Many on BBI say the OL will be better because Zeitler is a major upgrade and that the center will be better by playing next to him.
How do we know that Zeitler won't be worse because of who he is playing next to? In CLE, KZ was playing next to JC Tretter,
a top ranked center.
So, was KZ so good because he's good, and Tretter benefitted, or was Tretter so good that he helped KZ?
Probably a bit of both, but if that's the case, will KZ's play go backwards playing next to Pio/Pulley, or will their play be elevated and his continue to be as strong?
Tackles stabized but could use further upgrade
But this is also why they say that an OL is the sum of its parts. An average group with great communication can look top notch and a group with a couple stars can quickly be brought down by a weak link.
Meanwhile, Zeitler is going into his 7th season, only missing one start.
And he wasn't playing next to Tretter in Cincy.
This seems like creating a conundrum out of boredom
And if you buy what PFF is selling, he played next to a couple of lousy Centers there. I think he'll be fine here.
I know he's a great pass blocker, does anyone know how he's rated in the run game?
If you look at the rushing numbers the Giants were night and day better when Brown came on board. I'm not saying it was all him, but when he came along it got much better.
Barkley ended up with gaudy numbers but at mid-season the Giants were an atrocious run team. They had failed to reach 65 yards on the ground in 5/8 games.
Pre-Brown the Giants were averaging 78 yards a game on the ground and post-Brown 128.
I'm sure he is passing on what he learned as a Badger ;)
I know he's a great pass blocker, does anyone know how he's rated in the run game?
This is from PFF:
The NFL's best offensive guard tandems ahead of the 2019 NFL season
Zeitler's ranked 1st in pass-blocking, 10th in run-blocking, 4th overall.
I am not sold on Halapio (sp?) at center.
Add that Remmers and Solder are coming off injury/surgery and I think it's a big question mark.
I am not pessimistic like last year, but am not confident either.
Stop being so negative!
I have to believe they will be much improved. Some problems at first should be expected.
Just needs to not use a terrible example like Tretter. Tretter was pedestrian in GB. Goes to Cleveland and plays well. Zeitler was very good in Cincy. Goes to Cleveland and plays well.
If one person helped the other, it is likely Zeitler helping Tretter. The OP reads as if Zeitler finally played decently and it may have been because of the supporting cast.
Mostly FMiC was right early on - bored and stirring up discussion, hoping to hear thoughts on the impact of playing next to someone who was as effective as Tretter last year.
Tretter isn't garbage, in the link they said it was his fourth straight year with a passing grade above 80 (that's a pretty high grade).
plenty of time to heal ad work on his strength .
I think the line once it jels will be a much better line
and we won't see as much of Barkley getting hit before he takes two steps and Eli will be better protected as well .
I'm optimistic for this o-line, but they need to prove it.