CSN: "The 53: OL starters look set, battles for reserve spots"

I just edited that. Thanks for pointing that out.

Just teasing. :) We all have typos sooner or later.

Shannahan bragged about how far Maurice hurt has come in his press conference, saying that him and Polumbus along with Smith would compete for the RT spot.

Shannahan bragged about how far Maurice hurt has come in his press conference, saying that him and Polumbus along with Smith would compete for the RT spot.




When Jamal Brown tweaked his hip i was wondering why Polumbus was the guy filling in. I think out of the 3 Willie Smith is the best followed by Polumbus then Hurt. With Polumbus only being better than Hurt because of his experience with Shanahan and both the tackle and guard positions.

My speculation (thats what we do around here right?) is that they wanted to keep Willie Smith as Trent's primary back up and then Polumbus OR Hurt as the primary RT back up who can also easily go in at either Guard position when in a pinch. So when Jammal first tweaked his hip they didnt put Willie in at RT because they wanted him to take reps at LT with the second team since that would be his primary roll.

So now im thinking maybe theyre giving up on Brown if theyre gonna let Smith fight for the RT position and not serve as the primary backup to RGIIIs blind side. Or maybe im reading waayyy to much into very minor things....

From da man himself:

“Tyler has done an excellent job since he’s been here. Starting at the tackle position and the guard position, he’s played well. I think Maurice Hurt has made some tremendous strides at the guard and the tackle position. He’s a guy that can play both. We have both those guys running now, with Jammal [Brown] being out, at the right tackle position as well as Willie Smith. So those three guys will compete until Jammal comes back and we’ll flip one of them over to the left side behind [Tom] Compton and Trent [Williams].”

I don't like it that Shanahans putting Compton behind Trent at LT. He should be trying out at the RT position if Trent really is our guy. And especially if Jamaal is injured all the time.

Compton is a 6th round pick aka developmental. I think they're planning on Trent playing every snap and, if so, his backup is not relevant.

I don't like it that Shanahans putting Compton behind Trent at LT. He should be trying out at the RT position if Trent really is our guy. And especially if Jamaal is injured all the time.
I don't follow?

It makes perfect sense for Polumbus, Willie Smith and Maurice Hurt to compete at RT as opposed to Compton.
Mr.Glass brittle hips all but guarantees that the back-up RT will start/play in a fair share of games if not become the opening day starter.
And unlike Compton; Tyler, Willie and Mau all know this ZBS scheme and have played/started in actual NFL games.

I don't see how/why grooming Compton as Trent William's back-up says anything about whether 'Trent really is our guy'.

I don't follow?

It makes perfect sense for Polumbus, Willie Smith and Maurice Hurt to compete at RT as opposed to Compton.
Mr.Glass brittle hips all but guarantees that the back-up RT will start/play in a fair share of games if not become the opening day starter.
And unlike Compton; Tyler, Willie and Mau all know this ZBS scheme and have played/started in actual NFL games.

I don't see how/why grooming Compton as Trent William's back-up says anything about whether 'Trent really is our guy'.

True they have NFL experience, but Compton is the higher pick than all those guys, and he was actually drafted unlike Willie and Polumbus. He has potential. He deserves some Playing Time.

True they have NFL experience, but Compton is the higher pick than all those guys, and he was actually drafted unlike Willie and Polumbus. He has potential. He deserves some Playing Time.Huh?
A 6th round pick with 0 games started, 0 games played doesn't 'deserve' anything because they haven't earned it yet.
They certainly don't deserve playing time over guys that have actually played, started and performed in actual NFL games, regardless of draft position.

And again, what does playing Compton as Trent's back-up say about whether or not 'Trent is our guy'

Trent is the guy because of his cap number. The question is: can you rely on him? I think the speculation here is, going into the off-season, there was a need to improve LT depth. Was/is Compton the answer? Only time will tell.