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Noise out of training camp always has to be contextual...imo its really a showcase for the coaches to see how well their schemes are fitting with the player "buy-in". Sean Desai and Karl Scott are having "impact" with the cornerbacks and safeties. Shane Waldron is hoping to incorporate the TE's and RB's with middle of the field transitions.

This opinion lines up with Geno getting the "ones" and Drew the "twos"...Waldron gets to see a fuller use of his playbook with Geno at the helm in camp. Drew is progressing without being force fed the full "install" of our Offensive Coordinator. Comparisons also have to factor in the variety of plays being sent in...are Geno's plays requiring 2 or 3 progression looks? ...and is Drew getting plays that are one read and fire/release? My point is...the pre season games will "separate" the QB play...the camp and practices are for scheme absorption...the pre-season games "test" those same schemes (Offensive/Defensive) and determine team depth prior to roster cut-downs. The real "show" will be how the season unwraps with the competitions decided after the last pre-season game.

Most of the starters are decided so what has been the camp "noise"?...the rookies and FA additions/ trade additions have all flashed...with solid camps from Uchenna/Artie Burns/Josh Jones and our rookies (Coby Bryant/Tariq Woolen/Kenneth Walker...even Boye Mafe/Tyreke Smith/Dareke Young).

But who has been quiet? Our rookie tackles (Cross/Abe Luicas) will get plenty of looks during pre-season. Bo Melton has been "quiet" as well. Has anyone been quieter than our declared "slot corner/nickelback" Justin Coleman?

Pittsburg will offer the first glimpse of delivered expectations this Saturday? Go Hawks

tarlhawk wrote:Noise out of training camp always has to be contextual...imo its really a showcase for the coaches to see how well their schemes are fitting with the player "buy-in". Sean Desai and Karl Scott are having "impact" with the cornerbacks and safeties. Shane Waldron is hoping to incorporate the TE's and RB's with middle of the field transitions.

This opinion lines up with Geno getting the "ones" and Drew the "twos"...Waldron gets to see a fuller use of his playbook with Geno at the helm in camp. Drew is progressing without being force fed the full "install" of our Offensive Coordinator. Comparisons also have to factor in the variety of plays being sent in...are Geno's plays requiring 2 or 3 progression looks? ...and is Drew getting plays that are one read and fire/release? My point is...the pre season games will "separate" the QB play...the camp and practices are for scheme absorption...the pre-season games "test" those same schemes (Offensive/Defensive) and determine team depth prior to roster cut-downs. The real "show" will be how the season unwraps with the competitions decided after the last pre-season game.

Most of the starters are decided so what has been the camp "noise"?...the rookies and FA additions/ trade additions have all flashed...with solid camps from Uchenna/Artie Burns/Josh Jones and our rookies (Coby Bryant/Tariq Woolen/Kenneth Walker...even Boye Mafe/Tyreke Smith/Dareke Young).

But who has been quiet? Our rookie tackles (Cross/Abe Luicas) will get plenty of looks during pre-season. Bo Melton has been "quiet" as well. Has anyone been quieter than our declared "slot corner/nickelback" Justin Coleman?

Pittsburg will offer the first glimpse of delivered expectations this Saturday? Go Hawks

"Quiet" seems to define the work of an offensive lineman, so maybe that's why Lucas and Cross are relatively silent.

I'm hearing more and more that Jake Curhan will win the RT spot as he's getting the most work with the #1 unit, but I'm sure we'll see a lot of both Lucas and Stone F. in the preseason.

Early in TC it’s not uncommon for teams to alternate play between the ones and twos, and sometimes ease the rookies into
the play as they learn what it takes. I heard that in the scrimmage, Lucas got a lot of work with the ones, so I’m not sure
these things mean much until perhaps the 2nd Pre-season game.
As long as they aren’t playing Lucas at G, it should work out OK.

I’ve heard the rumbles about Curhan. It’s funny how fans move off anyone who didn’t excell their first year and seem surprised when their name comes up. Forsythe is also a huge man who is an option who has seen first team reps , a few part season .it’s more proof Pete intends to compete this year . If he didn’t care throw the rook out there to learn .

Hawktawk wrote:I’ve heard the rumbles about Curhan. It’s funny how fans move off anyone who didn’t excell their first year and seem surprised when their name comes up. Forsythe is also a huge man who is an option who has seen first team reps , a few part season .it’s more proof Pete intends to compete this year . If he didn’t care throw the rook out there to learn .

Who was surprised? I wasn't, or won't be. I also didn't 'move off' of Curhan or Stone F.

It was either here or in the other forum I frequent that I said that I would not be surprised or disappointed if Lucas doesn't get the start. A #1 pick like Cross is almost anointed with a starting position, but Lucas is going to have to fight for his. It might even be better for him in the long run if he doesn't get thrown into the fire so quickly. It's a huge jump from college ball to the pros, especially along the LOS. A soft landing might benefit him.

RiverDog wrote:...Lucas is going to have to fight for his. It might even be better for him in the long run if he doesn't get thrown into the fire so quickly. It's a huge jump from college ball to the pros, especially along the LOS. A soft landing might benefit him.

Agreed. I would much rather have Lucas start on the bench. If my memory serves, he might have had one year in a more pro-style system, but otherwise his main experience is in the Air Raid offense. I don't see how he is ready for the NFL, especially run blocking. If he started, I'd be concerned that he'd suck so badly that he'd lose confidence. Give him time to learn so he's ready when the time comes.

In a recent media conference opportunity Shane (Waldron) was asked about concerns starting two rookies at tackle...he simply stated that by the time the season starts the five best players on the O-line will be playing and each position being earned would have his confidence. The team only recently had practices donning upper pads so the "real" competition has only just begun.

The pre-season games will separate the starters in the various positional competitions. The RT position has 3 candidates of varying talent...Jake Curhan has limited experience but is "plus skilled" at run blocking...Forsythe is skilled at pass pro but still a detriment at run blocking...and Abe Lucas has the most "upside" blend of both pass pro and run blocking (unproven at the NFL level)...so let the games begin! Go Hawks

Not sure who believed what but I’ve spent weeks reading doom and gloom predictions for our PFF 100th ranked out of 32 line since we will be starting 2 rooks at tackle . Maybe it’s just the national pundits like those with Geno at 36 and the teams power ranking at 32 . So maybe someone thought it was a cinch we will suck . News flash Pete and John have built a team or 2. Looking forward to Sept 13 observations because ESPN just ranked a Denver line with only one certain starter in their position from last year as #5 run and # 4 pass in the league . Russ better not get hit too much this year now that he doesn’t have the worst line in history for the 20th time in 10 years . GO HAWKS!!!

We are going to have at most 15 games starting experience in total at the two Tackle positions going against perennial Pro Bowl and sometime All Pro DE's.
How could our OL not be at a disadvantage? The players like Mack and the Bosas not to mention Jones have as good or better athleticism than either of our Tackles along with
uncommon quickness, speed, power, and as close to perfect technique that there is in the NFL. Those players do extremely well against other Pro Bowlers and All Pros.
It's simply obvious that our OL will struggle no matter who is starting, but in time they might be able to figure it out if they are given enough patience by the coaching staff.
These young players weren't drafted for this year. They were drafted for the future and this year will be a development year. If they get a chance to play regularly.
Cross will probably get more opportunities than Lucas, but Lucas is probably better prepared as his system ran the ball 44% of the time while Cross ran it 22%.

Pete is planning to compete this year . Our line might struggle or it might not. Excellent skill people which we have take pressure off a line . We will be competetive and move the ball fine.