Welcome Zion Johnson, OG, Boston College (R1, #17)

[Boltjolt]

As much as I like Zion, the pick should have been Penning or Smith (OT's). Smith looks really good for Dallas. Moves extremely well. Another TT miss. Then best guard in RD 3.

OG or not, Zion is a better player than Penning. He didn't miss.

[Air Coryell]

Very surprised and disappointed in Zion's play lately. He played very good early in the year. Miami game was horrible. He did not even slow down the DL across from him on a number of snaps. Not what I would expect from a #1 draft pick. Let's go Zion...Bolt up!!!

[dmac_bolt]

Very surprised and disappointed in Zion's play lately. He played very good early in the year. Miami game was horrible. He did not even slow down the DL across from him on a number of snaps. Not what I would expect from a #1 draft pick. Let's go Zion...Bolt up!!!

He seemed to digress when Clapp and Salyer were introduced. I agree he’s been shaky, could be just rookie sophomore blues as teams identified and coached up their DTs to counter his tendencies he entered the league with. I noticed more than a few plays he just lunge/whiffed as DTs sidestep his obvious over-committed move. he’ll learn, he has the athleticism and intelligence. Lets get him better support left and right and give him a chance.

lets get our own OL Coaching to help the kid learn faster too. I’ve yet to be impressed with how well our OL is coached - I do not like seeing running plays where our RB runs into a confab of one blocker and 3 or 4 defenders. WtF went wrong with that blocking scheme? (thinking of a red one play Sunday in particular). i don’t know enough about the position coach(es?) on the team - any assessments by the TPB gurus?

[richpjr]

He seemed to digress when Clapp and Salyer were introduced. I agree he’s been shaky, could be just rookie sophomore blues as teams identified and coached up their DTs to counter his tendencies he entered the league with. I noticed more than a few plays he just lunge/whiffed as DTs sidestep his obvious over-committed move. he’ll learn, he has the athleticism and intelligence. Lets get him better support left and right and give him a chance.

lets get our own OL Coaching to help the kid learn faster too. I’ve yet to be impressed with how well our OL is coached - I do not like seeing running plays where our RB runs into a confab of one blocker and 3 or 4 defenders. WtF went wrong with that blocking scheme? (thinking of a red one play Sunday in particular). i don’t know enough about the position coach(es?) on the team - any assessments by the TPB gurus?

I think the games he has struggled the most in are the ones where Linsley and Pipkins did not play. Considering the way that Clapp and Sarell have played, I guess I can understand not trusting either guy to communicate or be in the right spot. It has affected him. I think he has too much talent and bounces back but it has been rough lately.

[Heatmiser]

Sarell is a really poor tackle right now. He misses a lot of blocks in the run game and gets run by a lot in pass blocking. That DT the Dolphins have was making everyone, even Linsely, look foolish.

But honestly, the line is relying on so many backups who should not be playing it is absolutely amazing they are doing as well as they are. And whipping boy Lombardi is calling sound game plans to compensate for it.
TG

[gzubeck]

Sarell is a really poor tackle right now. He misses a lot of blocks in the run game and gets run by a lot in pass blocking. That DT the Dolphins have was making everyone, even Linsely, look foolish.

But honestly, the line is relying on so many backups who should not be playing it is absolutely amazing they are doing as well as they are. And whipping boy Lombardi is calling sound game plans to compensate for it.
TG

Even chip blocks by RBs were not doing any good against 94 and Phillips. LOL!

[Riverwalk]

Par for the course. Has Telesco ever spent a high draft pick on an OL that’s lived up to hype besides Slater?

Let’s just be grateful if he doesn’t turn into a complete bust like the vast majority of his OL picks.

And by the way…Slater was a blind squirrel pick because most draft analysts had Chargers picking him.

[CanadianBoltFan]

Par for the course. Has Telesco ever spent a high draft pick on an OL that’s lived up to hype besides Slater?

Let’s just be grateful if he doesn’t turn into a complete bust like the vast majority of his OL picks.

And by the way…Slater was a blind squirrel pick because most draft analysts had Chargers picking him.

Not sure most anaylists expected him to last until 13, but yes definately a Charger if still on the board. And lucky for us he was. I remember how pumped i was when Dallas took Micah Parsons at 12 as they needed o line also. I guess that pick wasnt so bad lol

[Riverwalk]

Not sure most anaylists expected him to last until 13, but yes definately a Charger if still on the board. And lucky for us he was. I remember how pumped i was when Dallas took Micah Parsons at 12 as they needed o line also. I guess that pick wasnt so bad lol

Yup, I give TT no credit for Slater or Herbert who was another pick who fell into our lap. Chargers had to go QB and if Miami chose Herbert, TT would have picked Tua.

Lucky for us Miami took Tua.

I wouldn’t trade Herbie for anyone but the pick of that QB litter could very well be Hurts and he’s my pick for MVP when he wins the SB this year.

[CanadianBoltFan]

Yup, I give TT no credit for Slater or Herbert who was another pick who fell into our lap. Chargers had to go QB and if Miami chose Herbert, TT would have picked Tua.

Lucky for us Miami took Tua.

I wouldn’t trade Herbie for anyone but the pick of that QB litter could very well be Hurts and he’s my pick for MVP when he wins the SB this year.

Hurts is the real deal and he is a worthy MVP this year. Often running QBs have a limited shelf life after a few years of success and dont have the later career success that more traditional pocket passers with big arms do but Hurts could be the exception. He is maturing as a passer.

But I still take our boy. I still think Herbert has massive untapped potential under a top level OC.

[powderblueboy]

Hurts is the real deal and he is a worthy MVP this year. Often running QBs have a limited shelf life after a few years of success and dont have the later career success that more traditional pocket passers with big arms do but Hurts could be the exception. He is maturing as a passer.

But I still take our boy. I still think Herbert has massive untapped potential under a top level OC.

I see only highlights of Hurts sitting in a nice pocket with plenty of time throwing to open receivers.

I was wary of him coming out of Oklahoma because at the first sign of pressure he would always take off.
Now, he just has a boat load of time.

[Xenos]

Par for the course. Has Telesco ever spent a high draft pick on an OL that’s lived up to hype besides Slater?

Let’s just be grateful if he doesn’t turn into a complete bust like the vast majority of his OL picks.

And by the way…Slater was a blind squirrel pick because most draft analysts had Chargers picking him.

Not every rookie is going to be Slater. Zion has also had to deal with a rotating center and RT next to him.