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Tackle depth...some interesting questions are brewing

j_rud : 9/18/2023 8:00 am
This is not a call for people to be moved or declaring anyone a bust. Just simply some observations and the questions those observations pose.

Josh Ezeudu played pretty well yesterday. While Neal improved from Wk1 he had more help and he also had 2 absolutely crushing penalties, one that called back a TD and another that very well may have. Ezeudu was left by himself more often and he looked surprisingly comfortable in his pass sets for a career (mostly) G. There were no glaring issues or blown plays.

So here's the question: if all these variables remain consistent Thursday (Neal below average, Ezeudu acquits himself well) and Thomas is set to return Wk4...who is your RT? Maybe too early, but he's been every bit as bad as some recent guys we've had here. We've all also seen the result of forcing something that isn't working. It's not an easy call. Ultimately it comes down to what you think about Neal. Yesterday was better but he's still leaning/playing top heavy and I just don't know if he's athletic enough at his height to correct it.

Thoughts?
It won’t happen this year, but I’d be very interested to see a line of  
Spider56 : 9/18/2023 8:04 am : link
Thomas / Neal / Schmitz / McKethan / Ezeudu.
Big credit to Ezeudu in that game for stepping up.  
ThomasG : 9/18/2023 8:07 am : link
Neal still showed his issues. Marginally better.
The unknown is  
mittenedman : 9/18/2023 8:10 am : link
how good of a G he is. (I happen to think he would be an outstanding G because he wouldn’t have to worry about space.)

I posed this question in the off-season: would you rather have a “decent”
RT or a great G?

If he’s a great G, just put him at G and be done with it. The key is getting + play from him.
Evan Neal is a real good run blocker  
M.S. : 9/18/2023 8:33 am : link

And he pass blocks well in confined areas.

He had an “OK” game yesterday (and lots of help from Bellinger) but I also counted at least two times he badly fell off his man.

You won’t see it this season, but I believe his future is at OG. Given how high he was selected, he is a major disappointment at tackle.
Not happening imo.  
robbieballs2003 : 9/18/2023 8:43 am : link
Ezeudu, I think, has played exclusively on the left side. Just saying he played good at LT doesn't mean it will be the same results at RT. If they stuck with Neal at RT all year then they will again this year.
RE: It won’t happen this year, but I’d be very interested to see a line of  
Blue1956 : 9/18/2023 8:59 am : link
In comment 16211031 Spider56 said:
Quote:
Thomas / Neal / Schmitz / McKethan / Ezeudu.
When Thomas is back Ezeudu at left guard & Mckethan stays at RG … Neal will remain & continue to grow at RT …
RE: RE: It won’t happen this year, but I’d be very interested to see a line of  
M.S. : 9/18/2023 9:07 am : link
In comment 16211120 Blue1956 said:
Quote:
In comment 16211031 Spider56 said:


Quote:


Thomas / Neal / Schmitz / McKethan / Ezeudu.

When Thomas is back Ezeudu at left guard & Mckethan stays at RG … Neal will remain & continue to grow at RT …

Would love to see Evan Neal grow into the RT position, but IMO his lack of balance and lack of agility will prevent that from happening. I believe he will be a future NFL guard with the Giants or some other team.
With Bredeson  
JoeyBigBlue : 9/18/2023 9:17 am : link
Im expecting

Thomas/Ezeudu/Schmitz/McKethan/Neal

This should be our line going forward. All young guys that can gel and be here for the foreseeable future.
RE: With Bredeson  
ryanmkeane : 9/18/2023 9:35 am : link
In comment 16211147 JoeyBigBlue said:
Quote:
Im expecting

Thomas/Ezeudu/Schmitz/McKethan/Neal

This should be our line going forward. All young guys that can gel and be here for the foreseeable future.

Agree
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