Ekwonu contract

[LinvilleGorge]

5 minutes ago, Jay Roosevelt said:

He's not that far off from being a top-10 LT, though. Everyone assumes the league is flush with good LTs, but that really isn't the case. Even an average LT can be hard to find these days.

Ickey may not be top-10, but he's probably top-15. And he's still young with room to get better. It's not that outrageous to think he could be a top-5 LT over the next 3-5 years.

When you're 65th in pass blocking proficiency you're aren't that close. It's a pass blocking position. You'll take "good enough" run blocking of the guy is a legit good pass blocker. But the reverse means that guy probably shouldn't be playing LT. This was the concern about him going into the draft - that he was a much better run blocker than pass blocker but that he had the physical tools to develop as a pass blocker. 

[MHS831]

20 minutes ago, Lurk21 said:

This offensive line staff really did work. Crazy to think, being that in Tampa they didn't do too well in run blocking. 

I used to coach OL back in the days of leather helmets, but I can tell you that I was so impressed by the development of Ekwonu, Mays, and Zavala.  Not a coincidence.

[MHS831]

57 minutes ago, scratched said:

I have been crucified by the majority for that opinion.. 

and sometimes rightly so--but there are two sides to the Moton coin and I see both.  I agree with you and Linville that OT is a bigger need than we are letting on--(I realize this is off topic) however, I also wonder if they think BC and Nijman (who I think will be cut) can hold down the fort.  I would rather have a third round OT developed for a year than a first rounder rookie OT starting at RT.  I hate to see us committing to addressing a need in the 2026 draft with the first round pick.  As for your selection of GIFs, not sure you make a strong case.

[MHS831]

33 minutes ago, Jay Roosevelt said:

I mean, it's an easy call. He's a former top-6 pick who has played well overall and is still improving. Would you prefer an all-pro for the 6th overall pick? Of course. But he's far from a bust and people tend to forget how raw he was coming out of college as well.

He actually played better, earlier than I expected he would.

People forget that a lot of the first round OTs struggled as rookies--Sewell is a top 5 OT and he struggled, for example.  It takes time. 

[Khaki Lackey]

He's never played two consecutive seasons with the same coaching staff. Imagine trying to learn your trade with a new coach 3 years in a row. Ickey will be a top 10 LT in the league this year. Mark it.

[scratched]

58 minutes ago, MHS831 said:

and sometimes rightly so--but there are two sides to the Moton coin and I see both.  I agree with you and Linville that OT is a bigger need than we are letting on--(I realize this is off topic) however, I also wonder if they think BC and Nijman (who I think will be cut) can hold down the fort.  I would rather have a third round OT developed for a year than a first rounder rookie OT starting at RT.  I hate to see us committing to addressing a need in the 2026 draft with the first round pick.  As for your selection of GIFs, not sure you make a strong case.

I make the best case, the strongest case.... I mean its gignatic... 

[scratched]

57 minutes ago, Khaki Lackey said:

He's never played two consecutive seasons with the same coaching staff. Imagine trying to learn your trade with a new coach 3 years in a row. Ickey will be a top 10 LT in the league this year. Mark it.

I hope your right... I'm pulling for him

[Jay Roosevelt]

1 hour ago, LinvilleGorge said:

When you're 65th in pass blocking proficiency you're aren't that close. It's a pass blocking position. You'll take "good enough" run blocking of the guy is a legit good pass blocker. But the reverse means that guy probably shouldn't be playing LT. This was the concern about him going into the draft - that he was a much better run blocker than pass blocker but that he had the physical tools to develop as a pass blocker. 

Yes, but he's also only 24 years old after 3 full seasons in the NFL and isn't finished developing. If it makes sense I'd be all for moving him to RT if/when Moton is no longer here, but only if we have a sure-fire better option at LT.

[LinvilleGorge]

13 minutes ago, Jay Roosevelt said:

Yes, but he's also only 24 years old after 3 full seasons in the NFL and isn't finished developing. If it makes sense I'd be all for moving him to RT if/when Moton is no longer here, but only if we have a sure-fire better option at LT.

Do you want to pay him elite LT money to hope he keeps developing? I'm for picking up his 5th year option but I'm very much waiting and see on talking about offering that long-term franchise LT contract.

[mrcompletely11]

2 hours ago, MHS831 said:

 

Nevermind off topic

Edited April 16 by mrcompletely11

[mrcompletely11]

40 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

Do you want to pay him elite LT money to hope he keeps developing? I'm for picking up his 5th year option but I'm very much waiting and see on talking about offering that long-term franchise LT contract.

Pick up the 5th and then go from there.   If they extend him unnecessarily then that's a head scratcher

[Gapanthersfan]

I have no doubt that he will show improvement this season, but to what is the motivation attributed to? Has the fire been rekindled or does he know there is a contract on the line. 

There is no doubt at all that he has been stuck in a God forsaken situation since he was drafted. Judging him off the last 3 years is unfair which is why this is such a hotly debated subject. 

Dan has been in the biz long enough to know that paying the wrong guy franchise LT money is career suicude. It’s salary cap devastating. sit a guy that expensive? Yeah, right. He’s also the one most likely to get the QB killed if he doesn’t do his job. Ask Cam (I think Watt came from the blind side).

If Ickey turns himself in to a top 15 pass blocker and rips off a few glorious unnecessary roughness calls for unbridled violence after the whistle then by all means please pay the man accordingly. 

[Aussie Tank]

3 hours ago, scratched said:

I have been crucified by the majority for that opinion.. 

Probably the trade part of it. I'm all for grabbing a RT and letting him sit behind Moton for a year. Then letting the big fella ride off into the sunset when his contract is up 

[Jay Roosevelt]

1 hour ago, LinvilleGorge said:

Do you want to pay him elite LT money to hope he keeps developing? I'm for picking up his 5th year option but I'm very much waiting and see on talking about offering that long-term franchise LT contract.

Oh, I agree. This is exactly what the 5th year option is for. Let him play out this season and figure it out then. I expect him to make a pretty big jump this year.