Shanahan: Williams is a natural for zone-blocking scheme

I think it's safe to assume every effort will be made to get him up to par in whatever area he may be lacking. Being the #4 overall selection and the commitment made to him, it's difficult to fathom him not being in the starting line-up come opening day.

I am sure he will be starting against Dallas, just not sure whether he will be RT or LT.

It's interesting that Alex Gibbs, Zone Blocking Guru (as I understand it), was willing to take Okung.

"He's nasty, and football is his life ... He's football. He'll come early, stay late. We're gonna throw him right in. He will be our starting left tackle -- day one, hour one -- and we will live with him through whatever the pain is. He's a line coach's dream. Thirty-one other line coaches are sad right now.''
--Seattle offensive line coach Alex Gibbs, on first-round tackle Russell Okung,

Read More: 2010 NFL Draft has Sergio Kindle, Jimmy Clausen still available - Peter King - SI.com (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/peter_king/04/23/nfl.draft/index.html?eref=twitter_feed#ixzz0lw3jiPeP)
Get a free NFL Team Jacket and Tee with SI Subscription

There's no question Okung is going to be a quality player. We just liked Williams' overall athleticism, versatility, and upside more. Seems that Seattle would have been pretty happy with Williams too had we taken Okung instead.

It's interesting that Alex Gibbs, Zone Blocking Guru (as I understand it), was willing to take Okung.

I agree w/the overall sentiment that taking Williams was smart, but w/the caveat that it's being viewed as a good decision simply because he's a LT. I do have some fear that Okung was the better choice & he sounds like a guy that is more of a sure thing.

As always w/a top pick, they have to be motivated beyond $, cause he's gonna get a big chunk of that before he even puts all the pads on. I don't think it's fair to expect him to be that good in his first year, maybe his second. Just hope that deja vu of the bradford hit doesn't happen in the process!

if we had taken Okung, Alex Gibbs would be raving about how happy he was that Williams fell to them and how he felt he was the best OT in the draft. I don't think any staff member of any team would have anything remotely negative to say about their team's first round selection at this point.

There's no question Okung is going to be a quality player. We just liked Williams' overall athleticism, versatility, and upside more. Seems that Seattle would have been pretty happy with Williams too had we taken Okung instead.

Yeah!! Matty, I find it rare that an OT can run a 4.8/40 as well as having the athleticism and versatility to play every position on the offensive line. That is truly rare and allows you to understand just why we were so intrigued with him.

How come so many people were down on Gaither's work ethic, while ignoring that Williams also has a poor work ethic, apparently? I personally think Williams will be a solid player, but it's strange that people are down on one player for a poor work ethic, but are high on another player who possibly has a poor work ethic.

I haven't heard that about Williams. Your source?

Some critics on NFLN last night were saying Okung is a major holder, partially because of his extra-long arms and his technique.

I believe we picked the best tackle in the draft.

I'm for Flozell!

http://images.dawgsports.com/images/admin/penalty_flag.jpgI'm for Flozell!