I think we will have more/better depth, but not be as good as we were with our starting 5.
I would like to hear what you guys are thinking. I’ve got some extensive feedback on Manu. I think there’s a “better than not” chance he’s improving, even though there seem to be mixed reviews internally.
Mahogany will most likely be a B+ Starter
Sewell - GOAT
T-Deck will be himself (B+/A- starter)
…outside of that, there are a ton of variables.
Skip likely makes It, and is who he is - decent backup
Ratledge → my biggest hope for an X-factor. If he can start anywhere, that’s AMAZING…especially at G.
Sorta feels like GG will get that, unless someone unseats him though.
Frazier?
Can others prove themselves worthy?
Sordsal?
Fraley is brilliant. I’m not 100% certain as to what to expect.
I’m guessing somewhere between top 10 as a floor, with top 3 being possible. Zeitler and Rags are both huge losses. Strategy, leadership, professionalism, the brotherhood, etc…all areas take a hit (except for youth and cap).
I think TEs, WRs, RBs will all have expanded roles to assist in compensating.
I would like to know what you guys think and/or predict?
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I think we pretty much need him starting either at center or right guard! 2nd rounder for an interior guy is a pretty high pick. We traded up to get him too.
Don’t forget we signed Trystan Colon too. Who has started at center and at guard. 15 career starts. He could factor in on the interior.
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We have a great system and coaches in place. Just look at Jackson after the rams signed him to that huge contract. The lions know what they are doing with offensive lineman. I wouldnt mind a veteran like Scherff but i think the Lions want to go young and need as much cap room as possible for these upcoming extensions. I think Manu is going to be a stud in the next year or two. He has the perfect mindset and athletic abilty to succeed with the Lions coaching.
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I think that the right way to frame it is that we will continuously improve and be reaching peak ol by January.
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I think Ragnow is going to be sorely missed.
Is Rag’s the reason Jackson and GG played well in Detroit but not so much with the Rams and Bronco’s? Throw MaHog in there as well. How does a rookie with no training camp or preseason perform so well at both guard spots? I hope it’s all thanks to Hank, but Frank is/was a super smart player and helped those on his right and left. I have some concerns with our IOL with the retirement of Frank. I hope I’m giving too much credit to him.
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We should have some concerns because there is uncertainty. I expect that it will gel 4-6 weeks in and we will no longer have concerns (unless injury related).
You are not giving too much credit to Frank. His body may have been wearing down, but that man was a warrior.
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Losing Ragnow is a big loss. No doubt about it but our OL is still pretty good.
We’re solid at OT. Our depth could be better but Skip and Manu give us both experience and youth behind our starters.
I think Ratledge could be our starting center. If GG or Colon have to start at C I’m not as thrilled but it’s not the end of the world.
GG, and Mahogany at Gaurds should be fine.
I think our OL will be above average and likely top 10 still.
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Totally agree with you there.
I am hoping Ratledge can hold the center position and go from average to excellent over the course of the year. I would much rather see GG in the guard slot. But time will certainly tell.
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Absolutely valid points but i think we are gonna hit the ground running. Im sure there will be some growing pains but the coaching and talent on this offense will get it done. I kind of want to see GG at center and Mahogany and Ratledge at guard to start the season. That way both the young guys have veterans on either side of them. I think GG is going to have a bounce back year.
I hear you about Frank though. I think he was a bigger loss than Ben Johnson.
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I still think Holmes is going to sign another veteran guard at some point if the price is right. Our interior line depth is full of promise but also very very young.
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Dont over look Kingsley Eguakun at C
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Uncertainty shouldn’t breed concern. That’s when your faith in the coaching or players should kick in. It’s your choice.
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The Lions are going to be quite a bit weaker on the lines which is why, along with the schedule and losing both coordinators, I expect a sizeable step back this season. I think they’ll be dangerous come playoff time with the rookies on the O-line having more experience by that time, the systems of the new coordinators fully in place and Alim hopefully back to full strength with hopefully a pass rushing addition at the deadline but I think there’s going to be some serious bumps in the road up until that point so I could see this as a 10-7 team or so but a dangerous 10-7 team.
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I think having a healthy Hutch and Davenport. Reeder with a full training camp and not injury recovery. Draft picks and young guys on the team improving I’m not sure I see the dline weaker? I know Alim will be out the start of the season but I think a healthy Hutch makes a huge difference.
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Rags, Decker and Glasgow had a brotherhood that helped them excel when they needed it. So losing arguably the best center in the league hurts not only the talent level, but also team culture takes a bit of a hit. I’m not expecting the transition to be seamless. But by the end of the year, with Fraley and both the youth and depth we have, we’ll be very good still.
I don’t expect Sorsdal to make it. Colon, Kayode, and Frazier are all ahead of him, possibley Kingsley too. Not to mention Ratledge and GG. No room for him. And while its easy to root for Skip, I’m rooting for a youngster to make it hard to keep him too.
