Would we feel better if Neal was good?

completely.

I was so wrong on Neal being a rock solid RT.
Seriously needs to move to OG.

They would be at least 4-6, maybe 5-5. So yeah, I'd feel better.

good

.

It would be less spot to fill.

That's why needs to get healthy and get back on the field ASAP.

possibility that they try him again next year at RT. Hopefully with a new OL coach to help fix him. I'm not predicting he gets the job or anything, but I'd be shocked if he doesn't start camp as RT1

good.

In comment 16288680 sb from NYT Forum said:

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They would be at least 4-6, maybe 5-5. So yeah, I'd feel better.

This is laughably false. He hasn't been the worst player on that line, not by a long shot.

His first three we were ugly, but even then it didn't matter when the Guards were allowing constant inside pressure. And people forget that Andrew Thomas has missed 7 games this year, and for most of that time, the replacement LT was getting worked over badly, while Neal was holding up fairly well (SF game excluded).

Neal will very likely be the RT next year, and that very likely is a good thing. There is a lot of positives to take away from his recent performances since his injury. You guys just only notice the bad reps. And I think he takes the heat too often for the poor OG play.

assuming we have a new OL coach and Neal is healthy for the off-season and camp. He needs the work, and I think we have to see how he performs at tackle with competent coaching. It will only be year 3 and he will have missed about 1/4 of his games leading into it. A guard experiment only comes, IMO, after we've declined his 5th year option and he's in a contract year.

But we need to invest in that 3rd "swing" OT to a degree we have not thus far, preferably a veteran, and that player is not on the roster.

Having two bookend tackles on its own is enough to have a functional offense. Probably still at least have Tyrod or DJ on the field.

Yes.

It's imperative he gets back on the field and puts a few good or average games together, IMV. We need to see some greenshoots of an NFL average lineman.

In comment 16288862 allstarjim said:

Quote:

In comment 16288680 sb from NYT Forum said: Quote: They would be at least 4-6, maybe 5-5. So yeah, I'd feel better. This is laughably false. He hasn't been the worst player on that line, not by a long shot. His first three we were ugly, but even then it didn't matter when the Guards were allowing constant inside pressure. And people forget that Andrew Thomas has missed 7 games this year, and for most of that time, the replacement LT was getting worked over badly, while Neal was holding up fairly well (SF game excluded). Neal will very likely be the RT next year, and that very likely is a good thing. There is a lot of positives to take away from his recent performances since his injury. You guys just only notice the bad reps. And I think he takes the heat too often for the poor OG play.

The inside pressure is what kills a quarterback. Combine that with the blindside pressure is no bueno. Neal hasn't been what we want him to be, but he ain't then worst either.

better hope Neal can become a good guard, because he doesn't have the lateral ability or agility to play tackle in the NFL IMO. If he can't at least be a good guard then he is a bust and the pick was wasted.

In comment 16288904 Blame It On Rio said:

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Having two bookend tackles on its own is enough to have a functional offense. Probably still at least have Tyrod or DJ on the field.

This, the team would be completely different.

we’d be better. A good RT would have changed a lot of things for this team.

with Daboll but I wouldn't believe anything he says about him to us.

He needs to get back healthy. His play at RT for the rest of this is as important a goal as any at this point.

And, I did think he was starting to improve before the ankle injuries. Now, not playing again is a big setback.

Moving him to OG is intriguing. But, I don't know why so many think it is like Madden and not a significant move. It would present a huge unknown at that spot. I'd be just as inclined to get the best RG available to put next to him.

At rt. I think he can still pull it off.

What we really need is a good rg. Having Ron stone in the 90s and snee in the 2000s made a huge difference.

with a much worse 2024 1st round pick, and Hyatt would underthrown and overthrown even more.

:confused:

In comment 16288680 sb from NYT Forum said:

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They would be at least 4-6, maybe 5-5. So yeah, I'd feel better.

You think if Neal was playing at an all pro level they would have two or three more wins. With the rest of the O line they have thrown out there most of he time? Wow.

The expectation of people on this board are ridiculous. Please, point out which games they would have won? Buffalo? If I recall, he played pretty well in that one. Does an all pro Neal make up the 40 point deficit against the Cowboys, the 15 points against the Dolphins (which was much worse than the score indicates), the 18 points against the Niners, the 21 points against Seattle, the 24 points against the Raiders? Please, which games do they win with a pro bowl performance at right tackle.

In comment 16288903 regulator said:

Quote:

assuming we have a new OL coach and Neal is healthy for the off-season and camp. He needs the work, and I think we have to see how he performs at tackle with competent coaching. It will only be year 3 and he will have missed about 1/4 of his games leading into it. A guard experiment only comes, IMO, after we've declined his 5th year option and he's in a contract year. But we need to invest in that 3rd "swing" OT to a degree we have not thus far, preferably a veteran, and that player is not on the roster.

I think it would be irresponsible to put Neal back at RT without seeing any significant improvement this year. It just doesn't look like he has the feet for Tackle in this league. I think he has the potential to be an above average Guard. Great power and good speed. I think we should dedicate whatever chuck of cap space needed to sign a free agent RT and spend a 2nd rounder on a Guard. That could transform the O-Line.

Move Neal inside. See what he does there with a badass tackle next to him.

too soon to pull the plug on a top 10 talent.

2024 is basically make or break for him. Unlike Flowers he actually is a consensus top 10 type talent that for whatever reason it just has not clicked yet. I thought he was playing OK as of the last few games but he can't stay on the field this year.

he still thinks too much about technique. His bigger issue is staying on the field.
That’s killing his growth as much as anything.
He was a top 10 pick for a reason. When those guys don’t pan out, it’s often work ethic, attitude and coach ability. He’s (reportedly) strong in all three.
He needs to stay on the field. As a rookie, he was coming along and then the knee injury. This year, he played on a bad ankle for a number of weeks (that eventually sidelined him. Comes back, has a decent game, hurts the other ankle. There’s still a top player in there (he and the team need to stay with it)

He's got something, maybe its not a T but G, but I think we can work with him

Games are won on the line of scrimmage.
Neal is slow and has poor balance.
Counting on him to be the RT-JS and Daboll might as well count on a lottery ticket to pay for their retirements

Belongs in the Macy’s parade cause he blocks and is batted aside like he is filled with helium. He is another wilting Flowers. Next.

RT doesn't move the needle that much. This team as a whole is putrid. From poor tackling, poor play calling, lack of execution, ungodly ST play, and over all lack of talent, this team needs work. Do people think having Neal play better would have improved this team? I guess yes. But by a very small margin. Neal playing like hot garbage has contributed to this team's overall bad play, but he is just one on the list of culprits. The OL has to play as one unit, not just individual parts. This team is right where it should be, with or without Neal playing well.