO has impressed playing RT, no doubt, but because of the McKinnie issue, he hasn't seen a lot of time at Guard and until he does, I expect that Williams will continue - and should continue - to start .

Stop. You are making too much logical sense.

[jonboy79]

I agree with everything you said. I was just saying that I think KO is going to transition well into a guard, and that the jury is still out on whether or not Bobbie is going to survive the full season.

I don't think the cahnce Bobbie may not finish the year plays any part in who starts the season. Even if he, for example, only lasts 5 or 6 games, that's 6 or 7 weeks longer KO has to get ready and acclimated to play. Even if KO is outperforming Williams physically, I think that BW vet status and likelyhood to be on the "right" and same mental page as the rest of the line will trump that, IMO.
I think it's quite possible someone else (KO or other) ends up at LG, but I think the chance anyone else starts week 1 over a healthyish BW is low.

[srobert96]

Yes, Tackles can transition well to Guard, but at this point, KO has seen very little time there. I'm not in any way saying that he won't be a great Guard long term, but at this point, I'm hard pressed to say that he's better than Williams now at Guard when there's very little evidence to support that.

Williams was signed during OTAs and immediately made the starter. KO was a little banged up at that point, but something made the FO believe they needed to bring in a veteran and give him that kid of contract at a time when they had precious little Cap space.

Now, since then, KO has impressed playing RT, no doubt, but because of the McKinnie issue, he hasn't seen a lot of time at Guard and until he does, I expect that Williams will continue - and should continue - to start .

I equate Bobbie Williams to the Andre Gurode signing last year. The team was hoping KO would step in and claim the LG spot. With Bobbie Williams as a safety net. KO has not been able to play LG because of the McKinnie situation. If over the next three weeks KO excels he may very well end up starting at LG. I don't think either player can lay claim to the spot. Williams is coming off of a broken ankle and was nothing special in first preseason game. It will be interesting to see if Williams actually plays Friday night or if KO gets the start. Think this one is a long way from being over.