I saw Jeremy post that. Huge if he plays. Our OL vs. their interior run game is my biggest concern outside of simply Stanford and McVay.
I’m really excited to see onwuzurike play. That they held him out of game action the entire preseason tells me he must really be balling out against our line. If he was just beating our backups I feel like he would have seen at least some game action.
I wouldn’t rush him…but even Reader playing 25 important snaps would be huge
happy asf that Reader is back.
Same here. I’m worried about 4th quarter in a close game and our DT’s start to get tired.
Without Reader we’d be looking at only 3 DT’s dressed. Alim, Wingo, Levi
If you move Paschal into the rotation you are left with only 3 DE’s, Aiden, Houston, Davenport. That means you have to move one of the LB’s to DE.
I’m think the uncertainty of how much, if any, Reader can reasonably contribute in the first game is why one roster spot is still open. If Reader can contribute 25 snaps at NT and Levi, Paschal and Wingo can man 3Tech, that spot might go to Tim Patrick if he quickly clicks with Goff.
I think it’s more than gamesmanship by Brad and Dan.
If Reader doesn’t play….
I would guess Peko dresses for the game.
They can also elevate Pekos for the game. Which is my guess if Reader isn’t ready.
The coach in me says let Reader get 5 snaps in the first half to get his feet wet. Then have the youngsters exhaust the Rams Oline…then come late 3rd quarter and 4th a beast named Reader who is fresh appears to ■■■■ everything up they thought was working 
Id be very surprised if he doesnt play game 1
he will be with his brother 'de gallo"
I’m expecting Reader to play on a limited snap count.
Absolutely! Since they sat all their on paper starters all preseason, we don’t really know what the plan is regarding Levi/Alim/Reader. I know the assumption is Alim the 3t next to Reader and if we get any sub package help from Levi, that’s gravy. But we can’t forget that BH drafted Levi to be a 3t ahead of Alim who was going to be the NT. Now, finally Levi is showing out. I think they are going to want that upfield pocket destroyer more often with the shift to more blitz and man coverage. Until Alim proves it when both are healthy. My money is on Levi to be better at doing that. Not a knock on Alim certainly.
Are they going maybe going to limit Reader’s snaps, and go more with the original vision of Levi/Alim and Reader gets the sub package treatment? Those snap counts once everyone gets healthy are going to be interesting. Good problem to have.
If Reader even plays I’m guessing it’s very limited snaps. If Peko gets pulled up to the active roster I think we will know a lot of what’s going on.
Weren’t they trying Levi at DE during practices with some success?
that would be crazy cool - big, strong, powerful lineup
If Levi has developed into the player we all hoped he would be that’s going to completely change the defense. Getting an interior rush from two will wreck any offense. Even mahomes is mortal with a good enough pass rush.
Yep, they were moving him between 3 and 5 technique. I think as a way to get him on the field with Alim and Reader. Hutch/Alim/Reader/Levi is pretty stout with guys like Campbell and Barnes behind them. Good luck running against that inside.